Photographer Reacts To SPIDER Photoshoot in America's Next Top Model 

I love that tyra is so delusional that she didn't even see the hypocrisy in telling someone "you act like you're on a pedestal" while literally standing on a pedestal.

insult the model by telling her she needs to “prove her africanness” and get butthurt when they tell you that ain’t even authentic african clothing. defensiveness looks ugly on you tyra 🥺

They were super racist towards Yaya. First they tell her she's "too african", then they slam her for not choosing the "african hat". But when she expresses that it's made poorly, which was an extremely valid remark, she's the one that has to apologize. Not taking into account that they'd been blatantly insulting her for several minutes prior to that. It's just yet another example that the girls here are not taken as actual people and models with opinions, feelings and potential, but rather as props that can be posinioned any way the producers want (literally and figuratively). Yaya's response was perfectly calm and explanatory, yet they still managed to pull the angry black woman card, without her ever raising her voice. You can notice this behavior throughout the show directed towards the darker skinned POC women.

why would they get mad that she didn’t choose the “african” hat and then also get mad at her for being “too african”... put it together tyra make it make sense

This is blood boiling to be honest. If this was aired today, Tyra would be cancelled 😂

I'm so mad about this, the African hat girl is sooo gorgeous in the picture and she didn't say anything offensive, it was THEM who offended her and her culture!

"you are too african, you're trying to prove your africaness. On another note, why didn't you pick the stereotypical African hat??"

They insulted her and then made her apologise for it, SMH!

I love how tyra banks was two faced. she rolled her eyes at the lady who commented about her africaness as if she was offended too and then turns around and tells the model shes being too defensive. Bish choose a side!

What Yaya said about the hat was in no way insulting, it was true. Authentic Kente cloth is complexly woven together with the each colour and pattern holding meaning and it is honestly so beautiful and distinctive and that hat is so clearly a cheap immitation. It honestly makes me so sad to see her apologise for being proud and knowledgable about her culture. Tyra has such an inflated ego that any small critque is taken as an attack.

So gross that Tyra forced Yaya to apologize for defending herself after receiving such racist remarks from that random lady. That lady should've apologized, not Yaya. I-

Black person: I chose a cowboy hat White person: You look like you're about to ride a giraffe Me: *YOUDIDNOT*

As someone who's had pet tarantulas and isn't scared of them at all I hate this so much because tarantulas are super fragile and if someone were to get scared and drop one it would be dead. Also the girls being mean because other girls are scared is so stupid. A lot of people have arachnophobia like

Tyra really made her apologize to a hat they probably picked up in some cheap retail shop

YaYa's interpretation of her OWN ethnicity should've NEVER been questioned nor critiqued. She has African roots, but she is an American girl, born and bred. ANTM was NEVER a modeling competition, but a "reality" show, per Tyra's own admission. Lastly, no one is going to summon their hairstylist, makeup artist, and wardrobe coordinator to help them get ready to run to the corner drugstore to pick up a pack of tampons, just in the off-chance that a director, producer, or clothing designer is going to see them and want to hire them on the spot.

A phobia is by definition an irrational fear. Her reaction was understandable, she had no control over how she was going to react. If she had, then she wouldn't have arachnophobia.

As a photographer, and a federal wildlife officer, I work with tarantulas on both fronts. I don't think ANY animal should be used for it's shock value, especially on people who are unused to dealing with them. I've seen people traumatized by interactions with snakes and spiders, and it's a pretty nasty thing to do to the models. I would also add that the species they chose is a very inoffensive and non-aggressive animal, The handlers seemed competent and the particular spiders they used were very mild tempered. Having EMS there was just for show. A bite from one of these tarantulas would have been no worse than a wasp sting. That said, putting any spider on your faces is an extremely bad idea. They have, what are called "urticating hairs". They have microscopic barbs on the ends and are intended to defend the animal. They are always being released. Getting one or more in an eye can have serious consequences, and long term vision problems have been the result.

