Entertainment

Where Top Model Alums Stand With Tyra Banks After Offscreen Backlash

Published

5 hours ago

17 February 2026

Netflix’s America’s Next Top Model docuseries revealed where Tyra Banks stands with many former contestants after they offered their unfiltered opinions of the show.

Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, streaming now, features interviews from alums Whitney Thompson, Giselle Samson, Shannon Stewart, Shandi Sullivan, Danielle Evans and Keenyah Hill.

New confessionals with executive producer Ken Mok, former judges Jay Manuel, Miss J. Alexander and Nigel Barker offer more insight into the behind the scenes dynamics — including rare commentary from Banks herself.

“I haven’t really said much. But now it’s time,” Banks, 52, explains to producers in one scene. “I’m going to take you to 2020. COVID hit and the world was binging TV. … They didn’t watch it back then and it went from this thing that everybody loved to overnight heat — just a whole different lens. What I think is important is to understand where that came from.”

Banks also recalls her approach with America’s Next Top Model, which ran from 2003 to 2018, saying, “I wanted to fight against the fashion industry. One day, this idea just hit me. What if I created a show where you saw what it took to become a model. And for this show to represent not all white, not all skinny and to just show all the differences and all the different types of beauties. I had a feeling that I was gonna change the beauty world.”

Despite positive intentions, Banks acknowledges the offscreen backlash from controversial photo shoot concepts to allegations of discrimination, sexual assault and more.

“Looking at that show through the lens of today, it’s like, ‘Why did you do that?’ I thank you for that. That is the only way you change. That is the only way you get better is by somebody calling you out on your s***,” Banks says. “It is important. I want to let you know that I want you guys to be just as open as I am now by getting called on my s*** by when somebody calls you out on yours. Because that day will come and continue to evolve. Because that’s what we’re all doing.”

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of which contestants and winners participated in the America’s Next Top Model docuseries — and where they stand with Banks:

Shannon Stewart (Cycle 1)

Where 'Top Model' Alums Stand With Tyra Banks After Offscreen Backlash — Instagram

The runner-up from season 1 recalled her struggles with an eating disorder before and during the show. She expressed gratitude to Tyra Banks for speaking out about the conversations surrounding weight on the show — and for sending flowers when Shannon Stewart didn’t win. Stewart ultimately left modeling and committed to her faith.

Ebony Haith (Cycle 1)

The contestant from the debut season voiced frustration with Tyra Banks after the former host brought up her sexual orientation on screen because she “forgot the danger” at the time. Ebony Haith was still happy how her personal life was portrayed — despite the obstacles she faced as a Black woman.

Ebony didn’t feel “protected” and felt “full disappointment” of how she was represented. She claimed Banks barely spoke to her on the show outside of comments that felt targeted, which is when she realized the host wouldn’t help her.

The aspiring actress ultimately said Banks “very much disappointed” her.

Giselle Samson (Cycle 1)

For Giselle Samson, it was shocking when America’s Next Top Model wasn’t what she thought it was going to be. She said she felt pushed by production to start drama and her self esteem suffered after watching Tyra Banks and others discuss her weight on the show.

Samson was a real estate agent after leaving modeling behind — and she has since joined a theater group.

Shandi Sullivan (Cycle 2)

Before joining America’s Next Top Model in 2004, Shandi Sullivan worked at her local Walgreens in Missouri. She nearly made it to the end of her season until she was sexually assaulted during a group trip to Italy. The assault was then used as a cheating story line.

She expressed frustration with Tyra Banks and producers before confirming she left modeling. Sullivan currently works with animals.

Bre Scullark (Cycle 5)

Bre Scullark, who now works with violent offenders to help their rehabilitation, pointed out how the show lacked in supporting Black women, contestants struggling with eating disorders and more.

Danielle Evans (Cycle 6)

Danielle Evans notably stayed longer during her season because she agreed to get rid of a gap in her teeth despite voicing issues with the medical procedure. She won her season but never found success as a model because of the stigma that came with appearing on America’s Next Top Model.

Danielle claimed she had a conversation with Tyra Banks, who admitted she knew the contestant wouldn’t succeed in the industry. The former model, who is no longer in the industry, said Tyra’s ‘ intentions in the beginning were good’ but ‘that s*** got lost.’

Joanie Dodds (Cycle 6)

In the doc, Joanie Dodds recalled having to get her teeth ripped out for a challenge. She consented to the procedure but claimed she didn’t realize the extent of the aftermath, which included “many orthodontic issues” that “never got fixed.”

Dodds admitted she would love to do America’s Next Top Model but not the same way. She has since found success on home improvement shows and that led to her owning her own business related to carpentry.

