50 Facts About Tyra Banks

Early Life and Beginnings

Tyra Banks' journey to stardom began in Inglewood, California. Her early life set the stage for her future success.

1. Tyra Lynne Banks was born on December 4, 1973, in Inglewood, California, to Carolyn and Donald Banks. Her father worked as a computer consultant, while her mother was a photographer.
2. Modeling Career started at the age of 15. Despite initial rejections due to her ethnic appearance, she signed with Elite Model Management in 1990.
3. Breakthrough came in 1991 when she became a new face of CoverGirl, making her one of the few Black models to achieve supermodel status.

Breaking Barriers in Modeling

Tyra Banks shattered numerous glass ceilings in the modeling industry, paving the way for future generations.

4. First Cover: In 1996, she became the first African-American woman to be featured on the cover of GQ magazine.
5. Sports Illustrated: In 1997, she became the first African-American woman to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
6. Victoria’s Secret Angel: From 1997 to 2005, she was one of the original Victoria’s Secret Angels, becoming a recognizable face in the lingerie industry.
7. Supermodel Status: By the early 2000s, she was one of the world’s top-earning models, breaking barriers in the fashion industry.

Acting and Television Career

Tyra Banks transitioned from modeling to acting and television, showcasing her versatility.

8. Acting Career: She made her acting debut in the 1994 drama film Higher Learning, co-starring with Omar Epps and Lauren Vélez.
9. Television Shows: Banks appeared in several TV shows, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Felicity, All That, and MADtv.
10. America’s Next Top Model: In 2003, she became the host and executive producer of America’s Next Top Model, which ran for 22 seasons.
11. The Tyra Banks Show: In 2005, she premiered her own daytime talk show, which won two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Show Informative in 2008 and 2009.
12. FABLife: In 2015, she co-hosted the talk show FABLife but left after less than three months to focus on her cosmetics company.
13. America’s Got Talent: In 2017, she hosted the 12th season of America’s Got Talent for two seasons.
14. Dancing with the Stars: In 2020, she became the host of Dancing with the Stars for its 29th season, also serving as an executive producer.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Tyra Banks has proven herself as a savvy businesswoman with various successful ventures.

15. Modelland: In 2010, she published a young adult novel titled Modelland, which topped The New York Times Best Seller list in 2011.
16. Bankable Productions: Her production company produced The Tyra Banks Show, America’s Next Top Model, and the 2008 film The Clique.
17. Cosmetics Line: In 2014, she founded the cosmetics brand Tyra Beauty, using a multi-level marketing system to recruit sales distributors known as "beautytainers."
18. Fashion and Beauty Website: In March 2011, she launched her fashion and beauty website "typeF.com," offering fashion and beauty tips.
19. Interactive Cosmetic E-commerce Site: In 2015, she launched "tyra.com," an interactive cosmetic e-commerce site.

Philanthropy and Influence

Tyra Banks has dedicated herself to philanthropy and has been recognized for her influence.

20. Philanthropy: Through her Tyra Banks TZONE Foundation, she advances opportunities for low-income and disadvantaged girls.
21. Time Magazine’s Most Influential People: She has been ranked among the world’s most influential people by Time magazine multiple times.
22. Legendary Supermodel Status: According to MODELS.com, she is one of only seventeen models to be ranked as a Legendary Supermodel.

Notable Achievements

Banks has achieved numerous milestones throughout her career.

23. CoverGirl Ambassador: In 1993, she signed a contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, launching advertising campaigns for the company.
24. Commercial Modeling: In the mid-1990s, she shifted her focus towards commercial modeling in the United States.
25. Victoria’s Secret Catalog: She was also featured on the cover of the Victoria’s Secret catalog.
26. Film Roles: Banks appeared in several films, including Love Stinks (1999), Love & Basketball (2000), Coyote Ugly (2000), Halloween: Resurrection (2002), and Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009).
27. Disney Films: One of her notable film roles was in the Disney film Life-Size, where she co-starred with Lindsay Lohan.
28. Reality TV Shows: Apart from America’s Next Top Model, she appeared in various reality TV shows such as Gossip Girl, Glee, and Black-ish.
29. Guest Appearances: Banks made guest appearances on several TV shows, including The Price Is Right as a "Barker's Beauty" and Space Ghost Coast to Coast in an episode titled "Chinatown".

