THE POT LEDOM FILES: 5 CONTROVERSIAL ANTM PHOTOSHOOTS

Of course, every millennial creatives are currently glued to Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model on Netflix (If Tyra and Miss J had fashion babies in the Philippines, they would undoubtedly be Arthur Osin the AD King and Ian Mendajar the Pasarela Queen). ANTM was our unauthorized fashion bible—our chaotic, reality TV version of Coco Rocha’s 1,000 poses."

For over two decades, ANTM served as a pop culture phenomenon, blending high-stakes competition with the cutthroat reality of the fashion industry. But beneath the "smize" and POT LEDOM mantra, the show built a reputation for pushing boundaries—often to the breaking point. Under the guise of artistic expression, ANTM frequently orchestrated photoshoots that were uncomfortable and deeply controversial. From exploiting personal tragedies to employing racially insensitive makeup, the line between creative genius and reality TV exploitation was frequently blurred. Here is a look back at five of the most scandalous photoshoots in ANTM history.

The "Model Stereotypes" Shoot (Cycle 7)

In Cycle 7, the show attempted to comment on the dark side of the modeling industry by assigning each contestant a negative stereotype to portray. While some were relatively tame (like "The Diva"), others were jarringly graphic.

Contestant Megg was assigned "The Drug Addict," posing as if she had overdosed, while Michelle was tasked with portraying "The Bulimic," hunched over a toilet. Critics and viewers alike found the shoot to be a sensationalized mockery of serious mental health struggles rather than a meaningful critique. Instead of dispelling the stereotypes, the gruesome imagery seemed to glamorize the very toxicity the show claimed to be condemning.

The "Crime Scene Victims" Shoot (Cycle 8)

Perhaps one of the most infamous moments in ANTM history occurred during Cycle 8. The models were tasked with posing as victims of brutal murders in a "Crime Scene" photoshoot. The images themselves were gruesome—featuring models "strangled" with phone cords or pushed down stairs—but the real controversy lay in the timing.

Contestant Jael Strauss had learned just days prior that her close friend had passed away from a drug overdose. Despite her raw grief, she was pushed to participate in a shoot where she had to play a corpse. The show was heavily criticized for exploiting Jael’s trauma for the sake of a "challenging" narrative, blurring the ethical lines of reality television.

The "Seven Deadly Sins" Shoot (Cycle 4)

In a haunting coincidence that mirrored the later Cycle 8 controversy, Cycle 4’s "Seven Deadly Sins" shoot required the models to pose inside an actual grave at a cemetery, dressed in mourning lingerie to represent different sins.

The controversy stemmed from contestant Kahlen Rondot, who received news that her high school friend had died just before the shoot. Forced to channel her "Wrath" while standing in a literal grave, Kahlen delivered one of the cycle's best photos, but the psychological toll was evident. Fans have long debated whether the show should have altered the concept out of respect, or if it was a cruel test of a model's ability to "compartmentalize."

The "Side Effects of Smoking" Shoot (Cycle 9)

Cycle 9 decided to take a public service stance with an anti-smoking photoshoot. The concept involved a "glamorous" smoking shot paired with a "consequence" shot, where models were made up to look like they were suffering from the physical ravages of smoking—including premature aging, lung disease, and even facial burns.

To heighten the tension, Tyra Banks banned smoking in the model house at the start of the cycle, forcing several contestants who were smokers to quit cold turkey. The combination of nicotine withdrawal and the task of portraying grotesque, "ugly" versions of themselves created a high-stress environment that many viewers felt was designed more for dramatic breakdowns than for health awareness.

The "Got Milk?" Ethnicity Swap (Cycle 4)

Viewed through a modern lens, Cycle 4’s "Got Milk?" photoshoot is often cited as the show’s most offensive concept. The shoot required the models to change ethnicities using makeup to portray different races, including Black, Asian, and Indian women, often holding children of that race.

While the show pitched it as a celebration of diversity, the execution involved darkening the models' skin (blackface) and using prosthetics or makeup to alter their facial features. The result was a caricature of race that many found deeply insensitive and derogatory, sparking conversations about cultural appropriation that continue to surround the show’s legacy today. They repeated the Ethnicity Swap photoshoot on Cycle 13.

Looking back, these photoshoots stand as a testament to the “CRAY CRAY REALITY SHOW” era of early Y2K. While America’s Next Top Model produced undeniably memorable imagery, these specific challenges often sacrificed the dignity of the models for shock value. They remain a complicated part of the show’s legacy—uncomfortable, bold, and forever debated. #CoolisinSession #ANTM