‘ANTM’ Alum Says She’s Forgiven Tyra Banks For ‘Trauma’

Former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant Yaya DaCosta not too long ago revealed she’s “absolutely forgiven” Tyra Banks for the “trauma” she endured whereas filming the fact competitors present within the early 2000s.

Banks, who created the present in 2003, has been underneath hearth since 2020 after problematic clips from the present have resurfaced on-line.

Through the ESSENCE Black Ladies in Hollywood Awards, Tyra Banks gave a speech throughout which she addressed the damaging criticism she’s obtained through the years about the way in which she handled girls on “ANTM.” On Saturday, March 15, 2025, DaCosta, one of many extra recognizable names from the franchise, posted an Instagram video addressing her former boss’ phrases and revealed she’s moved on.

Banks, who was born and raised in Inglewood, California, started modeling at age 15. She had a extremely profitable profession, turning into the primary Black lady to seem on the duvet of fashionable publications, together with Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit and GQ.

In 2003, the supermodel created the tv program “America’s Subsequent High Mannequin,” through which aspiring fashions competed in an interactive show to win a modeling contract, {a magazine} unfold, and a contract with a significant cosmetics model.

The casts have been numerous and infrequently featured many ladies of coloration, in addition to girls of various heights and sizes. Banks, nonetheless, revealed her determination to be inclusive brought about a lot pushback.

“To point out completely different beauties at a time when the world was like, ‘What? You casting that? And what? Was it that?’ A time when individuals within the style business have been telling me, ‘You placing the women from the hood in your present?’ I used to be like, ‘Why can the woman from the trailer park turn out to be a supermodel, however the woman that’s chillin’ within the park within the hood can’t?’ And we fought, and we struggled, and we made it occur,” Banks stated in the course of the ESSENCE awards.

Later, throughout her speech, Banks admitted she and the manufacturing crew did not at all times “get it proper” whereas filming the hit actuality present. “I stated some dumb sh-t,” she said. “However I refuse to have my legacy be about some stuff linked collectively on the web when there have been 24 [seasons] of fixing the world.”

Banks has been criticized for what many deem to be problematic habits throughout her time because the present’s host. Earlier clips present the supermodel making enjoyable of a girl’s hole tooth, whereas others characteristic white fashions posing in blackface. “All of us evolve. All of us get higher collectively. And I’m so excited that I, and so many people, have opened that door for others to comply with,” she stated.

DaCosta, who appeared within the present’s third season and got here in second place, addressed Banks’ speech in a video she posted on Instagram. Within the prolonged clip, the model-turned-actress stated she felt “compelled” to talk earlier than saying she skilled “trauma” whereas filming the sequence.

The 42-year-old known as out the producers for his or her “manipulative enhancing and weaponization of women’ weaknesses” and “catalyzing physique dysmorphia to consuming issues.” She additionally defined that the “most surprising” moments did not “air” on tv. Nonetheless, the “Chicago Med” performer revealed she discovered to “regulate my nervous system” by being in such an environment.

Elsewhere, in her video, DaCosta revealed she additionally attended the ESSENCE awards, however she missed Banks’ speech when she excused herself to the restroom. She, nonetheless, bumped into the previous “America’s Obtained Expertise” host backstage and stated that they had a “lovely dialog.”

“I used to be so excited on this second to stroll over to her, to achieve for her arms and to greet her with heat, with gratitude, with love,” she shared. “One thing that I might not have been able to. The couple of locations we’ve been in up to now we didn’t converse. In all probability each pretended to not see one another.”

DaCosta admitted she was “excited” to see Banks earlier than saying the “ANTM” creator did not supply an “express apology” for issues that went improper on the set of their present. Regardless of that, although, DaCosta was prepared for Banks to know she had healed from her expertise.

“Y’all, I held that lady, and when it was time for the hug to be over, I held some extra. And I took a deep breath as a result of I wished her to really feel what it feels prefer to be absolutely forgiven, appreciated, and liked,” she stated.

Amid the backlash Banks was receiving for former “ANTM” episodes, she was internet hosting “Dancing with the Stars.” Throughout that point, reports surfaced concerning the former Victoria’s Secret mannequin being a “nightmare” to work with.

Sources claimed the mom was “disrespectful” to the crew and gave “wild calls for” earlier than speaking about her “poisonous” vitality. “Tensions are excessive within the ballroom. Between low scores, COVID outbreaks, and fixed managing of the Tyra backlash, the producers are on edge about all the pieces,” they revealed.

Banks departed the sequence in 2023 and advised TMZ she was able to “concentrate on my enterprise and my entrepreneurship, and in addition producing extra TV.”