Tyra Banks

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Tyra Banks, the first thing that pops into mind, model. Tyra is much more than that. She is beautiful, talented, and kind. She is an actress, model, and talk show host. With all of the things she does, Tyra still makes time to help kids in need. She gives up time from her day to make sure the kids are happy. Banks takes on a lot, but through everything she does, she helps people. Whether it is inspiring girls to follow their dreams, or just talking to them, she will do anything she can to make a difference in the lives of people every day. Tyra Banks, the first African American on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swim suit issue, is more than a model. Tyra is a hero because she is determined, open minded, and makes a difference in kids lives.

Tyra Banks was born in 1973 in Los Angeles, California. Born to parents Carolyn London-Johnson and Don Banks. When Tyra was six her parents divorced. Banks attended a Catholic high school. After high school, Tyra decided to go to college and study film. Later, she starred in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on NBC-TV. She started modeling in France, 1991. Tyra’s father Don, handled her finances. She did not move out of the house until she was 21. Tyra was the first black women to appear on the cover of GQ, Sports Illustrated swim suit issue and the Victoria’s Secret magazine. She also does campaigns for Nike, Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Dolce and Gabbana. She received the Michael Award for Super model of the year in 1997. While Tyra was modeling, she had goals on the business-side of the industry also. “I wanted to be more of a business women. I wanted to take this name I had made for myself and take it to the next level.” Tyra now hosts her own television show “The Tyra Show” which is scheduled to end in 2010, so she can concentrate on her production company, Bankable Studios.

Tyra is determined at everything she does, whether it is modeling, doing her talk show, or helping girls at TZone. Banks is well talked about in the media. Many people talk about her as a women to look up to, like when they say, “Tyra Banks is a women of the year because she’s a TV powerhouse in terms of genuinely connecting to young women who see her as a real inspiration” (Sandell and Norman). This shows that Tyra is a hero to many people. She helps many young women accomplish their lifelong goals. Banks is looked up upon by many people because of her determination. It is believable that many people look up to her, Tyra should be rewarded for all her hard work. One of the accomplishments Tyra has made is starting the Tzone Foundation: “Tzone is not a place, it is a commitment to empower girls to be fierce, focused and in control of their futures” (Tzone). This program Tyra started helps young girls feel more confident about themselves. She feels that she can change girl lives. In life, she thrives to help women in general with any life problems they may have. This is more than nice deeds, Tyra just loves to help people and change their lives in some way. Tyra will be and is determined to help everybody and everything she can. Nobody can ever have too many goals in life, Tyra wants the best.

Tyra Banks strives for her goals everyday and always has. Today, she is a successful women. Banks tries to do good things every day. She is what she is today because of it. “ Banks formed a corporation- Tygirl, Inc- to better handle her multifaceted career” (Brennan). Tyra started this corporation to better her career. She knows what’s best for herself and her job. While trying to better others lives, she also betters her own. She never gives up on what she believes and she tries to do the best she can in life to make herself a role model for other people. Tyra knows her priorities in life: “ She was the first African American woman on the cover of Sports Illustrated; American designer Ralph Lauren wanted her for one of his lush, multipage and campaigns; and cosmetics giant cover girl made her the second African American to be offered a long-term deal with them” (Brennan). Tyra had many goals in life since she was little, one she achieved was modeling. She was very successful in that field. Banks tried and tried and never gave up. That is how she got this far in her career. Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to be a model. This shows if you try hard enough and believe you can accomplish anything. Tyra Banks betters her life and everyone else’s every day. Hero is a good way to describe her.

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Tyra inspires girls every day to go out and do what they dream. She makes a difference in the lives she touches. Many young girls will write to Tyra saying, “I look up to you, you’re not as skinny as everyone else. I think you're beautiful” (Stewart). It takes a lot for people to look up to someone. Tyra makes it easy, she is not the same as all the other models. She is beautiful in her own way. That inspires girls to see themselves as beautiful. Banks shows people they don’t have to be perfectly skinny to be beautiful. It is what is on the inside that makes a person. Tyra most inspires girls through her Tzone foundation: “I encourage girls to resist social pressures through a fierce self esteem adventure” (Tzone). Banks started Tzone to inspire many young girls. She talks to them about believing in themselves and making their lives better. When Tyra talks to girls, she inspires them to be better people and make themselves better. The girls look up to her and believe in every word she says. Tyra Banks is an inspiration to many people everywhere. Through her corporation, talk show, and modeling, she helps many people conquer their dreams.