ANTM Winner Alleges Permanent Scalp Damage From Makeover

The first winner of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), Adrianne Curry, has reignited conversation around the reality show after claiming a dramatic hairstyle makeover during the series left her with allegedly permanent scalp damage. In a time when beauty standards and behind-the-scenes realities of the modelling world are under increasing scrutiny, Curry’s remarks have sparked new interest and criticism surrounding past makeover practices on the show.

The Controversial Makeover Episode

Adrianne Curry won the debut season of ANTM in 2003, hosted and produced by supermodel Tyra Banks. One of the show’s most memorable elements was the makeover segment – a mid-season transformation designed to push contestants out of their comfort zones and allegedly closer to high-fashion careers. While some outcomes added glamour, others were less well-received – both by fans and contestants themselves.

Curry claims her assigned makeover resulted in damage that persists to this day. Speaking out more than two decades after the episode aired, she suggested that her scalp and hair were harmed due to the intensity of chemical processing. Though this isn’t the first time a former contestant has criticised the show’s extreme beauty alterations, Curry’s statement carries particular weight due to her status as its first winner.

Industry Pressure vs. Participant Wellbeing

Makeovers have long been a hallmark not just of reality modelling competitions, but of the fashion industry more widely. ANTM, however, often amplified these moments for dramatic effect, with dramatic reveals and emotional breakdowns turning into viral TV moments. While entertaining on the surface, participants’ experiences reveal a more complicated reality.

Concerns over contestants’ physical and emotional wellbeing during filming have been raised by past ANTM alumni and spectators alike. As beauty industries reckon with diversity, inclusivity, and ethics, the legacy of stylised transformations comes under increasing examination. It raises important questions:

Should contestants have more autonomy in their on-show appearances?
Are health risks adequately communicated before extreme styling treatments?
What accountability do producers bear when permanent injury occurs?
Has the quest for ratings in reality TV sidelined basic duty-of-care principles?

Why It Matters

Beyond entertainment, this controversy reflects broader industry issues. Adrianne Curry’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the long-term cost of short-term showbiz spectacle. It adds to a growing chorus of voices demanding change in how reality television treats its participants, and how the fashion and beauty industries define transformation, professionalism, and consent.

With more former contestants speaking out and viewer consciousness evolving, future productions may be forced to prioritise wellbeing and transparency over televised drama alone.

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Originally published by The Independent. Read the full article here.

Published: 1 November 2025