Sounds Like A Cult The Cult of America's Next Top Model
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Jul 8, 2025 Join Sarah Hartshorne, a writer and comedian known for being the only plus-size contestant on Cycle 9 of America's Next Top Model, as she unveils the darker side of the modeling show. Discussing the emotional manipulation behind the glam, Sarah shares her experiences with forced makeovers and the unsettling power dynamics led by Tyra Banks. The conversation digs into the show’s cult-like atmosphere, the toll on mental health, and how its promises of empowerment often masked exploitation, all while offering a humorous critique of the modeling industry.
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Blindfolding as Control Tactic
- Sarah Hartshorne describes being blindfolded on a bus with other contestants, unaware of their destination.
- This disorientation caused real distress and felt like a form of control disguised as show production.
Realizing ANTM as a Cult
- Sarah reflects on her experience with America's Next Top Model as a slow realization of being in a cult.
- Reading Cultish helped her gain perspective and language to describe and process that trauma.
Language as Indoctrination Tool
- Tyra used repetitive language and catchphrases to indoctrinate contestants and viewers.
- This cultivates a feeling of exclusivity and belonging but masks harmful expectations.
