Banks stands proudly as one of four African Americans and seven women to have repeatedly been ranked among the world’s most influential people by Time magazine. she is also one of only seventeen models to be ranked as a Legendary Supermodel by MODELS.com.
American model, actress, entrepreneur and producer Tyra Lynne Banks, born in Inglewood, California, started off in the fashion world at 15 as a model, from there she worked her way up to superstardom becoming the first woman of African-American descent to be featured on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, on which she appeared thrice.
1993 would prove a major year for the star, Banks signed a major contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, which catapulted her to fame cementing her place as a supermodel.
Same year, the then budding celebrity explored the movie world and was featured in a recurring role on several episodes of hit television comedy series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–96). 1995 saw her make her movie debut in the dramatic film Higher Learning. The multi talented star later bagged other film roles starring in: Life-Size, Coyote Ugly with small roles in the romantic film Love & Basketball, Gossip Girl and Glee.
From 1997 to 2005, Tyra Banks was noted as one of the original Victoria’s Secret Angels – by early 2000s, she proudly became one of the world’s top-earning models.
But the 5 ft 10 inches beauty had other callings that needed fulfillment; in 2003 she launched America’s Next Top Model, one of the most successful reality television show franchises in global history till date, produced by Ken Mok and Kenya Barris, creator of “Black-ish” and #BlackAF the hit show would later serve as pioneer to different model brands.
2005 saw the launch of her daily television talk show, The Tyra Banks Show.
2010, Banks added author to her growing list of titles publishing a young adult novel titled Modelland, based on her life as a model. It topped The New York Times Best Seller list.
Tyra is a proud recipient of: Teen Choice Awards, Daytime Emmy Award, BET awards amongst others.
In more recent news, America’s Next Top Model” alum Tyra Banks is set over hosting duties on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” replacing Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews.
