NEED TO KNOW
America’s Next Top Model winner Eva Marcille shared her feelings about Netflix’s new docuseries on America’s Next Top Model’s controversies
The actress and model praised Tyra Banks’ initial vision, but also noted the creator and host’s apologies can’t heal the harm caused to contestants
Marcille also called out producers for enabling toxic environments
Eva Marcille is just one of the former America’s Next Top Model contestants grappling with mixed emotions in the wake of the release of Netflix’s new documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.
The three-episode series, which chronicles the hit reality show’s many controversies and features commentary from host and creator Tyra Banks, was released earlier this week.
Marcille, who competed as Eva Pigford during cycle 3 of the show, which she ultimately won, appeared on CBS Mornings to discuss her reaction to the docuseries on Thursday, Feb. 19. During the conversation, she got candid about her thoughts on Banks’ many apologies throughout the show.
“I saw the show. She apologized a million times,” Marcille said. “But an apology to the person that you wronged is only as good as they could appreciate it. And so for the young girls that were sexually assaulted… for the young girls that now have eating disorders or look at themselves and never feel beautiful — that little girl in them that will always live in the woman that is them — there is no sorry, I think, that’s big enough to truly feel and heal that kind of hurt.”
Tyra Banks on ‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.’
Netflix
Conversely, Marcille, who has gone on to have one of the most fruitful careers of any contestant post-show, also acknowledged its part in her fame.
“I will never fail to thank Tyra,” the 41-year-old actress and producer noted. “What Tyra set out to do in this business, I will always say, and especially for Top Model, initially, she set out to change the world, to change what the modeling industry looked like, sounded like and expected. And she did that for me.”
Eva Marcille and Tyra Banks at ‘America’s Next Top Model’ party in 2004.
Matthew Simmons/Getty
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However, speaking up about the accusations of sexual assault, bullying, body image struggles and more from other contestants, Marcille pointed the finger at the production team.
“That environment could not exist without producers aiding and abetting what was going on,” she said.
Marcille, who starred onThe Real Housewives of Atlanta and Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip,” continued, “Housewives, I mean — I don’t know what is going on in someone’s life unless the producers tell me. It’s a part of how this thing works.”
Marcille was not invited to be a part of the docuseries, describing her reaction to the show as “gobsmacked.”
“I remember reaching out to [makeup artist and judge] Jay Manuel being like, ‘Umm, is this the same Top Model that we did? Because how don’t I know about this?’ ” Marcille recalled. “To be a part of a club and not know what’s going on in the club is crazy.”
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is streaming now on Netflix. CBS Mornings airs weekdays on CBS (beginning at 7 a.m. ET).
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
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