America’s Next Top Model Was Run Like a Cult

Sarah Hartshorne, then a sophomore at Boston University, learned that America’s Next Top Model was holding auditions for its next season at the nearby Prudential Center. With some friends’ encouragement, she decided to try out and was selected for cycle 9. She then prepared to spend a summer immersed in the glamorous fashion world. However, what awaited her was reportedly two months of psychological torment by the show’s producers.

Since the peak popularity of ANTM, the public’s view of the show has evolved from seeing it as a harmless guilty pleasure to recognizing it as downright harmful. Social media posts, particularly on TikTok, frequently highlight the questionable behavior of Tyra Banks, such as her body-shaming comments, outbursts at contestants, and feigned fainting incidents during filming. Over 24 seasons, the show publicly humiliated hundreds of young, inexperienced women (and for a short time, men), all in the name of entertainment. Many more people watched the show on TV and absorbed its problematic viewpoints.

Hartshorne, who is now an author, comedian, and new mother, shares in her latest book titled “You Wanna Be on Top?” that the reality behind the scenes of the show was more challenging than it appeared on television. In her book, she discusses how producers allegedly controlled contestants, such as not allowing them to communicate with each other when cameras weren’t present. (Hartshorne explains that she and her fellow cast members would converse in a closet, where the cameras could only capture their conversations from six feet away.) However, what truly stands out in the book – aside from the belief that all these women deserved hazard pay – is just how disorienting it can be to see oneself transformed into a TV character with no autonomy. In this interview, Hartshorne addresses some of the most intriguing questions that emerged after reading her book.

On How America’s Next Top Model Is Like a Cult

In the course of the entire book, Hartshorne clearly explains that the television series is more like a cult. This is evident in how the producers supposedly employed isolation and blatant deception to disconnect participants from their actual reality.

In reading Amanda Montell’s book, “Cultish,” I gained insights into how producers employed strategies akin to cult leaders. Conversing with participants from various seasons, I noticed intricate variations in manipulation techniques used on the contestants. Many of these individuals were minors during their participation, yet they found themselves in circumstances where alcohol was accessible, albeit legally questionable, such as international trips. Interestingly, this didn’t occur during our season. I believe this is due to the producers experimenting with different manipulation tactics on us. As a consequence, there are distinct aspects that set those who took part in my cycle apart.

The cruise ship stage was a chaotic and overwhelming experience. Passengers yelled at us wherever we went. Other seasons experienced equally bizarre and surreal scenarios, but they were not identical to ours.

On Not Being Allowed to Smoke During Production

Prior to the ninth cycle, America’s Next Top Model contestants were often seen smoking on camera. However, following the initial elimination, Tyra Banks announced that for the first time, smoking would not be permitted. She explained this decision was due to the negative impact it might have on young viewers, but some speculated there could be other reasons behind this change.

It seems like they may have halted smoking as a means to create tension and irritability among us. And it succeeded, as I can attest. During my chat with someone from the previous cycle, they suggested, “I’d wager they made you quit smoking so we could flee from filming.” When the women were on set and wanted to smoke together, it became more difficult to keep them quiet. It appears that this was a strategy to eliminate a card in our deck. The ability to request a smoke break was a resource we possessed, and they wanted to seize it.

They instructed us to ensure an ample supply of cigarettes during the entire filming process. Consequently, we were surrounded by a box of untouched cigarettes daily. Although they didn’t confiscate them, smoking was forbidden. The temptation to smoke one in the bathroom, which was the only room with a window, was strong, but I lacked the courage to do so.

On Ebony’s Self-Elimination

Following several weeks of being advised to smile more and express herself more, contestant Ebony Morgan decided to withdraw from the competition. When she found herself in the bottom two during elimination, she told Tyra, “I no longer wish to remain here.” It’s reported that Ebony, who had mentioned on the cruise ship her intention to portray the villain role, departed the show under her own volition. However, a producer later informed a source (Hartshorne) that Ebony was allegedly compelled to stay in a hotel room until the end of the season’s filming.

Ebony’s attempt at playing the “mean girl” role came off as too sweet, which only made me admire her more. It was a revealing aspect of her true character – at least from my brief interactions with her. Her actions were surprising because they didn’t align with what the show seemed to want from her. I got the feeling that the show was molding her into someone she wasn’t comfortable being. She took control of her own journey, which led to her spending nearly two months in a luxurious solitary confinement. They wouldn’t even allow us to hug her. Instead, she had to walk away on her own. This strict treatment suggested that there was an intent to discipline her. One of the producers admitted as much, stating that they were essentially punishing her because she wanted to leave. He acknowledged that it was a form of torment for her.

On the Perception of Twiggy As the “Nice” Judge

In cycle five, Twiggy, a former English model, was viewed as more compassionate compared to the blunt and sometimes harsh Janice Dickinson, whom she replaced on the judges’ panel. However, Twiggy’s comments, although less abrasive, were still sharp. According to Hartshorne, Twiggy offhandedly remarked that she takes good pictures but “in real life, you’re quite ordinary,” and stated that her dress made her look like a piece of ham.

