America’s Next Top Model winner Lisa D’Amato RIPS Tyra Banks over toxic environment on series

America’s Next Top Model winner Lisa Marie D’Amato took to social media on Wednesday with post-ripping host Tyra Banks and producer Ken Mok.

D’Amato, 42, who won the reality TV competition’s 17th cycle, said she and other contestants experienced “insane amounts of trauma” while competing on the series, Weekly entertainment reported after viewing the post.

The Los Angeles native, who has set her page to private, also said taking part in the show was similar to being involved in the 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, which placed test subjects in an environment that resembled a prison.

D’Amato, who previously aired about her time on the series two years ago, said Banks, 49, has blocked her on social media, tagging producer Ken Mok in the post.

D’Amato, who appeared on the show’s fifth cycle in 2005 before returning to win in 2011, encouraged series alumni not to hold back as the show gains more attention leading up to its 20th anniversary next month.

“Please, please be honest with yourself and everyone else when I say, DON’T BE AFRAID to actually talk about how awful it was in your interview,” she said. ‘Do not act tough. Be real. Don’t be afraid of the fandom. Don’t be afraid of Tyra or Ken Mok.”

D’Amato said that “the light is coming through and more and more fandom is on our side”, and told people to “speak up”.

She continued, “Remember, this is your life [too]! Fight for it! Do you know who will stand up for you if you don’t? Do you know who’s going to save your life if you don’t?’

D’Amato said participating in the series was similar to participating in the Stanford Prison Experiment. She wrote, “That was the Stanford Prison Experiment for many of us. Google that shit.’

D’Amato is one of the show’s many alums who have publicly expressed critical feelings towards the series, which sees models compete for contracts. Others include Adrianne Curry, Tiffany Richardson, Angelea Preston, and Jeana Turner.

The show, which first aired in 2003, has come under scrutiny on social media in recent years as people have pointed out instances of body shaming and cultural appropriation.

Banks took to Twitter in 2020 to discuss people’s assessments of the program when viewed through a contemporary lens.

“I’ve seen the posts about the callousness of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you,” she said. “Looking back, those were really bad choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and send so much love and virtual hugs.”