The Illusion of ‘America’s Next Top Model’

The Illusion of ‘America’s Next Top Model’

From Slate Money by Slate Podcasts

March 31, 2026 · 44 min

About this episode

Journalist Bridget Armstrong discusses the realities behind America’s Next Top Model and its impact on contestants.

In this Money Talks: Journalist Bridget Armstrong joins Emily Peck to discuss this moment of reckoning for the iconic reality show America’s Next Top Model and what she learned in reporting for her podcast Curse of: America’s Next Top Model . They explore how Top Model ’s central promise — a fast track to a career in the fashion industry — was ultimately an illusion used to make great television at the expense of the contestants.  Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify . Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Emily Peck

Guest: Bridget Armstrong

Topics covered

  • reality television
  • fashion industry
  • media critique
  • contestants' experiences
  • journalism

Keywords

  • America’s Next Top Model
  • Bridget Armstrong
  • Emily Peck
  • reality show
  • fashion career
  • media illusion

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Curse of: America’s Next Top Model, America’s Next Top Model

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