Tyra Banks' "America's Next Top Model" series (known to fans as "ANTM") has a pretty problematic past.
From body shaming to insensitive name-calling, the modeling reality show has had some pretty brutal moments that weren't always called out in real time.
Now that the show has been revived in the era of social media and heightened awareness, fans are letting Tyra Banks know they remember the hurtful moments quite well.
It all started when Tyra Banks tweeted this throwback photo of herself in African-inspired attire, with commentary about the new "Black Panther" movie.
"Many years ago, I modeled for this swimsuit campaign in Israel. The weather and styling was [fire]," she wrote in the tweet.
"I saw someone post this photo celebrating #BlackPanther. I was awestruck by the film in so many wondrous ways. Go see it. I guarantee it is unlike ANY film you have EVER seen. #Wakanda"
Banks, like the rest of us, seems understandably swept up by the "Black Panther" zeitgeist, which has inspired people to head to theaters dressed in African-inspired attire or traditional garb from their own cultures.
But Twitter user @AndiSachs, a fan of both Banks and of "ANTM," reminded her how the current love for African culture wasn't shown to model Yaya DaCosta back during cycle 3.
"Remember the time you and the judges tried to shame Yaya for being and dressing proudly African?" he wrote.
His response has been retweeted over 10,000 times.
"If you think I'm lying here are the receipts," he shared along with a video of a SUPER cringe-worthy exchange between DaCosta and the "ANTM" judges about her African style.
This video is from Cycle three, episode eight. It aired back in 2004.
"Yaya, it looks like you’re about to ride a giraffe. I’m not feeling it," Nolé Marin said about DaCosta's look.
“You have this tendency to prove your sort of African-ness and I think it’s sort of overbearing," Rebecca Weinberg told her. "It’s too much. It’s sort of a layer on top of layer.”
While a tearful DaCosta explained her style ("it's very natural to me") to the panel, Janice Dickinson scoffed in her face and rolled her eyes.
As the only other Black person in the conversation, Banks could have used the opportunity to soften the moment for Yaya, but she was merciless.
"There’s a [difference between] explaining yourself and being defensive. And you’re being defensive and it’s not attractive," Banks told DaCosta.
"I’m all about expressing yourself and your culture but it’s still done in a fashion way. You want your outfit to be 'look at me' and this outfit is "look over there."
Via private conversation, @AndiSachs, explained that his tweet to Tyra wasn't meant to be malicious — it was to hold her accountable.
"I don't think Tyra is a bad person," he told Revelist.
"I've been a fan for years and I think her show has given a lot of girls an opportunity that might not have had one. It has also introduced to mainstream girls who look 'different,' from Whinnie Harlow [sic] to Isis. that being said the show has a very problematic past that has never been addressed and should be."
In January 2018, Yaya DaCosta recalled the moment as she defended another Black woman experiencing anti-Blackness on reality TV: Amara La Negra.
"It took a lot of work to heal from that experience, and looking back, I feel so much for that eager, vulnerable young version of myself," DaCosta recalled.
"@amaralanegraaln I truly applaud your strength. As another brown-skinned, curly-headed woman with African roots and Latin branches, I stand with you. Yes, we are all human, but the myth that we live in a post-racial society is a falsehood and, frankly, a dangerous state of denial."
"May all little girls and boys everywhere feel safe and may they trust that their experiences are valid."
Other Twitter users also called out the hypocrisy of Tyra Banks' celebrating "African-ness" for a fictional Marvel film but not IRL.
Fans are calling for an apology from Tyra Banks and for her to acknowledge the many harmful messages she allowed to be shared with not only "ANTM" contestants, but also the viewers.
"America's Next Top Model" may have gotten a television reboot, but the damage buried in its past is still quite fresh.
Let's hope Tyra Banks turns it all around soon.
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