The iconic phrase, "You wanna be on top?" echoed through living rooms for years, a siren call from Tyra Banks's America's Next Top Model. It promised dreams of stardom, high fashion, and a shot at becoming the next big thing. But as the dust settled and the cameras stopped rolling, the reality behind the glitz and glamour began to surface, prompting a closer look at the show's legacy.
Sarah Hartshorne, a fan-favorite contestant herself, is pulling back the curtain with her upcoming memoir, "You Wanna Be on Top? A Memoir of Makeovers, Manipulation, and Not Becoming America's Next Top Model." Published by Crown in July 2025, the book delves into the "iconic but deeply flawed reality competition show," exposing the manipulation and chaos that often simmered beneath the surface. It's a candid look at what it truly took to compete, and perhaps more importantly, what it meant to be a part of a cultural phenomenon that captivated millions.
This isn't the first time the show's impact and methods have been scrutinized. As the series is rewatched on streaming platforms, its handling of sensitive topics like race and body image has come under heavy criticism. A recent Netflix docuseries, "Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model," has reignited these conversations, featuring interviews with key players, including Tyra Banks herself. The documentary, and the discussions it has sparked, aim to re-evaluate the show's place in pop culture history.
For many, like Aisha Harris, who watched the show as an impressionable teenager, revisiting it now offers a different perspective. The very structure of the show, with its "cycles" rather than "seasons," felt designed to be chic, but the underlying narratives and pressures on contestants were far from simple. The docuseries, notably, doesn't credit Banks as an executive producer, a detail that has led to discussions about accountability and how the show's creators and participants are addressing its complex past.
As we look back, it's clear that America's Next Top Model was more than just a modeling competition. It was a mirror reflecting societal ideals, a breeding ground for drama, and for many, a formative part of their viewing experience. Hartshorne's memoir promises to add another layer to this ongoing conversation, offering an insider's perspective on the dreams chased, the lessons learned, and the realities faced when you truly want to be on top.
