ANTM Winner Adrianne Curry Shocks Fans With Painful Makeover Revelation After 22 Years

Former America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) winner Adrianne Curry has revealed why she didn’t speak up about a painful “oozing wound” she suffered during her Cycle 1 makeover over two decades ago.
In a new Instagram video posted Monday, the 43-year-old reality TV star and model addressed critics questioning her claims that a weave applied during the 2003 filming left her “partially bald” years later.
Curry said she “grinned and beared it” during filming, fearing elimination if she complained about the injury.
Her comments reignited discussion around the show’s treatment of contestants and the long-term effects of extreme beauty makeovers.

Who: Adrianne Curry, winner of ANTM Cycle 1 (2003).
What: Addressed backlash over her claim of a painful weave injury.
When: Posted on Instagram, November 3, 2025.
Where: Online via Curry’s verified Instagram account.
Why: To clarify why she didn’t speak out about the injury during filming.
How: Explained in a detailed video that she feared elimination and losing prize money if she complained.

Main Details

Curry stated she developed a severe scalp infection during filming of ANTM’s first season, leading to “oozing wounds” and lasting hair loss.
She said producers were aware of the injury, claiming, “They gave us a new weave the night before the finale because I had too many wounds and scabs.”
At age 20, Curry recalled being unable to sleep due to pain but continued competing, hoping to secure the promised model contract and cash prize.
She reiterated previous allegations that she never received the full amount of prize money advertised during the show’s first season.

Quotes and Reactions

“I knew if I said anything, they were going to eliminate my ass,” Curry said in her Instagram video. “I wanted to win a bunch of money — which, I didn’t.”
She added, “That’s what I thought I was trying to do to help my family, so that’s why I just grinned and beared it.”

Representatives for Tyra Banks and ANTM executive producer Ken Mok have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Entertainment Weekly previously reported that Curry also alleged other troubling incidents during her time on the show, including being groped while filming a Paris challenge.

Impact Analysis

Curry’s renewed comments have sparked online debate about the early 2000s reality TV era and the ethics of contestant treatment in modeling competitions.
Fans and former participants have revisited ANTM’s demanding makeover segments, long known for pushing physical and emotional boundaries.
The controversy underscores growing scrutiny toward unscripted television’s production standards and duty of care for participants.

What’s Next

Curry, now an Avon sales representative, continues to speak candidly about her experiences on social media.
As of Tuesday, there has been no official response from ANTM producers or Tyra Banks.
Entertainment media outlets are monitoring the situation for potential statements or follow-up interviews.

Sources

• Entertainment Weekly (EW.com)

• Yahoo Entertainment

• Instagram / Adrianne Curry (Official)