Shandi Sullivan says ‘ANTM’ framed her assault as a scandal. Full story: https://t.co/UEAtxmXfTd pic.twitter.com/ZxVRYv65Ay
— Complex (@Complex) February 11, 2026
With Netflix’s ANTM documentary, Realty Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model looming ever closer (released on February 16th), several of the models from the show are speaking out. It seems one of the storylines covered is Shandi Sullivan from Cycle 2, and she is not holding back.
In the documentary, Shandi finally gets the chance to talk publicly about the event which ANTM producers framed as cheating. She explains that the producers hired the men to drive the models around Milan, and provided the alcohol. Shandi had had two bottles of wine by the time she ended up in a room alone with one of the men, and she was so black out drunk she hardly remembers the experience.
And just as a stark reminder, you cannot consent when you are inebriated.
Shandi is calling out production since the entire thing was filmed, and no one stepped in to stop it or to protect her. And then her assault was used as drama to fuel the series’ popularity. She claims it was edited to make it seem like a simply cheating story when it wasn’t. More details at the source.
I can only apologise for the Yoanna jumpscare…
In other news, the All Star Cycle winner Lisa D’Amato has called out the Reality Check: ANTM documentary, claiming that it is a money grab for Tyra Banks and Ken Mok, and that they will only be made to take 5% accountability for what they did. “It wasn’t a modeling competition. It was psychological warfare.” She is taking part in another docuseries, airing on March 11th, which is looking into ANTM: Dirty Rotten Scandals on E! The two-part documentary also includes interviews with past contestant Jeana Turner, and former judge Janice Dickinson. Tyra Banks is not involved in this series.
And the cherry on top of the crap sundae made of hot ice cream – Tyra Banks teased today that ANTM could return for Cycle 25 to torture another group of hopeful models! I wonder if she’ll blame that on the audience as well?
If you are needing support with anything regarding sexual assault, please reach out https://rainn.org/ You are not alone.
Sources: Shandi’s statement, Dirty Rotten Scandals, Cycle 25
ONTD, have you ever blamed the psychological damage you caused to people you had power and control over on the tween audience of a reality TV show?!