Dionne Walters (Cycle 8)

During her season, Dionne Walters had to do a photoshoot challenge where she posed as a victim of gun violence. Producers knew that Dionne’s mother was shot and paralyzed in real life, which she didn’t think was coincidental.

Dionne tried to make it in the modeling industry multiple times but it wasn’t successful. She also revealed she “wasn’t contacted” after being eliminated. Dionne is now a small business owner and a realtor.

Whitney Thompson (Cycle 10)

Whitney Thompson was the first plus-size winner of the show but that came with feeling self conscious. She recalled being given clothes that didn’t fit that she had to make work. While Whitney acknowledged that the show “didn’t age well,” it was “also a reflection of the time.” The ice cream shop owner expressed gratitude to Tyra Banks for opening the door for her to be on the show.

Keenyah Hill (Cycle 4)

Keenyah Hill recalled how her entire narrative on the show surrounded her weight. She said it made her feel dirty to see the damaging edits of her eating and the conversations surrounding her appearance. Hill also pointed to a challenge where a male model was ‘aggressively hitting” on her and touching her – but her attempt to get protection turned into her being shamed.

Tyra Banks defended the reaction by saying she offered the best advice she could at the time. Banks admitted Hill deserved more. In her confessional, Hill revealed she is a pose coach helping aspiring models.

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Entertainment

Stephen A. Smith Explains Why He’s Now Open To Presidential Run, ‘Country Sucks’

Published

12 minutes ago

17 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Stephen A. Smith
Here’s Why I’m Thinking ‘Bout Running For Prez …
And The One Reason I Won’t

Published
February 17, 2026
12:30 AM PST

TMZSports.com

Stephen A. Smith says he wants to run for president of the United States, but there’s one enormous roadblock … MONEY!

TMZ Sports caught up with the ESPN star, who previously told us he had no interest in running, during Kenny Smith‘s The FlyHouse All-Star Bash in Los Angeles, who told us straight up, “The country sucks.”

“I think the country is devoid of leadership, the kind of leadership we have, we don’t need. The kind of leadership we should be getting, nobody is stepping up and doing. I don’t desire to be a politician, but in the same breath, the opportunity to go on a debate stage and call out these politicians for the things that they’ve done to damage this country is something that very much appeals to me,” SAS told us matter-of-factly.

A strong statement … so, we asked the 58-year-old what it would take for him to actually run, and Smith said this … “My money has to be tight.”

“My quality of life needs to be straight, you know? From my understanding, that can’t happen because I’d have to give it up in order to run.”

FYI, Smith reportedly signed a 5-year, $100 million deal with ESPN last year.

Ultimately, Stephen A. says he’d love the opportunity to “debate these politicians that I think have divided all of us and have really screwed up this country.”

NewsAdmin

Nicole Curtis’ Slur Controversy
Parents at Kid’s School Unglued About Her Volunteering

Published
February 17, 2026
1:00 AM PST

Some parents at a SoCal school where Nicole Curtis volunteers as a room parent to her son’s class have serious concerns on the heels of her N-word controversy… and at least one has gone to leadership demanding answers, TMZ has learned.

Here’s the deal … the HGTV star has been in hot water since a 2022 video leaked of her using the N-word while filming her popular show, “Rehab Addicts.” She’s was fired — and has issued an apology.

But TMZ has heard from multiple concerned parents at her kid’s school … who tell us they’re super uncomfortable with her working in the classroom as a volunteer — and they think the school should at the very least address the situation with parents.

One parent pointed out there are children of color who attend the school … and they’re shocked leadership has been mum on what happened — and the headline-making fallout.

Another parent told us they, along with others, voiced their concerns to the school administration … who allegedly told them it was not a “school-wide issue,” so there’s not much to be done.

Nicole has been at the school since the 2022 leak … and one parent told us it would be wise for her to read the room — and take some time off to let emotions cool.

Nicole declined to comment.

We’ve reached out to the administration for comment … so far, no word back.

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Entertainment

Paris Hilton’s Hottest Shots Ever! Happy 46th Birthday!

Published

2 hours ago

17 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Paris Hilton's Hottest Shots Ever! Happy 46th Birthday!

Paris Hilton‘s big 46th has us sayin’ one thing and one thing only, “THAT’S HOT!”

The blonde bombshell — now married and a mama of two — kicked off her iconic ways back in the early 2000s, and she’s aging like a fine wine!

How well do you know Paris?! Here’s some trivia for ya’:

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Entertainment

Hulu’s Hit Series Tell Me Lies Is Officially Ending After Season 3

Published

2 hours ago

17 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Tell Me Lies will not be coming back for more episodes after its third season.

