Greetings everyone, welcome! Recently, there’s been quite a stir on Twitter surrounding supermodel Tyra Banks, sparked by an old clip from her show ‘America’s Next Top Model’ making the rounds online. In the clip, Tyra was seen advising contestant Danielle Evans to consider closing her dental gap, suggesting it might hinder her marketability. She remarked, “Do you really think you can have a CoverGirl contract with the gap in your mouth? This is all people see: either a beautiful CoverGirl or not marketable.” Despite Danielle expressing her reluctance to completely close the gap, Tyra quipped, “Well, I guess she just left a gap right over for another girl, baby.”
I resonate with this issue deeply. Embracing my own gap has been a journey, fraught with insecurity, as society tends to favor conformity. So, I can relate to the pressure Danielle felt to conform to societal standards, even if it meant sacrificing a part of her identity.
Many viewers were dismayed by this exchange, perceiving it as criticism of Danielle’s natural features and an implicit demand for her to conform to industry standards of beauty. While Tyra and her fellow judge Miss J Alexander didn’t explicitly state this, the underlying message seemed clear. In the end, Danielle did opt to partially close her gap, succumbing to the pervasive pressure to alter her appearance.
When this clip resurfaced on Twitter, it ignited a wave of criticism towards Tyra. Understandably so, given Tyra’s public stance on female empowerment. However, her actions on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ seemed contradictory to this ethos, as they appeared to dismantle the confidence of aspiring models rather than bolstering it.
Looking back now, I’ve come to realize what Tyra was really up to. Alongside her judges and production team, she orchestrated scenarios to generate drama for the sake of ratings. Criticizing the contestants harshly became a tool to heighten tension and engagement – the essence of reality TV. To her credit, Tyra did provide a platform for aspiring models, but the cost was often too high. Many left “America’s Next Top Model” emotionally scarred and disillusioned. Take Tiffany Richardson, for example, who was publicly dismantled by Tyra, leaving lasting wounds. Her infamous outburst is etched in memory, overshadowing any other aspect of her journey. Then there’s Jada Young, coerced into a drastic haircut and manipulated for entertainment, her distress exploited for viewership. And the treatment of Yaya, criticized for embracing her Afrocentric identity, speaks volumes about the show’s problematic dynamics. Criticisms like these perpetuated damaging stereotypes and eroded the confidence of the contestants. Geena Turner’s revelation further exposed the show’s exploitative nature, revealing instances of emotional manipulation and betrayal. It’s troubling to think how many dreams were shattered and psyches scarred in the pursuit of entertainment.
“Yeah, you transitioned from, like, innocent girl modeling to, like, a more mature look or something along those lines.”
“I asked, ‘Are you guys talking about Playboy?'”
“They confirmed, ‘Yeah.'”
“I responded, ‘Yeah, of course, like, that was a thing. I’ve posed for Playboy. You know I did that when I was 18.'”
“They were aware of my Playboy history even during my Skype interviews from home before I was officially cast. I never hid it.”
She folded her arms, mimicking Tyra Banks, who then turned to me and remarked, ‘I don’t like that. You sound like a [ _ ] prostitute,’ without once meeting my eyes. I couldn’t hold back the tears; having someone I idolized accuse me of sounding like a [ _ ] prostitute hit me hard. What many don’t know is that I grew up in foster care. Though TV portrayed it as if I lost my mom to death, she was lost to drugs and prostitution. I spent my childhood in foster homes, determined not to repeat her mistakes. So, Tyra’s comment felt deeply offensive, triggering a flood of emotions. As if the judgment from Tyra wasn’t enough, the other judges chimed in with their own critiques, leaving me feeling attacked and misunderstood.”
“The only one who didn’t criticize me was Ashley Graham. She even stood up to Tyra, relaying what had been said. When I started crying and trying to explain myself, Tyra softened and asked, ‘Tell me about alopecia.’ That’s where my interview on the show began. They skipped over the Playboy incident and other aspects that define me, instantly painting a different picture of who I am. So, why did Tyra choose to do that?”
These instances shed light on the exploitation by Tyra Banks, her judging panel, and the production team, who often orchestrated scenarios to provoke emotional responses from contestants for dramatic effect. Reality TV thrives on such conflict, and Tyra’s team was no exception, despite the destructive impact it had on the contestants. While Tyra provided opportunities for many aspiring models, her involvement in breaking them down cannot be ignored. Perhaps influenced by her own struggles in the industry, she may have believed that subjecting contestants to similar hardships would toughen them up.
