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Tyra Banks Profile |
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Birth Date: December 4, 1973
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Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, USA
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Birth Name: Tyra Lynn Banks
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Height: 5'9"
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Biography |
Tyra was born in Los Angeles on December 4th, 1973, to a
very loving and supportive family. Despite the divorce of
her parents when she was only six years old, and the
torments of her older brother Devin, Tyra's youth was happy
and trouble-free.
Though it might now be hard to believe, Tyra was a tall,
skinny and awkward adolescent. She was constantly teased by
her brother and her classmates, and often ran home crying to
her mother for comfort. Then, late in high school,
everything changed for her. She filled out her skinny frame,
began to work out and finally decided to become a model.
Tyra pursued that goal with the determination that now marks
all of her activities.
And after being turned down by four modeling agencies
because they thought her face wasn't photogenic, she was
finally signed by the Elite agency when she was 17.
So, instead of going to Loyola Marymount College, Tyra moved
to Paris for a year and modeled for many of the big names in
fashion, including Ralph Lauren and Chanel. She then moved
back to the States and continued modeling, rocketing her way
up through the ranks.
Soon Tyra began to diversify her activities, having a small
part in the British television movie, Inferno as a
supermodel, and then appearing on Will Smith's Fresh Prince
of Bel-Air in a recurring supporting role.
Tyra's first real movie role came in John Singleton's Higher
Learning. She played Omar Epps' track-running girlfriend and
though it was a small role, critics were impressed by the
intensity she brought to the screen.
She was definitely not just another supermodel playing at
being an actress -- her performance was the real thing. She
even did some distance-running training, in order to turn in
a more believable performance. When the film came out, movie
offers began to roll in, but Tyra chose not to act in just
anything. Instead, she continued her meteoric rise in the
modeling ranks, appearing on the covers of several
magazines.
In fact, she was the first African-American woman ever to be
featured on the covers of GQ magazine, the Victoria's Secret
catalog, and the famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
She made People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful" list not
once, but twice, and even wrote a revealing book about her
life, Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out. She also had a few
high-profile relationships, first with John Singleton and
then with pop singer Seal. She is rumored to have gone out
with Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and... Mark Messier?
Strangely enough, yes.
Sick of the constant scrutiny inherent in celebrity
relationships, she returned to her high school sweetheart, a
law student; but that didn't protect her from the rumors,
most recently linking her with LA Lakers Kobe Bryant, Rick
Fox, and even Teresa Weatherspoon, who plays for New York in
the WNBA. In interviews, however, Tyra often says that she
is looking for a "Normal Guy", albeit a tall one -- she
measures 5'11".
Tyra appeared in one or two movies during this time, but
only really began to work in Hollywood last year, with a
small part in Love Stinks. Then, the year 2000 brought with
it a supporting role in the popular independent film Love &
Basketball, and a starring role in the made-for-TV Disney
movie Life-Size (in which she played a doll brought to life
by a wish).
Now an important part in Coyote Ugly has brought Tyra back
into the limelight. She plays a wild bartender, which is
quite ironic because she has said several times that she
doesn't drink alcohol.
She doesn't watch what she eats, though, unlike most other
models; she has gone on record stating that she often eats
barbecued ribs, fried chicken wings, ice cream, and
fast-food. In one talk show appearance, Tyra proclaimed her
love for Ketchup packets, and argued that the sole purpose
of french fries was to allow you to scoop up puddles of
ketchup.
So how does she stay in shape? She plays lots of sports,
particularly basketball and tennis, and makes sure she
always has fun while exercising.
The future looks bright for Tyra Banks. She stars in two
upcoming movies, one of which -- Disney's Honey Thunder Dunk
-- she will also be producing, she is one of the richest
supermodels in the world, with a personal wealth recently
valued at 8.8 million dollars, and there were even rumors a
few months ago that Oprah Winfrey is grooming her to take
over her show. |
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Other
Information |
Has an older brother named Devin.
CEO of her own company TYInc.
Dated John Singleton.
Named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" by
people magazine.(1994)
In 1994, she started the Tyra Banks Scholarship.
Professional model.
Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the most beautiful
people in the world. [1996]
First African American model to appear on the cover of
Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition
Is a "Youth Correspondent" for "The Oprah Winfrey Show"
(1986), and there is speculation that Oprah Winfrey is
training Tyra to eventually take over the show (as of
February 2000).
Took Second Place by the readers of Black Men Magazine for
"The 10 Sexiest Women of the Year." [2000]
Measurements: 34C-23 1/2-35 1/2. (Source: Celebrity Sleuth
magazine)
Size 9 shoe. (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
Does not drink alcohol.
Dated Sacramento Kings player Chris Webber for over three
years
Started a singing career with the song "Shake Ya Body",
introduced on her show "America's Next Top Model" (2003).
Ranked 54 on VH1's 100 Hottest Hotties
Claims that her career was difficult in part because of a
rivalry with another black top model, Naomi Campbell. Banks
has said that Campbell, who was more famous, would get her
thrown off of fashion shows.
Paid $30,000 of her own money to finance the music video for
her song "Shake Ya Body," which appeared on her show
"America's Next Top Model" (2003).
Created TZONE, a leadership and life skills development
program for primarily disadvantaged teen girls in the
greater Los Angeles area. As of 2005, more than 240 girls
have gone through the program.
Was accepted at UCLA and USC.
Signed with Elite Model Management her senior year of high
school.
Her mother, Carolyn London, is a professional photographer,
and worked as her manager.
Grew up in Inglewood, California.
Her friends used to call her "The Black Widow" because she
used to break up with men she was dating before they would
break up with her.
Her mother Carolyn London is her best friend.
Her brother Devin's ex-wife and children appeared on an
episode of "America's Next Top Model" (2003) when the models
are in Japan.
When she was eleven, she grew four inches and lost 30
pounds.
Her older brother Devin who tormented her as a child. As
adults, the two are friends.
Her parents, Carolyn London and Don Banks, divorced when she
was six years old.
Is allergic to dogs.
In 2005, she revealed on "The Tyra Banks Show" (2005) that
her measurements are 34-28-40.
She & Naomi Campbell reconciled on her talk show, "The Tyra
Banks Show" (2005) (November 2005).
Received the Michael Award for "Supermodel of the Year."
Was named "Woman of the Year" for 2000 by Sports
Illustrated.
Served as maid of honor at the wedding of best friend Kimora
Lee to Russell Simmons
Her first name is an old Danish name, originally from the
vikings. |
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