Tyra Banks Biography:

It's difficult to think that a celebrity who is known for her good looks was turned down by four model and talent agencies because of her "gawky" appearance. But Tyra Banks, who stood 5 feet 10 inches by the time she was sixteen did not hold what industry insiders called a "camera-friendly appearance". 

It was not until 1991 that the Elite Modeling Agency caved in and decided to give Tyra Banks an opportunity. Postponing University studies, Banks relocated to Paris to model for the big names in fashion and culture including Ralph Lauren and Chanel. At eighteen, she traveled back to the United States and started to build her momentum in the modeling business.

Tyra Banks got her first acting job appearing as a supermodel in a British television movie titled "Inferno" (1992). The part was tiny, but it started a new love for Banks after which, she beat out several famous sexy celebrities for the role of Will Smith's love interest in "The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air" (1993). 

The beloved television show introduced her as Jackie, Will Smith's "sexy" girl friend turn lover. The audiences loved her; resulting in a recurring role being developed for Tyra.

Banks' feature debut was in the film project written and directed by John Singleton called "Higher Learning" (1995) with Jennifer Connelly. In "Higher Learning" Banks played Omar Epps smart, athletic romantic love interest and girlfriend. Audiences loved the passion she brought to the role. Banks showed that she was not just another supermodel playing with being a short lived Hollywood celebrity and actress. Tyra Banks was determined to take her shoes off to work Hollywood like she was working the runways. When "Higher Learning" debuted, movie offers started to roll in, but Banks was very fussy with her roles. She continued her rise in the modeling industry while waiting for just the right parts.

Banks stunning face has graced the cover of over twenty-five magazines. She was the first African American woman ever to be featured on the covers of "GQ", "The Victoria Secret" catalog and the famous "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue". She easily made "People's 50 Most Beautiful People" list, not once but twice (1994 and 1995). But Banks often confessed that she didn't always feel attractive. In fact, she co-wrote a illuminating book entitled "Tyra's Beauty Inside and Out", a book that gives tips on how to look and feel beautiful.

In 1999, Banks started to focus on the big movie screen. She was selected to play Kyra, Bill Bellemy's picture perfect wife in Jeff Franklin's comedy "Love Stinks" with Tiffani Thiessen, Christian Slater and Bridgette Wilson. In 2000, she teamed with Epps in a supporting role as Epp's fiancée in "Love and Basketball" (2000). 

Banks also took a starring role in the Disney television movie "Life Size" with troubled star Lindsay Lohan where she plays a doll brought to life by a little girl's wish. Later that year, she was hired for "Coyote Ugly" as Zoe, a unruly bartender, which is odd because Banks has stated that she does not take any drugs or alcohol. She also co-starred in the summer horror movie "Halloween: Resurrection." with Jamie Lee Curtis (2002) and was selected to host, as well as producer, the reality series "America's Next Top Model" for the UPN network in 2003. (2003 - ). 

One of the few dazzling new shows on the UPN schedule, and a show which Banks created, each season the television show puts a new group of wannabe supermodels through a series of tests and challenges as they try for a professional contract. Viewers were mesmerized by Banks' fussy brand of tough love for the potential new stars, impartial and persistent in her evaluation of their skills.

One of the richest and most successful supermodels in the world (her likely personal wealth was valued at $16.8 million), it was alleged in 2004 that Oprah Winfrey was grooming Tyra Banks to take succeed her when she one day leaves her show. 

In 2005 Banks scored her own smash hit television show, the fittingly named “Tyra Banks Show” (2005- ), an Oprah Winfrey style talk and variety show aimed at a younger female audience. Instead of intimate conversation, stories of suffering, or sexy celebrities declaring endless love while jumping on couches like Tom Cruise did on the Oprah show, Tyra Banks focused on teaching young women in managing their hectic lives, families and relationships, with a little modeling action thrown in for excitement.

• Also Credited As:
  Aaliyah Haughton, Tyra
• Born:
  on 12/04/1973 in California
• Job Titles:
  Actor, Model, Spokeswoman, CEO/Businesswoman

Family

• Brother: Devin Banks. born c. 1968
• Father: Donald Banks. divorced from Banks' mother
• Mother: Carolyn London-Johnson. former operator of a photo lab; now manages daughter's career; divorced from Banks' father
• Step-father: Clifford Johnson.

Significant Others

• Companion: Giancarlo Marcaccini. began dating summer 2005; no longer together
• Companion: Tyler Perry. began dating spring 2006
• Companion: Chris Webber. currently dating as of summer 2002
• Companion: Craig Taylor. were high school sweethearts; no longer together
• Companion: John Singleton. no longer together

Education

• Immaculate Heart High School, Los Angeles, California

Milestones

• 1990 Began modeling at age 17 
• 1991 First music video "Black or White" by Michael Jackson
• 1992 Small part in "Inferno" British production
• 1994 Established the Tyra Banks College Scholarship Fund
• 1994 Featured model on the "Sports Illustrated" Calendar
• 1994 Played recurring role on "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" with Will Smith
• 1995 Feature film debut, John Singleton's "Higher Learning"
• 1996 Began segments for the "Oprah Winfrey Show"
• 1998 Co-wrote book "Tyra's Beauty Inside and Out"
• 1999 Started her own company "Tyinc" and "T-Zone"
• 2000 Featured in "Love and Basketball" movie
• 2000 Promoted a line of greeting cards for neglected and abused children
• 2002 Co-starred in the summer horror feature, "Halloween: Resurrection"
• 2003 Creator and host of "America's Next Top Model"
• 2005 Hosted and executive produced "The Tyra Banks Show"

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