ANTM’s Tiffany Richardson Calls Tyra Banks a Bully

It’s become clear that time hasn’t eased all the pain from Tiffany Richardson‘s experience on America’s Next Top Model. The recent Netflix docuseries, Reality Check, which revisits the show’s problematic moments, has brought those feelings back to the surface. Richardson, who was involved in one of the show’s most talked-about and criticized scenes, publicly called Tyra Banks a “bully” in a now-deleted Instagram post. She accused Banks of being dishonest in the docuseries and claimed she was treated poorly both on and off camera, and that Banks said hurtful things about her and her son.

One of the most talked-about moments on America’s Next Top Model happened when Tyra Banks intensely confronted contestant Tiffany Richardson, accusing her of not being serious about the competition. During the 2005 episode, Banks famously shouted, “I have never yelled at a girl like this. It’s because my mother loved me when she yelled at me!” She continued, explaining that she and the other judges had been supporting Richardson and were disappointed by her attitude.

Throughout the show, Tyra Banks felt deeply connected to Tiffany Richardson’s journey and was personally hurt when she perceived Richardson wasn’t fully committed. Richardson first tried out in season three but was cut after a disagreement, though she was given a second chance the following season after completing anger management. In her book, Reality Check, Banks admits, “I really overreacted.” She believes the situation was about more than just Richardson, explaining, “It tapped into issues around family, friendships, societal expectations, and the struggles faced by Black women constantly being told they aren’t good enough. All of that came out in that moment.”

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2026-02-18 02:54