Creator Meaghan Oppenheimer confirmed on Monday, February 16, that the hit Hulu series would be concluding its run, writing via Instagram, “After three amazing seasons of Tell Me Lies, tonight’s episode will be the series finale. This was always the ending my writing team and I had in mind, and we are insanely proud of it. Your incredible response to this season inspired us to explore whether there was another organic way to continue the story, but ultimately we felt it had reached its natural conclusion.”

She concluded: “My main goal has always been to protect the quality of the show and give you the best experience I can give you. And so, while it is bittersweet to leave something that has been such a happy experience, I am very grateful that we are able to tell a complete story with an intentional ending — a privilege very few shows get. Thank you for loving our show. We are excited to bring you more stories in the near future.”

The season 3 finale scheduled to be released on Tuesday, February 17, will now be considered a series finale as well. Oppenheimer previously broke her silence on the assumption that season 3 of Tell Me Lies is the show’s last.

“In terms of future seasons, it’s impossible to really know at this point,” Oppenheimer exclusively told Us Weekly in January. “I certainly had always thought this was always more or less the ending I’d had in mind.”

Oppenheimer didn’t rule out a return, adding, “But you never know what’s going to happen in the future. But there’s definitely a sense where I didn’t want to leave anything hanging this season. Basically, I wanted to satisfy everyone.”

Based on Carola Lovering’s novel of the same name, Tell Me Lies follows the messy relationship between college students Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen (Jackson White). Their problematic on-and-off romance ends up lasting eight years — and everyone around them is affected by Lucy and Stephen’s ups and downs.

Season 3, which returned in January, raised the stakes with a surprise romance involving Bree (Cat Missal) and Wrigley (Spencer House), which complicated the present timeline. Bree’s wedding to Evan (Branden Cook) seemingly went off without a hitch despite her still having feelings for Wrigley — and previously learning that her now-husband hooked up with Lucy in college.

Off screen, Oppenheimer spoke to Us about how the writers’ room juggles the story lines that happen across two timelines.

“I always had a sense of where they are in 2015 and what their dynamic is and what secrets everyone is holding. Once you at least know what people know and what they don’t know, that gives you a lot of space to play,” she noted in 2024. “But the way that we constructed it is we definitely did the 2008 story line first in the room. We kind of mapped out the whole season and then we did 2015 as its own thing.”

Oppenheimer continued: “I knew where I wanted to end the season, though, in 2015. I knew where it needed to get to.”

After Tell Me Lies was renewed for a third season, Oppenheimer signed an overall deal with 20th Television, which is a part of Disney Television Studios.

“Meaghan has shepherded Tell Me Lies for two intensely addictive seasons that fueled an incredible wave of obsessive fan and social conversation,” president of 20th Television Karey Burke said in a December 2024 statement. “We are thrilled to have her officially in the studio fold and at the helm of another dramatic season.”

The final episode of Tell Me Lies airs Tuesday, February 17, on Hulu.

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Entertainment

Snoop Dogg Turns Around Embarrassing Fail at Winter Olympics

Published

2 hours ago

17 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Snoop Dogg is proving he never forgets a good deed.

One day, after the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” hitmaker faced an awkward moment when his card was declined at a restaurant in Livigno during the Winter Olympics, he responded with a surprise that no one saw coming.

The hip-hop legend had been making appearances throughout the games as an NBC correspondent and honorary Team USA coach for the Milan-Cortina Games, keeping fans entertained both on and off the snow.

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How Snoop Dogg Cleared His Bill With Snowboard Finals Ticket

Although the restaurant owners appeared to waive off the legendary rapper’s bills, he didn’t let their generosity go unnoticed. The children of the family who own Cronox, the bar Dogg visited, recounted the story to Reuters in a video later shared on Instagram.

“Snoop Dogg ordered a cheeseburger, chicken wings, chicken nuggets, and French fries at Cronox, the bar of my parents,” one of the kids, Sofia Valmdre, said in the clip.

She continued explaining that the rapper had sent his staff to receive the food, but they were unable to pay as it “wasn’t going [through].”

Valmadre added that her mother had consented to his taking the food without paying, only for them to receive a gift from him after. “Today, he sent us five tickets to see the final,” Valamdre shared excitedly. “Grazie, Snoop!”

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Snoop Dogg Makes Several Appearances During The Olympic Games

Instagram Reels | NBC Olympics

Before Dogg’s embarrassing card decline, Snoop had already been lighting up the Games with his trademark charisma. In one viral moment, The Blast reported, the 54-year-old rapper took to the slopes with a GoPro strapped on, attempting to glide through the snow.

