Tyra's World // My Bio
My Bio
As an icon in the international, cultural, and entertainment communities, Tyra Banks has broken down barriers to become one of the most admired and watched individuals in media today.
Banks is on mission to provide avenues for others to reach their ultimate goals. In her words: "I’m passionate about inspiring people to fulfill their own dreams and fantasies through entertainment that is engaging, uplifting, and of course, fun! This is my dream realized."
In spring 2008, Banks appeared on the cover of The New York Times Magazine in a piece titled "Martha, Oprah, Tyra; Is She the Next Big Female Branded Self?" and Entertainment Weekly featured her on the cover saying "America’s Next Top Mogul." In the same year, she was honored in Hollywood Reporter’s "100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment," Entertainment Weekly’s "25 Smartest Television," Glamour magazine’s coveted "Women of the Year," and came in at #1 on Forbes "Primetime TV’s Top Earning Women" report. In 2007, Banks was saluted as a trailblazer and received BET Honors award for her work in media alongside Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons and other notables. Also in 2007, Banks was placed in Time Magazine’s "Most Influential People in the World" report for the second year in a row. In 2006, Forbes profiled Banks on their highly anticipated "Celebrity 100" report for the first time.
TV ICON
When America watched television, it’s hard to miss the talent and reach of Tyra Banks. In 2003, Banks became a true pioneer in reality TV when she created; executive produced, and hosted the tremendously successful "America’s Next Top Model." The show quickly became a phenomenon and was UPN’s most-watched program for six cycles. In 2006, "Top Model" was chosen to launch the brand new CW Network. The premiere was the best ever in the 18-34 demographic and one of the largest viewing audiences in the show’s history. "Top ModelÓ is also a hit in more than 100 countries, with an additional 20 countries adapting their own version. The show is celebrating its 10th cycle and in February 2008 aired its 10th episode.
With the launch of her syndicated daily talk show "The Tyra Banks Show," Banks became one of the few women to be seen regularly on both daytime and primetime television. Premiered in 2005, the talk show quickly became one of the most popular new daytime programs on the air, and continues to boast the youngest audience in daytime.
In 2007, "The Tyra Banks Show" moved production from Los Angeles to New York, where the city acts as an energizing backdrop. From a sleek New York set, Banks tackles issues both serious and fun, but always entertaining. Every day, Banks reaches millions of viewers discussing topics from personal style, to body image, to politics. In 2008, the show was one of the few television programs to conduct one-hour interviews with leading presidential candidates, including Senator Barack Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton, Gov. Mike Huckabee, and Senator John Edwards. "The Tyra Banks Show" is produced by Bank’s own Bankable Productions in association with Telepictures Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Television Distribution.
The dedicated efforts of the crew and the highly successful progression of the talk show were validated in June 2008, when the "The Tyra Banks Show" won the Daytime Emmy Award for Talk Show, Informative - the first talk show to ever be awarded in this category.
MEDIA MOGUL
Banks created Bankable Productions in 2003, as a subsidiary of her parent company, Bankable. The production company develops television shows and feature films that are off-the-charts entertaining, uplifting and have wide appeal across various demographics. Bankable Productions focuses on content that features strong female characters, telling their stories with intelligence, sophistication and of course, the wit and humor synonymous with the Tyra Banks name.
The CW recently announced that Banks will rule the network’s Wednesday night lineup, beginning September 2008, when the new reality series "Stylists" will air immediately following "Top Model." Banks is executive producing the new primetime series, alongside "Top Model’;s" Ken Mok, and producers from "Project Runway." "Stylista," is the reality version of the Devil Wears Prada featuring aspiring young hopefuls battling for a coveted fashion editor position with Elle magazine.
As part of a development deal between Warner Premiere and Bankable Productions, Banks introduced her first movie as an executive producer. The Clique, a direct-to-DVD movie based on The New York Times best-selling novel series of the same name, released November 2008.
In January 2009, Banks introduced "True Beauty," a primetime series airing on ABC which she executive produces alongside another TV producing powerhouse, Ashton Kutcher.
