The 'painful' topic that was off limits for Tyra Banks in ANTM Netflix docuseries

Tyra Banks addressed a number of uncomfortable issues in the new Netflix docuseries Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.

But there was one topic the 52-year-old creator of the controversial reality show   refused to discuss: her relationship with the show's creative director Jay Manuel.

Daniel Sivan, who jointly directed the three-episode docuseries with Mor Loushy, told Deadline that Banks was open to speaking about everything - except her affiliation with Manuel.

'The fact that she said, "I don't want to talk about it" … is a powerful answer,' Sivan said. 'It wasn't dodging the bullet. It was saying, "This is still painful."'

In the doc, Banks declines to delve into any details regarding Manuel, who was promoted from her personal makeup artist to the series's creative director - except for that she should call him at some point.  

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Banks for further comment.

Manuel explained his recollection of events in an interview on the Netflix docuseries.

Manuel said that his overture toward Banks to depart the series after its eighth cycle in 2007 was met with an icy response - with their relationship forever sullied. 

Manuel said that after he sent an email expressing his desire to leave the series, she sent him a terse response three days later.

'She ultimately wrote back just three words: "I am disappointed,"' Manuel said.

Manuel said that things drastically changed in his relationship with Banks after he told her he wanted to depart.

'After that email exchange, all communication just stopped,' Manuel said. 'It should’ve been the opportunity to have a heart-to-heart, but that did not happen.'

Manuel said he came back to the show for the next installment, cycle nine, and claimed that the only time Banks would address him was on camera.

Manuel told People earlier this month that he was 'so broken by the end of that cycle because of the mental torture of what was going on.'

Manuel, who parted ways with the series in 2012, told the publication Banks has yet to call him.  

Manuel said he has mixed feelings about his time on the show and the culture it fostered as it went on.

'Do I regret being on America’s Next Model? Absolutely not,' he told Interview Magazine earlier this month. 'I own it. But I wish I had a better sense of boundaries and the ability to help create a truly safe environment for all of the girls.'

A logline for Reality Check described it as Banks and a collection of 'models, judges and insiders' reminiscing on 'the reality show's complicated legacy' over 322 episodes over 24 cycles in 15 years. 

Loushy on Monday told TheWrap that 'this documentary was happening, regardless if [Banks] was giving an interview or not, and she decided she did want to share her side of the story.

'I'm very happy that she did, because it gave the opportunity to really go deep into the debates, into the start of the idea, and not by a third person but from Tyra, herself, to really hear the journey that she's been through.'

Banks in the special said she was hoping to force a cultural sea change in the fashion industry by shining a light on women she felt were overlooked at the time.

'It was my payback,' Banks said of her mindset pitching the show, pushing back against beauty industry standards of the early 2000s.

She continued, 'You just have a magazine? I have a TV show!

'And so many people are gonna see way more of this TV show that is gonna show off way more of this TV show than your magazine that is closing off so many beauties - I'm going to show you what beautiful is.'

Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is currently streaming on Netflix.