Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model | Part 1

Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model | Part 1

From You Can’t Make This Up by Netflix

February 19, 2026 · 49 min · Season 9 · Episode 3

About this episode

This episode features former ANTM judges Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker discussing behind-the-scenes details of America's Next Top Model.

The Netflix documentary series Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model reexamines the TV show’s impact on a nation’s perception of beauty and the troubling situations it put contestants through in the name of entertainment. It offers behind the scenes stories from Tyra Banks, her co-stars, and her producers, and their thoughts today about the program’s most controversial moments. And it features emotional interviews with former contestants who ask, if the show was rooting for them, why were they treated the way they were? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, former ANTM judges Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker reveal details they've never shared before from behind the scenes of the show. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Dig deeper into all of your favorite Netflix documentaries and films at tudum.com. Check our true crime hub at tudum.com/truecrime. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

People in this episode

Guests: Jay Manuel, Nigel Barker

Topics covered

  • beauty standards
  • reality television
  • contestant experiences
  • behind the scenes
  • cultural impact

Keywords

  • America's Next Top Model
  • Tyra Banks
  • reality TV
  • contestants
  • beauty perception
  • Jay Manuel
  • Nigel Barker

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Netflix

Books & works: America's Next Top Model, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model

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