A clip from a 2006 episode of America’s Next Top Model has gone viral as social media called out the treatment of model Danielle Evans because of her tooth gap.
Watch the clip below:
Danielle was told by head judge Tyra Banks that she would struggle to succeed in the fashion industry without undergoing a cosmetic procedure to close the gap between her two front teeth.
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Each season included a makeover episode in which the aspiring models were urged to change their appearance.
In the clip, which has been shared on Twitter and TikTok, Tyra said: “So Danielle, you went to the dentist but refused to have your gap closed.”
After Tyra gestures towards her own teeth, she continued: “Do you really think you can have a CoverGirl contract with the gap in your mouth?”
The uncomfortable clip led to impassioned responses online, even after it went viral in 2020. Fenty Beauty model Slick Woods, whose most recognisable feature is her tooth gap, called out the season 6 episode on Instagram last year.
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The new compilation shows the old clip of Danielle accompanied by a clip from 2010 showing Tyra telling contestant Chelsey Hersley she plans to widen her tooth gap.
Chelsey was totally up for it, likely with the hopes of securing the title of being America’s Next Top Model.
However, the change in stance has angered social media even more, with some Twitter users noticing a difference in the way they were treated.
When sharing the clip, Twitter user Darius Morgendorffer said: “A tale of two beauty standards.”
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Another Twitter user Bolu Babalola responded: “This show was so egregious.”
One viewer tweeted: “This is wild.”
While one other person simply responded: “Wow”.
And another ANTM viewer said: “it had such a chokehold on us and it was AWFUL.”
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Despite Tyra’s criticisms, Dani actually went on to win her season and secure the Cover Girl contract.
When the clip of her gap being critiqued went viral in 2020, she responded on Instagram to “address an issue that was done 15 years ago that carries weight and that clearly affected a lot of young girls in America after watching it.”
Dani said she visited the dentist for the show and had her teeth cleaned and whitened but decided against having her gap closed because he had learned to “accept and love” her gap.
However, she said she agreed to partially close the gap because she didn’t want it to hold her back because the show was her ticket out of her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. “I was not going to allow something that is physical on my face to stop me from getting out to make a better life for myself.”
Tyra Banks spoke out on Twitter after the clip made the rounds online last year. “Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs.”
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And producer Ken Mok reiterated Tyra’s apology, adding: “I look at some of those #ANTM moments and cringe. Just a FYI - the entire creative team made the choices in those shows - not just Tyra. So please feel free to yell at me for some of the worst moments in ANTM history! Apologies to all.”
Chelsey is now married with two children. In 2010 she spoke with wetpaint.com about the decision to widen her gap.
“My gap used to be a lot bigger when I was younger so I wasn't worried about it at all. I trusted Tyra and her team and if she thought I could pull off a bigger gap and it could help my career, then I was all for it.”
Featured Image Credit: UPNTopics: TV And Film