ANTM’s Whitney Thompson says she ‘took Xanax and cried in shower every day’ over fat shaming on show

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Whitney Thompson, who made history as the first plus-size winner of America’s Next Top Model, has spoken about the negative experiences she had with body shaming while on the show, hosted by Tyra Banks.

Before the release of the new Netflix documentary Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, Whitney Thompson, the winner of cycle 10 in 2008, shared some difficult experiences from her time on the show. She remembered feeling that some challenges were intentionally made more difficult because she was a plus-size model.

Whitney Thompson, a contestant on America’s Next Top Model, has said the show seemed to deliberately not provide appropriate clothing for its plus-size contestants when she competed at age 20. She was a size 6 at the time.

She admitted she put on a brave face, but secretly cried in the shower every day. The shower was the only place where the camera crew couldn’t follow her, giving her a private space to feel upset and wonder why she was being treated that way.

She explained that she realized they were trying to provoke a reaction from her, so she remained calm and responded casually, saying, “That’s okay, we can just tape my dress.”

She also spoke candidly about the judging panel, admitting the whole experience was a ‘nightmare’. 

‘I took Xanax before every judging,’ she said.

Being under those bright lights for eight or nine hours while people constantly critique your appearance was incredibly draining and emotionally exhausting.

Even as the modeling industry started including more diverse body types, Thompson explains that ‘plus-size’ modeling often had its own rigid standards, which didn’t always reflect real people – or her own body.

She explained to People that even when modeling agencies started accepting more diverse body types, the standards were still strangely narrow and often unrealistic.

Models would often wear padding during auditions and photoshoots to create the illusion of fuller figures – a larger waist and hips, for example. However, they were still expected to maintain defined features like a strong jawline, slender arms, and ankles. They might be asked to appear with a stomach, but always with a clearly defined jawline.

Thompson’s insights reveal the continuing tension in the fashion world: while there’s talk of including diverse body types, the industry still largely upholds unrealistic and narrow beauty standards.

Although the fashion industry briefly showed more diverse body types on runways and in advertising during the 2010s, it often felt like a temporary moment rather than a lasting commitment to inclusivity.

Even with prominent jobs and a thriving career after appearing on America’s Next Top Model, Thompson became exhausted by constantly changing standards and the never-ending attention to her physical appearance.

She also noted that being recognized from reality television occasionally hindered her, as the industry claimed it only cared about the fashion itself.

‘You were buying who I was on Top Model,’ Thompson said. 

If a brand is looking for a model simply to display their clothing and doesn’t want someone famous or easily recognizable – because they want the focus to be on the clothes, not the model – then you likely won’t be hired.

The issues with America’s Next Top Model weren’t new with Whitney Thompson; problems had been building for years.

In 2020, old episodes started appearing online, leading people to revisit and question how the show treated its contestants. Discussions arose about whether producers prioritized creating drama over showcasing genuine talent.

Many people criticized judges like Banks for making comments about contestants’ bodies, being overly harsh, and giving challenges that felt more about creating drama than offering constructive feedback on their modeling skills.

A particularly controversial moment was a photoshoot where contestants were made up with heavy makeup to look like people of different races. Even the show’s creators now admit this was a mistake.

Critics have also highlighted instances where contestants faced unfair scrutiny, such as when Danielle Evans, the winner of Cycle 6, was questioned about her teeth. They also pointed out situations created by producers that seemed to take advantage of the models instead of supporting them.

Banks herself has addressed much of this criticism in recent years. 

During her speech at the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, she acknowledged that America’s Next Top Model wasn’t perfect, admitting she sometimes said things she regretted. However, she also explained that her goal with the show was to increase diversity in television.

Even though it was difficult at times, Thompson is grateful for her experience on America’s Next Top Model. She especially appreciates the platform it gave her to advocate for plus-size models and help create opportunities in an industry that hadn’t previously included them.

People from all over the world contacted her to say how much her story motivated them, which was something she hadn’t completely understood before.

Looking back, I totally didn’t get how huge it was going to be! I mean, seeing her on TV just changed things for so many people. They’ve told me how inspired they were, and honestly, that just gets me! It’s incredible to think she had that effect on everyone.

It felt really good to positively impact people’s lives and help brands become more inclusive by featuring plus-size models for the first time.

‘Me winning the show definitely made a shift in the fashion industry.’

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2026-02-13 20:04