“America’s Next Top Model” is back in the spotlight with the release of Netflix’s new three-part documentary series “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.” Taking viewers behind the scenes of the modeling competition, “Reality Check” began streaming on Feb. 16, delving into the stories behind some of the show’s most viral (and controversial) moments.
Premiering on UPN in 2003, “America’s Next Top Model” quickly established its place in pop culture, and was a global hit among fashion enthusiasts, paving the way for countless spin-offs and dominating online discussion spaces as its modeling challenges continued to become more outlandish, and often damaging, with each episode.
In addition to the show’s creator and host Tyra Banks, executive producer Ken Mok, and previous judges Miss J, Nigel Barker and creative director Jay Manuel, numerous contestants from various seasons made an appearance on “Reality Check” to share their perspectives.
Some of the show’s most famous alumni include Winnie Harlow, Eva Marcille, Yaya DaCosta, Lio Tipton and Nyle DiMarco, although not all of them won their respective cycles. In fact, Harlow, arguably the biggest name to compete on the show, told “Watch What Happens Live” host Andy Cohen while on his talk show in 2018 that “ANTM” “really didn’t do anything for my career…which, it doesn’t do anything for any model’s career, realistically.”
Several former contestants have spoken out about the way they were treated on “ANTM,” with many taking issue with the harsh criticism and judges’ invasive demands. Although some have found success, many of them have shied away from the spotlight completely, raising the question whether competing on the show was worth it.
Below, check out what the show’s winners are up to now, if they continued modeling, and what they had to say about Netflix’s new documentary.
Cycle 1 (2003): Adrianne Curry
Illinois native Adrianne Curry made “ANTM” history as the winner of the first cycle in 2003. The then 20-year-old went on to pose for magazines including Maxim and Playboy and appeared on several reality shows, such as “The Surreal Life” and “World’s Dumbest.”
Curry married “The Brady Bunch” actor Christopher Knight after meeting on the VH1 reality show “The Surreal Life.” The couple later starred in their own series, “My Fair Brady,” before divorcing in 2013.
In 2018, Curry married actor Matthew Rhode, with whom she now lives in Montana, selling Avon products, and posting about politics from a rightwing point of view. Curry does not appear on “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” and recently took to X to share her feelings about the project.
“I am deeply grateful I won the first season of Top Model,” said Curry. “I think people psychoanalyzing it over 20 years later with a woke lens is absurd. I don’t trust people to not manipulate things I say for tv, so I decline everything. Also, the public is cult-like and cruel, so the last thing I want is a bunch of eyeballs on me. I hope the other girls do not have their words twisted in their Netflix show.”
The day the show dropped, she tweeted this: “Fun fact…I was the first woman to be sexually assaulted on top model…they titled the episode ‘girl deals with a pervert.’ a man reached up my skirt out of nowhere on the street…2x I was scolded for being so upset by it & missing a casting and was almost eliminated.”
Former Cycle 1 contestants that make an appearance on the docuseries include runner-up Shannon Stewart, Ebony Haith and Giselle Samson.
Cycle 2 (2004): Yoanna House
Yoanna House went on to model and work as a TV host and producer after her Cycle 2 win. In 2005, she became the host of “The Look for Less,” replacing Elisabeth Hasselbeck and hosted the reality series “Queen Bees” in 2008.
The Florida-based model had a son in 2008, and reunited with Tyra Banks several times throughout the 2000’s on “The Tyra Banks Show.” According to her Instagram, House still models and her bio says she attends Harvard Business School, in addition to offering styling services and modeling masterclasses.
While House does not appear on “Reality Check,” she will be featured on the upcoming E! documentary series, “Dirty Rotten Scandals,” which will focus on revealing the dark side of “ANTM, as well as “Dr. Phil” and “The Price Is Right.”
In a recent Instagram post, House showed support for the upcoming Netflix documentary, posting a teaser and captioning it, “You will always WIN with vulnerability over fear or arrogance. Can’t wait ❤️ February 16 @netflix.”
Former Cycle 2 contestant Shandi Sullivan appeared on “Reality Check” and revealed her traumatic experience on the show.
Cycle 3 (2004): Eva Marcille
Arguably one of the most successful winners of the franchise, Eva Marcille appeared in several shows and movies after her “ANTM” run, including “Smallville,” “Everybody Hates Chris”, and “The Game.” She also earned two NAACP Image Award nominations for her work as Tyra Hamilton on “The Young and the Restless” from 2008 to 2009.
