Lyndsey Burr - Producing America’s Next Top Model

In this episode of Trust Me, hosts Lola Blanc and Megan Elizabeth welcome Lindsay Burr, a longtime reality TV producer who worked on multiple seasons of America's Next Top Model. Burr shares candid insights into the show's chaotic, high-pressure production during its early 'Wild West' era, revealing how challenges grew increasingly extreme and ethically questionable—such as forced photo shoots involving racial impersonation, posing with unhoused people, and a notorious underwater 'mermaid' challenge that nearly caused hypothermia. She reflects on the show's cult-like atmosphere, both for contestants and crew, and discusses how the intense environment fostered groupthink, with producers and hosts like Tyra Banks often prioritizing drama over well-being. Burr also reveals behind-the-scenes moments, including a time when two eliminated models vanished during a Thailand shoot, and Tyra’s insistence on being edited out of judging scenes due to her eyelashes. Despite the show’s problematic legacy, Burr expresses hope that modern reality TV has evolved, with stronger mental health safeguards, post-production ethics, and a greater emphasis on authentic storytelling. She concludes by promoting her new podcast, Donor Dad, a humorous and heartfelt exploration of her and her husband’s unexpected journey as parents to 27 children conceived through sperm donation.