Truth About &x27;America&x27;s Next Top Model&x27; Photos Revealed: &x27;The Whole Thing Was Orchestrated&x27; Liz DeclanSat, February 21, 2026 at 4:57 AM UTC 0 (Photo by Wendell Teodoro on Getty Images) Former America's Next Top Model judge Jay Manuelhas offered even more insight into the controversial reality TV show following the recent bombshell Netflix docuseries Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, now sharing the truth about the socalled "best photos" for the models each week.
Truth About 'America's Next Top Model' Photos Revealed: 'The Whole Thing Was Orchestrated'
Liz DeclanSat, February 21, 2026 at 4:57 AM UTC
0
(Photo by Wendell Teodoro on Getty Images)
Former America's Next Top Model judge Jay Manuelhas offered even more insight into the controversial reality TV show following the recent bombshell Netflix docuseries Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, now sharing the truth about the so-called "best photos" for the models each week.
On America's Next Top Model, the models would compete with photoshoots each week, and their best photos from that shoot would be compared and used to determine, at least in part, who would be staying on for the next week and who would be going home. However, Manuel has now alleged that those "best photos" weren't exactly what they seemed, particularly several cycles into the show.
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Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Manuel explained, "The level of manipulation that went on with the photos, I mean, it was laughable. This is not in the documentary. Let's back it up to Cycle 3; I'm just going to say Cycle 3, for example. I selected the photos, and Tyra [Banks] saw the final CoverGirl ads and would think these are beautiful. Going into Cycle 4, it was asked of me, 'Hey, instead of just pulling the best photo, can you pull, like, the top ten?' And Tyra would look at the top ten, and I would suggest; I'd put a star on the one I'm like this is the one I think is her best shot and why."
Manuel continued, "Then, I started getting notes, 'Can you send us all of the film for so-and-so? Then, way down the line, when I had zero control, I wasn't a producer, literally they would say, 'We don't love this girl's film, but we need her to go another week.' Oh, the whole thing was orchestrated, and I'm not afraid to say it."
Based on what Manuel has alleged, America's Next Top Model may not have been as organic, in terms of its competition, as it would have viewers believe. However, in light of the many topics covered in the new docuseries—from instances of body shaming to pressure for contestants to have their teeth removed and so much more—this is perhaps one of the less damaging claims that have been leveraged against the show in recent memory.
This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: February 21, 2026 at 10:45AM on Source: RED MAG
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