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Tyra Banks is a trailblazing supermodel, television personality, and entrepreneur who has left an indelible mark on the fashion and entertainment industries. As one of the most iconic models in fashion history, she shattered barriers and collected a long list of ‘firsts.’ An original Victoria’s Secret Angel, Banks also made history as the first female model to grace the cover of GQ and the first Black model to appear on the covers of the Victoria’s Secret catalog and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She broke the internet with her triumphant return to the Victoria's Secret Runway in October 2024, nearly 20 years after her retirement.
 
Tyra has always believed in expanding the definition of beauty. She created and executive produced America’s Next Top Model to showcase the modeling industry and introduce unique beauties who, at the time, were not widely accepted in fashion. One of the longest-running reality TV series, ANTM spanned 24 cycles, aired in 180 countries, and led to over 40 official international versions, cementing its place as a global pop culture phenomenon. She recently appeared as a guest judge in the 21st season of PROJECT RUNWAY and will be a recurring judge in the upcoming 22nd season.
 
A true visionary with an unmatched ability to tap into the cultural pulse, Tyra didn’t just predict trends—she created them. She coined the word SMiZE (smile with your eyes), which became a global phenomenon—spoken, practiced, and embedded in pop culture worldwide.
 
In 2012, driven by a hunger to sharpen her entrepreneurial instincts, Tyra graduated from Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management program. A dynamic and engaging educator, she taught Branding at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business for three years, bringing her visionary approach to the classroom.
 
She was named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s 100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment, and Entertainment Weekly’s 25 Smartest in Television. During her time hosting and executive producing Dancing with the Stars for three seasons, ratings increased exponentially, beating America's Got Talent for the first time after she previously hosted that show in 2017.
 
Banks was also honored as one of Glamour magazine’s coveted Women of the Year, alongside former U.S. Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
 
Tyra has won two Emmy Awards for her talk show, The Tyra Banks Show, the first show ever to receive the award in the new informative category. Named twice to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World list, she also claimed the #1 spot on Forbes’ ranking of top-earning women in primetime for two consecutive years.
 
In May 2019, at 45 years old, Tyra broke beauty barriers once again, becoming the oldest model at the time to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue—22 years after her first. Her return shattered records, driving the highest traffic to SI.com in history.
 
An astute businesswoman, Tyra Banks has built a multifaceted brand that extends far beyond fashion and television. In homage to her mother, she founded SMiZE & DREAM, a rapidly expanding global ice cream company with a mission to inspire. Embodying Banks’ signature mix of fun, creativity, and empowerment, it features bold, inventive flavors and a hidden sweet treasure—the SMiZE SURPRiZE—a delicious and playful reminder to dig deeper, dream bigger, and leave ordinary behind. A philosophy passed down from Mama Carolyn to Tyra—now shared with the world, one scoop at a time. Her entertainment company Bankable Productions has relaunched as SMiZE Productions.

Tyra authored Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss (2018), in addition to scripted novel Modelland and self-help guide Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out. She launched the TZONE Foundation over 15 years ago, a non-profit focused on self-esteem, beauty and body image.
 
Born and raised in Inglewood, California, Tyra now splits her time between the United States and Australia and is a proud mother to her son, York.