Featured Column

Notable Women

Tyra Banks
by Valerie (Angel of Music)

Tyra Banks has been making headlines since she started out in the modeling business. When she first burst onto the fashion scene in Paris, she broke records for the number of shows she booked in her first week as a newcomer. She later became the first African-American woman to be on the cover of both Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and GQ. She was also the first African American to be on the cover of Victoria's Secret catalog. She has had wild success as a high fashion and commercial model.

Tyra is also a gifted actress. Breaking the typical model/actress stereotype, Tyra proved she had what it took with her role in Higher Learning. She was also a guest star on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for several episodes. She has also had numerous other roles in TV and films, such as Coyote Ugly and Love and Basketball.

Tyra has also broken into other genres as well. She recorded a single, and while it didn't garner much success, music producers sing of her musical talent. Tyra also hosts her own talk show in which she generally cares about people and wants to help them, and her show has been nominated for an Emmy. She is also involved as the creator, producer, judge and hostess of America's Next Top Model. She is taking her knowledge of the fashion business and passing it on to the next generation. She makes sure they know the pitfalls of the business and helps to change the stereotypes out there.

With all of her success, many would think that Tyra herself would be a diva. Actually, she is the total opposite of this notion. She also has her own charity in which she helps young girls, and she is only one of four African Americans to be repeatedly noted as one of the most influential people by Time Magazine. On her talk show and Top Model, Tyra really reaches out to others and shows that she has a big heart and generally cares about people. She teaches women to be proud of themselves and their bodies, just as they are. Tyra is one of my inspirations, and I know this is only the start for her.

((Research and facts from wikipedia.org))