Tyra Banks was in the hot seat after old clips from her America's Next Top Model days resurfaced on Twitter. However, the OG model has come forward to address the controversy.
In one of the more prominent clips, the supermodel is seen talking to contestant Danielle "Dani" Evans about the gap in her tooth. "Do you really think you can have a Cover Girl contract with a gap in your mouth?" Banks asks the contestant in the clip, who answers, "Yes, why not?" "This is all people see," Banks tells the aspiring model, while sticking her fingers on her front teeth. "It's not marketable."
In a new tweet, Banks has acknowledged the backlash, admitted to making some "really off" remarks during her judging days. "[I've] been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you," she tweeted on Friday (May 8). "Looking back, those were some really off choices. [I] appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs."
Meanwhile, Evans has since addressed the situation on Instagram. "This is a video for me to speak my truth and to provide clarity and for me to address an issue that was done 15 years ago, that carries weight and clearly affected a lot of young girls in America after watching it," Evans said in the clip. "I want to address all of those young girls. I’m gonna take this time to build up and to speak to all of my young queens who saw that episode and were truly affected by Tyra's words," she explained. "I want to speak to you right now. You’re beautiful. And I’m not talking about a physical feature. It doesn’t matter if you have a gap, stacked teeth, straight teeth, it matters not. It doesn’t matter if you’re black, brown, white, indifferent, other. What makes you beautiful is in here."
"I'm speaking to all the little girls. If I could love on all of you right now, I would. I want to remind you of your worth. You’re a masterpiece, you’re so loved, you’re adored and you’re beautiful," she continued.
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