Did I devour this book? Yes.
When I saw this title from a contestant in America’s Next Top Model, it was immediately added to my list. I loved that show like many of those my age did and I still like to go back and rewatch, even though the things I know now make it controversial. I’m so glad that all these former contestants are sharing their stories. I love a juicy memoir and this one didn’t disappoint! Sarah is also a good storyteller and very entertaining. I need a book from every contestant stat! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for early access to this one.

You Wanna Be on Top? completely pulled me in. I went in expecting behind-the-scenes gossip and fun reality TV stories, and while it definitely delivered on the drama, what really surprised me was how thoughtful, funny, and vulnerable Sarah Hartshorne is. This is so much more than a Top Model tell-all. It's about body image, exploitation, identity, and the long tail of reality TV fame, all told with incredible self-awareness.

Sarah writes candidly about her experience on America’s Next Top Model Cycle 9, where she was labeled the “plus-size” contestant at a size 8. That alone speaks volumes. She pulls back the curtain on how the show edited contestants into characters, how producers manipulated emotions and situations, and how little support was offered once the cameras stopped rolling. The “makeover” episode, where she was given platinum blonde hair she hated, felt like a turning point — a moment where she lost agency over her own image, and it clearly stuck with her.

One of the most powerful parts of the book is when she reflects on the aftermath. She shares how being on the show triggered disordered eating, self-doubt, and years of trying to live up to an impossible version of herself. She’s open about her struggles with mental health and how it took a long time to reclaim her own narrative. I also loved her insights on the modeling industry as a whole and the way she ties in feminist commentary without ever sounding preachy.

There are plenty of moments that made me laugh too. Sarah’s humor is sharp, and her tone is refreshingly honest. Even when she’s talking about painful things, her voice feels grounded and real. You can tell this was written by someone who has done the work to reflect and heal.

The only reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me is that the timeline occasionally felt jumpy. A few parts moved quickly or skipped over details I wanted more of, especially toward the end. I would have loved to see even more of her life post-show and how she found her way into writing, comedy, and activism.

If you’re a fan of Top Model, this is a must-read. But even if you’ve never seen an episode, this memoir stands on its own. It’s for anyone who’s ever struggled to fit in, questioned the version of themselves they present to the world, or wondered what really happens behind the curtain of so-called “reality” TV.

I was a fan of Top Model growing up so I was so excited to be able to read this memoir. I loved the details Sarah shared about her experience on the show and some personal experiences outside of the show. It was an interesting look into a seemingly inspirational show that was in reality toxic and cult-like.

As I got older, I've realized how problematic reality TV can be and it's good that people like Sarah are able to share their stories.

As a former viewer of the show, I was very excited to read this. I enjoyed Sarah's voice, and found it to be very personable and casual. She reflects well on the experience and the complications and trauma of being on reality TV.
She wrote so much about the NDA early on, that I would have loved to see her come back to it at the end. I want to know more.

Were you a fan of America’s Next Top Model? Did you wonder how the models felt when the judges were so harsh about their looks and abilities? If so, You Wanna Be on Top? is a must read because behind-the-scenes it was so much worse.

Girls treated like cattle, shoved into hot windowless rooms for hours or even weeks at a time. Told when to eat, sleep, and even when to go to the bathroom. Cameras everywhere but no talking aloud except when cameras were filming, which they did for up to 17 hours per day. Is this torture, reality television, or perhaps both combined?

The worst part for the author, who finished eighth in cycle 9, was that they weren’t paid. For the entire months long cycle. Even after elimination, the models were kept in isolation to be used as decoys for the paparazzi. Still, for no pay.

While You Wanna Be on Top? is about America’s Next Top Model, its methods could apply to almost any reality competition. Treating the contestants like set pieces. Manipulating their discussions to mold them into any character the producers want, from villain to hero. And, of course, not paying them for their time unless they win. It is hard not to wonder about what goes on behind-the-scenes at modern shows like Love Island, Big Brother, and The Bachelor. I can’t wait for similar memoirs about those shows to appear.

I highly recommend reading You Wanna Be on Top? if you watch any reality television. It is an eye-opening memoir that just confirms that sleazy feeling given off occasionally by even the best of these shows. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown for providing me with an advanced review copy.