TRAILBLAZING SUPERMODEL
In the fashion industry, Banks is known for breaking down barriers with her extensive list of "firsts." Over the course of her distinguished career, Banks became the first African-American model to grace the covers of GQ and the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. The following year, she was featured on the cover of the famed Victoria’s Secret catalog, an honor she received countless times. Banks is recipient of numerous awards with the fashion industry, including the prestigious Michael award for "Supermodel of the Year," the modeling industry equivalent to the Oscar, as well as two Teen Choice Awards for "Favorite Supermodel." Banks previously has a 5-term contract with Cover Girl cosmetics, and enjoyed a long-term contract with Victoria’s Secret, celebrating her tenth anniversary with the company in 2005. After successful and illustrious modeling career, Banks made the decision to leave the modeling world and expand her ventures in entertainment. In a TV special commemorating Bank’s official retirement from runway, an incredible 10 million viewers watched as Victoria’s Secret paid tribute to this groundbreaking model.
Philanthropist
Equally important to Banks is her dedication to today’s youth. After writing Tyra’s Beauty Inside & Out (HarperCollins), she realized that the trials she overcame as a teen could be used to connect with girls who struggled with self-esteem issues. At the young age of 19, Banks established a scholarship in her name to give African-American girls the opportunity to attend her alma mater, Immaculate Heart High School. She expanded her charitable outreach in July 2000 when her self-funded foundation sponsored the first year of TZONE, an annual summer camp experience for teenage girls designed to encourage independence, and enhance self-esteem. TZONE has transitioned into a grant-making organization, whose mission is to build sisterhood movement, as well as to foster supportive female relationships. To this end, TZONE raises funds and awards grants to community-based nonprofits that serve low-income women and girls through innovative programs and services. For more information about TZONE, visit the website at www.tzonefoundation.com
Entrepreneur
Through her company, Bankable, Banks will be expanding her horizons beyond television and film, applying the same drive, passion, and business savvy that have made her previous ventures globally successful. Bankable is based in New York, and Bankable Productions is based in Los Angeles.
Banks currently resides in New York City.
love u tyra...uve done soooo uch
Tyra, I love how you try to promote a non western view of beauty on the Tyra show but I cannot get past the hypocrisy of your actions. Top model only perpetuates an image of beauty that imposes pressure on many woman. Th ... moreTyra, I love how you try to promote a non western view of beauty on the Tyra show but I cannot get past the hypocrisy of your actions. Top model only perpetuates an image of beauty that imposes pressure on many woman. The ideal of a tall, thin and disposable woman is what you are essentially promoting. Your capitalistic agenda will always set you back into traditional western views thus leaving you in the hypocrisy you live in now.
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Tyra! You are the most beautiful lady inside and out! Not only for your outside beauty but also for all of the efforts you put in to changing the life of others. You have an excellent personality and you are so awesome f ... moreTyra! You are the most beautiful lady inside and out! Not only for your outside beauty but also for all of the efforts you put in to changing the life of others. You have an excellent personality and you are so awesome for helping so many people and young girls that look up to you just like me! Love, Brielle♥
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Reading this inspires me... It's wonderful, all that you have accomplished, also your such a Beautiful (BIO) and generous person.. Your truly a Woman Of Worth, that's what my pastor would call an inspirationl and compasi ... moreReading this inspires me... It's wonderful, all that you have accomplished, also your such a Beautiful (BIO) and generous person.. Your truly a Woman Of Worth, that's what my pastor would call an inspirationl and compasionate woman like you!! :) Your a Great Role model....
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I cant exspress enough how beautiful you are..i dont mean just you as in an image i mean over all, If i had to define beauty it would be you..your compassionate, loyal humble ( you are a celebrity but you dont let it go ... moreI cant exspress enough how beautiful you are..i dont mean just you as in an image i mean over all, If i had to define beauty it would be you..your compassionate, loyal humble ( you are a celebrity but you dont let it go to your head), enthusiastic, inspiring, generous, You definetly dont try to be something your not..but i mean...seriously is there anything you cant be...YouRs TruLy (inSpired to be all i can be) STEPHANIE!!!!
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I knew you were on top of your game but wow Tyra you are truely amazing, My sister and i both look up to you. We love you Tyra!!!!
this is why i look up 2 you! love u tyra
tyra, you are AMAZING- in everything you do. you are a great role model for young women like myself. you have so much power, determination, and motivation. i really wish i had your drive. sometimes i just feel so blaah. ... moretyra, you are AMAZING- in everything you do. you are a great role model for young women like myself. you have so much power, determination, and motivation. i really wish i had your drive. sometimes i just feel so blaah. but hopefully everything falls into place. thank you for doing what you do (it really works), thank you being there for us (even if it isn't in person). thank you for being such an inspiration. Love you tyra!
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Wow tyra you are AMAZINGGGG!!!!!!!
