America's Next Top Model Reflected Society's Toxic Beauty Standards Rather Than Creating Them
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/by/jessica-grose. "Opinion | Was Tyra Banks the Villain? Or Were We? - The New York Times." March 8, 2026. www.nytimes.com
The Gist
The authors argue that while 'America's Next Top Model' was harmful to contestants, it wasn't uniquely evil - it was just showing on TV the same toxic beauty standards that already existed everywhere in society and the modeling industry. The real villains were all of us who watched and enjoyed it.
Conclusion
While Tyra Banks and 'America's Next Top Model' engaged in harmful practices, the show was primarily reflecting and amplifying the toxic beauty standards and treatment of women that already existed in society and the modeling industry, rather than being the sole villain
Premises
- The show's body shaming and harsh critiques mirrored the language already used in fashion magazines and beauty culture of the early 2000s
- The actual modeling industry was even more brutal and exploitative than what was shown on television
- Despite its harmful elements, the show was revolutionary for its time in featuring diverse contestants including LGBTQ+ individuals and curvy models
- Viewers, including the authors themselves, were complicit in consuming and enjoying the mistreatment of contestants
- The show attempted to change industry standards by challenging traditional beauty norms, even if executed problematically
- The cultural context of the early 2000s normalized the type of commentary and treatment seen on the show
Assumptions
- Reality TV shows reflect broader cultural values rather than create them in isolation
- The modeling industry's practices represent deeper societal attitudes about beauty and women's bodies
- Viewers bear some responsibility for the content they consume and validate through viewership
- Cultural progress can be measured by comparing past and present attitudes toward the same content