Some women move mountains by rising to the top as a
supermodel. Only a few woman rock the planet, to break not only
the obstacle any model faces, but being a black woman in an
industry dominated by white girls, on top of that. Tyra Banks is
one such woman. She is a remarkable human being.
In the fashion industry, over the course of her distinguished
career, the sexy Tyra Banks became the first African-American
model to grace the covers of GQ and the coveted Sports
Illustrated Swimsuit issue. The following year, she was featured
on the cover of the famed Victoria’s Secret catalog, an
honor she received again and again. In 2003, Tyra Banks became a
true pioneer in reality TV when she created, executive produced,
and hosted the tremendously successful “America’s
Next Top Model.” The entertaining show quickly became a
phenomenon and was UPN's most-watched program for six cycles. In
2006, “Top Model” was chosen to launch the brand new
CW Network. Starpower Management’s Bruce Edwin
states,”Tyra paved the way for other modeling related shows
such as Project Runway, to succeed. She has given a personal face
and view, to a business otherwise shrouded in secrecy. She has
made fashion and modeling more exciting, with a modern
flair.” Next, with the launch of her syndicated daily talk
show “The Tyra Banks Show,” Ms. Banks became one of
the few women to be seen regularly on both daytime and primetime
television. Premiering in 2005, the talk show quickly became one
of the most popular new daytime programs on the air, and
continues to boast the youngest audience in daytime. The CW
recently announced that Banks will rule the network’s
Wednesday night lineup, beginning September 2008, when the new
reality series “Stylista” will air immediately
following “Top Model.” Banks is executive producing
the new primetime series. “Stylista,” is the reality
version of the Devil Wears Prada featuring aspiring young
hopefuls battling for a coveted fashion editor position with Elle
magazine.
In January 2009, Banks will be introducing “True
Beauty,” a primetime series airing on ABC which she will be
executive producing alongside another TV producing powerhouse,
Ashton Kutcher.
Equally important to Banks is her dedication to today's youth.
After writing Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out (HarperCollins), she
realized that the trials she overcame as a teen could be used to
connect with girls who struggled with self-esteem issues. At the
young age of 19, Banks established a scholarship in her name to
give African-American girls the opportunity to attend her alma
mater, Immaculate Heart High School.
She expanded her charitable outreach in July 2000 when her
self-funded foundation sponsored the first year of TZONE, an
annual summer camp experience for teenage girls designed to
encourage independence, and enhance self-esteem. TZONE has
transitioned into a grant-making organization, whose mission is
to build a sisterhood movement, as well as to foster supportive
female relationships. To this end, TZONE raises funds and awards
grants to community-based nonprofits that serve low-income women
and girls through innovative programs and services. For more
information about TZONE, visit the website at
www.tzonefoundation.com.
Tyra is without a doubt, one of the hottest Top 10 supermodels of
all time. For the rest of our top 10 list so far, of the hottest
supermodels ever, check out our archives section.
www.tyrabanks.com
sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009
© 2009, The Hollywood Sentinel.