“Orange is the New Black” star Danielle Brooks is a little disappointed that the new season of “America’s Next Top Model” doesn’t include any plus size models.
Although Brooks, who plays Taystee on “OITNB,” began her open letter with a disclaimer that her post is merely an observation and isn’t intended to bash “Top Model” or anyone, she criticized the show for not being representative of American women.
“As a plus woman being seen only 1% of the time is a real thing. Period. After watching #ANTM last night I was super excited to see my girl Ashley Graham but bummed out not to see any plus contestants,” wrote Brooks on Instagram Tuesday. “You had an Asian, African, a red head, transgender, an androgynous sister, even twins…(much love for that) but not 1 plus size woman-when 67% of women are plus in the US??”
Brooks continued, claiming that a plus-size contestant would’ve allowed everyone to learn a little something from the added diversity.
“This could’ve been a perfect opportunity for them to highlight fabulous designers that also do plus fashion or highlight strictly plus designers that rarely get any shine,” the actress wrote. “The plus competitor would’ve been able to lean on the fact that a reflection of herself (Ashley Graham) was in the room reminding her that her dream IS possible.”
Brooks concluded her open letter by saying that she will continue to fight plus-size exclusion and that everyone “deserves to be seen.” She followed up her post by uploading a selfie in her underwear with a corset.
The model competition has featured plus-size models in the past. Whitney Thompson in Cycle 9 made “Top Model” history when she became the first plus-size model to win.
“America’s Next Top Model” airs Mondays at 10 p.m./9c on VH1
See Brooks’ full post below.