More recently, the L.A. native appeared in Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” from 2018 to 2020, Tyler Perry-produced BET+ series “All the Queen’s Men,” and Lifetime’s “Buried Alive and Survived” which premiered in September 2024.
Marcille does not appear on “Reality Check” and has not commented on the docuseries, but she previously defending Banks in a 2024 interview with the Messenger, saying people gave “(her) girl Tyra a hard time.”
Cycle 4 (2005): Naima Mora
After winning Cycle 4, Naima Mora appeared in magazines including Elle and Teen People, and guest-starred on “Veronica Mars,” “The Tyra Banks Show,” and “Project Runway.”
Mora starred in a one-woman play titled “The Amazing Adventures of a Woman in Need,” which she co-wrote with director Marishka S. Phillips. The production ran for one night off-Broadway at the Triad Theater in New York City in 2021.
Most recently, she appeared in two episodes of BET+’s “Diarra From Detroit,” a a mystery-comedy show. She now runs her own production company and is working on her directorial debut, a documentary titled “Elizabeth Speaks,” which features her political artist grandmother, Elizabeth Catlett.
Mora does not appear in “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Fellow Cycle 4 contestant Keenyah Hill did take part in the documentary, and revealed her experiences with body-shaming and inappropriate behavior from a male model while on the show.
Cycle 5 (2005): Nicole Linkletter
After being crowned as Cycle 5’s winner, Nicole Linkletter modeled for brands like Burberry, Bebe, Forever 21 and MAC Cosmetics. She also served as a judge at the Miss USA 2006 pageant, and starred in a commercial for the PlayStation Portable.
Originally from North Dakota, Linkletter now lives on the West Coast and is married with two children. She worked behind the scenes as a casting associate for the 2016 reality series “Life or Debt” according to IMDb.
Linkletter does not appear on “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 6 (2006): Danielle Evans
Often referred to as Dani Evans, the Arkansas native signed with Ford Models after the show and modeled for Sephora, Tory Burch and “ANTM” judge Kimora Lee Simmons’ clothing brand, BabyPhat.
In 2013, she published the book “The Skinny on Getting In: An Inside Peek into the Fashion World for the Aspiring Model,” and went on to found the hat brand Monrowe in 2017.
In 2020, a resurfaced clip of Banks urging Evans to fix the gap in her teeth went viral, prompting the former “ANTM” judge to tweet an apology, saying, “Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ‘ANTM’ moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback, and am sending so much love and virtual hugs.”
Evans has addressed the controversy both over social media and in the new docuseries, getting candid about her time on — and after — the show. Evans revealed how she felt pressured into reducing her gap, as it was made clear she would be eliminated if she didn’t accommodate, and also expressed how hard it was to land gigs after the show.
“I sat in the model’s apartment for months, never going on castings,” said Evans who lived in New York after “ANTM”. When Evans’ agent was asked why she never got castings, her agent replied “We have to treat Dani differently because she came from ‘Top Model.’”
Joanie Sprague (née Dodds), the Cycle 6 runnerup, also appears in “Reality Check.”
Cycle 7 (2006): CariDee English
Season 7 winner CariDee English continued modelling for brands like JCPenney, went on to host MTV’s “Scarred” and Oxygen’s “Pretty Wicked” reality shows and made cameo appearances on popular 2000’s shows like “One Tree Hill” and “Gossip Girl.”
These days, English has transitioned to a life behind the camera, working as a photographer in Hollywood. English is also actively pursuing music projects, attending the Berklee College of Music and performing as both a drummer and a songwriter.
English does not appear on “Reality Check,” and has not commented on it.
Cycle 8 (2007): Jaslene González
Originally auditioning for Cycle 7, Jaslene González went on to walk the runways at NYFW, Miami Swim Week and Chicago Latino Week after winning Cycle 8.
González was also a guest judge on Miss Malaysia World in 2010 and hosted segments for CoverGirl TV and events on the Spanish TV channel Yeah!.
González still works as a model under Wallflower Management, and now has her own model training course, “On Set with Jaslene, ” and a jewelry line, “Starlite by J.”
González does not appear on “Reality Check” but is part of the upcoming E! documentary series, “Dirty Rotten Scandals.”
Fellow Cycle 8 contestant Dionne Walters made an appearance on “Reality Check.”
Cycle 9 (2007): Sal Stowers
Like many “ANTM” winners, Saleisha Stowers (better known as Sal), pivoted into the acting world after her run on the show.
