Top 10 Unhinged America's Next Top Model Moments

It seemed like a normal day in the “Top Model” competition when Tyra arrived to impart some wisdom to her pupils. But things turned dramatic when she seemed to be feeling poorly. When she fell to the floor, panic and confusion ensued. Miss Banks never misses an opportunity to show off her acting skills and, apparently, this was the best way to inform the models that they would be participating in an acting challenge. The contestants and the audience both had to take a moment to reel from the fake health scare. This moment confirmed that the host of “America’s Next Top Model” will do whatever it takes to grab your attention.

Chelsey Hersley was a determined contestant who fought tooth and nail to place second in Cycle 15. Her dedication was put to the test in episode three when Tyra suggested a trip to the dentist to widen her tooth gap. It’s common for models to undergo drastic makeovers to better their chances, but the line should stop at getting their teeth shaved. Fashion trends move at lightning speed, and it’s never clear whether what’s hot today will be gone tomorrow. Only several cycles earlier, Danielle was asked to do the exact opposite. The judges firmly insisted that her tooth gap would prevent her from getting work. Pressuring someone into going to extreme lengths to advance their career is simply irresponsible.

During a challenge that feels like something borrowed from “Tomb Raider,” the contestants walked a runway riddled with swinging pendulums. Most of the models were able to make it through with only a few bumps. However, one particular contestant, Alexandra, was not so lucky. She definitely gets points for a quick recovery, but the hits, literally, kept on coming. On her return walk, she was pushed clear off the runway by one of the pendulums. Luckily, Alexandra suffered no injuries aside from a massive blow to her ego. Not everyone is prepared to land on their feet in a six-inch pumps!

It was bad enough to walk the runway with cockroaches. But then the models found themselves facing one of the most stressful panel challenges in ANTM history. Anyone daring enough to brave these dangerous yet stylish shoes would say that a successful strut requires practice and nerves of steel. But the contestants were thrown onto the runway with little preparation, and only a little guidance from Tyra in the moment. It’s almost too painful to watch them risk their ankles to prove their skills. As several contestants slid and stumbled, even the judges showed concern. One could argue that no future winner of ANTM has had to endure as much as Danielle did during her season.

In its early years, “Top Model” tried to show audiences the dog-eat-dog mentality of the modeling industry. When the girls declined to pose nude for a shoot in Cycle 1, the self-proclaimed “World’s First Supermodel” used her trademark snark to shame them. Dickinson relished every opportunity to hone in on a model’s flaws and make some sort of mean joke at their expense. To this day, she has no regrets about her four-cycle run as a judge. It’s okay to give fair criticism, but this is nowhere near fair – and it’s barely criticism. Disregarding a person’s boundaries is just inexcusable and it resulted in the embarrassment of young women on national television.

The most time-honored “Top Model” tradition is the makeover episode. During Cycle 5, we anxiously waited to see which models embraced their new looks, and which ones melted down. At Tyra’s demand, Cassandra Whitehead was sentenced to receive a pixie haircut. While on set for the main challenge, the powers that be decided Cassandra’s hair needed to be cut yet again. After putting up a fight, Jay kicked her off of the set. Cassandra’s sudden decision to remove herself from the competition is equally hilarious and disheartening. It may seem like a small request, but it is refreshing to see a model stick to her guns and risk her spot in “Top Model.”

Imagine walking on a suspended tightrope. Then imagine strutting across cobblestone streets in high heels. After all this, would you be too exhausted to balance yourself on floating rafts? Shortly after two grueling runway challenges, the models were sent to strut their stuff on a runway suspended over water. Watching them collide with each other and fall into the watery depths below was pure anxiety fuel. However, there was some girl-power at work as they tried to help each other pass. It’s not clear exactly what the models are supposed to be tested on… Stamina, maybe? At some point, we have to ask ourselves if we’re watching a modeling competition or an episode of “Fear Factor.”

It’s pretty common knowledge that “Top Model” is notorious for pushing models past their breaking points. However, the show’s thirst for gripping television reached new depths when one contestant got awful news of a friend passing away. After some brief respite from the competition to mourn, Kahlen Rondot was then directed to set to deliver some fierce poses. This situation would’ve been less horrifying if she didn’t have to smize in a coffin, of all things. Though Kahlen was given the option to opt out of this shoot, this would have come at the expense of her ranking in the competition. If you thought this allowed the producers to reflect on their treatment of contestants, you’d be sadly mistaken. In Cycle 8, Jael Strauss portrayed a corpse after receiving similar news.

“ANTM” has never experienced a shortage of eccentric personalities, and Cycle 5 was no different. Lisa D’amato wore wigs, talked to plants, and encouraged others to enjoy the zest of life. But ,during a shoot with members of the “Jackass” squad, Lisa wore a diaper and threatened to use it. To everyone’s disgust, Lisa did end up relieving herself. Audience members watched with morbid curiosity as Lisa soaked up the attention from her peers. Perhaps the truly unhinged part of this entry is that Lisa wasn’t even eliminated for her behavior on set. There are several things a model could be eliminated for, but urinating in front of your colleagues is, apparently, not one of them.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Switch-Up, “Erin Wasson”
After Supposedly Eliminating 14 Contestants, Tyra Revealed That They Were Actually Semi-finalists

Eva’s Spider Shoot, “The Girl Who Is Panic Stricken”
A Steadfast Arachnophobe Overcame Her Fear to Model Some Expensive Jewelry

50-Cent Has Had Enough, “The Girl Who Gets Thrown In The Pool”
During a Party, 50 Cent Grew Tired of a Model’s Antics & Pushed Her Into a Pool

Attack of the Flesh-Eating Bacteria, "The Girl Who Is Contagious"
One of the Models Was Suspected of Having a Contagious Disease, Causing the House to Panic

This is a pure example of the adage “never meet your heroes.” During an elimination, Tyra lost her cool with a contestant named Tiffany Richardson. When Tyra wasn’t satisfied with Tiffany’s reaction to being eliminated, she totally called her out. This was the first time the campy fun diva top model persona dropped and we saw a completely different side to her. The moment has gone viral several times over and might just be the show’s most recognizable incident ever. According to Tiffany, Tyra was having a bad day on set and this was unfortunately what pushed her over the edge.