Small4Style Interviews Tyra Banks

What would a runway show be without a Top Model?  Tyra Banks, international model and media personality held a Q&A and book signing at Barnes & Noble in Southlake for her new teen fiction novel, Modelland.  I have been a fan of America’s Next Top Model and the famous “smize” for as long as I can remember.  It was so exciting to see her in person and get a chance to ask her a few questions.

Tyra started America’s Next Top Model because she wanted to choose the models she feels should be in the fashion industry – the quirky and different models.  She offered some great pieces of advice for those wanting to break into the modeling industry.  She said you have to be “super thick-skinned” to make it as a model.  And, you have to be willing to wear clothes you don’t like 80% of the time.  Luckily, Tyra never gets nervous on her shows or on the runway.  She said she is “really like a drag queen inside.” 

I asked Tyra to describe her style in two words.  She said, “Whatever’s close.  Clothes don’t excite me.  What excite me are the people in the clothes.”  I thought it was a very funny answer, but appropriate because she is inspired by girls and has built her career as an icon for aspiring models.  And when I asked her “who is your fashion icon?” she said she would love to “hijack” Blake Lively’s wardrobe from Gossip Girl. 

One fan asked her how long she will be doing ANTM, and Tyra said “As long as you want to watch it!”  Good to know.  She has changed over 200 young models’ lives by putting them in the running towards becoming America’s Next Top Model.  Tyra’s personal favorite cycles are 1 and 17, which is the current “All-Stars” cycle.  “All-Stars” is amazing, by the way.  Let me tell you, I know I’ll be watching ANTM for a long time!

Fashion is not an Option

                          XOXO,

                          Alex