A Buzzfeed exclusive In a shocking twist, both Tiffany Richardson and Rebecca Epley were eliminated from the competition. And whereas Rebecca became emotional as they hugged their former competitors, Tiffany attempted to lighten the mood. Tyra did not care for that.
And then came the most iconic speech in American History.
Auditioning:• Tiffany auditioned at 21 after her grandma suggested it to her as “as an opportunity to do more with her life.” Tiffany at the time was stripping and partying hard.
• She auditioned for season 3 but didn’t move forward. Possibly because of a fight at a bar (in her defense she was
provoked). Producers suggested that she take anger management based on her psych test. Tiffany tried it for “a second” then quit.
• On her next test she just gave them the answers they wanted.
• During season 4 auditions Tiffany mentioned the new changes in her life: anger management, getting help with her baby, and that she had grown. Reflecting now Tiffany said, “Honestly, looking back, I was full of shit. Like, I was still the same person. … [I was] playing the fucking role. … I fed into the crap they was telling me and I ran with it.”
During season 4: • Tiffany felt like an outsider, she was unfamiliar with designer clothes and makeup.
• Fellow contestant Keenyah Hill said to Buzzfeed: “Tiffany was humiliated by a lot of the stuff that was going on in the show. She felt alienated and she felt targeted a lot.”
• Tiffany felt like the judges were often not constructive.
• Judge Nole Marin said in his interview that judges didn’t spend time with the girls which probably contributed to some girls being blindsided in their critiques. Judge Barker mentioned too in his own interview, that in the real world the critiques would be harsher.
The Incident:• Tiffany said that the incident was actually much worse than depicted, Tyra at one point saying "You can go back to your house and sleep on your mattress on the floor with your baby” Producer Heather Cocks who worked in the editing admitted that Tyra’s tirade was longer but didn’t remember that comment
• Brittany Bower, a fellow contestant, said: “It was definitely harsh … almost like Tyra wanted her to be devastated when she got eliminated, and when Tiffany was not acting that way, it’s like she just lost it. … There was a lot more anger there, especially in the beginning.”
• Keenyah Hill, to a degree saw where Tyra was coming from however, saying that Tiffany had a chill and ‘unbothered’ attitude, though added that “[Banks] probably did go in”
Judges Marin, Barker, and Dickinson along with the producer said that the speech came from a place of affection and care. Barker called it “maternal more than anything else”
Rewriting:• The story needed closure. Heather Cocks said that Tyra led the charge. Bringing her own mother who Tiffany warmed up to, they all met post-elimination and had a heart-to-heart where Tyra claimed she would mentor Tiffany. Tiffany now recognizes the manipulation and said: “I didn’t think she cared. I don’t think she gave a fuck about none of us, except for the ones who made it big. But hey, it is what it is.”
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• In a second exit interview, dressed in a pink top Tiffany spoke positively about Tyra and the experience (“'Tyra really did care about me, her yelling at me. I have the utmost respect for her, ‘cause she could’ve easily said, ‘OK, whatever.’ And, you know, ‘Bye.’ That showed me that she saw deeply into me and she cared about me.’”) This is interwoven of shots of Tiffany in her elimination black dress packing up.
• Tyra and her assistant called and talked with Tiffany 3-4 times after. Tiffany felt the conversations were superficial.
• Tiffany appeared on the Tyra show twice and their relationship soured after Tiffany and her Grandma called Tyra out on always drawing attention to the negatives when it came to Tiffany. Tyra never responded.
Now:• After rewatching the episode said: "It was deep, it was passionate…the music’s going, Tyra’s beautiful self yelling [at the] poor little black girl. “It was beautiful for TV. They love to see black girls struggling and somebody coming to save her … and that just didn’t work out that way this time.”
• She doesn’t think about ANTM much and wished she had been able to take advantage of the situation. She’s asked about it constantly.
• Works at a group home and occasionally models but that isn’t her priority.
• Doesn’t look back on the show with negative feelings.
SOURCEIt’s a nicely written article that’s way more interesting and gray than my loose summary can relay. Check it out!
