Tyra Banks

The first time I ever noticed my hero, Tyra Banks, was in 4th grade while I was watching her host America’s Next Top Model. The reason she quickly became one of the people I aspire to be like is that she became something huge when she was nothing. She had a dream and she followed it all the way to the top. Also, everything she has said on America’s Next Top Model is very inspirational. For example, when she says, "A smart model is a good model," I think it applies to life as well as modeling. When you live your life smart, you live your life well.

Tyra Banks is a world renowned model, as well as a talk show host. She has been modeling since the age of 17. In the beginning, she had many doors slammed in her face. However, her mother encouraged her to persevere to be the best which is just what she did. She started off with Elite Model Management and her career sky-rocketed from there from booking in fashion shows, to bookings on television. Tyra Banks was one of the first three African American woman to secure a contract with Cover Girl Cosmetics. She was also the first black woman on the cover of GQ Magazine where she inspired young African American girls all over the world. Banks was accepted to Loyola Marymount. She pursued her career as a model in high school. She has no former training, which means she practically started from scratch. Tyra Banks has a salary that any woman would die for. She makes over eighteen million dollars a year.

As a kid, Banks looked awkward. She was too skinny, had braces, and had glasses. However, she was very smart and paid attention in class. In school she was always teased because of her height, little did she know that because of her height, she would be an amazing model. She often went home crying because she was being teased so much. However, when she finally went to high school, things brightened up. This happened because she started modeling.

Tyra Banks is more than just a model. She contributes to society in many, many ways. She considers education to be a very important thing in life and is backing it up by helping to provide an after-school reading education program. Tyra even has her own book out! It is called "Tyra's Beauty Inside and Out." Tyra planted a tree along with NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Claire Unabia, Saliesha Cooper and Jaslene Gonzalez from America’s Next Top Model as part of “Million Tree Month.” She also supports: "Dream Foundation, Yéle Haiti Foundation, and tZONE."

In order to be like Tyra Banks, I am going to try and pay attention in school to be as smart as she is. Also, I am going to make a portfolio of my pictures and apply to various modeling agencies. Even though Tyra didn't go to college, I am going to attend college so that I can take business classes to become a smart model. In my lifetime as a whole, I am going to try and be a good role model for many people all over the world, and if I receive enough income I hope to help various charities all over the world. If I could be as inspirational as Tyra Banks I would be satisfied.