Tajra Banks sues Netflix

Tyra Banks has filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix and the director of their documentary series “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” claiming that the producers cut hours of interviews to create a false narrative.

In a lawsuit filed Saturday in federal court in Los Angeles, the model who created and hosted "America's Next Top Model" says she was interviewed for three and a half hours, during which she took responsibility for some of the show's controversial decisions. But those interviews were shortened to just 16 minutes and manipulated "to support a false and defamatory narrative that bears no relation to what she actually said," the lawsuit says.

"The responsibility Ms. Banks took ended up on the cutting room floor. It was there, but viewers never got the chance to see it," her lawyers wrote.

Banks is seeking damages in the lawsuit against Netflix, directors Daniel Sivan and Mor Lousi, and production company EverWonder Studio. She is also seeking an injunction to prevent the use of her likeness and likeness in connection with the soundtrack of the documentary series, which was released as an album. Representatives for the defendants were sent emails seeking comment on Sunday.

"America's Next Top Model" launched in 2003 and ran for 24 seasons. In recent years, the reality show has come under critical scrutiny due to accusations of mocking contestants' physical appearance, manipulating contestants, and problematic photoshoots. Banks has previously addressed the criticism, acknowledging "the insensitivity of some of the moments on ANTM" and "some really bad decisions."

The lawsuit alleges that the producers of the Netflix documentary series used "selective editing, deliberate omissions, and precise manipulation of uninterrupted footage" to create the impression that Banks allowed a contestant to be sexually assaulted during the show, used her trauma to boost ratings, and later failed to remember it when asked about it in an interview.

“Defendants have edited the Netflix series to make it appear as if Ms. Banks knew she was being asked about the sexual assault and was deliberately trying to avoid the subject,” the lawsuit states. Banks, however, claims she was not informed or asked about the incident during the interview.

Her lawyers say she was not allowed to review the documentary series until the day before it aired on February 16. According to the lawsuit, she was not contacted after the interview to fact-check or given an opportunity to respond to the allegations made by other contestants. Other judges from the show also participated in the production of the series, including one who her lawyers claim harbors a personal animosity toward Banks.

"If Ms. Banks had known that these individuals were so deeply involved in the creation of the Netflix series, as consultants shaping the editorial direction of the project, while she was excluded from such a role, it would have been a serious warning sign. She would have known she was being set up. She would not have participated," the lawsuit states.

Banks' lawyers contacted Netflix in March to request access to the full transcripts of her interviews. According to the lawsuit, Netflix and EverWonder denied the request.

Since the documentary series was released, the public backlash has been "swift, harsh and directly directed against Ms. Banks."

Even her ice cream chain SMiZE & DREAM in Sydney, Australia, was targeted by organized negative reviews on Google, the lawsuit alleges.