Trigger Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault.
The tea keeps on spilling as more and more former contestants come forward to share their experience with America’s Next Top Model. Amidst controversial revelations about the show not protecting the contestants, another alum weighs in. Lauren Utter from Cycle 10 took to social media to share how production ensured they protected themselves from liability.
ANTM’s Lauren Utter shares surprising content from her contract
Several bombshells dropped when Netflix released its latest docuseries, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model. Among some revelations included deeper looks at the controversial runway show, including contestants facing body shaming, manipulation, unfair compensation, and even a lack of protection from the team.
One of the most shocking and disturbing revelations was Shandi Sullivan’s experience in Cycle 2. The former contestant said that she was sexually assaulted on the show and production did nothing to protect her despite taping everything. It was then turned into a cheating storyline for the show.
In the wake of this revelation, Lauren took to Instagram to show how the production shielded itself from liability during filming. She posted photos with the caption, “I was #antm and I didn’t ? ! Yay! Apparently, @netflix is dropping a doc soon so I just wanted to share some souvenirs. Did you know if we ? on the show they assume no responsibility? Cool right?”
In the page of the contract Lauren shared it is stated, “I acknowledge and agree that should I be killed, injured, or harmed during the transportation to or from any location in connection with the Program this Participant Agreement shall [release] the Released Parties from any claim whatsoever in connection therewith, Including, without limitation, any claim based upon Producers’ failure to supervise, inspect or investigate the means and methods of my transportation.” The same clause exists for any housing participants reside in during taping.
The contract highlights the protections in place to shield production from liability. It seems that contestants did not enjoy the same protections.
Lauren is not the first to look back on her time on ANTM with disdain. Several former contestants have shared their own experiences, including criticizing ANTM producer and host Tyra Banks and labeling her a “slimy little snake.”
Reality Check: America’s Next Top Model is available to stream on Netflix.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK PRODUCTION CARED MORE ABOUT RATINGS THAN THE CONTESTANTS? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ANTM DOCUSERIES?
