When you think of the perfect woman, Tyra Banks comes pretty damn close. She’s absolutely stunning, showing off her beautiful face and solid body in magazines all around the world, complemented by a great heart and fantastic personality. It’s hard to find any flaws on this supermodel, and we’d be surprised if she had any. Tyra started her modeling career at the age of 17 when she was signed by Elite and shipped off to Paris to model for Ralph Lauren and Chanel. She later became the first black woman ever to be featured on the covers of GQ, the Victoria’s Secret catalog and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
In 1997, Tyra was honored with the Michael Award for Supermodel of the Year and secured an exclusive contract with Victoria’s Secret. She has also appeared in ad campaigns for Nike, Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger and just about every other big name designer. Her other achievements include being named on People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful Women list twice, writing her biography “Tyra’s Beauty Inside and Out” and founding the T-Zone, an annual weeklong summer camp experience for teenage girls. Tyra’s more recent projects include a modeling reality series she created and a continuation of her slow and steady introduction into Hollywood. With her star power on an all-time high and a hit TV show to prove it, Tyra can do just about anything she wants.
Tyra on the Screen
Tyra made her first major debut in the John Singleton film “Higher Learning” before landing a recurring role on the hit sitcom “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Since then, Tyra has been featured in bit roles in “Love & Basketball,” “Halloween: Resurrection” and “Coyote Ugly.” Her latest gig on “America’s Next Top Model” has reinvented the supermodel diva and opened even more doors of opportunity for the queen of firsts.
Tyra on Video
Tyra on SI
Sports Illustrated’s 50 Greatest Swimsuit Models: 4 Tyra Banks.
Tyra on VS
Tyra Banks Victoria’s Secret runway walk compilation.
Rainforest photoshoot
Sexy behind-the-scenes photoshoot.
Tyra Says
On being a sex symbol:
“Black women have always been these vixens, these animalistic erotic women. Why can’t we just be the sexy American girl next door?”