I remembered watch America's Next Top Model in high school, including Cycle 9, which Sarah Hartshorne was a contested on. In the memoir, she gives insight about the expectations of being on the show and the process of each challenge, shoot, and elimination rounds. Moreover, she goes into details with the behind the scenes information and ultimately, how the show exploited young women to be on the show at the attempts of becoming a famous model; poor working conditions with long hours, limited bathroom breaks and health scares; and the verbal abusive nature of the show's judges and producers.

I never read a book so fast to get more information about the show from a contestant perspective. I recommend the memoir for anyone who watched the show in the naught and 2010 decades.

TW: body image; eating disorders.

Thank you NetGalley & Crown Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. You Wanna Be on Top? publishes on July 7, 2025.

What a blast from the past! For anyone that was enthralled with America's Next Top Model will immediately be taken back to the runway. Sarah does a great job setting the scene where memories of the characters her season were easy to recall. This is a snapshot of the early millennial reality tv shows - parts that are cringe-worthy, rooted in diet culture, and how scripted "unscripted" tv can be. This was a fast read but one where I googled on the side to see the photo shoots and remember the faces - a book I didn't realize I was missing!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You Wanna Be on Top? is written by a former contestant of America's Next Top Model. A show that was previously a guilty pleasure of mine despite being highly problematic in its treatment of the contestants and that it was highly reflective of the toxic nature of modeling in the aughts (and honestly I'm guessing some of it still persists). Reading a firsthand experience about filming the show and all of the issues she faced as the "plus sized" contestant (she was a size 6...horrors!), confirmed how much reality TV controls their contestants and that there's frankly nothing real about it.

If you were into the show, I would suggest reading this one or honestly if you're a fan of reality TV.

What American millennial woman didn't grow up watching America's Next Top Model? Former contestant Sarah Hartshorne shares her honest experience as a "plus size" model on cycle 9 with candor, wit, and plenty of pop culture references.

Take that, NDA.

i grew up loving americas next top model, dreaming i would one day be on stage with the other women walking down the runway (despite being 5’2). reading sarah’s book was a real eye-opener!

she goes into detail of the casting process, the blindfolded travel from each location, and the abuse - both emotional and physical- that everyone was put through. each chapter was a vivid re-telling that i could picture happening off-screen.

i devoured this book, flipping through the pages on my e-reader to learn what new crazy encounter the models would be put through, and what new friendships would blossom.

if you were a fan of the show, or any reality tv, i think this is a great book to pick up. i will say that some people may be turned off by sarah’s mention of politics toward the end, but it didn’t bother me in the slightest :)

If you're a lover of reality TV, *especially* in the early-mid 2000s, then you most likely experienced and/or loved America's Next Top Model. As an avid watcher of reality TV myself, I knew I wanted to read this.
I also was immediately drawn to this cover, with a disdained Barbie head and the iconic line "Wanna Be On Top?" (Which if you really loved this show, you can hear the theme song immediately play in your head). As far as the content of the memoir goes, Sarah (ANTM-Cycle 9) does a really good job of giving the reader EXACTLY what we asked for, which is juicy, unheard-of, unfiltered behind the scenes info that the viewer did not know beforehand. We, as the viewer, can connect with iconic scenes that the producers wanted us to see and then be able to read Sarah's personal experiences and witty commentary to now accompany it.
I also really enjoyed how Sarah was able to take us from auditions to the finale episode and even a small piece of her life after Top Model. It gave a complete experience. My one qualm is that I think that Sarah misses the mark on going deeper into topics such as racism and sexism(What was up with Nigel?!) of course the qoute of being in a cult, which she expresses but I think could have delved into more. You expect to hear more of her personal negative feelings,-like many other disgruntled contestants about such issues but she tells the story from her view, like a friend telling a friend casually over drinks, not as an expose', which I think makes this book entertaining.

(As I finished reading this, I opened Instagram to see infamous ANTM contestant Yaya give a tearful message about old hard feelings towards Tyra, Tryas recent acceptance speech, steps towards healing those feelings, and the legacy of opportunities ANTM created for young women)

#ANTM #AmericasNextTopModel #YouWannaBeonTop #NetGalley #booksuggestions #crownpublishing #memoirs #realityTV #currentlyreading

Thank you crown publishing and NetGalley for this arc!

