A bitter feud erupts among former America’s Next Top Model contestants.
Lisa D’Amato, winner of America’s Next Top Model: All Stars, has launched a scathing attack on Tyra Banks and Janice Dickinson in a recent interview.
The Los Angeles native gained fame in 2005 during the fifth cycle of America’s Next Top Model alongside Tyra Banks, before clinching the All Stars title in 2011.
Known for stirring controversy, D’Amato has spent years making headlines for her criticisms of Banks and, more recently, Dickinson, over their roles in the reality series.
“I believe Tyra has no moral compass—she profits off the pain and struggles of young girls, and to this day, I don’t think she’s changed or taken responsibility,” D’Amato.
She added that Banks remains “focused on manipulation and brushing over the trauma she’s caused—not just to viewers, but to the contestants of America’s Next Top Model.”
We contacted several of Banks’ representatives for a response to D’Amato’s latest comments.
Dickinson and D’Amato both appeared on a 2005 episode of the reality show titled The Girl Who Gets a Boob Job.
When asked for her thoughts on Janice Dickinson, D’Amato responded, “Whenever people bring up Janice Dickinson, I get mostly irritated because she claims to be the ‘first supermodel,’ but that’s not true. Honestly, there’s nothing she’s done that’s had a positive impact on her career.
“She just follows whatever’s trending and hasn’t helped anyone rise up. So when people ask me about her, I’m really confused—there’s nothing inspiring about her; she just does whatever’s popular at the moment.”
When asked if Dickinson had done anything specific to her during their time on the show, D’Amato replied, “Yes, she started a fight with me for no reason, just because the show told her to. Her whole career is built on playing the victim, being a drug addict, and acting like the Simon Cowell of America’s Next Top Model and the entertainment world.
“I’m just over it. F*** Janice Dickinson. Next question, please.”
In response, a rep for Dickinson told Dailymail.com, “Janice has never hidden the fact that she was brought onto ANTM to be a Simon Cowell-type character, which was fitting for the time.
“During her time as a judge, Janice was actively struggling with addiction. She’s worked hard to maintain her sobriety and take responsibility for her actions, including making amends with people she may have hurt.”
Dickinson’s representative told Dailymail.com, “It’s important to note that she is the only judge who has ever apologized and personally met with many of the girls, now women, to discuss their experiences on the show,” adding that she stands “in solidarity with many of the contestants.”
“Janice is truly sorry to hear that Lisa didn’t have a positive experience, both on the show and afterward. However, she wasn’t a judge during that cycle and doesn’t know Lisa or understand why she’s being mentioned,” the rep explained.
In recent years, D’Amato has channeled her efforts into various projects, including her ongoing modeling career, appearances on other reality shows, and building a musical catalog, among other pursuits.
She has over 274,000 followers on her main Instagram account and was featured in a 2024 Reddit thread in the ANTMsubreddit titled, “I think Lisa D’Amato is actually probably a genius.”
The original poster commented, “When you think about it, she’s really successful in modeling, singing, and now as an entrepreneur.
“It’s almost like life gets boring for her because she naturally succeeds at everything without putting in too much effort, so to avoid getting ‘bored to death,’ she pulls off these wild antics.”
The poster continued by suggesting that D’Amato might be “too smart for her own good,” and that life likely “bores” her, prompting her to engage in outrageous behavior to keep things interesting.
D’Amato wholeheartedly agreed with this perspective, stating, “I would say that’s 1000% true – I do get very bored. Fear doesn’t hold me back; I face it head-on, charging forward with no hesitation. I jump into fires, and yeah, that quote is spot-on, it’s hilarious.”
She described her career as “eclectic,” highlighting the diverse projects she has pursued over the years.
“I’ve released three albums with Electra Rap, collaborated with top producers in Los Angeles, and have been modeling since I was 12, working with some of the biggest brands in the world,” D’Amato shared. “I even appeared on America’s Next Top Model and won the All-Stars season.”
D’Amato has also appeared on the 2024 docu-series Dark Side of Reality TV and other reality shows like Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars and Shark Tank, where she pitched her product Dare-U-GO!, a bib with an airtight seal for storing food.
As a mother of two sons, ages 11 and 8, she said that motherhood inspired her to create a product that addressed a real need. “I took it to Shark Tank and landed a deal—it’s now sold in 22 countries,” D’Amato revealed, adding that she also has several licensing deals tied to the business.
D’Amato shared that she is currently living in Southwestern Europe to care for her father, who is battling Type 2 Diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
She explained that they moved there as “medical refugees,” hoping he would receive better healthcare than what was available in the U.S. “My dad wasn’t doing well, so I brought him here, and he’s thriving now,” D’Amato said. “The U.S. system was failing him, leaving him in a worse state while draining him financially. Moving my family here… I guess it’s the new American dream—leaving the United States.”
Looking ahead, D’Amato plans to continue her life abroad and is excited about a new show coming this fall on a major network. She’s also keeping busy with her Dare-U-GO! business and real estate investments. “I’m just going to keep living my best life and create the best life for the people I love,” D’Amato said.