Hi~~Tyra~When does ANTM come to China again?Could I have the chance to see you in Beijing?I love to see ANTM very much,and I like you so much,so does Mr&Miss J.You are strong、beautiful and sweet....Sorry my english is ... moreHi~~Tyra~When does ANTM come to China again?Could I have the chance to see you in Beijing?I love to see ANTM very much,and I like you so much,so does Mr&Miss J.You are strong、beautiful and sweet....Sorry my english is so poor that I couldn't express my thoughts and excited inside to you.But,hope you everything goes well and you could see my words.
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If i could get a chance to share my experiences with you and educate others that would be wonderful. Thank you Tyra for all that you do!
Tyra I just wanted to tell you that the issues you bring to light on your show have really impacted, inspired, and educated thousands of people around the world. Thank you for taking the time and effort to go above and b ... moreTyra I just wanted to tell you that the issues you bring to light on your show have really impacted, inspired, and educated thousands of people around the world. Thank you for taking the time and effort to go above and beyond just your career to help those around you. There are many girls struggling with there self esteem (myself included) and i'm sure they all appreciate as do i the emphasis you but on believing in yourself and focusing on all around beauty. I have been through some devastating situations in my life and I would like an opportunity use that to help and empower other women.
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Beautiful inside out indeed
Hi Ms.Banks, I wanted to share with you one of my goals, inspired by your BIO campaign!!! It all started with social studies class.... one of my best guy friends was telling me who he was about to ask out. I was shocke ... moreHi Ms.Banks,
I wanted to share with you one of my goals, inspired by your BIO campaign!!!
It all started with social studies class.... one of my best guy friends was telling me who he was about to ask out. I was shocked to find out that this girl he was about to ask out, I didn’t like! long story short, I texted her asking if she didn’t like me,( I personally thought she was being a @#%$ at first because A. she made fun of my best friend and any one that EVER says or does anything to offend me or some one I don’t even know … uh oh no that will NOT happen !) she replied “what no! ... i think that u guys were rly nice and i was just being retarded in the beginning of the year and i am so sorry to both of u ..i didnt mean it i swear to god .im sry I just dnt think before I talk”
After we talked for a while as to why she made fun of people, I brought up this one girl in particular she is made fun of and joked about constantly. She hasn’t said any thing out loud that it bothers her but she’s my friend and she doesn’t deserve to be treated like this. I mean she has it bad enough that 8 people a day make fun of her... You may not think that it makes a difference but believe me it does … its just one less person to hide from. I stared to tell her that if we start with one person we can change the way people act, make kids want to go to school. We are discriminated because of the way we are... Sure we aren’t popular, stick thin and have these great bodies guys drool over, but at least ill give us confidence to hold our head up high. When I was writing this to her I was crying, it was that important to me. Us girls just want to be told that we r beautiful and we want to be loved, told we r special and wanted! Women have at least one thousand pictures and movies telling us that we have to be this and that to be accepted, and for some one to pay attention to you. Guys just want to be told that we are proud of them! Millions of men, women, teens and children suffer because of what the society tells them to be. So anyway I plan to let every one know that they are beautiful in side and out. (even if it is one person at a time)
p.s I am a 14 years old ,and I am tired of looking right and left at people an posters who want me and many others to be something were not.! Andddd I love ur show ekkk!!!!!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
All my love, Tahlia Martinez
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wow Tyra your an inspiration a true idol to me . you have accomplished so much in your life so far i hope to see more of your work. thank you for being so inspiring.:)
Tyra you are simply the best. My friend think im crazy whenever i bring up your name she goes crazy. Lol I believe you have a huge effect on peoples lives. You help young people all over. I know because I'm one of them. ... moreTyra you are simply the best. My friend think im crazy whenever i bring up your name she goes crazy. Lol I believe you have a huge effect on peoples lives. You help young people all over. I know because I'm one of them. :) Im sad about your show but i look forward to seeing whats next :) One day i wanna meet you. :). I also hope top model continues cause im ready :)
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You are really inspirational Tyra. Your work and passion for your work and for others is truly amazing. You have a big heart. What I love most about you is that you don't have favorites. You reach out to people from all ... moreYou are really inspirational Tyra. Your work and passion for your work and for others is truly amazing. You have a big heart. What I love most about you is that you don't have favorites. You reach out to people from all walks of life. Continue being you, for many look up to you. You ARE a role model.
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you are an ICON for everyone.
like I said, your a true blessing Tyra
Wow The Lord made you so beautiful Tyra and such an inspiration to us all.