If you're obsessed with "America's Next Top Model," like me, you probably already know that there is a lot to love about Tyra Banks. She's a model, businesswomen, producer, and influencer. With an unparalleled drive and personality, Tyra is a force to be reckoned with.
Here are some of my favorite Tyra moments.
1. When she taught you how to smize
Smize = smile with your eyes. If there’s one thing America’s Next Top Model is known for, it’s Tyra’s famous smize. We’ve all done it, but she was the one who made the name famous. And no one can smize quite like she does.
2. When she showed you that you are not defined by your hair
Every cycle, the contestants receive a makeover, which usually consists of some sort of dramatic haircut/restyle. It’s always an emotion-filled, sometimes traumatic episode — people get really attached to their hair... But Tyra knows that your hair doesn’t define your beauty, and no matter what style you get, you can still be fierce.
3. When she reminded you that your mom is the most important woman in the world
Tyra talks about her mom on ANTM all the time. Here are some of her fav lessons from the woman who raised her:
“My mom never taught me to be waiting for some prince on a white horse to swipe me off my feet.”
“One thing my mom used to tell me was to look to the other side, and know that my present is not going to be everything. So, if I’m having a bad day, she says, ‘Just imagine tomorrow. This is going to be over. This is going to be done with.'”
4. When she shut down the body-shamers
Tyra is known for her body positivity. She's been outspoken about her own body struggles and becoming comfortable with her curves.
In this video, Tyra lets everyone know that you don’t have to be perfect all the time and that she loves herself and her body in every form.
5. When she changed “plus-sized” to “fiercely real”
Since Tyra is a proponent of body positivity, it makes sense that she wouldn’t like a term that makes beautiful women feel like there’s something wrong with them. Tyra said, “I don’t want to use the term ‘plus size,’ because, to me, what the hell is that? It just doesn’t have a positive connotation to it.”
6. When she shut down homophobia
Tyra showed she wouldn’t stand for homophobia in cycle 21 when contestant Denzel spoke out about the fact that he didn’t want one of the gay contestants to win. She gave Denzel a piece of her mind at the panel in this video.
7. When she told you your flaws are FLAWSOME
To be “Flawsome” is to be awesome because of your flaws. Tyra’s ‘flaw’ is her ‘five-head’, which she shows off every chance she gets. Everyone has quirks, and Tyra makes sure you know that it's okay and possible to use them to your advantage.
8. When she showed you that sometimes it’s okay to act “like a damn fool”
Who doesn’t want to let loose and act a little crazy sometimes? That’s what one contestant was struggling to do in cycle 19, but Tyra showed her how to do it right.
9. When she took away the height and age limits
No restrictions for beauty? Sounds good to me! Tyra knows that beauty comes in all shapes, colors, ages, and heights.
Tyra Banks is not only a super model, she's a role model. She's used her platform to reach out to people all around the world, and she's made an incredible impact on the modeling industry.
