Filed under: Television, News
When the latest television promotional clips for the upcoming season of CW's 'America's Next Top Model' were released, fans of the hit model competition series were up in arms.
The promo featured a 6'2" contestant with an abnormally small waist, something that show creator and host Tyra Banks quickly apologized for.
"In an effort to create a fun and entertaining sneak peek of the upcoming cycle, 'America's Next Top Model' released a trailer that was edited in way that misconstrued our overarching message," Banks said in a statement to People.com.
"As a leader in celebrating and promoting healthy body image, I must admit that I regrettably didn't see this clip before it was released to the public...but on behalf of the 'Top Model' team, these were not the intentions, and we truly apologize for any confusion, anger or disappointment it may have caused."
The Emmy Award winner said that the controversy "proves that the message to promote and celebrate all different - healthy and natural -- body types has resonated with our viewers" and added that she is "so proud of every one of you who voiced your opinion and participated in this conversation."
The former Victoria's Secret spokesperson, who famously donned a fat suit on her daytime series 'The Tyra Banks Show' in an effort to discuss body image prejudice in America, furthered, "I have experienced body image scrutiny from one extreme to the next -- as an awkward, extremely thin pre-teen who couldn't gain weight no matter what I did, to later being slammed by the media for my fuller, curvier frame."
Banks declared, "Driven by these personal experiences, I am committed to expanding the definition of beauty which includes ALL shapes, sizes and proportions, from skinny to curvy and everything in between. It's about women telling the world to KISS their -- skinny, wide, droopy, flat, cellulite-covered or FAT -- you know what!"
Banks clarified that the contestant in the trailer, a young lady named Ann, also battles body image issues related to her weight and height in the upcoming season of 'Top Model.'.
The 36 year-old media mogul continued, "Through 'Top Model' and my other platforms, I am able to connect with women directly. Helping young ladies, like Ann and countless others that have condided in me, furthers and supports my core mission."
Cycle 15 of 'America's Next Top Model,' which will return to Los Angeles, will premiere on Sept. 8 on the CW network.