'America's Next Top Model' Winner Sues Tyra Banks, The CW
The CW and Tyra Banks had better lawyer up. A former winner of America's Next Top Model is taking them to court.
Angelea Preston, a contestant eliminated from Cycle 14 who would later go on to win Cycle 17, has filed a lawsuit against Tyra Banks and The CW. Preston claims she never received her grand prize after winning the competition due to being disqualified for having been an escort (due to her disqualification, she was stripped of her title as winner, an honor which instead went to Lisa D'Amato). The grand prize for that season included a fashion spread in Vogue Italia, a cover and a spread in Beauty in Vogue, a blog on Vogue.it, and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl.
Preston is suing for "breach of oral agreement and breach of written contract." She is also suing for "suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress." To be more specific, Preston alleges that medical treatment was withheld from her for at least ten minutes during a panic attack she had while on the show. She claims the crew let her suffer because it would make for better television, which...well, if that's true, it's not exactly surprising, considering how reality TV privileges on-screen meltdowns. But Preston goes a step farther by also suing for failure to pay minimum and overtime wages (since reality show contestants get a salary for their appearance), in addition to unsafe working conditions and unfair business practices such as withholding meals and rest breaks.
The amount of damages sought in the lawsuit will be determined at the trial, but as of right now, Preston is suing for at least $3 million. Although Banks offered no comment, The CW issued a statement refuting Preston's allegations outright:
“As noted during the broadcast of the America’s Next Top Model finale in 2011, information about Angelea was learned after production wrapped on that cycle that led to her disqualification from the competition. We are confident that her lawsuit has no merit.”
So there you have it. It's hard to know which side is telling the truth, since it's basically just "he said, she said" right now, in lieu of any clear evidence pointing in one direction or the other. This could easily be sour grapes on Preston's part, or it could be wrongdoing on the part of The CW and the forces behind the show. What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
Via: Entertainment Weekly
Credit: The CW