Midway down, he shouted, “Oh sh-t!” as he wobbled precariously, fighting to stay upright. When the ride finally ended, Snoop collapsed onto the snow, lying flat on his back, seemingly in relief.

In another moment, Dogg was seen as the biggest American cheerleader. He proudly rocked a custom shirt featuring Team USA’s Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse, cheering alongside Dropkin’s mom as the duo improved to 4-0 at the Games.

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Snoop Dogg’s Daughter Mourns The Loss Of Her Child

MEGA

Amid Dogg bringing the cheer to the Olympics, his family was recently hit with a tragedy as his daughter Cori Broadus’s child passed away.

According to The Blast, Broadus announced the death of her 11-month-old Codi Dreaux, whom she shared with her fiancé Wayne Deuce, on February 1. The tragic loss comes 20 days after the infant left the neonatal intensive care unit, a milestone which Broadus celebrated.

The little girl was born three months premature in February 2025, from the very beginning, her life was marked by extraordinary challenges, spending months in the NICU as doctors closely monitored her fragile condition.

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Broadus has since expressed heartbreak about the loss in a series of emotional posts on Instagram, per The Blast. In one post, she shared an image of herself lying in bed beside Codi Dreaux, writing in the caption: “I want to join you badly.”

She followed with another photo of the two together, declaring that her daughter was meant to outlive her, not the other way around.

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Snoop Dogg’s Courtside Commentary Steals the Show

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

Beyond the Olympics, Snoop has continued to shine in the sports world. Last month, The Blast reported NBC welcomed Dogg as a guest analyst for the Los Angeles Clippers-Golden State Warriors matchup, and he delivered a brilliant commentary, switching between reporter and analyst roles.

Joining Terry Gannon and Reggie Miller in the booth, Dogg rolled in remarkable one-liners. After Jimmy Butler snagged a steal, Snoop quipped, “Cookies and cream! They opened up a cookie shop on him!”

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Virgin River Timeline Explained: How Much Time Has Passed Since Season 1?

Published

2 hours ago

17 February 2026

NewsAdmin

While Virgin River is Netflix’s longest-running scripted series, viewers have been left confused about how much time has actually passed on the show.

Based on Robyn Carr’s book series, Virgin River follows the lives of residents living in a small town in Northern California, including Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson). The hit series, which premiered in 2019, also stars Colin Lawrence, Annette O’Toole, Tim Matheson, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Sarah Dugdale, Zibby Allen, Marco Grazzini, Mark Ghanimé and Kai Bradbury.

Netflix’s hit series is seven seasons in – but it seems like way less time has passed for the residents of Virgin River. Mel signed one-year contract with Doc (Matheson) that is somehow not up yet while Charmaine’s pregnancy lasted five seasons of the show.

“I’m like, ‘You guys, eventually, you’re gonna have to do a time jump because we’re just aging way too fast for a five-month span,’” Allen, who plays Brie, joked to Today in 2022. “But yeah, I think that the pregnancy thing was one of the first sort of tells because even I, when I was watching the show before I was on, was like, ‘Oh, this covers way more time in the story.’ And it really doesn’t.”

With some of Us still confused how long each season has covered, keep scrolling for a breakdown.

Season 1 (One Month)

Virgin River Casts Best Behind the Scenes Moments — Netflix

The debut season covered Mel’s initial arrival in the early spring but it seemed to only last four weeks maximum.

Season 2 (Four to Six Weeks)

Gallery Update: Everything to Know About ‘Virgin River’ Season 4 — COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Barely any time went by so season 2 stretched across a little over one month.

Season 3 (One Month)

Following Jack’s shooting, there was a time jump of three weeks before seasons 2 and 3. The rest of the events lasted another four weeks before Mel realized she was pregnant.

Season 4 (Four to Six Weeks)

Virgin River Casts Dating Histories Through Years — Courtesy Of Netflix

The fourth season picked up around one to two weeks after season 3. This allowed Mel to continue to remain in the first trimester for the rest of season 4.

Season 5 (Three to Four Months)

What to Expect From Virgin River Season 6 284 — Courtesy of Netflix

Based on the holidays that took place on screen – from Labor Day to Christmas — season 5 was the longest to date with at least three months passing. There was a small time jump between parts 1 and 2 though, which allowed for the timeline to expand.

Season 6 (One Month)

What to Expect From Virgin River Season 6 282 — Courtesy of Netflix

The buildup to Mel and Jack’s wedding led to a timeline of three to four weeks maximum. Season 4 notably picked up in the spring, which meant there was a large time jump since the third season wrapped at Christmastime.

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