Tyra Banks, host of CW's "America's Next Top Model," is being sued by a former contestant from her modeling competition show, who claims she was wrongfully denied the show's grand prize because of her past as an escort.
Angelea Preston, who was disqualified from season 17 of the show, filed a "breach of contract" suit on Wednesday in the Los Angeles Superior Court, asking for at least $3 million in damages for "intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress," according to the Los Angeles Times.
Documents filed in court alleged that Preston won cycle 17 of the show in 2011, but was disqualified after producers learned that she worked as an escort prior to being on the show.
Preston said she did not violate any of the show's laws because her role as an escort took place before her appearance on "Top Model." The legal documents also stated that Banks knew about Preston's career past.
"During an unaired, but filmed scene near the conclusion of the series, Preston, in tears thanked defendant Tyra Banks for 'changing her life,'" the documents read. "Specifically Preston stated to defendant Tyra Banks that she has 'done things in the past that she was not proud of.' Defendant Tyra Banks inquired, 'What things?' Preston replied, 'Things I'm not proud of to get money.'"
Preston said she is entitled to the show's grand prize, which includes a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl cosmetics as well as a spread in high-fashion Magazine, Vogue Italia. The grand prize was awarded to another contestant, Lisa D'Amato, who originally competed on the show during cycle 5.
The lawsuit names both Banks and The CW network as the defendants.
The CW released a statement to TheWrap regarding the issue.
"As noted during the broadcast of the 'America's Next Top Model' finale in 2011, information about Angelea was learned after production wrapped on that cycle that led to her disqualification from the competition. We are confident that her lawsuit has no merit."
