Ancient “America’s Next Top Model” (ANTM) judge Jay-Manuel addresses fans head-on and denounces the release of the Netflix documentary series, “Reality Check”.
According to multiple reports from The Blast, “Reality Check” takes viewers behind the scenes of what really happened on the set of one of the most iconic reality TV shows of the 2000s, “America’s Next Top Model.”
The documentary series explores some of ANTM’s biggest controversies and questions the production’s place in pop culture history.
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Jay Manuel shares photo with Tyra Banks, posts cryptic message ahead of ‘Reality Check’ documentary series
Manuel shared a photo of him and Banks posing together on the set of “ANTM” before junior year. Manuel captioned the photo: “A reminder of how things were with Tyra just weeks before filming for the first cycle of America’s Next Top Model began.”
Manuel provided a backstory for the photo, explaining that he wanted to give viewers a glimpse into his state of mind at the time. He added: “This image of Tyra and I captures a moment when I was full of enthusiasm, optimism and completely ready to take on this new challenge.”
Continuing his message, Manuel said that no one involved in the behind-the-scenes production of “America’s Next Top Model” could have “predicted what this project would become or the global impact it would have.”
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Manuel says observers must ‘honor everyone’s truth’ after explosive documentary series ‘ANTM’ airs
In the docuseries, Manuel speaks openly with producers about his strained relationship with Banks, according to The Blast.
In a recent Instagram post, Manuel explained how he “admires Tyra for being a superstar model and breaking the barriers she broke in the fashion industry.”
As he continued, Manuel said that while the “Reality Check” docuseries will offer viewers “deep insight from many perspectives,” it’s important to recognize that everyone has had a different experience on the show.
“Everyone involved in ANTM has had their own journey with this show and their own truth,” he added. “We must honor each other’s truth.”
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Why Manuel says he and ANTM creator Tyra Banks are no longer close
Manuel opened up about his broken bond with Banks during Episode 3 of “Reality Check,” tracing the change back to an email he sent her after Cycle 8 in 2007, in which he expressed his desire to move on.
“It’s probably been the longest three days ever,” he said. “And [Tyra] In the end, he only responded with three words. ‘I’m disappointed.'”
Manuel added: “After this email exchange, all communication stopped. This should have been an opportunity to have a heart-to-heart, but that didn’t happen.”
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Did banks try to blacklist Manuel after he asked to leave “ANTM”?
Manuel claimed that as a result of this email exchange, his relationship with Banks was forever changed.
“Tyra chose not to talk to me at all when the cameras were off. When the cameras were on, she would talk to me,” he said. “After [trying to leave]I did cycle 9, which was… torture for me. I was so broken at the end of that cycle because of the mental torture of what was happening.”
Manuel confessed that although he desperately wanted to leave the show, he stayed out of sheer fear of being blacklisted.
“There has been a warning that has struck the fear of God in you,” he said. “You know, people talk about being blacklisted. Those words weren’t used, but I suspected that’s what it would sound like.”
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Banks faces criticism online over ‘Top Model’ docuseries
The “Reality Check” documentary series comes years after social media users began criticizing Banks and the producers of “America’s Next Top Model” for placing some of the show’s contestants in extremely dangerous and compromising situations.
After binge-watching the Netflix series, social media users are doubling down on their emotions towards the former host.
“Girl, at this point, Tyra Banks is EXACTLY who they say she is!” » someone wrote about X. “You will never make me believe otherwise!” Everyone took responsibility except her. She had more excuses than one [person] pay child support! »
“Tyra Banks you are going to look amazing in hell I’m so sorry but you have to go,” another user posted.
“Okay, that show on Netflix was really just 3 straight hours of Tyra Banks taking no responsibility for creating a show where she profited from the abuse and exploitation of young women for years. Got it. #RealityCheck,” a third wrote.