Eva Marcille on ANTM's Legacy: Tyra Deserves Empathy

Eva Marcille, the winner of Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model, has spoken about her career trajectory and the show's enduring legacy. Marcille, who formerly used the name Eva Pigford, explained that winning the competition did not automatically guarantee a career, emphasizing that many contestants misunderstood fame. She proactively changed her name to Marcille to avoid being prejudged in auditions, though she noted that industry difficulties are pervasive and not solely attributable to Tyra Banks.

Marcille shared her perspective on the recent Netflix documentary 'Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model,' which examined the show's complex history. While some former participants have criticized Banks, Marcille expressed empathy for the iconic model and businesswoman. She acknowledged hearing Banks apologize multiple times and believes Banks is unfairly targeted by a 'cancel culture' mentality, stating that the business unfairly points out flaws rather than accomplishments. Marcille is also promoting her new Lifetime movie, 'Pushed Off a Plane and Survived,' which premieres on February 28, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.