Sherri Shepherd Defends Tyra Banks Following Documentary Backlash

Sherri Shepherd is speaking out in defense of Tyra Banks following the release of the explosive documentary about the behind-the-scenes drama of the popular modeling competition reality show.

Amid online reactions ranging from harsh criticism of the model to outright criticism for her past actions on the series, which premiered in 2003, the talk show host was visibly emotional as she defended her.

Sherri Shepherd Tearfully Defends Tyra Banks As ‘ANTM’ Documentary Backlash Continues

During a segment on her daytime talk show on Thursday, Feb. 19, Shepherd addressed the fallout from Netflix’s high-profile documentary, “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” and offered a compassionate view of Banks amid the model’s backlash.

“The show did horrible things to the contestants, and I think everyone expected Tyra to take on more responsibility,” she said. “I understand why people are angry.”

Shepherd then noted how different reality TV was back when “ANTM” was at the height of its popularity.

“But I also say you have to understand that all of this happened in 2003,” she said. “Reality TV was the Wild West back then. Every show was trying to outdo each other to stay on the air.”

“We’re awake now, we know a lot more now than we did then,” Shepherd continued in defense of Banks. “I hate that she gets so much criticism. She has to take responsibility, I know that, but I also know the battles that some people will never understand that are being fought.”

Shepherd also highlighted the “battles” banks likely faced behind the scenes to create the show and stay afloat.

The former co-host of “The View” highlighted the struggles Banks faced as “a young black woman trying to make it in the reality TV game,” which didn’t have many black women in positions of power at the time.

“We’re trying to compare a time today that we know well to a time when there was nothing like this show on the air,” Shepherd said. “We don’t take into account the battles that this black woman had to go through just to stay on the air so other people could get on the air.”

Then, while holding back tears, Shepherd added that she understood that things could have been done differently in hindsight, but Banks was ultimately coming from a genuine place, even if her methods weren’t always executed correctly.

“To keep a show on the air, there are things that we have to do that people will tell us, if you want to stay on the air, this is what you have to do, and we have to weigh the options, and sometimes we make bad decisions and we roll our eyes and go, in hindsight, maybe I shouldn’t have done it, but I just wanted to open the door and give a platform to people who look like me,” Shepherd said.

‘ANTM’ Winner Eva Marcille Also Expressed Her Support for Tyra Banks Following the Documentary’s Release

During an appearance on “CBS Mornings” on Thursday, February 19, PEOPLE reported that Marcille was understandably asked about the Netflix documentary about the series, which has been a topic of intense conversation since its release earlier this week, and she shared her perspective.

“I’ve been asked about Tyra for 21 years,” the former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star said. “No matter what project I do, what I’m involved in, ‘Top Model’ somehow finds its way into my interview. I’ve done 154 projects since ‘Top Model’. It’s been 21 years.

Marcille, who is by far the most successful person on “ANTM,” then shared that she will always thank Banks, something she has done consistently for decades, for changing her life for the better.

“But thanks to ‘Top Model,'” she said. “What I will say is that I will never fail to thank Tyra. What Tyra set out to do in this business, I will always say – and especially for ‘Top Model,’ at the beginning – that she set out to change the world; to change what looked like, what sounds like, what the modeling industry expects. And she did that for me.”

Marcille also noted that it was “very surprising” that she was not asked to participate in the documentary.

Former ANTM Contestant Attacks Tyra Banks Online

Tiffany Richardson, best known for her viral moment on the show that prompted Banks to shout the iconic phrase, “I was rooting for you, we were all rooting for you,” took to social media after the documentary’s release and slammed the model in an expletive-filled rant.

“Wait @tyrabanks let’s keep it cute.. you lie 1 as attached as a bitch.. you know how you treated me all the time off and on camera, YOU WERE A BULLY!!! You treated me like shit and said the nastiest things about me and my son,” Richardson began. “That’s not how the argument went down but y’all edited to make it look like you care…also F-CK @theshaderoom F-CK YO WERID AS FANS AND F-CK YOU @tyrabanks I BET YOU DON’T SIT WITH ME FACE TO FACE AND TALK ABOUT IT!!!”

“Also F-CK MY FAMILY TOO [eye roll emojis] you never defend me, i have more money and help more people than all or most top models, but that’s the update you all give [eye roll emoji] damn shame…still makes you hate the little black guy like me… @tyrabanks hoe just gave up, IT’S BEEN OVER 20 years f-cccckk,” she wrote.

Banks says she’s working on an ‘ANTM’ comeback

“After the show, I had so many big ideas for my life,” she said. “I’m obsessed with pivoting and living in Australia now. I feel like my work isn’t done. You have no idea what we have planned for cycle 25.”