Tyra Banks

An early modeling shot of Tyra Banks. (http://wallpampers.com/pictures/10210/Tyra-Banks-wallpaper.jpg)

As a young girl, Tyra Banks was teased and ridiculed by her peers, giving her the empathy to help others. The kids called her Olive Oyl, Light bulb head, and Five head, lowering her self esteem to a point where she loathed going to school. Who would have known that just a few years later, she would become the most famous supermodel in the world. Tyra Lynn Banks was born on December 4, 1973 in Inglewood, California to Don Banks, a computer consultant and Carolyn Banks, a medical Photographer. After enduring a tough childhood in which her parents divorced, Tyra moved to Paris to start her modeling career. At just seventeen, her career began to blossom as she booked twenty-five fashion shows in a single year. Tyra’s modeling resume includes being the first African American woman to cover the Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition, becoming a spokes model for Cover Girl, a Victoria Secret Angel, and being named People Magazine’s “Most Beautiful Woman.” Yet, even after Tyra’s numerous prestigious awards and accomplishments, she still acts humbly and down to earth. Most of Tyra’s most important accomplishments have nothing to do with her beautiful face or perfect body. Tyra has not only succeeded in becoming an international supermodel, her success in creating a foundation helping young girls around the world and her determination in conquering all aspects of the entertainment industry is what makes her a true hero.

Tyra hanging out with the girls of TZONE. (http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z304/xSabax3/?action=view¤t=111808_banks_400x400-1.jpg)

Even after becoming a world famous supermodel, Tyra still remembers the pain it caused her getting bullied as a child. As a result, she created 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” (Tyra Banks). TZONE was born in 1999 when Tyra, passionate about inspiring girls to believe in themselves and take control of their lives, launched the TZONE camps. Tyra Banks created the TZONE foundation to help girls become the best that they can be because she cares about them. Her childhood was not ideal, but the difference in the lives of young girls that she is making is a true selfless act. This act of kindness towards the young girls and women she doesn’t even know shows her compassion and empathy towards others. Although Tyra Banks is most commonly known for her beauty on the outside, the beauty she has on the inside is what makes her a true hero and inspiration. Her works in helping girls accept themselves as who they are and her encouragement in them becoming strong and independent, impacts the role in society for women around the world. Tyra has always emphasized the importance of education for young women: “In May 2009, “The Tyra Banks Show” presented five deserving women with “full-ride” scholarships to online colleges. Banks also started a scholarship foundation to enable other African-American girls to attend her high school, Immaculate Heart” (Gale Student Recourses). Tyra’s kindness has changed many lives. She gives girls who can not afford it, the gift of an education, and therefore, a bright new future. She uses her own hard earned money to ultimately change lives. This shows that Tyra does not take her own fortune for granted, and is always generous and charitable. She uses her wisdom, fortune, and experiences to change lives, making her a true inspiration.

Tyra winning an emmy award for The Tyra Show. (http://wallpampers.com/pictures/10210/Tyra-Banks-wallpaper.jpg)

Tyra faced many challenges and obstacles in her life, but her perseverance and determination to accomplish her goals lead her to success. Tyra was not always as glamorous and successful as she is today, she was once a young girl trying to make it, and after overcoming rejections and prejudice and rumors and criticism, she finally did it: “Her first attempts to find a modeling agency were met with rejection and discrimination. Banks remembers that one agency said she looked ‘too ethnic’ and another said that it ‘already had a black woman and didn’t want another’” (Biography.com). Tyra was discriminated against and rejected, but her strength and determination to become a model let her overcome the hurt and drove her to turn into an international supermodel. Heroes overcome the unjustness of the world and make themselves the best that they can be, just as Tyra Banks did. After her success in modeling, Tyra was determined to conquer other areas of entertainment: “When asked why she made the switch from modeling to hosting TV shows, Tyra answered, “I want power. The power to make change” (TV Guide). She was determined to prove she was more than just a model stating: “You think I’m just a model? Well, then, let me show you” (Biography.com). And she did show everyone that she had more than beauty; creating, producing, and hosting two hit shows, “America’s Next Top Model” and “The Tyra Show.” When Tyra puts her mind to something, she accomplishes it. Through doubt and criticism from the media and her fans, Tyra is the epitome of a strong, independent woman. She inspires girls to have goals and never let anyone get in the way of achieving them. Tyra’s ambition and power shows that she’s a true hero because she accomplished her goals with hard work.

Tyra Banks has proved herself to be a truly beautiful person on the inside and out. Her success in modeling, acting, producing, and hosting, shows the determination that she has to be more than a pretty face and her work with the TZONE foundation and other charities illustrate the empathy and compassion in her heart to help others. Tyra Banks demonstrates that with the right attitude, hard work, and doing what is right, you can live your life to the fullest and fulfill your dream along the way. Her beauty shines from within, inspiring girls to never give up their dreams, or their compassion. As Tara Grady once said, “A person is only beautiful, when their own beauty, is reflecting onto others.”

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TV Guide. “Tyra Banks: Biography.” Editorial. TV Guide. Lionsgate, 11 Apr. 2009. Web. 14 Dec. 2010.