Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks (http://www.divavillage.com/images/Oct05)

My hero is a supermodel, an actor, a charity worker, and a television show host; my hero is Tyra Banks. Tyra is recognized all over the world for accomplishing many firsts for African American women in the modeling industry. Her many achievements have made it possible for other women of her race to secure modeling positions they might not have otherwise had. Tyra is a role model to girls everywhere.

Tyra Banks was born on December 4th, 1973 in Los Angeles, California. Her parents, who divorced when she was six years old, are Carolyn London and Don Banks. Tyra considers her mother to be her best friend. Tyra grew up in Inglewood, California and attended Immaculate Heart High School, which is an all-girls private school in Los Angeles.

Tyra on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air (http://web.uvic.ca/~jbailey/a1/media/tyra)

Tyra began her acting career in the 1990's with several appearances on the television shows “Felicity” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” She starred in the Disney movie “Life Size” in the year 2000. She also acted in the movies “Higher Learning” and “Coyote Ugly.” In 2003, Tyra started producing and hosting the reality television show “America’s Next Top Model.” In 2005, she also started hosting her own talk show, “The Tyra Banks Show.” Tyra is the CEO and creator of Ty Ty Baby Productions.

Tyra’s modeling career started in Europe when she was a teenager. She has had many accomplishments that have made her very famous world-wide. She has modeled for Victoria’s Secret, Swatch, Cover Girl, Nike, Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Dolce & Gabbana. In 1997, she received the Michael Award for Supermodel of the Year. She has opened many doors that’ve made it possible for other African American women to have successful careers in high fashion.

Tyra with girls from T-Zone (http://img2.timeinc.net/instyle/images/2008/GALLERY/11/111808_banks_400x400.jpg)

Tyra shares her good fortune with others by doing a lot of charity work. She has made visits to the Cost Rican rainforest to draw attention to the endangered ecosystems. She has also started T-Zone. It’s a seven day camp that happens once a year that teaches disadvantaged girls around Los Angeles about leadership and life skills. Hundreds of girls have been through this program. In 1994, Tyra started “The Tyra Banks Scholarship.” It gives money to underprivileged African American girls so they can attend Immaculate Heart High School like Tyra did.

I chose Tyra Banks as my hero because she has done so much to change the world. She has made huge advancements for African American women and for the modeling industry. Even though she has been very successful and very famous from a young age, she is still a really kind, humble person. She gives back to the environment and to less fortunate people. She is a wonderful, strong woman, and I admire her very much.