Yaya DaCosta Talks Forgiveness Regarding America's Next Top Model Backlash

Yaya DaCosta Speaks Out About America's Next Top Model Backlash

Actress and model Yaya DaCosta speaks out regarding America's Next Top Model backlash following Tyra Banks' speech at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards.

DaCosta posted a 13-minute video discussing her thoughts on the controversial show and her interaction with Tyra Banks at the ceremony.

"I held that woman... and when it was time for the hug to be over, I held some more, and I took a deep breath. I wanted her to feel what it feels like to fully be forgiven, appreciated, and loved."

For the past few years, video clips from the show have gone viral, reigniting discussions around the trauma many of the contestants experienced and Banks' part in that. Although DaCosta acknowledges how the show opened the door for diversity, she also explained how much of what occurred was solely for the sake of entertainment.

Playing roles on popular television shows like Chicago Med, Our Kind of People, and The Lincoln Lawyer, DaCosta has seen plenty of success following her runner-up position on cycle 3 of the show.

Yaya DaCosta concluded her video by reassuring everyone that she and Banks were on good terms and to be open to forgiveness.

"I'm like, you know what? I think it's time for me to let everybody know that we're good, and I want y'all to be good, too," DaCosta shared. "And if there's somebody in your life that you need to forgive for something, now is such an amazing time to do it. There is no time like right now to choose freedom, compassion, love, and kindness."