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Eva Marcille, the winner of Cycle 3 of “America’s Next Top Model,” has expressed her surprise and shock at the allegations detailed in Netflix’s recently released docuseries, “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.” The model and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star revealed she was “gobsmacked” after watching the series, admitting she was unaware of the extent of the issues faced by contestants during and after the show’s run.
Marcille, who competed under her maiden name Eva Pigford, appeared on “CBS Mornings” Thursday, February 19, 2026, to discuss her reaction to the documentary. She described a feeling of disconnect, stating it felt “bizarre” to have been a part of the “America’s Next Top Model” experience without knowing the full scope of what was happening behind the scenes. The docuseries has sparked widespread conversation about the show’s impact on its participants and the responsibility of production teams in reality television.
The three-part Netflix series delves into a range of serious allegations, including claims of sexual assault, racially insensitive photoshoots, and the emotional toll taken on contestants. Shandi Sullivan, a runner-up from Cycle 2, has publicly recounted an alleged sexual assault on set, a claim that has brought renewed scrutiny to the show’s production environment. The documentary also highlights instances where contestants felt pressured into undergoing medical procedures for “marketability,” and alleges exploitation of personal trauma.
Marcille acknowledged that she experienced pressure during her time on the show, but emphasized that her experience didn’t compare to the disturbing accounts presented in the documentary. “I was in awe… my mouth was wide open,” she told CBS hosts Gayle King, Nate Burleson and Vladimir Duthiers. “To be a part of a club and not realize what’s going on in the club is crazy.”
Notably, Marcille stated she was not contacted to participate in the documentary. “They didn’t ask me,” she said, expressing surprise at being excluded from the project. According to People Magazine, the series largely focuses on the experiences of contestants who faced significant challenges, rather than highlighting the successes of winners like Marcille.
Despite the troubling revelations, Marcille credits “America’s Next Top Model” with launching her career. As reported by The Gossipherald, she reflected on how improbable her win was, particularly as the shortest contestant and a Black woman in an industry often lacking diversity. “Being that I was the shortest girl on my season, and a Black girl at that, it’s unheard of in modeling. It will never happen again,” she said.
The documentary also raises questions about the role of producers and judges in creating a potentially harmful environment. Marcille suggested that such an environment could not have existed without the active participation of those in positions of power. “That environment could not exist without producers aiding and embedding what was going on,” she explained.
While Marcille’s experience appears to have been more positive than those highlighted in “Reality Check,” her reaction underscores the widespread impact of the documentary and the ongoing conversation surrounding the ethics of reality television. The series has prompted a reevaluation of the show’s legacy and the responsibility of those involved in its production.
The fallout from the documentary is likely to continue as viewers and industry professionals grapple with the allegations and their implications. It remains to be seen what, if any, changes will be made to the production practices of reality television shows in light of these revelations.
What are your thoughts on the allegations made in the “Reality Check” documentary? Share your opinions in the comments below.
