REALITY CHECK

INSIDE THE TOP SHOCKS FROM THE DOCUSERIES TAKING A CRITICAL LOOK AT THE REALITY TV SHOW

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At its peak, America's Next Top Model defined early-2000s reality television, launching careers, creating cultural catchphrases and building up into a global franchise. But, in Netflix's three-part docuseries Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, serious questions about power, exploitation and duty of care are asked of supermodel-turned-TV host Tyra Banks, executive producer Ken Mok, longtime creative director Jay Manuel, runway coach “Miss J” Alexander and photographer Nigel Barker – in order to analyse the chaos of the landmark series through a more critical lens.

SHANDI'S SCANDAL

What happened to contestant Shandi Sullivan in 2004's Cycle 2 was arguably ANTM's most uncomfortable moment. The then 21-year-old left behind a supportive boyfriend, who'd encouraged her to sign up for the show as a way to escape her small-town life. Flown to Milan as part of the final five, Sullivan 'cheated' on him after producers invited male models into the contestants' apartment and encouraged heavy drinking.

"I was blacked out. No-one did anything to stop it," the 43-year-old recalled in Reality Check of the incident.

Also in the docuseries, Mok, 64, defended filming the events, saying contestants were told they would be recorded 24/7 with no interference.

At the time, there was little solace for Sullivan, with the fallout from the incident devastating her. She was also filmed calling her boyfriend, with the couple seen and heard sobbing and clearly heartbroken. Crew members reportedly told her afterwards, "We're really, really sorry we had to film that."

EXPRESSING REGRET