Tyra Banks

Tyra Lynne Banks aka BanX is an American model, television personality, producer, writer, actress, and entrepreneur originally from Inglewood, California. She is widely recognized as a pioneering figure in the fashion industry and entertainment, notably as the first Black woman to appear on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she appeared three times. Banks achieved supermodel status in the 1990s and early 2000s, becoming a Victoria's Secret Angel from 1997 to 2005 and one of the highest-earning models globally during that period.

Her early life included attending Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, and she began modeling at age 15 after signing with Elite Model Management. Banks quickly rose to international prominence, gracing covers of major fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, and breaking racial barriers in the industry. Transitioning into acting, she appeared in television and film roles including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Higher Learning, and Coyote Ugly.

Banks expanded her career into television production and hosting, creating the influential reality series America's Next Top Model in 2003, which ran for over a decade and became a cultural phenomenon promoting diversity and mentoring aspiring models. She also hosted The Tyra Banks Show, earning two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work. Beyond entertainment, Banks launched TYRA Beauty, a cosmetics line emphasizing empowerment and self-confidence, and founded Bankable Productions. She pursued further education at Harvard Business School's Owner/President Management Program and co-developed a course on personal branding at Stanford University.

Throughout her multifaceted career, Banks has been an advocate for diversity, positive body image, and empowerment, leaving a lasting impact on fashion, television, and popular culture as a trailblazer and media mogul.