Trigger warning: This article discusses sexual assault.
The tea keeps spilling as more and more former contestants come forward to share their experiences America’s Next Top Model. Amid the controversial revelations about the show not protecting contestants, the name of another alumnus has surfaced. Lauren Utter Cycle 10 shared on social media how the production ensured they protected themselves from liability.
ANTM’s Lauren Utter Shares Surprising Stuff From Her Contract
There were a lot of bombshells when Netflix released its latest documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model. Some of the revelations include an in-depth look at the controversial runway show, in which contestants faced body shaming, manipulation, unfair compensation, and even a lack of protection from the team.
One of the most shocking and disturbing revelations was Shandy Sullivan’s experience in Cycle 2. The former contestant said she was sexually harassed on the show and that despite taping everything, production did nothing to protect her. This was then turned into a hoax story for the show.
In the wake of this revelation, Lauren took to Instagram to reveal how the production protected itself from liability during filming. She posted the photos with the caption, “I was #antm and I wasn’t?! Yay! Apparently, @netflix is releasing a doc soon so I just wanted to share some mementos. Do you know what we do? They take no responsibility on the show? Great right?”
The contract page shared by Lauren states, “I acknowledge and agree that if I am killed, injured, or harmed during transportation to or from any location in connection with the Program, this Participant Agreement will release the Released Parties from any claims in connection therewith, including, without limitation, any claims based on the Producers’ failure to monitor, inspect, or investigate my means and methods of transportation.” The same section exists for any housing contestants who remain during the taping.
The contract highlights the protections that exist to protect the product from liability. It seems that competitors did not enjoy the same protection.
Lauren isn’t the first person to look back on her time on ANTM with disdain. Several former contestants have shared their experiences, including criticizing ANTM creator and host Tyra Banks and labeling her a “slimy little snake.”
Reality Check: America’s Next Top Model Available to stream on Netflix.
Tell us – do you think the production cares more about ratings than the contestants? What do you think of the ANTM documentary?