Danielle Brooks Blasts 'America's Next Top Model' For Not Celebrating Curvy Women

By Dominique Hobdy · Updated October 26, 2020

Danielle Brooks is further solidifying her moniker as the “voice of the curves” as she calls out America’s Next Top Model for what she believes to be a major oversight.

The famed competition show, which made it’s return to the small screen via VH1 on December 12, features a markedly diverse cast yet no plus-size women were chosen to compete.

Brooks took to her Instagram page to air out her grievances saying, “As a plus woman being seen only 1% of the time is a real thing. Period. After watching #ANTM last night I was super excited to see my girl Ashley Graham but bummed out not to see any plus contestants.”

[This is not a bashing of any sort but an observation that wouldn't allow me to hold my 👅 ] As a plus woman being seen only 1% of the time is a real thing. Period. After watching #ANTM last night I was super excited to see my girl Ashley Graham but bummed out not to see any plus contestants. A curvy judge but no curvy contestants? 😕 Out of all 24 girls not one was plus. You had an Asian, African, a red head, transgender, an androgynous sister, even twins…(much love for that) but not 1 plus size woman-when 67% of women are plus in the US?? This could've been a perfect opportunity for them to highlight fabulous designers that also do plus fashion or highlight strictly plus designers that rarely get any shine. They could've also highlighted the struggles that come with being plus. We could've at least gotten to 2%. The plus competitor would've been able to lean on the fact that a reflection of herself (Ashley Graham) was in the room reminding her that her dream IS possible. All these things still would've moved us forward, and would've done more than me posting an IG post. Regardless, We are worth these incredible opportunities. We deserve to be seen. I'm going to continue to push back and speak up for that young girl that wants to model, wants to act, wants to be upfront and needs to be reminded that she is just as deserving as anyone else. ✌🏾️💋 #seethe67 #voiceofthecurves

A photo posted by Danielle Brooks (@daniebb3) on Dec 13, 2016 at 6:28am PST

In it’s 13-year history, ANTM has featured predominately “traditional sized” models with a small sprinkling of curvy women — including Toccara from Cycle 3 and Whitney Thompson of Cycle 9.

Brooks, along with well-known plus size model Tess Holiday pointed out the irony in the show choosing curvy supermodel Ashley Graham as a judge, while leaving curvy women out of the competition.

Brooks went on to affirm that she’s committed to speaking out for curvy girls everywhere saying, “I’m going to continue to push back and speak up for that young girl that wants to model, wants to act, wants to be upfront and needs to be reminded that she is just as deserving as anyone else.”

Go, Danielle!