Tyra Banks

Picture this; a young African American girl parades around her home in a large, pink feathered boa, a bath robe, and her mother's dressy work wedges. She spins, frolics, and poses for imaginary cameras, while signing autographs for imaginary fans. Who knew this little girl would grow to become the famous model and actress; Tyra Banks. She inspires young people to love themselves for who they are, and not what others want them to be. Growing up and going to school, young Banks attended Immaculate Hearts Catholic private school, living between her mothers' and father's separate homes throughout the years. As she approached her final years in school she hit a growth spurt, reaching her final adult height of 5 feet 11 inches tall in a matter of months. Along with her height, the stresses of school grew; Banks began struggling with some of her classes and was being bullied for her height and unique and exotic appearance. It was about this time, in her junior year of high school that she plunged into the world of modeling. Her mother thought it might give her something fun and exciting to do, while also teaching her some discipline. Just a year later, in 1991, she graduated from Immaculate Hearts high school. Her plan was to attend Loyola Marymount University to work towards a film and television major. However, two weeks before classes started, a modeling agent spotted Banks on the streets of Los Angeles, California and immediately recruited her for a haute couture fashion show in Paris, France. Banks agreed rather quickly, and knew from then on that her life would be very different than what she had originally planned. Tyra Banks is my hero not only because she is confident and driven, but also because she encourages other people to be powerful and self-assured individuals.

Tyra Banks' determination and belief in herself and her fans is probably what she is best known for. Instead of adjusting her style and appearance to the preferences of those around her, she follows her own opinions and beliefs. With her confidence, Banks has taken on some of the most intense business industries; from her start as a model, to acting professionally, to hosting a talk show, and even becoming a best-selling author. "Tyra Banks shaped the modeling industry as well as influenced the shift in cultural ideas of beauty away from the narrowly defined; thin, blonde super-model." In an article from the Gale Student Resources in Context, the author tells us of the impact Tyra made in the modeling industry through her modeling career. Comparing Banks to the "thin, blonde supermodel" highlights the differences between Banks and what most people's idea of a supermodel is. Although Tyra Banks is the polar opposite; she is just as, if not more successful than the supermodel stereotype. With her curvy frame and exotic appearance, Banks is a better example of what most woman actually look like, and in turn, more woman relate and look up to her. Banks proves that you can still be a supermodel and actress even if you aren't a blonde or a size zero. "Banks broke down barriers when she became the first African American woman to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue." (Heiney) Here, Bernadette Zbicki Heiney praises Banks' most acclaimed accomplishments in the modeling industry; bringing African American models into the limelight. As Tyra Banks' clawed her way into the public eye, she caught the attention of Sports Illustrated. Her charisma and charm on camera coupled with her determination to make it in the modeling world landed her the coveted position, and made her the first African American on the cover. Without her intense resolve and passion, Banks would probably never have made it to where she is today.

Through her work with her foundation: The Tzone, along with her constant stream of positive quotes and inspiring advice; Tyra Banks helps woman to love themselves for who they are and not what society's version of perfection looks like. Instead of sitting around, and adjusting her style and appearance to the preferences of those around her, she sticks to her own opinions and beliefs and through her activity in the eye of the media, Banks inspires young girls to do the same. "Loving yourself is paramount, no matter what shape, size or color you are, I call it being flawsome: you + your flaws + awesome = flawsome." (Banks) In this quote from Tyra Bank's 2012 interview with Cosmopolitan Magazine, Banks states rather blatantly her beliefs about self-confidence. She playfully created her own word "Flawsome" in order to emphasize and lighten the mood of the topic, while continuing to prove her point of loving yourself for who you are. When she says "Loving yourself is paramount," she is being slightly more serious, and trying to get her passion for this topic across to her audience; she wants them to see themselves in a better light, and that it is important to do so. Although she could speak about eating healthy and getting exercise to stay 'beautiful', she supports an idea that is almost unheard of in the media today, loving your body as it is naturally. "Banks used the show [America's Next top Model] as a platform to highlight different types of beauty and act as a role model for young women. A common emphasis on the show [America's Next Top Model] is that modeling is not only about looking pretty but also about hard work and vision." This excerpt from the Gale Student Resources In Context is referring to Tyra Banks' popular reality show; Americas Next Top Model, and the deeper meaning behind it. At a glance, Banks' show seem like any other reality show; dramatized, and intensified situations between a group of people, but if you watch closely you will see it as Tyra Banks' meant it to be seen. Banks' wanted her show to not only provide the chance of a modeling career to a group of young woman, but also to encourage them to love themselves, and to work hard for what they want. Keeping the entire cast in one hotel or house will cause conflicts to occur, causing the woman to figure things out and protect themselves from the harsh judgments of others, while also producing beautiful photographs and passing challenges for their dream career. Without this chance that Tyra Banks' provides, many women would never get the chance to follow their dreams of being a famous model, see the world, or meet and work with many different people. Thank to Banks' they got the chance of a lifetime, and learned to feel better about themselves.

As Tyra once said, "When you stumble, pull yourself up. I'm not telling you it will be easy. I'm telling you it will be worth it. You've got to accept the fool in you as well as the part that's got it goin' on!" (Banks) By comedic charm and inspiring words of wisdom, Tyra Lynn Banks inspires people of all shapes and sizes, and all walks of life. She helps them to love themselves, and to work for what makes them happy so that they can become the person they've always dreamt of being. Banks' both tells us and shows us through her own life that there will always be critics who want to "dull your sparkle" (Banks) and make you a weaker person, but in order to be happy you have to fight their harsh words and live for your happiness and your happiness alone. Whether it is her comedic genius, confident advice, or tender and giving actions, Tyra Banks is what a true hero should be. Thanks to her wisdom, generosity, and positive message of self-acceptance, people everywhere have learned to love who they are inside and to work for what they want in life, just as she has.