I'm so glad that Yaya DaCosta didn't pursue serious modelling after the show (she was highly talented, but with that ANTM stigma, c'mon) but became an actress... playing alongside Mark Ruffalo, Ryan Gosling, et al..

This show has not aged well. It definitely promoted the "shut up, look pretty" thing. But things like the me too movement and equal pay movement have definitely inspired women in the industry to claim their space, stand up for themselves, and not let employers (agents, photographers, designers, etc) to treat them like dogs anymore.

Fun fact Tocarra Jones the girl eliminated in this episode is the first plus size woman to pose for vogue which is amazing with all the comments Janice made about how she couldn’t be a model being that curvy

They’re inspired by the picture of YaYa because it doesn’t talk back.

Panel: How’d you enjoy the shoot? Tocarra: I thought it was great! 😃 Tyra: Ugh! Pack your bags.

"you're too defensive and this is not attractive" ... AAARGH. Yeah I forgot that women can not speak out or they are not AtTraCtivE.

I’m a professional retoucher. The retouchers on the ANTM team are TRASHHHHH

I don't get what was the point of criticizing the model's fashion choices when it has nothing to do with their work. It's not like the models are going to choose the clothes, that's the stylist's work, not their's.

the Judges are rude all the time but when the model tries to speak up they call her out and ask her to apologize and she literally didn't say any thing wrong

"You're insulting the person that chose that hat" tyra chose it confirmed

Critic: Yaya is too African. Yaya: Chooses not to wear African hat. Critic: **Offended** These girls could never win.

The show had zero ethics.

I just watched this episode yesterday. The way that the judges, especially Janice, treated Tocarra was so gross. They were constantly telling her that a plus-size model would never be a top model and Janice said her body was ugly just about every episode. I could tell that Tyra didn't like what she was saying, but she never defied her in front of the girls. It's probably why after cycle 4 she was gone, at least I hope that's why.

Yaya sadly took the bait of giving them a reaction they wanted, but Tyra doesn’t like models who speak up for themselves even when it’s justified. That’s why Tyra wanted her to apologize because she is displaying her dominance over the models.

Yaya is quite successful, I recognized her from the show Chicago Med. I just cannot imagine how much physical and psychological pain all these contestants went through.

Those 'judges' are a bunch of bullies.

This show exploited the model fears. Making them anxious and uncomfortable then turn around and critique them harshly. What happen to a calm and safe work environment for the person selling your product

!! Also... being effected emotionally isn't the same thing as being "defensive". And just because she got emotional doesn't mean that her argument and explanations should be ignored.

She's not even being defensive. She's explaining her choices in a very clear way, being very vulnerable in her emotions, and even why she was offended without accusing anyone ... Even though she had every right to

I know it's a show, but Tyra is such a trashy human being. Playing on people's emotions for views. I hope it gets back to her in some way.

so let me get this straight. they were being extremely rude to that afro latina girl to the point where i'd even say they were just being racist, and then they pick the white girl in the elimination even though her photo was worse!?!?!? wtf

After watching all seasons, I still think that Toccara's elimination is the most unfair

OMG my jaw dropped when they said she was "zooned out" and that she needs personality, just because she is calm does not mean she has no personality! To them everybody needs to be a clown or something... btw I loved her picture!

Do you think antm gave the wrong advice to new models thinking they have to do everything they are told too,to make it in the industry. Like taking nude pictures ?

as someone who plays animal crossing i would just take out my net for an easy 8,000 bells

I am just so angry for Yaya's sake. No doubts this show exacerbated my self-esteem issues growing up.

the way that I was SCREAMING at the scream bc of the tone deaf , gaslighting behavior by tyra. the fact that she still has a career to this day is a crime. DISGOSTANG

Oh my god none of this has aged well I feel so bad for Yaya getting roasted because she was proud of her culture wtf

This show is very damaging for younger people to watch. Almost every single episode they comment about girls not a having a personality if she's not loud, charismatic, or energetic. I am on the opposite end and it made me really insecure about being shy and quiet growing up.

