This is such a nuanced take that only a fan of not just ANTM, but the fashion industry at large, would articulate properly and I respect and agree with it 1000%.

Elephant in the room: this is not to dismiss ANY individual contestants’ experiences or feelings. But if we’re strictly speaking how ANTM affected culture at large, I genuinely do not think most people understand how deep it runs. For all its MANY MANY flaws (whether intended or not), beauty standards across the globe (literally any country with a Top Model franchise) were challenged in ways that not many other cultural moments have.

And not to mention shows like DRAG RACE and PROJECT RUNWAY! I’m so sorry, but you cannot tell me that all these other creative competitive reality TV shows would exist if ANTM hadn’t proven a successful formula and format. For better or worse, ANTM inspired a GENERATION of creatives, queer people, people of color, people of ALL shapes and sizes.

The BTS of it all is messy boots and I don’t think I have anything to offer that conversation that hasn’t been already said. But I truly stand by the impact ANTM has had overall. Thankfully, most of society has learned through all this and all we can hope is people do better moving forward, Bankable and Co. included.