Tyra Banks sued Netflix for defamation, and it all stemmed from the streamer’s documentary about America’s Next Top Model. The documentary, titled Reality Checked: Inside America’s Next Top Model, included interviews with Tyra. According to Tyra’s lawsuit, she accused Netflix of heavily editing her on-camera comments. Now, a former ANTM contestant and attorney is weighing in.
Former ANTM contestant, now-attorney, Kayla Ferrel Onder speaks on the “ironic” lawsuit
Kayla Ferrel Onder, who competed on Seasons 15 and 17 of ANTM, weighed in on Tyra’s lawsuit. She has recovered over $1 billion for sexual abuse survivors through her legal work.
In her lawsuit, Tyra is suing Netflix, directors Daniel Sivan and Mor Loushy, along with EverWonder Studio, the production company. According to Tyra, a “false narrative” was crafted about her through “selective editing, deliberate omission, and surgical manipulation of continuous footage.” In addition, Tyra claimed that the way her reaction to contestant Shandi Sullivan’s alleged 2023 on-set sexual assault was depicted was particularly damaging.
“Obviously, she’s suing for defamation and false contract claims. She’s trying to do damage control as to her reputation,” Kayla told Entertainment Weekly. She added that it will be an “extremely challenging” case for the supermodel to win.
Kayla continued, “She’s famous – everyone knows who she is. So, they have a higher burden when you’re a public figure. You have to show actual malice, and I think that’s going to be really, really difficult from a legal perspective.”
Meanwhile, Kayla referenced the contestant’s contracts for ANTM. “Tyra Banks is lawyered up from day one. She had contracts in place, she had a team in place,” Kayla explained. “I find it ironic. I think she’s learning what we all learned,” she added.
However, despite the backlash to the controversial documentary, Tyra is appearing in Season 22 of Project Runway.
Project Runway Season 22 premieres on Freeform July 9. You can stream episodes the next day on Disney+.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK THAT TYRA WILL WIN HER DEFAMATION LAWSUIT? DID YOU WATCH REALITY CHECKED: INSIDE AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL?
