Reality TV in the early 2000s thrived on big personalities, dramatic moments, and judges who weren’t afraid to speak their minds. If a critique made you gasp a little? Even better.
Now, Janice Dickinson is looking back on her time judging “America’s Next Top Model,” and it seems like the sharp critiques fans remember may not have been entirely spontaneous.
On E!’s new documentary series, “Dirty Rotten Scandals,” Dickinson opened up about what it was really like behind the scenes of the hit modeling competition. The supermodel, now 71, served as a judge on the show from 2003 to 2006. Appearing in the first four cycles alongside Tyra Banks, Nigel Barker, and Miss J Alexander.
But according to Dickinson, producers had a very specific energy they wanted her to bring to the judging panel. And yep; it involved being a lot tougher on the contestants.
GettyThe Show Wanted a ‘Simon Cowell’ Moment
Looking back, Dickinson explained that producers were actively encouraging her to lean into meaner critiques.
“The producers on America’s Next Top Model, especially Tyra, were begging me to be harsher and cruel, like Simon Cowell was on American Idol.”
At the time, “American Idol” was absolutely dominating television. One of the biggest reasons? Simon Cowell’s famously blunt judging style. He didn’t sugarcoat anything, and viewers tuned in every week partly to hear exactly what he would say next.
It seems like the team behind “America’s Next Top Model” saw that formula working and wanted a similar spark at their own judging table.
Dickinson quickly became known for her brutally honest feedback… something that definitely made panel scenes more memorable. Whether viewers agreed with her critiques or not, they were rarely boring.
Let’s be real: early 2000s reality TV was all about those big reactions.
GettyA Look Back at the Early Reality TV Era
Dickinson’s comments are part of a broader conversation happening right now as fans revisit older reality shows with fresh eyes. The “Dirty Rotten Scandals” documentary takes a closer look at some of the behind-the-scenes dynamics of “America’s Next Top Model,” including how the judging panel interacted with contestants and how certain moments were shaped for television.
The series itself became a major pop culture staple after premiering in 2003. Over the years, “America’s Next Top Model” ran for more than 20 cycles (or seasons). And introduced viewers to the high-pressure world of modeling through photo shoots, runway challenges, and those unforgettable panel critiques.
Dickinson’s reflections don’t erase the impact the show had. If anything, they highlight how much reality TV was evolving at the time. Producers were experimenting with tone, figuring out what audiences responded to, and building the blueprint that many competition shows still follow today.
And those early seasons? They definitely left their mark. Between the wild photo shoots, the over-the-top makeovers, and the judges’ commentary, “America’s Next Top Model” became one of the defining reality shows of the 2000s.
Now, with Dickinson (and some of the models) sharing more about what was happening behind the camera, fans are getting another piece of the story. And a reminder of just how much television has actually changed since then.
“Dirty Rotten Scandals” is airing Wednesdays at 9:00pm ET on the E! channel.
