The resurgence of viral clips from the long-running hit reality television show America’s Next Top Model left fans and foes alike wondering – how did a show so outrageous and at times offensive ever get on the air? For years, Americans dutifully watched as contestants faced uncomfortable situations regarding their race and gender, body-shaming, stereotyping, and problematic photoshoots. The show, which first premiered in 2003 and ran for 24 cycles, was helmed by supermodel Tyra Banks – the first Black female host of a smash network reality show. It was wildly popular, and groundbreaking too, bringing plus-sized models, transgendered models, and many Black, Asian, and other diverse contestants onto the show at a time when they would never have otherwise have made it on TV.

So was Top Model ahead of its time? A cringe-inducing byproduct of a less-enlightened era? Somehow both at once? Host Franchesca Ramsey – a fan since the show first premiered – takes us behind-the-scenes of this wild reality circus, to examine how it was made, what it stood for, and what it illustrates about how representation and beauty standards have changed since 2003, including conversations with contestants, judges, producers, experts and more.