Netflix And Producers Of “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” Argue Banks’ Requests For Raw Interviews And Internal Materials Are Too Broad
Tyra Banks is seeking hours of unaired interview footage from former “America’s Next Top Model” colleagues Miss J. Alexander and Jay Manuel as her defamation lawsuit against Netflix and the producers of “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” moves forward.
Banks filed the lawsuit in June, alleging the documentary used selective editing to create a misleading portrayal of her and damage her reputation.
According to TMZ, Netflix and the documentary’s producers are opposing Banks’ request for raw interview footage that was not included in the final series. Banks argues the unseen material could help demonstrate that interviews were edited in a way that removed important context.
Banks’ discovery requests extend beyond footage featuring Miss J and Manuel.
Court documents cited by TMZ show she is also seeking internal communications about her, draft scripts, story notes, deposition testimony from people involved in producing or reviewing the documentary and Netflix viewership data.
Netflix and the producers contend those requests are too broad at this stage of the case and go beyond the targeted discovery needed to address Banks’ claims.
Banks participated in the documentary before filing suit. She alleges filmmakers used roughly 16 minutes from an interview that lasted more than three hours, leaving out material she says would have provided viewers with additional context.
Shandi Sullivan Segment At Center Of Editing Dispute
One of the disputes involves the documentary’s treatment of former contestant Shandi Sullivan’s account of an alleged sexual assault during production of “America’s Next Top Model.”
Banks alleges the editing created the false impression that she could not remember Sullivan’s story. She maintains the full interview footage shows that she did remember the account.
Miss J also discussed his relationship with Banks in the documentary, saying she did not visit him after serious health problems left him hospitalized and unable to walk.
Banks is now seeking access to the portions of Miss J’s interview that were not shown to viewers.
Netflix and the producers have denied wrongdoing and previously asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing Banks voluntarily participated in the documentary and agreed to broad editing rights.
The lawsuit remains in its early stages, with the current fight focused on how much behind-the-scenes material Banks can obtain before the court addresses the substance of her defamation claims.
