Originally from the small town of Inglewood, California, Tyra Banks became one of the most recognizable names in the world. Her journey from being a supermodel to leading a career in entertainment is one of resilience, a push for breaking barriers, and opening doors for the next generation.
Tyra Banks also brings us back to the beginning of knowledge as she reflects on her early life and rise to modeling fame.
Her father, a computer consultant, and her mother, a photographer, raised Tyra Lynne Banks, who was born on December 4, 1973, in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles. Her upbringing came across as humble yet full of creativity. As a teenager, she found inspiration to pursue big dreams at an all-girls Catholic school in her neighbourhood.
At the age of 15, Tyra, with her mother’s help, had begun modeling and creating a portfolio that showcased her potential. Yet success came not easily. Agencies rejected her initially because she had an “ethnic” look that was not marketable at the time. Her perseverance did not wane. At a tender age of 17, in 1990, Tyra signed with Elite Model Management. This is one of the world’s leading modeling agencies.
Tyra was an overnight sensation. She first appeared in Seventeen magazine, one of the most popular teen magazines, and she launched her career. In 1991, when she graduated from school, Tyra became a rage in the modeling industry.
Capturing Paris
Tyra started when a Scout from France saw her walking down the street and invited her to come and model in Paris. At 18, she managed to walk a record 25 shows during the first season, and if ever there was anyone anointing the beginning of a legend, it was then when she appeared on the cover of Vogue Spain as “the new Naomi Campbell,” in celebration of the legendary Naomi Campbell.
Tyra knew she needed greater control of her life as her career seemed to boom out of control. Inspired by icon Cindy Crawford, Tyra created her company to take charge of her life and career. She soon began venturing into other mediums in which she would appear in films and television programs, like music videos for some of the world’s greatest artists, such as Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, and George Michael.
Tyra stood out due to her ability to excel in various fields. In 1992, she came back to the United States and began building a career in TV. Her character in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, starring Will Smith, exposed her to a completely new audience. In the same year, CoverGirl selected Tyra as their face and confirmed her as a supermodel. By 1994, Tyra appeared in People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” list, shooting into both the world of fashion and entertainment.
Acting. Her film debut was in 1995 with Higher Learning, a drama movie that highlighted her acting talent. Tyra also saw a shift in her modelling career around this mid-90s era. As her figure became more curvaceous, she began to lose runway jobs due to the continued dominance of ultra-thin models in the runway scene. Tyra, refusing to give in to the industry’s pressure, made a bold shift into lingerie and swimwear modeling, which favored fuller figures. It made her the first African American woman to appear on the GQ and Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition in 1996.
Victoria’s Secret Angel and Entrepreneur
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In 1997, Tyra achieved the milestone of being one of the first-ever Victoria’s Secret Angels. She was one of the brand’s top spokesmodels and dominated the lingerie scene. She broke records, as well as some barriers for women of color in her field.
Tyra did not solely focus on modelling during this period. With her mother, Tyra co-founded the Tyra Banks TZONE Foundation to transform underprivileged girls’ lives in positive ways. Tyra made her way to becoming an author and published her book Tyra’s Beauty Inside & Out in 1998, giving readers a chance to read her tips on beauty, health, and fashion.
Tyra Banks is on TV.
By the early 2000s, Tyra had made a significant transition into television, not only in front of the camera but also taking the lead behind it. In 2003, she made her foray into launching America’s Next Top Model, which would become one of the highest-rated reality shows at the time. As a host and executive producer, Tyra used the platform to share her modeling wisdom with aspiring models. To this date, America’s Next Top Model became an overnight sensation, even creating phrases like “smizing” or smiling with your eyes, which eventually entered pop culture.
VH1 revived America’s Next Top Model after canceling it in 2015. Tyra took over as the host for 2017 and 2018, proving that her influence on the modelling world was still strong.
The Tyra Banks Show
In 2005, Tyra launched her own daily talk show, The Tyra Banks Show, which focused on fashion, lifestyle, and a touch of real-life issues. One of the most captivating aspects of this show was Tyra’s willingness to openly discuss her personal struggles and vulnerabilities, fostering a sense of intimacy with her audience. About body image and self-esteem, as well as her relationships, Tyra candidly reflected on her life through millions of eyes.
The Tyra Banks Show won Tyra two Daytime Emmy Awards in the “informative” category for Outstanding Talk Show. It ended its run in 2010, making its presence felt within the realm of daytime talk shows.
A Supermodel’s Legacy
Tyra Banks was, is, and forever will be a supermodel all over. One can recall countless supermodel moments while trying to state the unending achievements of her career, as she has pierced every race and body image boundary she has tread upon. She broke all barriers by refusing to perceive herself in the light of narrow standards, thereby creating opportunities for models of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities.
Another venture Tyra has undertaken as an entrepreneur is the introduction of her film and television production company, Bankable Productions, which has significantly expanded her influence.
She has also written books, released music, and appeared in other movies, such as Coyote Ugly in 2000, demonstrating her limitless talent.
Conclusion
From being born in Inglewood to becoming the phenomenal woman that she is, Tyra Banks has revolutionized the fashion industry and inspired young women across the globe. Her journey just proves that with true determination, resilience, and self-confidence, everything is possible. Her legacy continues to thrive as she acts as a positive businesswoman, mentor, and media mogul.