Sarah Hartshorne’s You Wanna Be On Top? is a sharp, compulsively readable memoir that cuts through the glitter and grit of early 2000s reality TV. Revisiting her time on Cycle 9 of America’s Next Top Model, Hartshorne exposes how young, often underprivileged women were manipulated for quick cash and viewer entertainment.

Fast-paced and unflinching, the book reveals how production relied on tactics like emotional isolation and manufactured conflict. Hartshorne strengthens her critique by comparing these methods to researched and proven cult manipulation techniques, showing they weren’t accidental but calculated.

This memoir challenges nostalgia with urgency. It’s incisive, damning, and deeply necessary.

4.5⭐️ If you’re a fan of ANTM and watched the early seasons, this will make you so nostalgic. I loved how detail Sarah was in this memoir while talking about her experience on the show and some personal experiences outside of the show. It felt vulnerable and honest. As a fan of the show, I can appreciate how camp and entertaining it was, but I also recognize how problematic it was and I’m not an ANTM apologist. I’m glad some light was shed on this.

You Wanna Be on Top? By Sarah Hartshorne

I vividly remember grabbing lunch at a dining hall, going back to my dorm room, and watching America’s Next Top Model on my laptop. So when I saw an ANTM book, I immediately requested it.

This memoir was interesting and full of behind-the-scenes information about ANTM. I found the author to be very respectful of other girls and the show in general. It wasn’t scathing, but it felt even-handed when pointing out the flaws and culture created by this show. She did liken this experience to being in a cult, and perhaps it was just me, but I felt a little confused by this argument although I understood her points and logic.

I found the author’s voice to be authentic and real. The writing was tight and conversational. Fans of behind-the-scenes memoirs, books about reality tv shows, and books that can be read in one sitting will enjoy this one.

I love reality TV, and I especially loved America’s Next Top Model. I have been waiting for a juicy behind the scenes look at ANTM for a long time, and this one is worth the wait. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a sucker for reality TV, so when I saw this book, I was so interested. I have heard things over the years that were negative about this show, but I would never have guessed it was this bad! The way these women were treated was so disgusting and inhumane at times. I am so glad I read this book and I can’t even watch this show anymore. The author did an amazing job on this book! So worth the read if you like reality tv and/or watched ANTM.

ANTM was one of my favorite shows growing up and I never missed a season, so I was delighted to receive this ARC. Sarah was a contestant on the show and offers firsthand insight. This is interesting, informative and very honest with a lot of personal anecdotes and interviews from others involved. Fans of the show will enjoy this.

This memoir offers a sharp and humorous look at a unique experience in the spotlight. The author shares personal stories with honesty and wit, shedding light on the challenges that come with public scrutiny and a show being on television. There are thoughtful reflections on identity, self-worth, and growth throughout. While a few parts feel a bit drawn out, the overall voice remains engaging. It’s a compelling read that mixes humor with insight.

As soon who got into America's Next Top Model (ANTM) for S16/17, I was not familiar with the author by far. However, Sarah Hartshorne candid retracing of her steps and story was fun, with little pop culture references drizzled here and there (Loved that No Scrubs by TLC reference). I would recommend this for anyone unfamiliar with the process and chaos of an ANTM season. Highly recommend for those who haven't watched the series yet because Sarah introduces the whole premise in a way that had me NOT struggling to recall what the whole point of ANTM was about.

This was an interesting look at the behind-the-scenes of one of the top reality competitions of the 2000s. As someone who spent far too much time watching these somewhat questionable shows during their formative years, it was interesting to see how the content was created and scripted.

If ANTM was on my TV, I was seated. I had favorites for every season (that often ended up being the maligned "villain" of the season - ILY Melrose (but ILY2 CariDee...) - so when this title popped up I couldn't have clicked request faster.

Going into reading this memoir, I honestly didn't remember Sarah's season. That's possibly (probably) because it came out during my junior year of college when I was drowning in course work and anxiety. As I progressed through the book, I remembered pieces. I'm highly tempted to find it on whatever streaming service the show is on and watch her season now that I have some of the background info of what was truly happening.

It's no surprise to anyone that the show was toxic, but I was somewhat floored at just how toxic, isolating, and damaging the show was to the contestants. Hartshorne's writing is witty and insightful, even when writing about some of the darkest and most damaging parts of her story. While I initially requested this as a nostalgic romp, I wound up with something much deeper and more meaningful.

