America’s Next Top Model was a pioneer of LGBTQIA+ representation on reality TV. The show gave us iconic queer judges, featured an openly lesbian contestant on season one, and even made groundbreaking decisions to cast a transgender model in 2008. But like many things with this show, the way production treated these contestants and their identity was flawed. In this episode, we explore how Top Model broke barriers and reshaped the culture, while hearing from the queer contestants who paid the price for its flaws.  

CORRECTION: This episode has been updated for accuracy. Episodes downloaded before November 5th, 2025 will not reflect the correction.  

Looking to place a face to the name and hear bonus content? Check out our Instagram account, @glasspodcasts, where we recap each episode with show notes that include the people, places, and even video clips referenced in the episode.

America&rsquo;s Next Top Model was a pioneer of&nbsp;LGBTQIA+ representation on reality TV. The show gave us iconic queer judges, featured an openly lesbian contestant on season one, and even made groundbreaking decisions to cast a transgender model in 2008. But like many things with this show, the way production treated these contestants and their identity was flawed. In this episode, we explore how Top Model broke barriers and reshaped the culture, while hearing from the queer contestants who paid the price for its flaws. &nbsp;
CORRECTION: This episode has been updated for accuracy. Episodes downloaded before November 5th, 2025&nbsp;will not reflect the correction. &nbsp;
Looking to place a face to the name and hear bonus content? Check out our Instagram&nbsp;account,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/glasspodcasts/">@glasspodcasts</a>, where we recap each episode with show notes that include the people, places, and even video clips referenced in the&nbsp;episode.

Miss America used to be a national icon. At its peak, the pageant was appointment television, drawing TV audiences that rivaled the Superbowl. 

But now, the crown is slipping.

The organization is at the center of a tabloid courtroom drama.  Two people are claiming to be the rightful owner of the Miss America pageant. And the fight is getting ugly.  

In one corner, a pageant girl boss. In the other, a self-proclaimed Palm Beach billionaire with a controversial past.

After decades of leadership failures and declining interest, today’s scandal is the only the latest in a long line of controversies in the pageant world.

And yet, thousands of young women continue to compete every year. What keeps drawing contestants to an institution that so many former insiders believe has failed them?   

Over the course of 10 episodes, we'll hear directly from former titleholders, participants, and whistleblowers. Hosted by pop culture journalist Bridget Armstrong, Curse of Miss America is an investigation into the unraveling of an American institution. 

Miss America used to be a national icon.&nbsp;At its peak, the pageant was appointment&nbsp;television, drawing TV audiences that rivaled the Superbowl.&nbsp;
But now, the crown is slipping.
The organization is at the center of a tabloid courtroom drama.&nbsp; Two people are claiming to be the rightful owner of the Miss America pageant. And the fight is getting ugly. &nbsp;
In one corner, a pageant girl boss. In the other, a self-proclaimed Palm Beach billionaire with a controversial past.
After decades of leadership failures and declining interest, today&rsquo;s scandal is the only the latest in a long line of controversies in the pageant world.
And yet, thousands of young women continue to compete every year. What keeps drawing contestants to an institution that so many former insiders believe has failed them?&nbsp; &nbsp;
Over the course of 10 episodes, we'll hear directly from former titleholders, participants, and whistleblowers. Hosted by pop culture journalist Bridget Armstrong, Curse of Miss America is an investigation into the unraveling of an American institution.&nbsp;

Curse of: Miss America

Fierce, Queer, and Flawed | EP 8 | Curse of America's Next Top Model

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ef7e123a-4ec8-4732-a34e-b38b000828bc/transcript