Tyra Banks is an American supermodel, television personality, actress, producer and businesswoman — one of the most famous figures in fashion and entertainment over the past three decades.

🌟 Early Life & Modelling Career

Tyra Lynne Banks was born on December 4, 1973, in Inglewood, California, USA. She began her modelling career as a teenager and quickly rose to international fame. In the 1990s, she became one of the few African American supermodels to reach global recognition and achieved several historic firsts in the industry, including:

• Being the first African American woman to appear on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
• Becoming one of the original Victoria’s Secret Angels — two achievements that cemented her status in fashion history.

📺 Television & Media Success

Banks didn’t stop at modelling. She built a hugely successful career in television:

• She created and hosted America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), one of the most influential modelling competition shows on TV that ran for many seasons internationally.
• She hosted The Tyra Banks Show, a daytime talk show that won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards.
• She went on to host high-profile reality and entertainment shows including America’s Got Talent and Dancing with the Stars.

🎬 Acting & Other Ventures

She has appeared in films and TV shows, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Higher Learning, Coyote Ugly and others. Beyond acting, Tyra has launched several business ventures, developed her own production company, and become involved in empowering young talent in modelling and media.

💼 Business & Influence

Tyra Banks is more than a model — she is a businesswoman and entrepreneur. Over the years she has:

• Founded Bankable Productions.
• Ventured into beauty and lifestyle brands.
• Played a major role in shaping reality television’s fashion storytelling.

🧠 Cultural Impact

Banks is widely credited with changing how modelling and body image are discussed in mainstream media. She popularised the idea of “smizing” — smiling with your eyes, a phrase that became part of global pop culture.

📝 Summary

Tyra Banks is a globally recognised figure whose influence spans modelling, television, entertainment and business. Her career has broken barriers in fashion and media, and she remains a powerful voice on issues like self-confidence, beauty standards and female empowerment.

Common Misconceptions

• She is not a bank or financial institution — the word “Banks” is her surname.
• “Tyara Bank” appears to be a misspelling of her name.