Netflix has filed a motion to strike and dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by Tyra Banks regarding her depiction in the streamer’s documentary about America’s Next Top Model, titled Reality Check.
Banks initiated legal action in June, contending that she was misrepresented in the series and that her comments were manipulated out of context to create a false narrative inconsistent with her actual statements. She participated in a three-and-a-half-hour interview for the documentary, but only approximately 16 minutes of her footage appeared in the final product.
In its motion filed on Friday, Netflix characterized Banks’ grievances as complaints about routine editorial choices. The motion notes that Banks signed an agreement after her interview explicitly granting filmmakers the right to edit her footage without her approval or review rights, and that she released any potential claims including defamation. Netflix argues the documentary did not make false statements about Banks but rather presents a different editorial framing than she preferred.
A specific point of contention involves footage showing Banks responding to questions about an alleged sexual assault involving cycle two contestant Shandi Sullivan. Banks claimed the documentary created a misleading implication by showing her initial response of “um” before cutting to black, suggesting she could not recall the incident. Netflix’s motion counters that the final documentary explicitly shows Banks stating “I do remember her story,” which directly contradicts any inference that she forgot the allegation.
Netflix further argued that Banks, who created, hosted, and executive produced 24 seasons of America’s Next Top Model, should understand the nature of editorial discretion. A Netflix spokesperson stated the company will “vigorously defend” the documentary and its creators, describing directors Daniel Sivan and Mor Loushy as respected documentarians who presented Banks’ perspective fairly alongside other participants.
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