An old “ANTM“ The candidate denounces the “damaging” editing of the show after appearing in a new documentary series on the fall of the reality TV program.
Keenyah Hillwho appeared in Cycle 4 of Tyra Banks’ popular modeling competition, spoke with Nick Viall on a recent episode of his podcast “Viall Files” and opened up about the show’s producers altering her to make it look like she had an overeating problem.
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Keenyah Hill Talks About ‘ANTM’ Producers Editing Her To Make It Look Like She Had An Overeating Problem
Hill was one of the former contestants interviewed for Netflix’s new documentary series, “Reality Check,” which pulled back the curtain on some of the behind-the-scenes of “America’s Next Top Model.”
Hill explained during his segment of the program that the editing of the show was not always accurate. She went on to say that producers made her feel like she had an overeating problem.
For perspective, Hill was shown during a Season 4 episode apparently eating several bagels. However, Hill said producers reused clips of her eating the same bagel to create a story.
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“I want people to understand. I was 5’11 and at the time I weighed about 130 pounds, which is really, really thin,” Hill told Viall. “As, [I was] very thin. …I was probably between a [size] two and four, which I’m not very far from now. They kind of prepared us, but again, it all comes back to the show and reality TV.”
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Hill thinks editing of ‘ANTM’ was ‘harmful’
Hill said on “Reality Check” that producers often categorize models and have to find ways to fit their predetermined narratives.
“Looking back, it’s like they had to find something as an integral part of the narrative,” Hill said of how the show handled its storyline. “That’s when I realized, OK, this is intentional. It was a little damaging to have them show me eating the same bagel, for example, showing me eating it like I ate three bagels but it was actually the same.”
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Hill recalls being made fun of for her weight after appearing on ‘ANTM’
Hill told host Viall that she had a difficult childhood, often teased for not having a naturally curvy body like others around her. As a result, Hill was bullied because he was “very thin” and wore “glasses.” [and] braces.”
Hill thought being cast on “America’s Next Top Model” would have been better for her. “The moment I entered [the show]I said to myself, this is where I belong! It’s perfect,” she said.
What happened on the show, however, was a “shock,” Hill said.
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Banks was front and center in a recent Netflix documentary about “Top Model”
According to a previous report from The Blast, Hill was featured in the documentary series “Reality Check” alongside fellow contestants Whitney Thompson, Giselle Samson, Shannon Stewart, Shandi Sullivan and Dani Evans.
Also on the show were former judges Jay Manuel, Jay Alexander and Banks herself. During one segment, Banks acknowledged that parts of the show were controversial.
“I knew I had gone too far. It was very, very intense, but you demanded it, so we kept pushing, harder and harder,” Banks said.
The documentary, directed by Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan, explored the series’ place in pop culture history. He revisits many of the reality show’s problematic moments, including the race-swapping photo shoot and Banks’ infamous collision with Tiffany Richardson.
Heartbreaking allegations have also been made against the show’s producers. In an interview, an emotional Sullivan recalled being attacked by a guest whom production allegedly allowed into the model’s quarters.
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Manuel alleges ‘Top Model’ producers tried to blacklist him
The contestants aren’t the only “ANTM” alums discussing alleged mistreatment. According to The Blast, Manuel claimed his relationship with Banks deteriorated in 2007 after he asked to be released from his contract.
Manuel went on to say that he initially emailed Banks and didn’t hear from her for three days. “And she finally only responded with three words. ‘I’m disappointed,'” Manuel added.
After Manuel explained that he was essentially forced to stay on the cast after receiving an alleged threatening message.
“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.”
