America’s Next Top Model star Jeana Turner, 32, is lashing out at Tyra Banks’ defamation lawsuit against Netflix, calling it “selfish” and “money-hungry.” Turner says it’s ironic that Banks is suing over alleged editing after contestants have long claimed they
Jeana Turner didn’t mince words after Tyra Banks’ defamation lawsuit hit the headlines.
The America’s Next Top Model star. 32. slammed Banks’ case against Netflix following backlash tied to the streaming service’s Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model docuseries. In a statement given exclusively to Us Weekly on Monday. June 15. Turner called the lawsuit “a selfish. money-hungry thing. ” adding that it’s also “extremely ironic” given what former contestants say they’ve experienced.
Turner argued that Banks is suing for defamation while. in her view. the same issue is at the center of why many former contestants have spoken out. “It’s also extremely ironic of her to be suing them for defamation when that is what all of the girls who have been speaking out about America’s Next Top Model have been trying to point out is that we have been defamed. our lives were affected. our careers were affected — ultimately. it was defamation. ” she said.
Turner also took aim at Banks’ credibility. saying Banks is being hypocritical about alleged editing and how contestants were treated early in their careers. “It’s just ironic to me that she can complain about being edited falsely,” she continued. “It just seems like a slap in the face. Like, ‘You guys can’t do it, but watch me.’ It’s very grimy to me.”.
News broke on Saturday. June 13. that Banks filed a lawsuit against Netflix after her participation in Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model. Court documents obtained by People at the time said Banks accused the streamer of defamation and of editing her interviews to support what she calls a false narrative.
The filing reportedly stated that Banks participated because she “believed viewers deserved a candid conversation about the show’s legacy—its successes and its shortcomings. ” and that she “takes accountability” for some aspects of the series. It also said Banks wanted viewers to hear that directly from her and that she “did not limit the ANTM topics the interviewer could ask.” The lawsuit added that during a three-and-a-half-hour interview. Banks answered questions about the show’s “groundbreaking history. ” including criticism of decisions she would handle differently today.
Netflix has not publicly addressed Banks’ lawsuit, and Us Weekly previously reached out to a spokesperson for comment.
Turner, who appeared on season 24, said her own experience on the reality series has fueled a desire to help others facing similar issues. She hinted to Us that she will team up with other reality stars in the future to assist newcomers navigating the business.
“Our main focus is to really just put legal protections in place for future reality stars. because there aren’t many. A lot of us sign away a lot of things without legal counsel,” Turner explained. “A lot of these girls. these people are signing away their lives and their image at 18 years old. and that’s our major concern because we’re more experienced. We’ve got kids now, we’re grown, we’re out of that light. But at one point, we were those young kids who were just desperate for an opportunity. So that’s kind of where our heart is lying right now.”.
Turner also said she believes Banks has shown a “lack of accountability.” She told Us. “For years. former contestants have shared their experiences and concerns. and many of them felt dismissed. So. seeing Tyra now claim that she was misrepresented by editing feels really ironic. giving how long others have been saying similar things about their own experiences with her or her production.”.
She added, “I think people are capable of being both influential and harmed by a system, but accountability shouldn’t disappear when the spotlight turns on the person who was previously in charge.”
In Turner’s telling, the dispute points to an uneven playing field. She said contestants and participants associated with the show’s production “were often bound by contacts and legal restrictions that made it difficult or impossible to pursue claims of misrepresentation. or challenge how they were portrayed.” Turner then questioned why Banks is seeking legal recourse now for “alleged misrepresentation. ” saying it raises “legitimate concerns and questions about fairness and accountability.”.
She also argued that if editing and production manipulation were serious enough to warrant a lawsuit when directed at Banks. they were serious concerns when contestants raised them earlier. “That’s why many people view this situation as an example of unequal power structure. rather than simply a dispute over a documentary. ” Turner said.
Turner pointed to how the public conversation has shifted around the controversy in the wake of the docuseries. including remarks connected to Miss J’s hospitalization. She said those comments stood out to her because discussion seemed to focus on whether certain remarks were “fair or accurate.” Turner continued. “More broadly. I think the public conversation is focused on accountability and the experiences many people associate with the franchise and have shared for years.”.
The Reality Check docuseries has been central to the controversy. The newest docuseries about America’s Next Top Model made revelations about “financial restrictions. concerning conditions behind the scenes and long-lasting trauma.” E!’s Dirty Rotten Scandals featured a two-part special on Wednesday. March 11. with interviews from former contestants Keenyah Hill. Brittany Brower. Sarah Hartshorne. Angelea Preston. Lisa D’Amato and Jaslene Gonzalez.
Banks’ docuseries premiered in February and included rare interviews with the show’s executive producers, former judges and past contestants. Banks, Ken Mok, Jay Manuel, Miss J. Alexander and Nigel Barker recalled the competition’s best and worst moments. while former competitors including Whitney Thompson. Giselle Samson. Shannon Stewart. Shandi Sullivan. Danielle Evans and Keenyah Hill spoke about their experiences. including claims of discrimination and sexual assault.
As the lawsuit spread, other former contestants weighed in too. Shortly after the case made headlines earlier this week, America’s Next Top Model’s first-ever winner Adrianne Curry, 43, shared her reaction.
In a video posted via Instagram on Sunday. June 14. Curry said. “I read that Tyra Banks is suing Netflix because she didn’t like being edited. ” before reacting sarcastically: “Biiiiiiiiiiiitch. for real girl?. Like?” Curry ended the clip with a laugh and captioned it, “Trya doesn’t like being ‘edited.’ Lol. Welcome to the party, pal.”.
Jeana Turner Tyra Banks defamation lawsuit Netflix Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model America’s Next Top Model ANTM Adrianne Curry Mis J hospitalization