Sarah Hartshorne Reveals How Little ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Paid

The Untold Story of America’s Next Top Model Contestants’ Pay

Sarah Hartshorne, a memorable contestant from cycle 9 of *America’s Next Top Model* (ANTM), has recently opened up about the financial hardships and behind-the-scenes struggles that were never shown on the popular reality TV series. While the show captivated audiences with its glamorous modeling challenges and fierce competition, Hartshorne reveals a starkly different reality for contestants, especially regarding how little they were compensated for their time and effort.

During an exclusive interview promoting E!’s *Dirty Rotten Scandals*, Hartshorne, now 38, shed light on the financial discrepancies between the show’s massive profits and the paltry sums contestants received. “It is highlighting the financial discrepancies between how much money the show made and how much certain people walked away with vs. how little the contestants walked away with,” she explained. This revelation has sparked renewed conversations about the ethics of reality TV production and contestant treatment.

Sarah Hartshorne’s Personal Experience with Financial Struggles on ANTM

Hartshorne’s memories of her time on ANTM are marked by financial insecurity. She recalls how she had to meticulously save the small stipend given to her just to afford food, often resorting to grabbing free snacks from craft services to get by. “I was saving the money that they gave us to pay for food and really trying to eat as cheaply as possible,” she said. This constant worry about basic needs like food and shelter created a stressful environment that was hard to escape.

She further reflected on the psychological impact of this insecurity, noting that the show seemed to intentionally keep contestants on edge. “I was insecure in terms of where and when I was going to eat next, where I was going to sleep next and when I was going to be able to sleep. I don’t think that that was unintentional. They worked very hard to keep us on edge,” Hartshorne revealed. It was only years later that she realized this instability was a deliberate production tactic designed to heighten drama and tension on camera.

How America’s Next Top Model Exploited Contestants’ Personal Stories

ANTM, which aired from 2003 to 2018, was known for pushing boundaries with its modeling challenges, some of which have since been criticized for insensitivity and exploitation. After the series was made available on Hulu in 2020, viewers and critics alike condemned certain episodes for featuring controversial themes such as race-swapping, violence against women, and eating disorders.

Hartshorne explained that the show’s casting process was intensely invasive, probing deeply into contestants’ personal lives and traumas. “The application process was so intense. They really knew every detail of our lives,” she said. Applicants were required to disclose stressors related to housing, health, finances, and family issues. This information was not just for background checks but was actively used to craft storylines that would generate emotional drama on screen.

She added, “There was this idea that if you didn’t divulge your secrets, you wouldn’t succeed and you wouldn’t be brought onto the show.” Contestants were effectively incentivized to expose their vulnerabilities, which producers then exploited for entertainment value.

Sarah’s Plus-Size Model Journey and Onscreen Narrative

As one of the show’s first plus-size models, Hartshorne’s storyline focused heavily on her size, which she believes gave her a certain advantage in terms of screen time. “It gave me an advantage because — it feels sad to say — but that was what they focused on instead of any personal trauma or personal history that I was bringing,” she admitted. This “sacrificial lamb” narrative allowed producers to spotlight her body image journey rather than delve into more sensitive personal issues.

Despite the challenges, Hartshorne has expressed gratitude for the opportunities ANTM provided, including international modeling gigs for prestigious brands like Vogue and Glamour. She also made history as the first ANTM contestant to publish a memoir, *You Wanna Be On Top?: A Memoir of Makeovers, Manipulation, and Not Becoming America’s Next Top Model*, which candidly discusses her experiences.

The Call for Fair Compensation and Accountability in Reality TV

The recent docuseries *Dirty Rotten Scandals* and Netflix’s *Reality Check* have reignited discussions about the treatment of reality TV contestants, with Hartshorne advocating strongly for fair pay. “My hope for people’s takeaway when they watch the documentary is I hope people understand that reality contestants deserve to be paid for their time. Everybody does,” she emphasized.

She expressed surprise at the resistance some people have toward this seemingly basic principle. “Everybody deserves to be paid for their time and labor. I don’t think that that’s a controversial thing to say,” Hartshorne said. For her, accountability means proper financial compensation for the grueling hours and emotional labor contestants endure.

Hartshorne also commented on the backlash faced by ANTM creator and executive producer Tyra Banks, acknowledging the complex nature of accountability. “It doesn’t really matter because for me, we weren’t paid for our labor. We weren’t compensated for many hours of grueling work. That — to me — is what accountability looks like. It is financial payments to people who deserve it.”

Life After America’s Next Top Model

Since her time on ANTM, Hartshorne has built a successful modeling career and embraced her role as an advocate for body positivity and fair treatment in the industry. She credits the show with opening doors for her but also recognizes the importance of speaking out about its flaws.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky. I just had my first book come out and I worked as a model in the plus-size industry for many years,” she shared. Beyond modeling, Hartshorne has found fulfillment in motherhood and personal growth, describing her journey as one of self-discovery and empowerment.

Conclusion

Sarah Hartshorne’s revelations about how little *America’s Next Top Model* paid its contestants shine a critical light on the realities behind reality TV’s glitz and glamour. Her story underscores the need for greater transparency, fairness, and respect for the labor of reality show participants. As conversations about accountability continue to grow, it’s clear that the industry must evolve to ensure contestants are treated with dignity and compensated fairly.

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