Eva Marcille, winner of Cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model, has publicly defended her former mentor and manager, Tyra Banks, amidst Banks’ defamation lawsuit against Netflix. The lawsuit stems from the docuseries Reality Check, which examined the controversial aspects of the modeling competition. Marcille, an actress and cast member of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, shared her perspective during an appearance on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live.

Marcille’s Defense of Tyra Banks

During a segment on Watch What Happens Live, host Andy Cohen challenged Marcille to offer three positive statements about Tyra Banks. Marcille responded with strong endorsements, stating, “Tyra is always fierce. She was always right and she’s always on top.” When asked about her thoughts on the Reality Check docuseries, Marcille expressed skepticism, remarking, “We don’t have enough time, Andy.” She further elaborated on her stance, declaring, “I am pro Tyra.”

Marcille described the docuseries as “shady boots,” asserting that it was “not balanced” and “very biased.” She noted that she was not approached to participate in the series, suggesting that her inclusion would have contradicted the narrative presented. “They never asked me [to participate] because it would go contradictory to the entire [narrative],” she explained.

Previous Concerns and Tyra Banks’ Apology

While Marcille is now defending Banks, she previously expressed strong reactions to the docuseries. In February, she described Reality Check as “amazingly horrifying” after becoming aware of the experiences of young women on the show, including instances of sexual assault and eating disorders. Speaking to CBS Mornings, Marcille acknowledged Banks’ apologies but questioned their sufficiency. “[Banks] apologized a million times. But an apology to the person that you wronged is only as good as they could appreciate it,” Marcille stated. “There is no sorry, I think, that’s big enough to truly feel and heal that kind of hurt.”

Marcille’s Career Launch and Gratitude

Despite her concerns about the docuseries, Marcille emphasized her enduring gratitude towards Tyra Banks for launching her career. She recalled being the shortest contestant on her season, making her victory an “unheard of” achievement. Marcille, who was 19 when she won Cycle 3 in 2004, secured a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl, a Ford Models contract, and a cover shoot for Elle Magazine. She has since appeared in subsequent seasons of America’s Next Top Model and other related documentaries.

Tyra Banks’ Lawsuit Against Netflix

Tyra Banks filed a defamation lawsuit on June 13 against Netflix, EverWonder Studio, and directors Daniel Sivan and Mor Loushy. Banks alleges that the Reality Check docuseries engaged in “selective editing, deliberate omission, and surgical manipulation of continuous footage” to create a misleading and damaging narrative. Banks claims she took accountability and apologized extensively within the docuseries, but these instances were allegedly “on the cutting room floor.”

According to court documents, Banks’ legal team asserts that the docuseries misrepresented her role and actions, causing “significant harm and damage to the personal brand she has worked for decades to build and maintain throughout the world.” The lawsuit highlights that Banks was not given the opportunity to ask follow-up questions, address critics, or review the special before its release, and was only shown the documentary the day before it aired.

Controversies Surrounding America’s Next Top Model

America’s Next Top Model, which ran for 24 seasons from 2003 to 2018, faced criticism for various elements throughout its run. These included challenging runway segments, problematic photo shoots, and drastic makeovers. The docuseries Reality Check aimed to explore these controversies and the impact they had on contestants.

The lawsuit also touches upon Banks’ interactions with former show participants. It mentions former judge and runway coach Miss J. Alexander, who reportedly claimed Banks did not visit him after a stroke in 2022 that left him in a coma and paralyzed. Banks, in a statement included in the docuseries, acknowledged pushing boundaries: “I knew I went too far.” She also stated, “It was very, very intense. But you guys were demanding it, so we kept pushing more and more and more.”

Eva Marcille’s Recent Work

Eva Marcille continues her acting career, recently concluding her role as Marilyn ‘Madam’ DeVille in the fifth season of Tyler Perry’s drama All the Queen’s Men. She is a mother of three children: Marley, Michael, and Maverick.