Tyra Banks

Did you know?!

1. A first

   Banks became the first Black woman featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and she was also the first African-American woman to appear on a GQ cover.

2. A first

   In 1997, Banks was picked as the first African American on the cover of the Victoria's Secret catalog. That same year, she also became a Victoria's Secret Angel.

3. First role

   Banks began modeling at 15 while she was a student at Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles. Four modeling agencies turned her down before L.A. Models signed her.

4. Behind the camera

   Banks presented and executive produced America's Next Top Model, the reality series she created in 2003, across its first twenty-two seasons. The show was canceled in October 2015.

5. Behind the camera

   Banks owns a production company called Bankable Productions. It made The Tyra Banks Show, America's Next Top Model and the 2008 film The Clique.

6. Behind the camera

   Banks published Modelland, a young adult novel drawn from her modeling career, in 2010. The book reached the top of The New York Times Best Seller list in 2011.