You could see in the last models face she lost faith in her Idol (Tyra) after being told she was being too defensive.

I watched this season back when it first aired and was absolutely repelled by Yaya's arrogance, I was thrilled when she did not win. If you watched the whole show without knowing her future, you saw a very insecure, pampered bratty girl who spit out food, argued with everyone, constantly complained, took time after shots to show off if acrobatics were required at all and in general, was an easy-to-hate monster. Years of watching reality tv since then has shown me how much of that was truly artistic editing. If she was such a handful, she never would have gotten as many jobs as she has since then. I must assume now that many of her antics were, just like Dance Moms, staged by the producers. She herself has claimed that much of what you see on the show was very careful editing and voice overs.

Honestly, rewatching the show shows how toxic it really was. It's actually so problematic and none of the critiques were literally constructive. The critiques actually verged on personal attacks on the girls and that's not acceptable. Re-watching this I think, wow, what awful human beings they truly were. I didn't see Yaya wanting to "prove" her Africaness. I, instead, saw her as a woman that was proud of her heritage and there's nothing wrong with that. They literally made it seem like she had an attitude problem when she didn't and she had to apologise to Tyra and that awful judge that said that to her, shocking.

i feel really bad for these girls, in the industry i doubt they would be forced to wear living creatures, so why do it on the show?? it’s so exploitative.

Man bless Yaya she was fighting the fight on freaking TV before this issue was even widely appreciated

tyra really told her sis you're being sensitive and getting defensive and then made her apologize bc the person who chose that hat is sensitive like what???

Jessica you should review Germanys next top model photoshoots. The photographers are so mean! Theyre running a new season right now, and they also did a spider-photoshoot - you should review it! 🙏🏽

ANTM: puts Tarantulas on the models faces GNTM: puts Tarantulas, cockroaches and scorpios on the models faces

"Prove your African-ness" ah yes, because western culture is the norm. And you have to prove other cultures or use them as a fashion commodity. Yikes.

Neither Toccara nor Yaya had anything to apologize for! I cannot believe how psycho, passive aggressive these judges and especially Tyra act. Who wrote these scripts????? This was my favorite season, with Amanda, Yaya, and Toccara being the shining stars. The judges were obviously settled into their comfort zone abusing their power, feigning insider understanding of the reality of the modeling world, and stirring up controversy. Actually, they only exhibited their own mean spiritness, lack of empathy, and low character. I love your commentary. Please keep up the stellar work!

I used to love ANTM, then I realized how it makes no sense and it’s a waste of my time. Hey, you’re looking great by the way 😘

I used to be a fan of ANTM, but now I realize how toxic it was, especially the australian version.

It’s weird because if you pay attention To Tyra’s face when the lady made the “African” comment, she looked like she was offended as well. So I was expecting her to defend Yaya, not think she was being defensive. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Eva saying "What do you mean they have EMS?!" What a mood.

And we thought Tara was a victim when Naomi Campbell bullied her. Look like shes not better.

Jess I think you are right! I don't know how I didn't see this when I used to watch it. But YaYa should not have apologized. She was right and passionate not defensive. They insulted those models left and right. and why were their eyes so white? who ever did the retouching was not good with beauty retouching lol. this cracked me up. I wasn't sure I was gonna watch it I am glad I did, Thanks it was entertaining thats for sure.

Eva final photo was the most memorable shot of the whole series imo i actually remember when it aired i was blown away

I love Jessica and love how she roast the production. It’s so ironic how they blame the poor models that actually do a great job. Look at the editing it’s disastrous!

This has nothing to do with the show but your set up is always SO CUTE 🥺🤍

4:29 you can actually see the background is black and they have the light set up to make “halo” effect. Models sat far from the background, thus gray becomes black if you use impulse light.

