There were a lot of things fans were hoping for − or, dare we say,"rooting for"− in the new"America's Next Top Model" docuseries on Netflix.
Many wanted to learn the motivation behind some of the elaborate, outrageous photoshoots (check). Many wanted to know where some of the models from the show are now (check). And many also wanted a genuineapologyfromTyra Banks— the show's host and executive producer — for several incidents from the show that have gone down in reality TV infamy.
And they got that, too. Well, kind of.
Banks did indeed express regret, and even say the word "sorry," in Netflix's"Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model."The TV mogul, 52, said she wished she handled her iconic tirade against contestant Tiffany Richardson in 2005's Cycle 4 differently. She also said sorry to Keenyah Hill, who described facing sexual harassment and unwanted touching on a photoshoot in Cycle 4.
"I say to Keenyah, boo boo, I am so sorry. None of us knew," Bankssaid. "She deserved more."
Still, many viewers said online theyfound Banks' words hollow. Some said she soundedover-rehearsed. Somesaid she didn't take full accountability.
Psychology and media experts say it's no surprise Banks' comments came off this way. Public apologies, after all, are tricky. They require thought, clarity and nuance. Most of all, they require authenticity — something that, at least from the public's perspective, Banks' apology seemed to lack.
"An authentic apology is saying, 'I'm sorry for,' and then naming a specific behavior," psychotherapistStephanie Sarkissays. " 'I'm sorry that this specific thing happened. I'm sorry that I hurt you. And this is what I'm doing to correct it.' "
Why so many don't buy Tyra Banks' apology
The Netflix docuseries highlights ugly instances from the 15-year run of "ANTM," including photoshoots involving blackface and allegations of sexual misconduct that played out in front of cameras.
Since the docuseries's release, Banks has drawn backlash for comments that appear to fall short. At one point, Banks even appeared to shift blame onto viewers for the show's missteps, saying that production was striving to keep up with fans' demands. At another point, she seemed to attempt to turn the scrutiny into a life lesson.
"That is the only way you get better, is by somebody calling you out on your (expletive)," she said. "It is important. And I want to let you know that I want you guys to be just as open as I am now about getting called on my (expletive) for when somebody calls you out on yours. Because that day will come."
The docuseries capped off with Banks stating her intention to one day bring back "ANTM" for another season.
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According to Sarkis, when it comes to apologies, words matter − but they're rarely the sticking point. Instead, it's all about the attitude and intention behind them. People, by and large, can tell in their gut when an apology feels self-serving or deceptive.
"When you are speaking with empathy, I think the genuineness is just self-explanatory," Sarkis says. "When it's a PR-formulated attorney consult... it can sound not fully in touch with what people are upset about."
Context matters too. An "I'm sorry, but..." or an "I'm sorry you feel that way" or an "I'm sorry that happened" are all forms of dodging accountability. And that's something that will make an apology feel false, too.
"An apology that rambles, an apology that blames you for being upset is never a true apology," says Rob Shuter, host of the podcast"Naughty But Nice with Rob Shuter"and a former celebrity publicist. "What makes a good apology good is you have to mean it. You can stumble over the words. You can stumble over the phrasing. You can't stumble over the feeling. You've got to feel sorry."
'ANTM's controversies and the right way to apologize
We live in an era when fans expect more authenticity from celebrities than they did in the past. That means celebrity apologies will need to feel more authentic too, in order to sway public opinion.
An authentic apology, Sarkis says, starts with identifying the wrongdoing and ends with an explanation of how you'll do better. That's true for anyone making an apology − famous or not.
Stop just saying 'I'm sorry.'Here's how to actually apologize – and mean it.
"It's showing genuine concern for someone, ownership of the problem and also a path forward," Sarkis says.
More important than your apology, Shuter says, is what you do after. No matter how your apology was initially received, if it isn't followed by change, it won't matter in the long run.
"You've got to change what you do. You can't do it again," he says. "The ultimate apology for me is changing the behavior."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Tyra Banks, the 'ANTM' Netflix doc and when an apology feels fake