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Who Is Tyra Banks?
Tyra Banks is a renowned American television personality, businesswoman, and former supermodel. She made history as the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition. Later, she gained further prominence as the host of the reality TV series America’s Next Top Model, and for her own talk show, for which she won two Emmy Awards. Banks expanded her business ventures by launching a cosmetics line in 2014 and took over as host of America’s Got Talent in 2017, succeeding Nick Cannon.
Early Life
Tyra Lynne Banks was born on December 4, 1973, in Inglewood, California. She is the daughter of Don Banks, a computer consultant, and Carolyn Banks, a medical photographer. Her parents divorced when she was six, though Banks describes her childhood as fulfilling, noting that she experienced “double the presents, double the love,” with time spent at both of her parents’ homes.
From an early age, Banks developed a strong appreciation for food, particularly at family gatherings, where she indulged in Southern dishes such as fried chicken, candied yams, and pork chops. She fondly recalls being taught to enjoy food rather than fear it. Despite this, she also embraced healthier habits, participating in her mother’s exercise group from the age of six.
After her grandmother passed away from lung cancer, Banks made a personal vow to never smoke, a commitment shaped by the loss.
During her middle school years, Banks admits to having been somewhat of a “mean girl,” enjoying popularity and indulging in gossip. However, her experience at Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles was a turning point. A sudden growth spurt led to a height increase that left her feeling awkward and self-conscious, earning her cruel nicknames such as “Giraffe” and “Lightbulb Head.” The teasing she endured during this time was formative, teaching her valuable lessons about empathy and kindness. “The best things [to happen to me] in my life were to be made fun of, and to have no friends, and to feel miserable every single day,” Banks reflects, acknowledging how these challenges shaped her outlook on life.
Modeling Career
By 1989, at the age of 17, Tyra Banks had transitioned from an awkward adolescence into the striking, tall, curvy, caramel-skinned, and green-eyed beauty who would soon dominate the world of high fashion. However, her early pursuit of a modeling career was met with rejection and discrimination. She recalls one agency telling her she appeared “too ethnic,” while another claimed it “already had a Black model and didn’t want another.”
Signing with Elite Model Management
In 1990, while still in high school, Banks signed a contract with Elite Model Management, the world’s largest modeling agency. That same year, she shot her first print ad for Seventeen magazine. After graduating from high school in 1991, Banks enrolled at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, but ultimately decided to leave college when Elite offered her the opportunity to work in Paris as a high-fashion runway model.
Banks quickly rose through the ranks of the fashion industry, becoming one of the world’s most sought-after supermodels. In 1991, she booked 25 runway shows during Paris Fashion Week—an extraordinary achievement for a newcomer. However, by the mid-1990s, Banks began to gain weight, which posed a challenge in an industry that often favored ultra-thin models. Unwilling to resort to extreme dieting, she pivoted her career toward swimwear and lingerie modeling, where her curvier figure was celebrated. Banks explains, “I made my living being 20 or 30 pounds heavier than the average model. And that’s where I got famous. Victoria’s Secret said I sold more bras and panties than anybody else, and I was traipsing down that runway with 30 pounds more booty than the other girls.”
Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret
In 1996, Banks made history as the first Black woman to appear on the cover of GQ. The following year, she became the first African American woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated’s iconic swimsuit edition and the first Black model to be featured in the Victoria’s Secret lingerie catalog. She signed high-profile contracts with CoverGirl and Victoria’s Secret, becoming a central figure in both brands’ advertising campaigns and runway shows. Banks was named to People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” list multiple times, and in 1997, she received the prestigious Michael Award for Supermodel of the Year. Additionally, she won two Teen Choice Awards for Favorite Supermodel.
In 2019, 23 years after first appearing in Sports Illustrated, Banks returned to the cover of the magazine’s swimsuit edition, reinforcing her enduring influence in the industry.
Acting Career
Alongside her modeling career, Banks ventured into acting in the 1990s. She made her acting debut in 1993 with a seven-episode role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In 1995, she earned a prominent role in the drama Higher Learning. In 2000, Banks appeared in a series of successful films, including Love & Basketball, Coyote Ugly, and the made-for-TV movie Life-Size. Her television work continued with appearances on popular series such as Gossip Girl and Glee, further solidifying her versatility and star power.
Reality TV and Talk Show Career
‘America’s Next Top Model’
In 2003, Tyra Banks made her mark in reality television by creating, producing, and hosting America’s Next Top Model on the UPN network. The show, which pits aspiring models against each other in a competition to earn the coveted title of America’s Next Top Model, quickly became UPN’s highest-rated series for its first six seasons. In 2006, the show was chosen to anchor the newly formed CW television network, where it continued to captivate audiences for over 20 seasons, maintaining a strong viewership throughout its long run.
‘The Tyra Banks Show’
In 2005, Banks expanded her television empire into daytime talk shows with The Tyra Banks Show. The series gained significant attention, particularly for its empowering moments, such as when Banks famously addressed body-shaming in 2007. After unflattering swimsuit photos of her were published, Banks appeared on the show wearing the same swimsuit, declaring, “Kiss my fat ass!” Her bold stance earned her a Daytime Emmy Award in 2008, an honor she would win again in 2009. Banks ended the talk show in 2010 after five successful seasons, choosing to focus on other projects, including “bringing positive images of women to the big screen.”
‘America’s Got Talent’
Banks made her return to reality TV in 2017, replacing Nick Cannon as the host of America’s Got Talent. She helmed the show for two seasons, bringing her signature energy and style to the competition series.
‘Dancing with the Stars’
In 2020, Tyra Banks took over hosting duties for the 29th season of Dancing with the Stars, succeeding Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews. In addition to her hosting role, she also served as an executive producer of the show.
Book and Business Ventures
Banks’ entrepreneurial spirit led her to author the best-selling novel Modelland in 2011, which draws inspiration from her own experiences in the fashion industry. She also launched the website typeF.com, dedicated to style and beauty. A committed businesswoman, Banks enrolled at Harvard Business School, completing an executive program designed for CEOs and top executives in 2012. Her business ventures include founding TYRA Beauty, a cosmetics line focused on promoting self-confidence and inclusivity.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
While Banks is private about her personal relationships, she has been romantically involved with several public figures, including director John Singleton and basketball player Chris Webber. In January 2016, she and her long-time partner, Norwegian photographer Erik Asla, welcomed their son, York Banks Asla, born via surrogate after Banks faced infertility struggles. The couple amicably ended their relationship in 2017.
Beyond her entertainment career, Banks is deeply committed to philanthropy, especially in the areas of self-esteem and empowerment for young women. In 1992, at the age of 19, she established a scholarship to assist young Black women attending her alma mater, Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles. In 1998, she authored Tyra’s Beauty Inside & Out, aimed at inspiring young women, and the following year, she founded TZONE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the independence and self-esteem of teenage girls.