In my opinion, it’s her accent that deceived me. At first glance, she appeared friendly and lovely, which led me to assume she was being genuinely kind. However, it wasn’t until later when I realized that she had said something rude to me. Despite this revelation, I continued to be polite toward her. It was as if I thanked her for the insult, making the situation even more awkward. My great-grandmother used to do the same thing; she would hide her insults in a sweet southern accent, and it often took me days to realize that she had spoken rudely.

Twiggy has spent most of her life immersed in the world of fashion, which makes feedback about her appearance seem routine to her. In my book, I discuss how I felt a strong sense of detachment from my physical self, viewing it as merely an aspect of my job as a model. To succeed in modeling, one must learn not to take comments about their body too personally.

On What She Thinks It Takes to Become America’s Next Top Model

If a show is considered a cult, there must be females who are willing to follow blindly. Hartshorne’s depiction of Saleisha (now known as Sal) suggests she had strong faith in the show, which seemed greater than some other contestants. However, Hartshorne isn’t entirely convinced that’s the full story.

It’s uncertain if Sal was an ardent fan of America’s Next Top Model, but it seems clear that she strongly believed in her own modeling abilities and self-worth. Her conviction remained steadfast, and she consistently worked to maintain this confidence despite numerous attempts by the producers to throw us off balance. The show’s tactics were designed to disrupt our equilibrium, but for Sal, this seemed to serve as a source of focus: “I am a model.” This self-assurance was partly rooted in her prior modeling experience, having worked professionally in the field for many years. Furthermore, I believe Sal is an individual with a strong sense of self, grounded and centered.

On Disordered Eating During Production

In the book, Hartshorne describes eating nothing but beans and cheese while in the house.

During our interactions, producers mainly handled our meal choices and ensured we had food when we weren’t home. However, I conversed with individuals from different cycles, and they mentioned that many people in their cycle struggled with eating disorders. This was amusing to me since none of the women in my cycle experienced this issue. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until I was diagnosed myself that I understood how preoccupied and obsessed I was about my meals, to the point where I might have missed signs if any of the other girls were struggling too.

On Using All Pronouns for Miss J Alexander

In the course of the book, Miss J Alexander, the show’s runway coach and occasional judge, is variously referred to with he, she, and they pronouns. However, it is worth noting that on the actual show, Miss J Alexander is predominantly addressed as “she”.

In that particular instance, I had disagreements with a couple of individuals, and I hope my decisions were correct. If he feels differently, I look forward to discussing it with him. Recently, I came across a video on Instagram posted by a contestant from America’s Top Model, where they spoke about their confusion regarding pronoun usage. One contestant mentioned, “I don’t know. They just transcend gender,” and Miss J’s caption seemed to approve of this sentiment. This interaction appeared to me as the best clue about the contestant’s preferred pronouns. If their preference has since changed, I would be open to updating my book accordingly. In interviews, he has stated that “he” is acceptable, while she has also indicated that “she” is alright. Considering this, it seemed appropriate to stick with one pronoun. However, many of my gender-fluid friends identify as ‘she/they,’ meaning they prefer ‘she’ and do not want ‘they’ used, yet find ‘they’ significant in expressing their identity. Although any pronoun is acceptable for someone who is gender-fluid, I believe it’s essential to acknowledge the complexity of their identities.

On Coming Out As Queer On-Camera (and It Not Airing)

In a chapter referred to as “The Closet,” Hartshorne delves into her acceptance of being queer during the show’s run. When her friend Jenah in the house casually revealed she was bisexual, Hartshorne recognized and admitted to herself, “Me too.” They were seated within a closet at the time, discussing privately without the cameras intruding too closely. Although a camera was nearby, roughly six feet away, their revelation did not air on television.

In that moment when I revealed myself to Jenah, both on camera and personally, it seemed significant at the time. However, living in the America’s Next Top Model house distorted my perception of time, importance, and reality. Everything inside the house felt distant; like a different dimension or a different version of me. I didn’t care much about what ended up airing on TV. I was always taken aback because I never knew what would grab their attention. I remember thinking, “That’s the moment they chose to broadcast? I guess I don’t understand what makes good television.” Now, I recognize that my perspective was limited compared to the producers’, which could be both advantageous and disadvantageous.

The term ‘surreal’ comes to mind because an unexpected element entered my life that sparked endless conversations with those who encountered me. However, I struggled to articulate it due to not fully understanding or processing the situation. It felt overwhelming and I couldn’t grasp it completely; all I could perceive was the immediate reality. In essence, I relied on the producers because their vision seemed to extend beyond mine – I often thought, I may not know your viewpoint, but I trust that you can see further ahead than I can. Looking back, I might have tried a different approach in handling that feeling of unquestioning faith.

On Watching Herself on TV

Hartshorne explains returning to the outside world post-show, experiencing it as if he had just stepped into a neighborhood he once lived in, which continued to evolve and transform while he was away.

I’ve seen my reality show experience twice, mainly focusing on watching my friends more than myself since I would hide my eyes during my own appearances. The first time I watched it all was after being eliminated and writing a book about it. Watching one episode at a time took me three hours due to memory triggers that needed recording. Seeing the house from the camera’s perspective for the first time, I realized there was an entire other wing we didn’t know existed. We were aware of areas off-limits to us, but I didn’t realize how vast it was.