Stowers modeled for Baby Phat, Garage Clothing and Pamella Roland, before making her film debut in 2006 with “Talking With the Taxman About Poetry.” She later appeared as Cassandra Foster on “All My Children” in 2013 and Lani Price in the soap opera “Days of Our Lives” from 2015 to 2022. Stowers also had guest roles on popular shows like “The Fosters,” “Switched at Birth” and “New Girl.”
In 2023, Stowers launched her health and wellness coaching company, SS Body & Nutrition, and most recently starred as Penelope Williams in Tyler Perry’s “Sistas.”
Stowers does not appear on “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 10 (2008): Whitney Thompson
Whitney Thompson made “ANTM” history as the show’s first plus-size winner on the show’s 10th season.
The Florida native modeled for CoverGirl, Saks Fifth Avenue and more, before founding her own jewelry and candle brand called Supermodel in 2009. Thomspon married artist Ian Forrester in 2014 and has two children. Thompson now runs Pink Pelican, an ice cream parlor and fudge shop in Panama City, Fla.
Thompson appears on “Reality Check,” getting candid about the difficulties of being a plus-size model on and off the show.
“I would go to set and they would have nothing that would fit me,” said Thompson in reference to “ANTM” shoots. “They would have to cut open the back and clamp it. It was demeaning.”
Cycle 11 (2008): McKey Sullivan
Brittany Sullivan began going by McKey during her time on the show to avoid being confused with another contestant named Brittany. Winning at just 19 years old, Sullivan appeared in magazines such as In Touch and Seventeen.
Sullivan beat out Lio Tipton for the title, the latter eventually becoming one of the more well-known stars to come out of the show, appearing in the movies “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” and “Two Night Stand.”
In 2013, Sullivan married mixed martial artist Sam Alvey, with whom she has six children.
Stowers does not appear on “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 12 (2009): Teyona Anderson
Born Asia Anderson, the New Jersey native appeared in a CoverGirl campaign and modeled for brands like Southpole and Suzaan Heyns.
Anderson also found modeling success in South Africa, walking in Arise Cape Town Fashion Week and South Africa Fashion Week.
After welcoming her son in 2017, Anderson moved away from the industry and now tends to stay out of the limelight.
Stowers does not appear on “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 13 (2009): Nicole Fox
After winning Cycle 13, Nicole Fox went on to model for Seventeen magazine, Heritage 1981 and Steve Madden.
Fox eventually moved on to acting, appearing in the 2013 film “Ashley,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and the 2014 film “Redlands.”
The Colorado native seems to have returned to her roots as an artist, sharing her poems and paintings on social media. Currently, Fox lives in Maryland with her husband and son.
Fox does not appear in “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 14 (2010): Krista White
Krista White originally auditioned for “ANTM” 12 times before joining Cycle 14, eventually winning the title.
Since her win, White modeled for Max Rave, Betsey Johnson and Nicole Miller. The Arkansas native later served as fashion director of DLXVRSN Magazine.
White also worked as an influencer until 2020 and has since stepped away from the public eye.
White does not appear in “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 15 (2010): Ann Ward
The winner of Cycle 15, Ann Ward, set a record by receiving the “first call-out” for best photo for the first five weeks in a row.
Ward retired from modeling and currently works as a UI artist and illustrator, sharing her graphic designs on her social media. She also creates concepts for anime, comic books, mobile apps, and more.
Ward does not appear in “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 16 (2011): Brittani Kline
After winning Cycle 16, Brittani Kline moved to New York to pursue modeling with the season’s runner-up, Molly O’Connell (now a cast member on Bravo’s “Southern Charm”).
Kline went on to appear in Vogue Mexico and walk for brands like Balenciaga and Prabal Gurung. She eventually retired from modeling and returned to college at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.
In 2017, Kline welcomed a son and later graduated with her master’s degree from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State in 2022.
Kline does not appear in “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 17 (2011): Lisa D’Amato
Lisa D’Amato first appeared on Cycle 5 of “ANTM,” eventually becoming the eighth contestant to be eliminated. D’Amato returned for the Cycle 17: All-Stars season at age 30, becoming the oldest winner in “ANTM” history.
During her career as a model, D’Amato worked with Guess, Levi’s, H&M, Diane Von Furstenberg, Target and Gap. She has also appeared on the reality shows “Celebrity Rehab,” “Marriage Boot Camp” and “Shark Tank,” in addition to building her music career as a rapper and singer.
D’Amato is now married with two children, and primarily focuses on social media and her reusable bib company, Dare-U-Go!, for which she appeared on “Shark Tank.
Around the 20th anniversary of “ANTM” in 2023, D’Amato spoke out about the “insane amounts of trauma” she endured while filming the show. In a private Instagram post, D’Amato called out Tyra Banks and producer Ken Mok, saying the former had blocked her — she compared her “ANTM” experience to the Stanford Prison Experiment.
