America's Next Top Model had an incredible run with 24 seasons from 2003 to 2018. It was the first show of its kind, as aspiring models—some with no experience whatsoever—tried to make their dreams come true on reality television.

Tyra Banks admitted to saying some "dumb sh*t" on her hit model competition reality show, but she didn't hesitate sharing the show's impact.

"We fought to bring diversity to that television show at a time when it didn’t exist, a time when people in the fashion industry were telling me, 'Oh, you putting girls from the hood on your show?' " Banks said.

Tyra Banks is well aware of the criticism surrounding “America’s Next Top Model” (ANTM) but believes the show’s impact on diversity and representation shouldn’t be ignored. Speaking at Essence’s 18th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards last Thursday,

I refuse to have my legacy be about some stuff linked together on the Internet when there were 24 cycles of changing the world,” Banks said at a Feb. 27 awards show

Tyra Banks is speaking out again about the controversy surrounding America's Next Top Model, more than six years after her series ended its run after 24 seasons.

Tyra Banks acknowledged her past missteps on America’s Next Top Model during her speech at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, stating: “I said some dumb shit.” The event recognized Banks as its inaugural Luminary Spotlight recipient on Feb.

Tyra Banks is aware of the criticism surrounding her long-running reality show America’s Next Top Model, but she refuses to tarnish its legacy. While accepting the first-ever Luminary Spotlight honor at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards on Thursday,