On Whether She Owes Tyra Banks $5 Million

According to Hartshorne’s account, the contract for the Top Model show was said to contain a confidentiality clause that imposed a fine of $5 million if breached. Hartshorne narrates a meeting with the production team where she claims that the show’s lawyers warned that they would sue the contestants, their parents, and even the contestants’ future generations – including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren – if they spoke about the show.

I’m quite confident I don’t owe Tyra Banks $5 million. Since the final episode of her show aired in 2018, most of the contract has expired. My publishers, who have an excellent legal team, ensured all the details were correctly handled. Moreover, public scrutiny of Non-Disclosure Agreements seems to have increased since the show’s airing. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they won’t take legal action against me.

It seems I’ve been pondering over two possibilities: one, the shift in attitudes surrounding the show or NDAs, may have influenced me to be more courageous. However, in truth, I’m simply a habitual sharer, a trait I’ve nurtured since I first learned to speak. It’s as if I’ve always been saying, “I’ll never stop doing this.” The story within me was destined to emerge one way or another. Fortune smiled upon me when an exceptional literary agent reached out via direct message, suggesting we transform my tales from the internet into a book. To which I enthusiastically agreed, expressing my gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity.

On the Show’s Positive Impact

Hartshorne doesn’t solely criticize the show throughout the book; instead, he acknowledges its transformative impact on those previously overlooked by the fashion world. As stated by Hartshorne, “Tyra Banks aimed to revolutionize the fashion industry, and she successfully achieved this goal.

As a movie critic, I’ve pondered over the impactful journey of “America’s Next Top Model.” This show, indeed, has us juggling seemingly contradictory truths, making it quite the thought-provoking experience. On one hand, we appreciate its significant contribution to diversity in the fashion industry. It provided a stage for models and public figures who may not have had this opportunity otherwise, embracing various body types, gender orientations, and skin colors. Undeniably, Tyra Banks has expanded the fashion world’s spectrum, a move that I wholeheartedly applaud as a step towards inclusivity.

On the Reality Reckoning and Calls for a Reality Union

At the conclusion of her book, Hartshorne reflects on what she would tell Tyra if they were to meet now. Her emotions about her experience on the show – the positive, negative, and challenging aspects – are encapsulated in the final sentence: “I thank you. Compensate me.

It’s crucial that everyone should be compensated fairly for their work, time, and contributions, including their stories. Sometimes, this concept might seem insignificant or overly simplistic due to the perceived lightness of reality TV. However, it’s essential to remember that behind the camera, there are real people who deserve a work environment that adheres to fundamental safety and wage regulations. If forming a union can ensure fair payment for labor, then I wholeheartedly support this action.

In my initial plan, I intended to delve into a comprehensive account of various reality television shows for my book. However, as I conversed with several participants about their unique experiences on diverse reality programs such as ‘Drag Race’, ‘Great British Bake Off’, and ‘The Circle’, I was struck by the rich narratives that emerged. What I hadn’t anticipated was the wealth of stories I would uncover. For instance, participants from ‘The Circle’ received a more generous allowance and didn’t have to provide their own food supplies, unlike us who had to purchase food for the week. This added an unexpected layer of stress, especially considering the unpredictable nature of reality shows. In normal life, buying groceries for a week is routine, but on such shows where the schedule is unclear, we often found ourselves struggling to manage our meals. Being relatively young and inexperienced, we lacked the practical skills to meal-plan and shop effectively. Thankfully, that challenging time seems to be behind us now.

On Whether She’d Let Her Daughter Appear in a Reality Show

As I penned my book, I welcomed my firstborn into the world. My three-year-old daughter, with her captivating beauty, often draws compliments from others. However, I proudly affirm that her charm extends far beyond her exterior, encompassing her inner radiance as well.

I’d express my willingness to offer advice if the opportunity arises, but I want to be honest about how I might feel – nervous, scared, and disappointed. Ideally, our relationship is understanding enough to accept these feelings without pressure to “fix” them. So, we could acknowledge my discomfort together, like saying, “Mom’s uneasy,” and let it be okay.

My primary focus is to motivate her to seek opportunities for personal creative expression within her life. While modeling offers a unique experience, it’s undeniable that the environment is dominated by others who are responsible for the creative aspects such as photography, styling, and makeup artistry. Modeling requires adherence to someone else’s artistic vision, which can feel limiting. I hope she aspires to have more control over her creative journey than just posing according to someone else’s vision.

What I truly yearn for is her self-perception not to be heavily influenced by her physical appearance. My ideal scenario is that she values other aspects of life more than her looks. In essence, I hope she grows up to prioritize inner beauty over external appearances, avoiding the trap of becoming a reality star.

Cycle nine filmed the final auditions for the season on a cruise ship, presumably as part of a brand deal with Royal Caribbean. The other passengers had no idea they would be the backdrop for a TV shoot, and were visibly angry about their vacation being interrupted.

2025-07-09 16:56