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

Inside Sarah Hartshorne’s Experience with America’s Next Top Model Pay Discrepancies

Sarah Hartshorne, a memorable alum from cycle 9 of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), has recently opened up about the financial hardships and production tactics that were never fully shown on television. Despite the show’s massive popularity and lucrative earnings, Hartshorne revealed that contestants were paid very little, often struggling to cover basic needs during filming. Her candid reflections shed light on the financial discrepancies between the show’s profits and the compensation given to the aspiring models who competed.

During an exclusive interview promoting E!’s documentary series, Dirty Rotten Scandals, Hartshorne, 38, explained how the show’s producers intentionally kept contestants in a state of insecurity. “I was saving the money that they gave us to pay for food and really trying to eat as cheaply as possible,” she recalled. “I was grabbing free snacks at craft services. If you look at the hierarchy of needs, the base level of that pyramid is needing to find any kind of security and just feeling financially insecure.”

This financial strain was compounded by the grueling filming schedule and the pressure to constantly perform under stressful conditions. Hartshorne described feeling uncertain about basic necessities like when she would eat or sleep next. She later realized that this instability was not accidental but a deliberate strategy by the show’s producers to keep contestants on edge, heightening the drama for viewers.

The Hidden Costs of Competing on America’s Next Top Model

America’s Next Top Model, which aired from 2003 to 2018, was a groundbreaking reality competition that promised aspiring models a chance at fame, lucrative contracts, and major magazine spreads. However, the financial reality for contestants was far less glamorous. Hartshorne’s experience highlights how little the models earned compared to the revenue generated by the show.

The show’s application process was intense and invasive, with producers digging deeply into contestants’ personal lives. Hartshorne noted that the application included detailed questions about stressors such as housing, health, finances, and family issues. This information was used to craft storylines that emphasized contestants’ vulnerabilities, often exploiting their personal struggles for dramatic effect on camera.

“There was this idea that if you didn’t divulge your secrets, you wouldn’t succeed or be brought onto the show,” Hartshorne said. This pressure to reveal intimate details was tied to the show’s narrative strategy, which prioritized emotional conflict and trauma to engage viewers.

Despite these challenges, Hartshorne found a unique position as the show’s plus-size model, which became the focus of her on-screen story. She described this as a bittersweet advantage, allowing her to avoid having her personal trauma exploited while still being a central figure in the show’s drama.

Calls for Fair Compensation and Accountability in Reality TV

The controversy surrounding America’s Next Top Model’s treatment of contestants has resurfaced recently, especially after Hulu made episodes available in 2020 and the release of documentaries like Netflix’s Reality Check and E!’s Dirty Rotten Scandals. These projects have sparked important conversations about the ethics of reality TV production and the exploitation of participants.

Hartshorne has been vocal about the need for contestants to be fairly compensated for their time and labor. “Everybody deserves to be paid for their time and labor,” she emphasized. “I don’t think that’s a controversial thing to say.” Her stance has sparked debate but also highlighted a critical issue in the entertainment industry: the lack of financial recognition for reality TV participants despite the demanding work and emotional toll involved.

She also expressed cautious optimism about the growing dialogue around accountability, including discussions about Tyra Banks, the show’s creator and executive producer. Hartshorne believes that true accountability involves financial restitution for the contestants who contributed to the show’s success but were not adequately rewarded.

Life After America’s Next Top Model

Following her time on ANTM, Sarah Hartshorne successfully transitioned into a modeling career, working internationally with prestigious brands such as Vogue and Glamour. She also made history as the first ANTM contestant to publish a memoir, titled *You Wanna Be On Top?: A Memoir of Makeovers, Manipulation, and Not Becoming America’s Next Top Model*. The book offers an unfiltered look at her experiences in the modeling world and the reality TV industry.

Hartshorne reflects positively on her journey, acknowledging that the show was her introduction to modeling and opened doors she might not have otherwise accessed. She cherishes the friendships she made and the opportunities to travel and grow professionally. Today, she balances her career with motherhood, finding fulfillment in both her personal and professional life.

Conclusion

Sarah Hartshorne’s revelations about how little America’s Next Top Model paid its contestants expose a troubling side of reality television that often goes unnoticed by viewers. Her story underscores the need for fair compensation and ethical treatment of reality TV participants who invest significant time and emotional energy into these shows. As conversations about accountability and contestant rights continue to gain momentum, it’s clear that the industry must evolve to support and respect the people who make reality TV possible.

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