D’Amato does not appear on “Reality Check,” but will be featured in E!’s rival documentary, “Dirty Rotten Scandals.” She also recently criticized Banks’ decision to do the Netflix documentary to Page Six, saying “Ultimately, my own intuition tells me from my own experience, which is very deep, and it’s been many years — that this is a money grab for Tyra, so she’s not 100 percent canceled.”
Cycle 18 (2012): Sophie Sumner
Sophie Sumner was originally a runner-up on “Britain’s Next Top Model” Cycle 5 before going on to win Cycle 18 of “ANTM,” dubbed the “British Invasion” cycle.
Sumner was featured as an actress in the films “Cocktail” (2012) and “Killington” (2023). She is currently a host on Amazon Live and a contributing editor at The Daily Front Row. She also founded her own production company, Birthday Girl Productions.
Sumner does not appear on “Reality Check,” but recently posted pictures from her run on the show, captioning it “Happy finding out why everyone went mental on top model day!!!”
Cycle 19 (2012): Laura James
Paul Smith’s College student Laura James won the “College Edition” of Cycle 19, and became the face of the show’s “Dream Come True” fragrance. Smith eventually transitioned into acting, and was featured in The Young and the Restless,” “NCIS: Hawai’i,” and “S.W.A.T.”
In 2022, James married fellow actor Jon-Michael Ecker, with whom she has two daughters.
James does not appear on “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 20 (2013): Jourdan Miller
The winner of “ANTM”’s first co-ed cycle, Jourdan Miller, won five challenges and received six first call-outs, making her one of the most consistently successful contestants on the show.
Miller has appeared in magazines including Desnudo Italia and Cleo, as well as ad campaigns with brands such as Guess.
Hailing from Oregon, the model — according to her Instagram account — is signed to the talent agency, Vampped, and started her own fashion and beauty blog, Love, Jourdan.
Miller does not appear on “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 21 (2014): Keith Carlos
A former football wide receiver, in 2014, Keith Carlos became the first male winner of “ANTM.” Since then, he has modeled for major brands like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Diesel, Lucky Brand, Guess, Nike, Adidas and Giorgio Armani.
Carlos also appeared in films like “Chocolate City: Vegas,” TV shows like “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and music videos, including Cardi B’s “Be Careful.”
Carlos formerly played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants before being waived with an injury settlement in 2013.
Carlos does not appear on “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 22 (2015): Nyle DiMarco
Nyle DiMarco worked as an actor and a model before winning Cycle 22 of “ANTM.”
DiMarco also joined Season 22 of “Dancing With the Stars” in 2016, and was featured on TV shows, including “Switched at Birth,” “Difficult People,” “This Close” and “Station 19.”
Born Deaf, DiMarco is a spokesperson for LEAD-K (Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids) and is the founder of The Nyle DiMarco Foundation, which provides resources for deaf children and families.
DiMarco also produced the 2021 Oscar-nominated documentary short “Audible” in 2021 and the Netflix reality series “Deaf U” in 2020, which followed a group of students at DiMarco’s alma mater, Gallaudet University, a school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Washington, D.C.
In 2022, he published a memoir titled “Deaf Utopia.”
DiMarco does not appear on “Reality Check” but reminisced about his “ANTM” journey on Instagram in December 2025, saying, “It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m deeply grateful for everyone who’s supported the journey so far. The best is still ahead, and here’s to many more decades!”
Cycle 23 (2016): India Gants
After winning Cycle 23, India Gants modeled for brands like Torrid and Ashley Stewart, and appeared in the Season 3 premiere of “Odd Mom Out.”
Gants later launched a podcast titled “The Business of Beauty.”
Currently, Gants is based in L.A., where she is a prolific golfer and host of the “Sober Scoop” podcast, while working on creating wellness content for her followers.
Gants does not appear in “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
Cycle 24 (2018): Kyla Coleman
The only Gen Z contestant to ever win “ANTM,” Kyla Coleman modeled for brands including Valentino, Diesel, Calvin Klein, Off-White and Alexander Wang after winning Cycle 24.
Coleman was also featured in Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Start Now” music video in 2019, and in an episode of the Andy Cohen-hosted docuseries “For Real: The Story of Reality TV” in 2021.
During her time on the show, Coleman was seen a political activist figure when she got into a heated feminist debate with a fellow contestant.
Coleman does not appear in “Reality Check,” and has not commented on the docuseries.
