‘ANTM’ Alum Lisa D’Amato Criticizes Tyra Banks for Trying to ‘Save Face’ with ‘Money Grab’ Doc
One of the most Historically outspoken critics of “America’s Next Top Model.”two-time contestant Lisa D’Amato is clapping back in Tyra Banks’ upcoming documentary — by starring in a competing film.
Netflix’s “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” promises to “uncover the show’s complex legacy,” and the documentary suggests that “ANTM” creator Banks and developer Ken Mok are willing to take on the responsibility.
But D’Amato, who competed in Cycle 5 and went on to win “Cycle 17: All-Stars,” doesn’t believe it, as she told Page Six, “All Tyra cares about is making money. She has no real compassion for anyone other than herself.”
The 45-year-old model and activist believes Banks has harsh reactions and criticisms of aspiring models. Been vetted for yearsHe’s just trying to “save face.”
“In order for her to save face and make more money in the future, she’s going to have to take a little accountability,” D’Amato continued.
In the “Reality Check” trailer, Banks – who served as ANTM jury president for 23 of the 24 cycles, spanning from 2003 to 2018 – says: “I knew I had gone too far. … It was very intense. … But you were asking for it.”
D’Amato believes Banks, 52, will “have to” take “about 5% of the responsibility” for her career and public perception, but it will be “very difficult” for her to do so.
“Ultimately, my gut tells me from my own experience — which is very deep and many years in the making — that this represents a money grab for Tyra and Kin Mok…so they’re not 100% cancelled,” she told us.
When asked if she thought any amount of accountability from the couple would be “real,” D’Amato replied, “No. Oh my God, no! Tyra? Ken Mok and neither.”
Since Banks was already a well-known model by the time “ANTM” premiered, she became the face of “The Machine.”
It tainted empowerment with exploitation by ordering extreme makeovers, calling for racially insensitive photo shoots, and focusing on contestants’ often tumultuous personal lives — all in the name of “modeling lessons.”
D’Amato has long accused Banks and Mock, 64, of Exploiting the “horrific” childhood trauma “inflicted” on her by her mother In order to get a reaction from her to make a more dramatic and successful presentation.
During the fifth session, after Mock rejected D’Amato’s off-camera request to “stop using her childhood trauma against her behind the scenes,” she returned to the set and literally peed in the diaper she was wearing for this particular baby-themed challenge.
“For me, it was a huge provocation for Kin Mok,” she told us, holding up her middle fingers, claiming that she was later “punished” by Banks and her “editing obsession.”
Regarding the reason for her return to compete on the All Stars program in 2011 despite her negative experience six years ago, D’Amato explained: “I went there for revenge because I had received a lot of treatment, and I knew their tricks.”
Not only did D’Amato claim that she “signed the winning contract before” agreeing to film, but she also said she wanted to recapture the “crazy villain” persona she feels she was forced into for the first round.
“Either I’m going to keep letting it perpetuate it in a negative reaction (loop) forever — because the loops never stop repeating all over the world — or I can go out there and try to change it and help my mental health and also show other girls the inspiration that you can be your own hero.”
Although D’Amato plans to watch “Reality Check,” it will be a “dissection” for her, because she knows “a lot” of the former contestants interviewed on the special.
“I know their true experience and how much it affects their lives, so I will be watching it more to see how it is portrayed and edited,” she said, admitting that she was “scared” that their stories would be “manipulated” and “diluted.”
Representatives for Banks and Mok did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
Amato agreed to appear on E! Entertainment’s upcoming docuseries is titled “Dirty Rotten Scandals,” which promises to “expose the dark side of our pop culture obsessions,” including ANTM.
“It wasn’t a modeling competition; it was psychological warfare,” D’Amato says in the trailer, adding through tears: “I trusted you with my dreams. How dare you take my life away from me.”
The three-part “Reality Check” will premiere on Netflix on February 16, while the “ANTM” episode of “Dirty Rotten Scandals” will air March 11 on E!.