I, like most millennials, loved ANTM when I was younger. I loved when there would me marathons of the different seasons on tv, I knew what I was watching all day! So when I saw this book, I had to read it because as an adult I know just how problematic that show was is hindsight. Sarah did an excellent job of explaining how she and her fellow contestants were treated, explained the good and the bad, didn’t come across as a bitter person but rather as a mature adult who simply knows what is right and wrong.

Thanks so much for the read! Highly recommend.

Intriguing and smooth read for fans of Hartshorne and/or America's Next Top Model. Hartshorne gives what you came for- behind-the-scenes stories from her experience on the show and vulnerable insight that she has on it now, years later in retrospect. I appreciate that she doesn't waste time with a ton of what led up to her audition and the entire book is truly focused on ANTM. There's just enough background and set up for her to tell the story the book advertises.

Of course, you'll want to look up clips (any maybe entire episodes) of the scenes she describes, which makes this even more fun.

Quality of Writing 3/5
Value for Intended Audience 5/5
Pacing 5/5
Vulnerability 5/5
Overall Enjoyability 4/5

I watched the first 10 seasons of ANTM religiously when I was younger. When I saw that Sarah Hartshorne from Cycle 9 wrote a book on her experience as a contestant on ANTM, I knew that I needed tor read "You Wanna Be On Top?" as soon as possible. I loved Sarah's voice, she did a great job of painting what the experience was like for her, not only as a contestant but the pressures of being labeled "plus-size".

This book reads flat to me.
I was hoping for fun tidbits and a light read. It turns out this was more of a boring read.

As a long-time fan of the show who can also recognize its many problems, I was so excited to read Sarah Hartshorne’s You Wanna Be on Top?: A Memoir of Makeovers, Manipulation, and Not Becoming America’s Next Top Model. And let me tell you, Hartshorne does not disappoint! Throughout the book’s thirteen chapters, she walks the reader through her time on cycle 9 of Tyra Banks’ hit reality show, from her college roommates encouraging her to audition all the way to being called back to LA months after her elimination to do promotional interviews for the show.

Hartshorne is hands-down the best contestant to write this memoir. As one of the contestants throughout the show’s history who was deemed “plus-sized,” she is positioned to articulate the many ways that the show preys upon the insecurities of its contestants to make good television. And yet, Hartshorne is very clear-eyed in her assessment of her time on the show. She never once bad-mouths her fellow contestants, recognizing that they all went through this together. Her critiques of the show’s treatment of her and her fellow models doesn’t come across as bitter; she relates both what happened as well as her own motivations and mental state at the time. She’s clearly done a lot of work since her time on the show to have a healthier view of herself and her body, so her assessment comes with the wisdom of hindsight.

In the last chapter, Hartshorne recounts her career after the show and considers the oft-asked question of “What would you say to Tyra now?” This part really endeared her to me as a reader and left me wanting more. Honestly, now I’m just waiting for her memoir on motherhood!

Ok - full disclosure, I used to be OBSESSED with trashy reality TV competitions and I was a huge fan of ANTM in its heyday despite the fact that it was clearly gross and problematic EVEN THEN.
This book, by one of the contestants who at a size SIX was considered "the fat girl" on her season was chef's kiss for me! Fun, insightful and equal parts lighthearted and horrifying, I could NOT stop reading it. I devoured it in one sitting!
Netgalley graciously provided me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Pulling back the curtains on a pop culture reality show is always a fun gossipy read. Ms. Hartshorne’s is at the top of the heap. Funny, heartfelt, at times sad. A breezy, quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released July 8, 2025.

Ooo I was so excited when I got approved to read this one and let me tell you it did NOT disappoint!! JUICYYY.

I watched all of ANTM back in its day… you know before we all realized the issues and toxicity that the show had. I vaguely remembered Sarah and I definitely was ready for her to spill all the TEA. Oh, and tea was spilled but I also am happily surprised that while Sarah shared a look from behind the scenes and her experiences she was not malicious in any way just brutally honest about the conditions on the show.

You Wanna Be On Top? is a deliciously scandalous read in one sitting book. I’m still shocked at how these girls wellbeing was ignored (NOT BEING ALLOWED TO GO TO THE RESTROOM FOR STARTERS) and how vile certain judges were at times with their comments and criticisms.

Also, for me this book is very thought provoking. It’s left me with a lot of questions like I wonder how many shows are still being made under the same or similar or WORSE conditions than this? Do we not have laws and regulations for this? I have QUESTIONS and CONCERNS especially as reality tv shows are still highly successful today.

