When American reality television expanded beyond singing talent shows, one of the series at the forefront was America’s Next Top Model. Taking the format of a competition series with the niche of professional modeling, ANTM was groundbreaking. Easily one of the most important reality television shows of the 2000s, viewers were given an inside look at the cutthroat world of print and runway modeling through the lens of a high-stakes competition. With Tyra Banks at the helm, the series doubled down on image, at first. But over the years, ANTM became that show that broke the rules. It expanded beyond the common tropes of beauty standards, it showcased the reality of the diverse world of modeling, and eventually demanded the contestants feature inclusion based on gender and body type.

And yet, after all these years, after Tyra helped secure a legacy for the series, America’s Next Top Model and its host have received backlash. Through the power of social media, a generation who may not have grown up with the series as their viral show are taking a look back and criticizing every nook and cranny. Tyra has been in the crossfire when she should be receiving praise and admiration for her tireless work fighting for diversity and inclusion. Certainly she had her flaws. Every host, creator, and producer does. But now is not the time to bash. Now is the time to celebrate the work Tyra Banks did while on America’s Next Top Model.

Tyra Banks Admits Faults From the Past

It’s been years since the final cycle of America’s Next Top Model aired, but being honored at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, Tyra has unearthed conversations that have struck a nerve. To put it bluntly, she said in her speech, “I refuse to have my legacy be about some stuff linked together on the Internet when there were 24 cycles of changing the world.” Throughout her speech, Tyra noted the diversity she fought for when it came to who she fought for to be included in casting. She acknowledged the doors she was able to open for others. But having her feet held to the fire, even her speech found some backlash. Tyra certainly was not the first Black model to be celebrated on a mainstream platform. Iman. Naomi Campbell. Grace Jones. There might not be a Tyra without those trailblazers. But grace should be given to Tyra for her ability to bring her world on camera at a time when she could capitalize on reality television.

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“I Said Some Dumb S–t”: Tyra Banks Confronts ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Backlash

Tyra owns up to past mistakes but stands by ‘ANTM’s legacy.’

As a bit of a reality television historian of sorts, the 2000s were not a great time for politically correct content. Not just from the shows that were created to cause controversy based on their content or theme. Even the huge hits had their embarrassing moments. Survivor‘s 13th season split the tribes based on race. Sure, it was one of the most diverse seasons at the time, but the way they went about it was brutally incorrect. America’s Next Top Model had some controversial moments that have forced a microscope on the series. Nothing will ever top the inexcusable race swap challenge from Cycle 4. Even then, the show didn’t earn their lesson by doing a similar challenge during Cycle 13. But over the course of 24 cycles, these moments keep bogging Tyra’s legacy.

Tyra Banks Changed the Face of Beauty With ‘ANTM’

Tyra has admitted in the past that America’s Next Top Model failed to be inclusive and diverse enough. Key word: enough. There will always be a conversation about how Tyra and ANTM could have done better, but look at what they were able to do. While appearing on The Tamron Hall Show, Tyra acknowledged that she was bound by the rules of the modeling industry. “I was trying to push boundaries but was also torn to try to make sure that these girls could work, so it was a balance,” the host said. “It was like, ‘Oh, break beauty barriers,’ but yeah, I can break them all I want on the show, but they’ll graduate from the show, and they won’t work.” One of the biggest criticisms Tyra has faced through the power of resurfaces clips was her decision to question Cycle 6 winner Danielle Evans if she would fix the gap in her teeth. While absolutely not an excuse, the world was a very different place in 2006. If you think this was bad, did y’all find the clips from The Swan?

Diversity and inclusion came to the forefront on ANTM as Tyra fought to bring a plethora of people into the competition. Men were eventually brought into the competition. Plus-sized contestants were eventually celebrated. They were small victories, but looking at the current landscape of beauty influencers in the social media world, Tyra’s series seemed to have a stronger portrayal of reality than our actual reality depicts. It may take even more time for Tyra Banks to receive her flowers without flaw, but her exposure of the beauty industry, even though small victories, has changed the game. There would never be a world of beauty influencers or social media models had Tyra not had a successful reality competition show. We are not here to free Tyra from her mistakes. She has taken the time to admit her faults. Let her recent award continue to open up a conversation about how Tyra pushed the world of beauty for the better. We thank you for your duty. And smize.