Tyra Banks filed a lawsuit on Netflix for libel, and it all started with a documentary on a streaming service about America's Next Top Model« . The documentary, "Reality Checked: Inside America's Next Top Model," included an interview with Tyra. According to Tyra's lawsuit, she accused Netflix of heavily editing her on-camera comments. Now, the former ANTM contestant and her lawyer are speaking out.
Former "Another Mathematics" contestant and now lawyer Kayla Ferrell Onder has spoken out about the "ironic" lawsuit.
Kayla Ferrell Onder, a contestant on seasons 15 and 17 of ANTM, expressed her opinion on Tyra's lawsuit. Through her legal work, she has secured over $1 billion in compensation for sexual assault victims.
In her lawsuit, Tyra accuses Netflix, directors Daniel Sivan and Mora Lushee, and production company EverWonder Studio. According to Tyra, a "false image" of her was created through "selective editing, deliberate omissions, and the surgical manipulation of continuous footage." Furthermore, Tyra claims that the way her reaction to an alleged sexual assault by contestant Shandi Sullivan on set in 2023 was depicted was particularly damaging.
«"Obviously, she's suing for defamation and breach of contract. She's trying to minimize the damage to her reputation," Kayla told Entertainment Weekly. She added that winning the case would be "extremely challenging" for the supermodel.
Kayla continued, "She's famous—everyone knows who she is. So they have a higher responsibility when it comes to a public figure. You have to prove malicious intent, and I think that would be very, very difficult from a legal standpoint.".
Meanwhile, Kayla mentioned the contracts of the "Alberta & Trump" contestants. "Tyra Banks was hired by lawyers from the very beginning. She had contracts, she had a team," Kayla explained. "I find that ironic. I think she's learning what we've all learned," she added.
However, despite the backlash to the controversial documentary, Tyra will be appearing on the 22nd season of Project Runway.
Project Runway Season 22 premieres on Freeform on July 9th. Watch episodes the following day on Disney+.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK TYRA WILL WIN THE DEFAMATION CLAIM? HAVE YOU WATCHED "REALITY CHECK: INSIDE AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL"?