Tyra Banks held a brief masterclass in counterfeit benevolence on Thursday’s Watch What Happens Live when a caller asked her about disparaging comments America’s Next Top Model Cycle 21 contestant Winner Harlow made about the show.

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Harlow, on an episode of WWHL that aired in May, said the show “doesn’t do anything for any model’s career, realistically,” and that her career really kicked off after a collaboration with photographer Nick Knight that went viral.

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“Well c’mon, I discovered her on Instagram,” said Banks. “And she’s on this show. So what do you think that means?”

A fair point. It’s impossible to say whether Harlow would have become a professional model without ANTM—her comment was essentially conjecture. Additionally, she said in May that ANTM “was really a reality TV show. That’s not what I signed up for.” Uh, but she did? By signing up for... a reality show?


Banks dismounted with a subtle suggestion that she knows something about Harlow. Something that she could but isn’t saying that could shed further light on Harlow’s stance, which regardless of its wording and reasoning is held by many former ANTM contestants.

“I have nothing but love for my girls and my girls come from so many walks of life and so much pain and so much hardship and so much story,” said Banks. “And a lot of the times, when people express themselves in certain ways, there’s a reason. And I will respect her confidentiality and her life... but I have to give love to her.”


“You’re so actualized, Tyra!” praised Andy. Well, that’s one way to put it.