P.S. - I always knew Mr. Jay was a bitch ✌️

This memoir was right up my alley. As a fan of America’s Next Top Model, I was excited to hear a contestant's side of the story. This memoir is honest, compelling, and surprisingly informative. I appreciated how readable it was—conversational without feeling shallow, and insightful without getting bogged down in industry jargon. I'm glad she took the time (and found the courage) to share her experience after all these years.

As an avid ANTM fan growing up this was a really interesting and quick read. It was wild to hear about everything going on behind the scenes and compare it with the show we watched on the screen. It was well written and paced and I enjoyed it.

Thank you very much to NetGalley / the publisher / the author for the Advanced Copy!

I vividly remember watching Cycle 9 of America's Next Top Model when I was a child. I watched reruns of the show religiously, when I was probably 9-13. I strongly urge all those who watched ANTM to pick up a copy of YOU WANNA BE ON TOP? by Sarah Hartshorne. Sarah's writing tone is witty (even in the darker sections of the story), and insightful. She paints a picture that brought back memories of watching the season the first time around. Hartshorne interviewed cast and crew of ANTM for the novel, and I appreciated having others' perspectives, as well as Sarah's, to create a fuller perspective of how the girls on the show were feeling. This book is a quick read, but it also makes you think about your media consumption, specifically of reality television. I thoroughly enjoyed YOU WANNA BE ON TOP? by Sarah Hartshorne, and will definitely pick up the book again.

Content warnings:
Moderate: Body shaming
Mild: Sexual assault

5/5 ⭐️s

As an avid watcher of America’s Next Top Model, I was really excited to read this. I’ve kept up with quite a few of the past contestants on social media so I had an idea of what to expect, but I still found myself very interested in everything Sarah had to say.

She did an excellent job of writing with sincerity, humor, and authentic reflection on herself and her time on the show.

- The way Sarah perceived many of the big name folks was fascinating to me, especially after having had my own perceptions of those people: Mr. Jay, Tyra, Nigel Barker, Twiggy, and Miss Jay.
- I remember some “conflicts” between certain girls during Sarah’s season and knowing what I know now, I feel bad for ever judging any of those ladies. I was so glad to read that most of the time, they were a united front and genuinely took care of each other the best they could. Or even banded together to “fight back” in small ways against the tough conditions they were put in. 👏🤭
- All of the rigmarole around Sarah being a plus size model was totally bonkers to me. I don’t remember her being labeled as plus size at the time I watched the season and seeing photos of her from the show makes me even more baffled how she could have been labeled that way. That being said, the way Sarah wrote about her experience with weight, dieting, and fashion/model culture was poignant and moving.

Reading this book was such a nostalgic experience for me. I remember these people and seeing behind the curtain was fun, uncomfortable, and meaningful. The book was easy to digest and written very thoughtfully. By the end, I felt proud of Sarah for speaking her truth. Especially, in such an honest, eloquent way. You go, girl.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the eARC 💝 Releases July 8th!

I watched America's Next Top Model religiously in middle and high school. I loved the makeovers and wacky photoshoots. I was indifferent to the catwalks and found that having a certain gait to be silly. I haven't seen an episode in a decade, but I'm itching to rewatch after this memoir. You Wanna Be on Top? follows former contestant Sarah Hartshorne’s recollections about her time on the show. I loved how she detailed each episode and revealed juicy behind the scenes content. From how she described the set, it was a brutal work environment filled with hours deprived of restroom breaks and conversation. I vaguely recalled Cycle 9 featuring the author, but it became more familiar as she detailed her season. It was utterly ridiculous that she was branded as plus-size despite being the same shape as a normal healthy woman. It reaffirmed why I developed body dysmorphia from shows like this. This was a really cool memoir that I enjoyed the breakdown of each challenge and photoshoot. My only critique was that I wished there were photos so I didn't have to cross-reference the ANTM Wiki every other page. It makes sense if it's a copyright issue and she doesn't own the images, but it was a reading experience that made my eyes spin.

All in all, this was a neat nonfiction book that felt very accessible to those who grew up with the show or cautious about venturing outside of fiction for the first time. I'm proud of Hartshorne for telling her brave story and sharing her experiences with the world. I hope more former reality show contestants will follow her lead so I can collect more juicy stories from the telly.