I absolutely love this series! It's so fun to go back through ANTM's history but actually hear some professional, non-biased critiques of the photos. If you're going to do more of these since we're all basically locked down, I'd love to see you react to: Self-Lighting Shoot: Cycle 12, Episode 3 (I'd love to hear your thoughts on how the girls did lighting themselves!) Seven Deadly Sins: Cycle 4, Episode 8 Death Shoot: Cycle 8, Episode 4 Dessert Shoot: Cycle 8, Episode 3 "Fierce Eyes" Shoot: Cycle 11, Episode 5 Stay safe everyone!

I’d love to see you react to the photo shoot in the dark they did in cycle 22. Especially how poorly they handled communication with Nyle

The last time I was this early Corona was still a beer

i wonder what the judges think when they look back and see this....

I can almost see Tyra’s side in the issue with the African hat. I have a background in theatre (very different industry with some similarities), and in that sense, it’s the costumers job to find the piece, make it, and fit it into the overall design. As such, it’s hurtful and out of line when an actor who hasn’t spent every waking moment doing that design commenting, especially if they’re already concerned about the costume piece. However, this is not that situation. This is a woman able to make a choice being told off for not being stereotypical and calling out something that is incorrect for her culture. The perfect place to say that and have an impact is on a show like this. Tyra is right that someone was hurt, but the wrong person apologized. That model had every right in this situation because she is her own costumer. The judges on this show get away with too much.

they made them wear ridiculous hats as a challenge and tell them “neither of you look like models” 🤷🏽‍♀️

These judges are insufferable.

You should react to some of the photoshoots where Tyra was the photographer! She did b/w beauty shots in season 5, for example

This is why i stan Yaya, she stood up for herself 👏👏👏

yoooo this just got me HEATED. how dare they ridicule these girls so much! if this show were on today and they were giving the same "criticisms", this whole show would be controversial as hell. keep roasting them jessica!!

Yeaaaaa, that didn't age well.

Jessica you look stunning and I love the lighting and background - lovely! Thanks for the quality quarantine entertainment!

I’m here for these videos. Absolutely love these.

I so appreciate how you prioritize being kind!

Yaya got a taste of the modeling world and was like "actually, Hollywood sounds less toxic" And she was RIGHT

Love your room, lighting and makeup. So aesthetic 🌸

That setup is everything I ever wanted and more..it’s so aesthetically pleasing

They all look stunning in this episode. The hair and makeup was on point. Amanda looks like an old Hollywood Annie Lennox.

Man I got so fired up watching this, I would just walk out if I was one of these models and find a good agency

Fears are fears there’s nothing you can do about it. Don’t force them into a situation which you know isn’t going to end well

I love these videos you do!!

I have arachnophobia and I struggle to even look at pictures of spiders! But you best believe I'm gonna watch this video because it's Jessica!

Fun fact Yaya was an alum of my school Northfield Mount Hermon.

I honestly think tyra made this show to look down on future models and make herself look like she was the best and people fell for that back then.

When i saw the look on Tyra´s face i though she was gonna say something or then stand with yaya and she just- damn

i was in my 20s/30s when antm was airing so I could see clearly that this show just took the piss out of these girls and put it on tv. I love how you are calling all of this out !

Love that Tyra is criticising Yaya about being on a pedestal... while literally on a pedestal herself.

I have a completely different view of this show as an adult

I'm currently mid binge of this womans videos and I'm not a photographer but she seems like she'd be an amazing friend. I 💙 you girl!

These videos are giving me life. Love your humor and honesty!!!

I love the hypocrisy of every time a model expresses any negative emotion, fear, or offense, they are attached by the judges for being defensive, too sensitive, they need to suck it up and get used to it to be a model, but then Tyra made YaYa apologize for saying the "african" hat was poorly made and inauthentic because "people in this industry are very sensitive and if you hurt their feelings you won't get any work" like okay. I haven't watched this show in years but these videos have got me heated. They are so cruel to these women and setting up this standard that models should take any and all abuse and never ever have a negative reaction.

Youre my fave youtuber!!

ok but like the aesthetic of jessica's room and she's even matching her background...wow

Jessica, the sound in your videos is so clear! I love it! My speakers do too.