I spent the last months speaking with 30+ contestants, producers, and judges from "America's Next Top Model," in light of backlash against "ANTM" and Tyra Banks.
Here is what I found: businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
Here is what I found: businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
"I felt like my life was being put on the line for ratings," Eugena Washington said. businessinsider.com/americas-next-… 
"ANTM" wrote the playbook for reality-TV competitions. But numerous contestants told me the show could cause real harm, and even some producers are now grappling with its impact.
Producers sought to include an "element of fear" in photo shoots + challenges, a top creative producer told me. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
ANTM is famous/infamous for its makeover episodes. Numerous contestants dealt with issues like bleeding scalps and, in cycle 12's Aminat Ayinde's case, long-term damage. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
I think it's important to realize how wild/potentially damaging the norms of reality TV — isolation, constant surveillance, lack of control — can be. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
Numerous contestants said they tried to avoid spending their roughly $38 daily allotment for groceries because it was the only money they received from the show. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
Producers could be relentless in securing the sound bite they desired, numerous people said. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
But what is Tyra like??? Actually, a pretty great boss according to many on ANTM's crew. Of course, some contestants had a different take. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
Tyra herself was the one who had the idea to put the contestants in a massive Greek salad. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
ANTM's approach to race has been a subject of discussion/debate for years, and can't be summed up on a single tweet. But — businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
Cycle 4's Lluvy told me contestants expressed concerns about the (first) infamous blackface photo shoot at the time. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
In a show where the underdog narrative reigned supreme, many contestants from underrepresented groups felt their sexual orientation, disabilities, and weight were mined for drama. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
Many contestants I spoke with — including some who said the show impacted their mental health — wanted to avoid labeling ANTM or Tyra exclusively as good/bad/cancelled. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
After I reached out for comment + fact check last week, Tyra Banks deleted her Twitter. (Could be unrelated! Who can say!) businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
If you enjoyed these little snippets, please please subscribe! There is waaaay more in the article itself, including producers' manipulation tactics, the casting process, treatment of LGBTQ contestants, and more contestants' thoughts. businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
I'm sure there will be a PDF floating around soon. But, subscribing allows me and the rest of the team at @thisisinsider to write more stories like this! So, if you like the article (or even just the tweets) please spend that $1 businessinsider.com/americas-next-…
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