TRIGGER WARNING: This article discusses sensitive topics that may upset readers.
No doubt about it,America’s Next Top Modelhas produced someamazing and memorable photo shootsthroughout its long run.
ANTMchallenged their models in ridiculous ways.
Image via UPN
Most of the time, the judges could be seen in the audience laughing at the contestants' struggles.
They have made vision-impaired models walk dimly lit runways, andhearing-impaired models do photo shootsin the dark.
Most of them struggled and many fell, all while the judges giggled from their seats.
ContestantDanielle Evansfell and twisted her ankle so badly that she came back to judging with crutches.
Despite her injury, Danielle remained poised and professional.
9Just an Inch?
From aCruella De Villook to a fauxhawk, Tyra knew how to push the contestants' looks and boundaries.
In Cycle 5,Cassandra Jean Whitehead was Tyra’s target.
With a background in pageantry, Cassandra had long, brown hair that she was reluctant to cut.
If a model mentioned a worry or concern of theirs, Tyra was sure to sniff it out.
Ironically, the contact lenses couldn’t even be seen in the final product.
That same day, another model overslept and arrived late, but shedidparticipate in the shoot.
Image via UPN
It seems absurd, and it did to Danielle in Cycle 6 as well.
The judges chastised her and used their passive aggressiveness to express their disappointment in her.
However,Danielle stuck to her guns and left with the Cycle 6ANTMcrown.
Images via UPN
This whole scenario is especially hypocritical given modelChelsey Hersley’s makeoverin Cycle 15.
Her unique smile, including a gap between her front two teeth, was praised by the judges.
The series has praised extremely thin women likeAnn Wardin Cycle 15, raising concerns over potential eating disorders.
Image via America’s Next Top Model
The judges humiliated Keenyah by assigning her “Gluttony” in a seven deadly sins shoot.
And, in Episode 9, Mr. Jay designated her the elephant during an animal-inspired shoot.
In Cycle 8 ofANTM, a similar thing happened with contestantJael Strauss.
Image via UPN
Jael was assigned a strangulation death and found it understandably difficult to concentrate.
This situation was made more ominous when, in 2018, Jael passed away after battling breast cancer.
4Just Kidding!
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Angelea Prestonis a clear case.
In a hypocritical move, the finale was reshot to crownLisa D’Amatothe winner, with Angelea nowhere in sight.
Keenyah from Cycle 4 had an issue with a male model she had to pose with.
Image via UPN
He was whispering sexual things in her ear and touching her inappropriately.
Then, at panel, the judges chastised her for making the situation worse by speaking up for herself.
When she tearfully revealed to Mr. Jay about how her trauma was affecting her.
Image via UPN
He defaulted to telling her to push through her discomfort and maybe get some therapy.
Sometimes these microaggressions were targeted at specific contestants, like Cycle 3’sYaya DaCosta.
In Episode 8’s panel, the models had to select a hat to model.
Image via The CW
Keep Reading:The Best ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Photoshoots From Each Cycle
Image via the CW
Image via The CW