Production and Creative Projects

Banks has also ventured into production and creative projects, showcasing her diverse talents.

30. Production Company: She started her production company, initially named Ty Ty Baby Productions but later changed to Bankable Productions.
31. ABC Comedy Series: In 2012, she co-created and produced an ABC comedy series based on her teenage years titled Fivehead.
32. Life-Size 2: In 2018, she returned to acting with her starring role in Life-Size 2, which premiered on Freeform.
33. Beauty Documentary Series: Banks will star and executive produce Beauty, a documentary series for Quibi.
34. Universal Television Deal: In 2018, she signed a deal with Universal Television.

Education and Personal Growth

Tyra Banks has always prioritized personal growth and education.

35. Harvard Business School: She enrolled at Harvard Business School to complete a non-degree certificate program designed for CEOs and top executives.
36. TYRA Beauty: Her cosmetics line uses a multi-level marketing system to recruit sales distributors known as "beautytainers."
37. Original Beauty Models: She held a casting call to find faces for her cosmetics line, selecting models like Melody Parra, Monique Hayward, Katy Harvey, and Marita Gomsrud.
38. Interactive Cosmetic E-commerce Site: The interactive cosmetic e-commerce site "tyra.com" allows users to engage with her cosmetics line and purchase products directly.

Legacy and Impact

Tyra Banks' legacy extends beyond her career, inspiring countless young women.

39. Philanthropic Work: Through her Tyra Banks TZONE Foundation, she advances opportunities for low-income and disadvantaged girls.
40. Time Magazine’s Most Influential People: She has been ranked among the world’s most influential people by Time magazine multiple times.
41. Legendary Supermodel Status: According to MODELS.com, she is one of only seventeen models to be ranked as a Legendary Supermodel.
42. CoverGirl Ambassador: In 1993, she signed a contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, launching advertising campaigns for the company.
43. Commercial Modeling: In the mid-1990s, she shifted her focus towards commercial modeling in the United States.
44. Victoria’s Secret Catalog: She was also featured on the cover of the Victoria’s Secret catalog.
45. Film Roles: Banks appeared in several films, including Love Stinks (1999), Love & Basketball (2000), Coyote Ugly (2000), Halloween: Resurrection (2002), and Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009).
46. Disney Films: One of her notable film roles was in the Disney film Life-Size, where she co-starred with Lindsay Lohan.
47. Reality TV Shows: Apart from America’s Next Top Model, she appeared in various reality TV shows such as Gossip Girl, Glee, and Black-ish.
48. Guest Appearances: Banks made guest appearances on several TV shows, including The Price Is Right as a "Barker's Beauty" and Space Ghost Coast to Coast in an episode titled "Chinatown".
49. Production Company: She started her production company, initially named Ty Ty Baby Productions but later changed to Bankable Productions.
50. Legacy: Tyra Banks’ legacy extends beyond her modeling and acting career. She has inspired countless young women through her philanthropic work and her commitment to empowering them. Her impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable, making her one of the most influential figures of our time.

Tyra Banks: A True Icon

Tyra Banks has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. From her early days as a trailblazing model to her roles as a TV host, producer, and actress, she’s consistently broken barriers. Her achievements, like being the first African-American woman on the covers of GQ and Sports Illustrated, highlight her impact. Beyond modeling, she’s made waves with America’s Next Top Model, The Tyra Banks Show, and her cosmetics line, Tyra Beauty. Her philanthropic efforts, especially through the Tyra Banks TZONE Foundation, show her dedication to empowering young women. Tyra’s influence extends far beyond the runway, making her a true icon in modern entertainment. Her legacy of breaking barriers and inspiring others will undoubtedly continue for years to come.