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

Former “America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin” contestant Yaya DaCosta lately 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 below hearth since 2020 after problematic clips from the present have resurfaced on-line.

Through the ESSENCE Black Girls in Hollywood Awards, Tyra Banks gave a speech throughout which she addressed the damaging criticism she’s obtained through the years about the best way she handled ladies 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, changing into the primary Black lady to seem on the quilt of standard publications, together with Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit and GQ.

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

The casts had been various and sometimes featured many ladies of coloration, in addition to ladies of various heights and sizes. Banks, nevertheless, revealed her resolution to be inclusive brought on a lot pushback.

“To indicate 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 trade had been telling me, ‘You placing the ladies from the hood in your present?’ I used to be like, ‘Why can the lady from the trailer park turn into a supermodel, however the lady 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 acknowledged. “However I refuse to have my legacy be about some stuff linked collectively on the web when there have been 24 [seasons] of adjusting the world.”

Banks has been criticized for what many deem to be problematic conduct throughout her time because the present’s host. Earlier clips present the supermodel making enjoyable of a girl’s hole enamel, 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 referred to as out the producers for his or her “manipulative enhancing and weaponization of ladies’ weaknesses” and “catalyzing physique dysmorphia to consuming problems.” She additionally defined that the “most stunning” moments did not “air” on tv. Nonetheless, the “Chicago Med” performer revealed she realized 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, nevertheless, 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 succeed in for her fingers 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. Most likely each pretended to not see one another.”

DaCosta admitted she was “excited” to see Banks earlier than saying the “ANTM” creator did not provide an “specific apology” for issues that went incorrect 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 needed her to really feel what it feels wish to be absolutely forgiven, appreciated, and cherished,” she stated.

Amid the backlash Banks was receiving for former “ANTM” episodes, she was internet hosting “Dancing with the Stars.” Throughout that point, stories surfaced in regards to 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” power. “Tensions are excessive within the ballroom. Between low rankings, COVID outbreaks, and fixed managing of the Tyra backlash, the producers are on edge about every part,” they revealed.

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