This book sure did not disappoint in any way and I absolutely recommend it!!

This is perfect for anyone who grew up watching America's Next Top Model, week after week for many years. It gives us a perspective on how these young girls truly felt when the cameras weren't rolling. It also gives insight behind what the producers made them go through on a daily basis and how everything we see on TV is not as polished and perfect as we may think. Excellent writing!

Do You Wanna Be on Top spills all the dirt this reality fan wanted to know! Congrats to Sarah Hartshorne for surviving the craziness and using it to her benefit as a career.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

Not many people know this about me, but I love trash tv. My love for those kinds of shows started with this series and that led me down a rabbit hole that I'm not sure I'll ever get out of. Seeing Sarah write about her experiences on the show had me rushing to get my hands on a copy of this.

Talk about scandalous. This is sizzling!

Let me tell you, my draw dropped as I read this. It hung open the entire damn time. I could not believe what the producers, crew, co-hosts, and even Tyra put these ladies through. If you learn one thing from this, it's that you never really know a person.

Sarah bravely shares her experiences, revealing the struggles she and others faced just to be part of the show and to remain on it. It was both heart-wrenching and eye-opening, and I could feel the pain in every word. As I continued reading, my shock deepened. The illusion that everything was wonderful, with just a hint of drama, was shattered. The reality is far more cruel than we could have imagined.

In the past, we saw the judges as supportive and caring figures. Now, when I look back, I can recall all those hurtful words and the disdainful glances from those who were meant to uplift you in your career. It’s incredibly disheartening and speaks to a deeper level of betrayal.

"You Wanna Be on Top?" is a heartfelt memoir that has profoundly changed my understanding of reality TV. It’s important to remember that appearances can be deceiving, and this book will truly open your eyes to the unseen struggles behind the scenes.

I was a big fan of ANTM growing up. I loved seeing ordinary people doing extraordinary things. This was an interesting behind-the-scenes book about one person’s experience on the show. It wasn’t as secretive and eye-opening as I expected. It was kind of like watching the show with a little extra information about the other people working on the show besides who you see on the panel.

The writing was amateur, but in all fairness, she’s not an author. Some of the writing was repetitive and meandering. I think if you’re a fan of the show then you’ll enjoy it. I feel like I’ve heard a lot of the behind-the-scenes type stuff from word of mouth and following some former contestants on social media. There wasn’t really anything new besides her personal experience. I do remember watching her season and she was a likable person, but she wasn’t a favorite.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crown Publishing for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

I recently finished You Wanna Be On Top by sarah hartshorne and it was everything I hoped for and more.

Sarah Hartshorne takes readers on a behind the scenes journey of her time on America's Next Top Model Cycle 9. From auditioning for the show, to the wait time between casting and filming, the chaos that was her time on set and then the relief that came after her elimination and what her life transformed to following the show airing.

I'm not going to lie, this book made me miss my late teen years of watching ANTM on cable tv and chain texting my bff about our reactions to the show. I loved every season and I loved Tyra and the judges. I loved to hate the girls who did poorly in the photoshoots or screwed up on the go-sees or on the runway. I totally bought in to the whole "this is how it has to be if you wanna be on top" threats and despite knowing that there was obviously a lot wrong with the show it was addicting and exactly what we came to expect of reality tv.

The behind the scenes info about conditions on set is just as bad if not worse than I anticipated based on the rumours and controversy around the show that has come to light in recent years. And connected to those working and living conditions, but separately horrendous, the psychological trauma imposed on the contestants was significantly worse than I expected. From isolation and punishment to body shaming and brainwashing. We watched girls have complete mental breakdowns and thought "omg why is she crying over a hair cut?!" when in reality, she was probably at her breaking point after the crazy conditions she'd been experiencing day in and day out on set for weeks.

Sarah does an incredible job weaving in the comments and memories of others who worked on the show, as well as some quotes and facts about cult culture, psychological control strategies and her own perspectives of what was shown on TV. It is a super well written and interesting book and a must-read for all ANTM fans.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher crownpublishing for giving me the chance to read and review an advance copy of this book. It comes out in July!

I love a good voyeuristic look behind the cameras at reality TV. This account of manipulation and exploitation is captivating, infuriating and at times funny. It was a time and culture that made many men rich making young women insecure with themselves and distrustful of each other, and I will never get tired of having it all exposed.

For fans of reality TV, Unreal, and millennials who bought into "TV magic" before we knew better.