Former “ANTM” Panelist and PR Pro Kelly Cutrone Thinks Tyra Banks ‘Will Prevail’ amid Show’s Backlash (Exclusive)

Catherine Santino, Hedy PhillipsWed, February 25, 2026 at 9:50 PM UTC

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Kelly Banks; Kelly Cutrone.Credit: Brendon Thorne/Getty; Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty -

Former ANTM panelist and fashion publicist Kelly Cutrone tells PEOPLE that she thinks Tyra Banks "will prevail" amid the backlash to Netflix's new documentary Reality Check about the series

"I think that she will get through this," she says

Cutrone also calls out fellow former judges for speaking about Banks in the docuseries

Kelly Cutrone is speaking out about her experience as a judge and panelist on America's Next Top Model.

The fashion publicist, who appeared on the reality competition series from cycles 18 through 22, shared her thoughts on host Tyra Banks in the wake of Netflix's documentary Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model about the show and its controversies.

Following the docuseries' release, Banks has received backlash from viewers who don't believe she took accountability for some of the show's problematic moments, such as extreme makeovers and controversial photo shoots.

"I feel confident that Tyra will prevail," Cutrone, 60, tells PEOPLE. "She's done a lot for people, including the people who are out there trashing her right now, specifically the people who worked on the show."

"I feel that she will prevail, and I think that she will get through this," she adds. "But I think that 80 percent of [the docuseries] is incredibly twisted. I believe that the facts and the truth will come forward."

Cutrone, who did not participate in Reality Check, also calls out fellow former panelists Jay Manuel, Miss J Alexander and Nigel Barker for speaking about Banks and their experiences on Top Model in the docuseries.

elly Cutrone, Bryanboy, Tyra Banks, Rob Evans and Johnny Wujek at the 'America's Next Top Model: College Edition, Cycle 19' Premiere in N.Y.C., Aug. 2012.Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty

"Do I think [Tyra is] perfect? No. Do I think the show is perfect? No," she says. "Do I think that she deserves that? Absolutely f---ing not. As somebody who owns a company and runs a business, I would be furious if they were my employees and they behaved like that. And to what end? To what end?"

In regard to some of the disgruntled former contestants, Cutrone says that they often lacked understanding about the cutthroat nature of the fashion industry.

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"Some people are going to move forward, and some people aren't," she says. "You're on an elimination show. Ninety-nine percent of the people that are on the show get eliminated. Do you feel bad about being eliminated? I would if my dreams and hopes were put onto that."

Kelly Cutrone, Tyra Banks and Rob Evans.Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty

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Other former contestants have come to Banks' defense as well.

Isis King, 40, who competed on cycle 11 of America's Next Top Model before returning for the all-star cycle a few years later, previously told PEOPLE that she'll always be grateful to Banks. Not only did the show kick-start her career, but Banks also connected King with Dr. Marci Bowers, who performed the model's gender reassignment surgery. Banks also footed the bill.

"I became an actress and all of these things that I would've never had that opportunity if I didn't go on the show, so I can't downplay how impactful it's been for my life," King shared. Following her first time on the show in 2008, King was able to get her surgery before filming a few small projects. After the all-star season in 2011, King found herself landing more acting gigs.

Jaslene González, 39, who won cycle 8 of the show in 2007, also feels gratitude toward Banks.

"My feeling with America's Next Top Model has not changed since day one," she told PEOPLE. "I continue to be a fan of the show and of Tyra and the legacy that it's left behind — especially with the way it's transformed my life in such a positive way."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”