Tyra Banks in Halloween: Resurrection
It’s hard to believe that a woman who is known for her beauty was turned down by four model and talent agencies because of her “awkward” appearance. But Tyra Banks, who stood 5 feet 11 inches by the times she was 17, did not possess what agents called a “photogenic face”. It wasn’t until 1990 that Elite Agency decided to give Banks a try. Forgoing college, Banks moved to Paris to model for big names in fashion including Ralph Lauren and Chanel. At 18, she moved back to the States and continued to make her mark in the modeling field.
Banks received her first acting job appearing as a supermodel in a British television movie titled “Inferno” (1992). The role was small, but it ignited a new passion for Banks. After which, Banks beat out many well-known actress for the role of Will Smith’s love interest in “The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air” (1993). The widely received show introduced her as Jackie, Will’s “saucy” homegirl turn girlfriend. The viewers loved her; thus a recurring role was developed.
Her feature debut came in a movie written and directed by her then boyfriend, John Singleton called “Higher Learning” (1995). In “Higher Learning” Banks played Omar Epps intelligent, track-running girlfriend. Critics loved the intensity she brought to the role. Banks proved that she was not another supermodel toying with being a short-stint actress. She was determined to take her pumps off to work Hollywood like she was working the runways. When “Higher Learning” debuted, movie offers started to pour in, but Banks was very choosy with her roles. She continued her rise in the modeling ranks while waiting for appropriate parts.
Banks beautiful face has graced the cover of over 20 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’s Swimsuit Issue. She effortlessly made People’s “50 Most Beautiful People” list, not once but twice (1994 and 1995). But Banks often admitted that she didn’t always feel beautiful. In fact, she co-wrote a revealing book entitled Tyra’s Beauty Inside and Out – a book that gives tips on how to look and feel beautiful.
In 1999, Banks began to put her focus back on the main screen. She was chosen to play Kyra, Bill Bellemy’s picture perfect wife in Jeff Franklin’s comedy “Love Stinks”. In 2000, she reunited with Epps in a supporting role as Epp’s fiancée in “Love and Basketball” (2000). She also accepted a starring role in the Disney television movie “Life Size,” where she plays a doll brought to life by a little girl’s wish. Later that year, she was cast in “Coyote Ugly” as Zoe, a wild bartender, which is ironic because Banks has stated that she does not indulge in alcohol. She also co-starred in the summer horror feature “Halloween: Resurrection.” (2002) and was chosen to host as well as serve as a producer for the reality series “America’s Next Top Model” (UPN, 2003 - ). One of the few bright spots on the UPN schedule and a concept which she created, each season the series put a new group of aspiring supermodels through their paces as they vied for a professional contract. Viewers were drawn to Banks’ particular brand of tough love for the newbies, fair and unflinching in her criticism of their abilities.
One of the wealthiest supermodels in the world (her estimated personal wealth was valued at $8.8 million), it was rumored in 2004 that Oprah Winfrey was grooming Banks to take over her show. But in 2005, however, Banks got her own show, the aptly named “Tyra Banks Show” (Syndicated, 2005- ), an Oprah-style talker aimed at a younger female audience. Instead of intimate conversation, tales of woe or celebrities declaring undying love while jumping on couches, Banks focused on empowering young women in handling their lives, families and relationships, with a little catwalk fun thrown in to boot.
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