America's Next Top Model Faces Scrutiny Over Behind-the-Scenes Treatment
As documentaries continue to examine the legacy of Tyra Banks' groundbreaking modeling competition, explosive new revelations have emerged about the show's treatment of contestants. Insiders speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail ahead of E!'s Dirty Rotten Scandals series have detailed disturbing accounts of eating disorder struggles, inadequate disability accommodations, and questionable production practices that plagued America's Next Top Model throughout its run.
Former Contestant's Secret Battle with Bulimia
Lauren "London" Levi, who competed on Cycle 12 in 2009, has revealed she was secretly battling bulimia while filming the show. The former model, now 36, explained that the intense pressure of the competition triggered her eating disorder.
"The stress of the show really brought out the bulimia," Levi admitted. "Just the stress of being on there, comparing myself to these other women … all the stress of not sleeping was building up. So, I started to have that switch in my brain, well I'm going to eat for comfort or to self-soothe."
Levi disclosed that she had informed production about her history with bulimia nervosa but found herself unable to manage her condition properly during filming. Despite being closely monitored with cameras constantly present, she experienced overwhelming urges to binge eat, which would then trigger her bulimic tendencies.
Production's Controversial Monitoring Practices
A production source revealed to the Daily Mail that staff were aware of Levi's struggles and implemented what they called "bathroom watch" to prevent her from purging. The insider claimed they were instructed to "keep her from going to the bathroom for at least an hour so we can let the food digest."
Levi confirmed that the constant surveillance made it impossible for her to engage in her usual purging behaviors. "I never ended up puking," she stated. "I was too afraid of being caught. There was always people around. Always a camera."
Despite these precautions, Levi began gaining weight during the competition, which drew criticism from the judging panel. She recalled supermodel Paulina Porizkova delivering particularly harsh critiques about her changing physique.
Judges' Comments and Lasting Trauma
Levi alleged that creative director Jay Manuel made a damaging comment about her weight gain during filming. "All I can remember was him asking me, 'What's been going on?' … and his response was that as a model, I have a responsibility to maintain my weight and that I'm not respecting my body by putting on weight," she claimed.
Although Manuel did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment, he acknowledged in his 2020 memoir that he should have created a safer environment for contestants. Levi described her overall experience on the show as "traumatic" and said she felt manipulated by production tactics.
Inadequate Disability Accommodations Revealed
The production source also disclosed troubling information about how the show handled contestants with disabilities. For Cycle 22 winner Nyle DiMarco, who is deaf, interpreters were reportedly only provided "on certain days" due to budget constraints.
During an emotional episode featuring wounded warriors sharing their stories, DiMarco allegedly had no interpreter present. The source claimed he fled to the bathroom in tears, frustrated that he couldn't understand the soldiers' narratives. Rather than addressing the issue, production allegedly viewed it as an opportunity for dramatic television.
"Well honestly, we kind of want him to overcome some adversity," one staffer reportedly said according to the insider.
Questionable Production Decisions for Television Drama
The Daily Mail's source further alleged that executive producer Ken Mok sometimes prioritized dramatic television moments over contestant safety. During Cycle 16's bubble runway challenge, Mok reportedly ordered suntan lotion to be added to the runway surface to ensure someone would fall, creating what he considered good television.
While Mok hasn't responded to these specific allegations, he has acknowledged some production missteps in Netflix's Reality Check docuseries. Tyra Banks has also addressed criticism of the show, explaining that production felt pressure to deliver cutting-edge content to demanding audiences.
The production source offered some defense of Banks, stating, "I do side with Tyra. Tyra, in my opinion, wasn't really there. She didn't know, really, what was going on. Tyra was not there that often." However, Banks has credited herself as the show's "master editor" who ultimately decided what made it to air.
Lasting Impact and Calls for Change
Levi, who now works in film, suggested that the show should have provided better mental health support for contestants. "In an ideal world … I think there should be a counselor," she proposed. "To me, that's not unreasonable … to allow the women to have access to that even once a week for an hour, I think that would've been a game-changer."
These revelations come as America's Next Top Model faces renewed scrutiny through various documentary projects examining its cultural impact and behind-the-scenes practices. The show, which premiered in 2003 and ran for 24 cycles, revolutionized reality television but now faces questions about the human cost of its groundbreaking format.
