ANTM Winner Lisa D'Amato Accuses Tyra Banks of Profiting from Models' Trauma
Lisa D'Amato, the winner of America's Next Top Model's All Stars cycle, has launched a scathing attack on host Tyra Banks, vowing to continue speaking out because Banks is "still profiting off the tears and the trauma of the girls to this day." The 45-year-old model, who first appeared on cycle five in 2005 before winning in 2011, made these claims during an appearance on E!'s documentary Dirty Rotten Scandals, which rivals Netflix's Reality Check.
Mounting Backlash and Allegations of Exploitation
Since ANTM has been re-examined in recent years, Tyra Banks has faced increasing criticism for her role in the show. Producers have been accused of covering up a sexual assault incident and using "racist and fatphobic" language. In response to the backlash, Tyra stated on Reality Check, "I knew I went too far. It was very, very intense. But you guys were demanding it, so we kept pushing more and more and more." Notably, Tyra declined to participate in Dirty Rotten Scandals.
Lisa D'Amato has long been vocal about her disdain for Tyra and the show's process, now accusing the host of deliberately making her look "crazy" and publicly humiliating her for financial gain. Tyra previously revealed she earns a "very nice payday" from ANTM, owning 25 percent of the global franchise that airs reruns in 170 countries.
Personal Trauma and Psychological Manipulation
During her initial stint on the show, Lisa was filmed while intoxicated in the model house, leading to a lasting stigma around her drinking. She claims producers pressured her to discuss childhood trauma on camera, which exacerbated her erratic behavior. "I wasn't eating correctly, I wasn't sleeping, and I probably had a couple too many glasses of wine," she explained about a scene where she fell asleep outside. "They were weaponising my childhood trauma, they wanted to f**k with me emotionally. Tyra made me look absolutely crazy on purpose."
Lisa added that when fellow model Coryn Woitel called her an "alcoholic b**h," it set a tone that haunted her for 15 years. "I was set up to be publicly humiliated on repeat forever, so Tyra could make money," she asserted.
Controversial Conditions and Contestant Experiences
Despite her negative experience, Lisa returned for the All Stars cycle in 2011 seeking redemption, but quickly realized conditions hadn't improved. She described contestants being forced to sit in a van for four hours with paper bags over their heads, likening it to the Stanford Prison Experiment. "All of us were sleep deprived, all of us weren't able to eat enough food. They [producers] know what they're doing and it's intentional," she said.
Lisa's win came after Angelea Preston was stripped of her title when it emerged she had previously worked as an escort. Angelea, who was due to sign a $100,000 contract with Covergirl, received only $300 and was sent away. "My dream was right there, like somebody dangling candy in front of a kid," she recalled. Angelea filed a $3 million lawsuit but later dropped it, stating, "I realised I wasn’t going to win."
Other Models Speak Out on Exploitation
Jeana Turner claimed her battle with alopecia was exploited, as she was encouraged to shave her head despite being told she'd get a wig. "How was I ever going to win when Pantene was a hair company? I don't have hair!" she exclaimed. Cycle nine's Sarah Hartshorne revealed the $100,000 modeling contract was merely a "promise of the opportunity to do 100k work over a year," with no obligation to pay.
Cycle two winner Yoanna House said she was "indebted to America's Next Top Model" for a year, doing unpaid appearances and struggling with body image issues that led to a workout disorder. Keenyah Hill, criticized by judge Janice Dickinson for her "gut," suffered lasting effects, including an inability to eat in public. "I've had so many people message me and say that they've developed eating disorders after watching," she shared.
Allegations of Cult-Like Control and Racism
Sarah Hartshorne alleged producers used "cult techniques" to manipulate contestants, controlling bathroom breaks, meals, sleep, and communication. "They isolated us from our friends and family... We were so sucked into just doing what they wanted," she said. Yoanna House added that rules included constant lighting, no cell phones, and closed windows, making them feel like "an animal" in an experiment.
Season one's Ebony Haith spoke out about racist treatment, with stylists laughing at her hair texture and giving her bald spots. Tyra reportedly told her, "With your skin texture, being an African American woman, it should be like butter," which Ebony found demeaning.
Tyra Banks' Response and Legacy
Tyra Banks has acknowledged some missteps, apologizing for incidents like Dani Evans' forced dental work to close a gap in her teeth. However, many contestants feel the apologies are insufficient. Judge Janice Dickinson claimed Tyra encouraged cruelty, saying, "America's Next Top Model really tortured these girls for Tyra's ego."
As the documentary sheds light on these allegations, Tyra declined to comment when approached by E! and The Daily Mail. The revelations continue to spark debate about the ethics of reality TV and the lasting impact on participants.
