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Janice Dickinson has said she has no regrets about her stint on America’s Next Top Model after comments she made were branded ‘fat-shaming’ and ‘toxic’ in resurfaced clip went viral.
The 67-year-old joined the likes of Tyra Banks as they whittled down wannabe models in the competition series first launched in 2003.
Competing for a top modeling contract, the contestants would take part in a series of photoshoots, with the judges booting one aspiring catwalk queen each week.
However, a clip from an early episode of the series, aired in 2003, has been doing the rounds on social media, with remarks made by the panel slammed as ‘toxic’ by fans.
The two-minute long clip shows Robbyne Manning on the receiving end of a barrage of criticism about her body judges including Tyra, 48, and Janice.
Janice calls the 27-year-old ‘fat’ and ‘huge’ as she scrutinises a picture of her, and refuses to entertain the idea of Robbyne going on to win, adding: ‘America’s Next Top Model is not a plus-sized model.’
Viewers were ‘floored’ by the remarks, with one writing: ‘I’m floored. Full-figured? Botticelli-esque? They’d probably tell me to go hide in a cathedral and never let anyone see my hideousness.’
Another penned: ‘Didn’t realise how toxic this show was.’
‘I love this show but there was a lot of #bodyshaming back then. Robin was way ahead of her time,’ a viewer wrote.
However, on a clip posted to her Instagram, the former supermodel defended her appearance on America’s Next Top Model, claiming she was ‘acting.’
Responding to a question from a fan who asked if she had ‘any regrets about things you said/did during your time as a judge on ANTM’, Janice said: ‘Uh, no. I was acting and that’s that.’
It’s not the first time America’s Next Top Model has been slammed for its treatment of models and discourse around body image.
In a 2006 edition of the show, Tyra reprimanded Danielle Evans for not fixing a gap in her teeth, with the supermodel later going on to apologise to the contestant, admitting the show had been ‘insensitive’ in the past.
On Twitter, she wrote: ‘Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past America’s Next Top Model 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.’
Meanwhile, Janice is rumoured to have been offered a large sum by show bosses to sign up for I’m a Celebrity… All Stars.
The all-star series is reported to be taking place in South Africa next year as a spin-off alongside the main show, which will make its return to Australia after two years.
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