The Real Legacy Of 'ANTM' Was Showing Young People How To Hate Their Bodies

"One clip showed Tyra scolding a contestant for ’not having a perfectly flat stomach' and suggesting that she 'more carefully watch her food.'”

“You wanna be on top?” Tyra Banks sang at the camera as upbeat music played in the background.

As a teenager, I was excited to hear the theme song come on TV. My mom and I sat eagerly on the leather couch with our snacks as an episode started.

At the time, I remember thinking that it was just an entertaining reality show. In fact, it was something that I looked forward to watching every week. I watched many seasons of the show.

Now, watching Netflix’s “America’s Next Top Model” documentary through the lens of what I know about eating disorders, trauma and body image, it is hard not to feel a deep sense of anger and sadness.

“ANTM” didn’t create a fatphobic culture. It was a microcosm of the early 2000s diet culture that was pervasive everywhere at the time. However, by reflecting the thin ideal, it did amplify and glamorize that standard. I believe this created real harm for a generation of women (and people of all genders) growing up.