A Hulu documentary, “The Swan: Behind the Mirror,” premieres Sept. 29 and revisits Fox’s 2004 reality show through interviews with 12 former contestants. They recount its 90-day makeover, including cosmetic surgery, isolation, workouts and restrictive diets.
Sixteen women were selected from more than 250,000 applicants for cosmetic and dental procedures, training and dieting. Garza says contestants learned about the pageant only after surgery. Contestants described covered mirrors, isolation from family and friends, having to request permission to leave, workouts six days a week while recovering, and diets of 800–1,200 calories a day. The show said it spent $250,000 per contestant; Garza says producers warned they would owe that amount if they quit. Season one drew 9 million viewers in 2004; ratings then plunged amid backlash in season two, and the show was canceled.
Former contestants also report health problems after the show. Kristy Garza says she discovered two large aortic aneurysms and underwent two open-heart surgeries; she says her bicuspid aortic valve should have been noticed during screening. Kari Bravata says she was confined to a wheelchair and had her gallbladder removed, and that she was told it was probably related to starvation on the show. Bravata says she nearly died during surgery, but her memory is unclear and she does not know exactly what happened; the production has not been transparent about the episode.
