Natalie Robomed

It's called Reality Check, and it's a pretty wild watch.

I always believed that she would have my back.

I was ultimately proven wrong.

In it, the filmmakers sit down with lots of former Top Model contestants, judges, and executives.

who reveal what it was really like to be in the running to become America's next top model.

From the body shaming.

If the body could just slim down 150 pounds, that would be good.

Then she'd be 30 pounds.

That would be better.

To the ludicrous photo shoots.

We are actually going to switch your ethnicities.

To the early 2000s reality TV shenanigans.

There was a lot about Top Model that was really, really ugly.

because at the same time that Tyra and the show claimed to be challenging beauty standards in the fashion industry, they were also upholding and reinforcing them.

Last year, pop culture journalist Bridget Armstrong made a podcast all about the show's legacy and complexities.

It's called Curse of America's Next Top Model, and it uncovered a lot of what has now bubbled to the fore.

Bridget, welcome to the show.

Thanks for having me.

So when did you start watching America's Next Top Model?

For those who haven't seen it, can you describe what the show is like?