‘You Tried It’: Former ‘ANTM’ Contestant’s Attempt to Revenge Body-Shame Tyra Banks Backfires After Fans Come to Host’s Defense
Tyra Banks hasn’t always been on the right side of reality television history. In 2020, the iconic supermodel became a trending topic after online critics called out her treatment of many of the contestants who appeared on “America’s Next Top Model.”
Although the show host apologized, some appear to be still upset over the experience, including reality star and former contestant Rachel Hargrove. She recently slammed the actress while simultaneously fat-shaming her.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 09: Tyra Banks, Executive Producer, Generation Drag attends Celebrate Pride with Tyra Banks, Trixie Mattel, Alex Newell, Eric Cervini and other Discovery+ stars at the Tribeca Festival on June 09, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery)
In a since-deleted Twitter post featuring an unflattering photo of 48-year-old Banks, Hargrove called out the “Dancing with the Stars” host, writing, “Hey @Tyrabanks remember when you called me a plus size model when I was a size2?”
The “Below Deck” star was quickly criticized for what many felt were counterproductive remarks, including one user who wrote, “So… A person who felt body-shamed turns around and body shames someone else. Got it.”
However, Hargrove doubled down on her stance, stating that the industry veteran should “take accountability.” Another person added, “I’m not much of a fan of Tyra Banks but fat shaming her now bc she hurt your feelings decades ago is really weak b-tch energy.”
The Bravo star appeared on the competition series on the fourth season of “ANTM” after a casting director approached her while working as a bartender in Florida in 2005. And it was also make-up artist and judge Jay Manuel who made the “plus size” comment.
A third person wrote, “Girl, we’ve all seen the YouTube videos exposing ANTM. We know the show was a dumpster fire, you just wanted a lil extra attention so folks would #sendtips you tried it.”
Hargrove later returned to social media to claim, “I’ve had alot of former cast reach out to me and tell me about how the show caused them to have body dysmorphic disorders… so that’s why I made my comment.”
Banks, who has apologized in the past for her role in the problematic behavior displayed on the show, has not responded to Hargrove’s comments.