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Season 1 – Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model Feb 2026 Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 9 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Models, judges and "ANTM" insiders, including Tyra Banks, look back at the reality show's complicated legacy.

Critics Reviews

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Scaachi Koul Slate 3h
The documentary does what you want a good documentary to do: It reminds us what happened, and why it happened, and ultimately renames it as both a culture-buster and a reinforcement of the worst of predatory entertainment. Go to Full Review
Rebecca Nicholson Financial Times 1d
3/5
This is a mesmerising, icky reckoning with the early 2000s, then, but without much in the way of self-awareness from those at the top. Go to Full Review
Anita Singh Daily Telegraph (UK) 1d
4/5
Netflix’s juicy documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model...isn’t exactly an exposé, because we could all see that it was a hot mess. But you will still goggle at this reminder of what ANTM served up each week for our entertainment. Go to Full Review
Rebecca Cook metro.co.uk 1h
3/5
There’s nothing more shocking or revelatory here than the scenes from the show itself, which offer a depressing insight into what we were prepared to inflict on people for the sake of entertainment. Go to Full Review
Lily Moayeri Under the Radar 6h
7/10
America’s Next Top Model continues to circulate widely online. If anything, this docuseries may not dampen its popularity so much as complicate it, prompting both reconsideration and rewatches. Go to Full Review
Jeanine T. Abraham VisAbleBlackwoman (Medium) 2d
5/5
This documentary shows the audience exactly what reality TV is and, more importantly, what the industry does to young Black women. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Suzanne D @ZannyIreland 41m I remember this show so well when it came out originally but while at the time I thought a lot of the shoots and treatment of the models was pretty horrendous the actual behaviour of the biggest narcissist ever Tyra Banks is utterly unforgivable. What a thoroughly horrible self righteous individual that wants to appear humble and understanding comes across as nothing more than manipulative, derogatory, insulting and ego hungry. Nasty nasty nasty See more Francisco G. @franciscoDisco90 11h Everything you want in a documentary. If you’re a millennial, this will take you back! I think the length is perfect and happy all the judges came back. I wish they paid the women who spoke out. Past cast members said they paid the judges but not the women and that’s a shame to hear. Tyra is delusional, unapologetic, and gaslightings the audience the entire time. The J’s are iconic and was the representation we needed. See more L. F 22h I was really sucked in to this documentary, however, I was left wanting a bit more when it ended. It's shocking to revisit how the makers of reality TV treated people during the early 2000s. Not only was there a lack of duty of care for contestants' health & wellbeing, but there were multiple examples of exploitation, manipulation & coercion which had very real world consequences for the women involved. The individual stories are truly horrifying. Tyra Banks responds to these by making evasive, insincere, condescending comments, further exposing her flawed character & privileged position. Unfortunately, her inability to take accountability means the show ends a little abruptly & in a way which feels like more needed to be said. See more Read all reviews
Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 16, 2026 On Top Tyra and the judges reflect on the early vision and ambitions of "ANTM;" as the show becomes a cultural phenomenon, drama builds up behind the scenes. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 16, 2026 Still in the Running After a distressing episode in Milan, "ANTM" explodes and chases bigger spectacle; infamous moments court controversy, as audiences clamor for more. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 16, 2026 Rooting for You As ratings slide, the show makes drastic changes; Tyra, the judges and the models all confront what comes next when the "ANTM" era comes to a close. Details

Season Info

Director
Mor Loushy, Daniel Sivan
Executive Producer
Jon Adler
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Feb 16, 2026