One notable example is the treatment of model Danielle, now known as Danny Evans, who faced criticism for her natural gap-toothed smile. She was pressured to alter her appearance to conform to industry standards, yet ultimately emerged as the winner of ‘America’s Next Top Model.’ However, this episode sent a problematic message, suggesting that models must conform to narrow beauty standards. Renowned model Slick Woods, celebrated for her own distinctive gap, defended Danielle, emphasizing that no one should be subjected to such criticism.
Inspired by Slick’s support, Danny found her voice and expressed her thoughts on Tyra Banks and ‘America’s Next Top Model’:
Hey everyone, it’s Dani checking in. Yesterday was wild with that viral video, right? I wanted to hop on here and share my perspective. Huge thanks to all the news outlets reaching out, but I didn’t feel the urge to speak until Slick Woods messaged me tonight. Shout-out to you, Slick. Her words made me realize I needed to address what really happened and speak my truth. But let’s set the record straight about this video. It’s not about starting a war or tarnishing anyone’s reputation. And it’s definitely not about airing out my relationship with Tyra. It’s about speaking my truth, offering clarity, and confronting something from 15 years ago that impacted many young girls. Before diving into the details, let’s rewind a bit for context.
I joined ‘Top Model’ on the advice of my brother Elliot, who saw it as my ticket out of Little Rock. At the time, I thought it was a crazy idea. But hey, one-way ticket to New York? Genius move. So, I dove into ‘Top Model’ with one goal: escape my hometown and build a better life. Challenges didn’t faze me; I was laser-focused on my goal. I was determined, hungry for change. Anything or anyone in my way was getting bulldozed.
Sure, there were hurdles, like my accent. Filming, I didn’t even realize I sounded different until later. But I adapted, learned to enunciate, and moved forward.
Let’s delve into that specific episode. Joanie and I were the first ones to visit the dentist. Upon arrival, the dentist inquired about any desired dental work. I opted for a cleaning and teeth whitening but adamantly refused to close my gap, despite his persistent questioning. This backstage insight was never aired. Growing up, I wasn’t fond of my long neck, jawbone, or gap. I yearned for braces, which we couldn’t afford. However, my mother reminded me of my grandmothers, both with gaps, whom I admired as queens. This helped me embrace and cherish my gap. Hence, during ‘Top Model’ when they suggested closing it, I declined.
Fast forward to elimination. Tyra urged me to come closer, a cue I didn’t catch. It became evident that I was being subtly pushed to close my gap for the sake of television drama. Realizing the stakes – either conform or return home to Little Rock, Arkansas – I stood firm. Tyra eventually proposed sending me to the dentist to close the gap, to which I responded with a counter-question, sensing the implied ultimatum. This back-and-forth exchange happened off-camera multiple times. What viewers witnessed was a condensed version. I eventually compromised, agreeing to partial closure but not entirely.
Allow me to elucidate something to you. I hail from a lineage of determined individuals, a lineage of ambitious go-getters. I refused to let a mere physical characteristic on my face hinder my pursuit of a better life. My focus was unwaveringly laser-sharp. Nothing and no one could impede my path. It wasn’t about taking the easy way out; it was about recognizing what truly holds significance and value in my life, and dental aesthetics were not among them. I wasn’t perturbed by Tyra’s remark about my suitability for modeling with a gap, or by Miss J’s comment about leaving opportunities open for others. Those were trivial matters to me; I had heard it all before. What truly irked me was Tyra’s attempt to exploit the situation for the sake of television.
Yet, as I reflect on those remarks now and comprehend the impact they had on other young women who witnessed it, I feel compelled to address them through this post. During this period of quarantine, I have taken the opportunity to reconnect with and nurture the inner child within me. Therefore, I want to take this moment to uplift and speak directly to all the young queens who were genuinely affected by Tyra’s words. You are beautiful, and I’m not referring to your physical attributes. Whether you have a gap, uneven teeth, straight teeth, or an underbite, whether you are black, brown, white, or any other ethnicity, it doesn’t define your beauty. Your true beauty lies within, in your sense of self-worth—whether it’s high or low—and no one but you can determine that.
So, to all the young girls out there, if I could embrace each of you right now, I would. I want to remind you that you are a work of art, a masterpiece, deeply loved and cherished. You are inherently beautiful, not because someone else declares it, but because you are. Never doubt your worth, your value, or your light. Stand firm in your truth and power, and never let anyone diminish your spirit. Pursue your goals relentlessly, overcoming any obstacles in your path. That, my friends, is a powerful message.
Now, I invite you to share your thoughts on this video below. Please like, comment, and subscribe, and if you resonate with this message, share it with others. Thank you for watching, and until next time. Goodbye.”