Netflix Challenges Tyra Banks’ Defamation Lawsuit Over ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Docuseries

Netflix has filed a motion to strike and dismiss Tyra Banks’ defamation lawsuit against the streaming giant over her portrayal in the ‘America’s Next Top Model’ docuseries, ‘Reality Check.’

Banks, the former host and executive producer of the long-running reality competition series, filed a lawsuit against Netflix in June, alleging that she was falsely represented in the docuseries. According to the lawsuit, Banks participated in a three-and-a-half hour long interview for the documentary, but only 16 minutes of her footage was used in the final product.

The motion, filed by Netflix on Friday, argues that Banks’ complaints are ‘about ordinary editorial decisions.’ The motion confirms that Banks signed an agreement granting the filmmakers the right to edit her interview footage, acknowledging that she had ‘no right to review or approve’ the finished documentary, and releasing claims arising from it, including for defamation and false light.

In her lawsuit, Banks specifically cited how she was shown in the docuseries responding to cycle two contestant Shandi Sullivan’s alleged sexual assault during filming. She was shown being asked ‘You remember the story with Shandi?’ in Reality Check, to which she responded ‘um,’ before the screen cuts to black, creating a ‘devastating and deliberate’ implication that Banks couldn’t remember the assault, she argued in her suit.

However, Netflix’s motion disputes this interpretation, pointing out that the documentary actually shows Banks remembering the story. ‘And when Banks is asked whether she remembers Sullivan’s story, the Documentary shows her answer: ‘I do remember her story.’

‘A documentary expressly showing Banks remembering does not imply that she forgot,’ the motion reads in response. ‘Banks understands editorial discretion. She created, hosted, and executive produced 24 seasons of ANTM, making the same kinds of editorial decisions she now attacks — what footage to include, what to omit, and how to present competing narratives.’

The motion continues, ‘The Documentary simply turned that editorial lens back on ANTM and Banks. Her disagreement with the resulting portrayal does not make it defamatory.’

A Netflix spokesperson told ABC News in a statement that the company plans to ‘vigorously defend’ the docuseries and those behind it. ‘Directors Daniel Sivan and Mor Loushy are respected documentarians who thoroughly interviewed the people behind America’s Next Top Model,’ the statement reads. ‘Tyra Banks was given the opportunity to speak openly about her experience and the creators fairly presented her perspective alongside those of every other participant shown in this documentary. We stand behind Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model and will continue to vigorously defend it.’

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Banks’ lawyer for comment.

Key Points:

• Tyra Banks filed a lawsuit against Netflix over her portrayal in the ‘America’s Next Top Model’ docuseries, ‘Reality Check.’
• Banks participated in a three-and-a-half hour long interview for the documentary, but only 16 minutes of her footage was used in the final product.
• Netflix argues that Banks’ complaints are ‘about ordinary editorial decisions’ and that she signed an agreement granting the filmmakers the right to edit her interview footage.
• The documentary shows Banks remembering a story about a contestant’s alleged sexual assault, which Banks argues is a ‘devastating and deliberate’ implication that she couldn’t remember the assault.