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Tyra Banks. |
Tyra Lynne Banks (born December 4, 1973) is an African-American television personality, producer, author, actress, and former model.
Tyra, originally a California girl, comes from a brainy background. Her parents are Caroline London (now London-Johnson), a NASA photographer, and Donald Banks, a computer consultant.
Tyra was determined to become a model and was rejected by four modeling agencies before she was signed by L.A. Models.
Tyra switched to Elite Model Management at age 16. She achieved worldwide renown upon walking at 25 shows at the 1991 Paris Fashion Week.
Banks then moved on to the upper tiers of mmodeling breaking barriers along the way. She was the first African American woman on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. and in 1997 received the VH1 award for, "Supermodel of the Year."
That year she also became the first-ever African American chosen for the cover of the Victoria's Secret catalog.
Tyra's fame became too intense for just the modelling world, so she moved into acting. She appeared in seven episodes of "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
Tyra followed up with many other tv shows and movies such as "Higher Learning."
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Tyra on "America's Next Top Model," a huge success because of her engaging personality. |
Tyra then started her own production company, which produced numerous popular shows in which she starred: "The Tyra Banks Show," "America's Next Top Model," and many other productions.
Tyra is active in charities and philanthropic endeavors. She is a legend of modelling and has mentored many aspiring models. Tyra Banks remains a force to be reckoned with and a major celebrity.
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Tyra making a funny face - she's just fooling around, she's a beauty, of course. |
Tyra announced that she and her boyfriend, Erik Asla, had a baby boy via surrogate on 27 January 2016. The baby is named York Banks Asla.
Tyra Banks is behind the TZONE charity, as well as the Tyra Banks Scholarship for girls wishing to attend her high school, Immaculate Heart High School.
2018