‘ANTM’ Alum Lisa D’Amato Says Tyra Banks Exploited Her Childhood Trauma For The Show: How Do You Sleep At Night?

January 30, 2021 by C.J. in TV with 0 Comments

Tyra Banks, Lisa D’Amato

‘ANTM’ Alum Lisa D’Amato Says Tyra Banks Exploited Her Childhood Trauma For The Show: How Do You Sleep At Night?

Tyra Banks is still facing criticism for the treatment of aspiring models on America’s Next Top Models.

In the latest, former contestant Lisa D’Amato took to Instagram Live to call out Tyra Banks. Lisa D’Amato infamously competed in Cycle 5 of ANTM, coming in at sixth place. She then returned and took home the title for Cycle 17’s All-Star season.

Now, she is making allegations against Tyra Banks. She said on Instagram Live that she breached her contract (and could have gotten sued for $5 million) when she discussed the alleged treatment on E!’s True Hollywood Story in the early 2000s.

She said on Thursday, Jan. 28th, that she took the risk because Tyra Banks allegedly exploited her childhood trauma for the show.

“I did it knowing that it was a breach of contract, still, because I felt like it was my duty to warn other girls that were going to audition for ‘America’s Next Top Model’ to know that what you guys do and the way that you guys would poke me and use my childhood trauma against me, day in and day out. It was just so [messed] up, and it broke my heart. Like, how could you do that?”

She added,

“I don’t know how you sleep at night. You, Tyra, you knew very well the horrible trauma that my mom inflicted on me, and you also talk so much about how you wouldn’t be where you are without your mother and how powerful she is. So knowing that you still did that to me and continued to do it to other girls, even after I spoke publicly about it.”

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She questioned again,

“How do you sleep at night? How do you sleep at night knowing that you’re torturing and poking at people’s, girls’ childhood traumas for your own profit?”

Tyra Banks apologized for the culture of the show after receiving criticism last year as footage of her pressuring contestant Danielle Evans to close her gap resurfaced.

She wrote on Twitter,

“Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs.”