Tyra Lynne Banks, also known as BanX, is a renowned American model, TV personality, producer, writer, and actress. Born in Inglewood, California, she started her modeling career at 15. She achieved significant milestones, becoming the first Black American woman featured on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (three times). Banks reached Supermodel status and was a Victoria's Secret Angel from 1997 to 2005. By the early 2000s, she was among the highest-paid models globally.
December 4, 1973: Birth of Tyra Lynne Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks was born in Inglewood, California on December 4, 1973.
1979: Parents' Divorce
Tyra Banks' parents divorced in 1979 when she was six years old.
1991: High School Graduation
Tyra Banks graduated from Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles in 1991.
1991: Start of European Modeling Career and Paris Fashion Week Debut
Tyra Banks' European modeling career began in 1991, and in the same year she booked 25 shows at Paris Fashion Week.
1993: Television Debut in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
Tyra Banks made her television debut in 1993, appearing in the sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air".
1993: CoverGirl Contract and Supermodel Status
Tyra Banks signed a contract with CoverGirl cosmetics in 1993, and she achieved Supermodel status.
1994: Big Screen Debut in "Higher Learning"
Tyra Banks made her first major film appearance in 1994's "Higher Learning".
1995: Film Debut in "Higher Learning"
Tyra Banks made her film debut in 1995 with a role in the drama "Higher Learning".
1997: Victoria's Secret Angel and Supermodel of the Year
In 1997, Tyra Banks became a Victoria's Secret Angel and received the VH1 award for "Supermodel of the Year". She was also the first African American chosen for the cover of the Victoria's Secret catalog.
1997: First Black Woman on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and GQ
In 1997, Tyra Banks became the first Black woman to be featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and GQ.
1998: Co-authors Tyra's Beauty, Inside and Out
In 1998, Tyra Banks co-wrote the book Tyra's Beauty, Inside and Out.
1999: "Love Stinks" Film Release
The film "Love Stinks", starring Tyra Banks, was released in 1999.
2000: Major Film Roles in "Life-Size" and "Coyote Ugly"
In 2000, Tyra Banks starred as Eve in Disney Channel's "Life-Size" and Zoe in the film "Coyote Ugly".
2000: Release of "Love & Basketball" and "Coyote Ugly"
Tyra Banks appeared in the films "Love & Basketball" and "Coyote Ugly" in 2000.
2000: Releases "Be a Star"
Tyra Banks released "Be a Star" as part of the Life-Size soundtrack in 2000.
2002: Role in "Halloween: Resurrection"
Tyra Banks had a role in the horror film "Halloween: Resurrection" in 2002.
2002: "Halloween: Resurrection" Film Release
Tyra Banks appeared in the horror film "Halloween: Resurrection" in 2002.
2003: Creation of "America's Next Top Model"
Tyra Banks created the reality television series "America's Next Top Model" in 2003.
2004: Releases "Shake Ya Body"
Tyra Banks released her first single, "Shake Ya Body", in 2004.
September 12, 2005: Premiere of "The Tyra Banks Show"
"The Tyra Banks Show" premiered on September 12, 2005.
2005: Premiere of "The Tyra Banks Show"
"The Tyra Banks Show", hosted by Tyra Banks, premiered in 2005.
2005: Speaks out about past abusive relationship
In 2005, Tyra Banks publicly discussed her experience with an abusive relationship.
2005: End of Victoria's Secret Angel Career
Tyra Banks concluded her time as a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2005.
2005: TZONE becomes a public charity
Tyra Banks' TZONE program transitioned into a public charity in 2005.
2008: Release of "The Clique" Film
The film "The Clique", produced by Tyra Banks' company Bankable Productions, was released in 2008.
2008: Daytime Emmy Award Win and "The Clique" Release
Tyra Banks won a Daytime Emmy Award for "The Tyra Banks Show" in 2008. "The Clique" movie, produced by her company, was also released this year.
2009: Appearance in "Gossip Girl"
In 2009, Tyra Banks appeared in the television series "Gossip Girl".
2009: Co-creation of "True Beauty"
Tyra Banks co-created the television show "True Beauty" in 2009.
2009: Appearances in "Hannah Montana: The Movie" and "Gossip Girl"
Tyra Banks had roles in "Hannah Montana: The Movie" and the television show "Gossip Girl" in 2009.
2009: Discusses past abusive relationships on The Oprah Winfrey Show
Tyra Banks joined Oprah Winfrey on her show in 2009 to discuss dating violence and her past experiences with abusive relationships.
2009: Second Daytime Emmy Award Win
Tyra Banks won her second Daytime Emmy Award for "The Tyra Banks Show" in 2009.
May 2010: Announces novel Modelland
Tyra Banks announced she was writing a novel titled Modelland in May 2010.
May 28, 2010: End of "The Tyra Banks Show"
"The Tyra Banks Show" concluded on May 28, 2010.
2010: End of "The Tyra Banks Show" and "True Beauty"
Both "The Tyra Banks Show" and "True Beauty" concluded in 2010.
2010: Re-signs with IMG Models
Tyra Banks re-signed with IMG Models in 2010.
2010: Publication of "Modelland"
Tyra Banks published her young adult novel "Modelland" in 2010.
March 2011: Launches typeF.com
Tyra Banks launched her fashion and beauty website, typeF.com, in March 2011.
September 2011: Publishes Modelland
Modelland, the novel by Tyra Banks, was published in September 2011.
October 2011: Modelland tops The New York Times Best Seller list
In October 2011, Tyra Banks' novel, Modelland, reached the top of The New York Times Best Seller list.
2011: "Modelland" Tops The New York Times Best Seller List
In 2011, Tyra Banks' novel "Modelland" reached the top of The New York Times Best Seller list.
2011: Enrolls in Harvard Business School's OPM Program
Tyra Banks enrolled in Harvard Business School's Owner/President Management Program in 2011.
February 2012: Completion of Harvard Business Program
Tyra Banks completed a nine-week course at Harvard University's Owner/President Management program in February 2012.
February 2012: Completes Harvard Business School's OPM Program
Tyra Banks finished the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School and received a certificate in February 2012.
2012: Co-creates and produces Fivehead
In 2012, Tyra Banks worked on a new ABC comedy series called Fivehead, based on her teenage years.
2013: Transformation into 15 Supermodels photoshoot
In 2013, Tyra Banks collaborated with fashion photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth to transform herself into 15 different supermodels for a photoshoot.
2013: Appearance in "Glee"
Tyra Banks appeared on the television show "Glee" in 2013.
2014: Founds Tyra Beauty
Tyra Banks founded her cosmetics brand, Tyra Beauty, in 2014.
October 2015: "America's Next Top Model" Cancellation
In October 2015, "America's Next Top Model", created and hosted by Tyra Banks, was cancelled.
2015: Stars in FABLife and focuses on cosmetics company
Tyra Banks joined the talk show FABLife in 2015, but left shortly after to concentrate on her cosmetics business.
2015: Launches tyra.com
In 2015, Tyra Banks launched tyra.com, an e-commerce site for her cosmetics.
January 2016: Birth of son, York Banks Asla
Tyra Banks' son, York Banks Asla, was born via surrogacy in January 2016.
August 2016: Guest lecturer at Stanford University
In August 2016, Tyra Banks started as a guest lecturer on personal branding at Stanford University.
2016: "America's Next Top Model" Revival
Tyra Banks remained executive producer for the revival of "America's Next Top Model" in 2016.
2017: Host of "America's Got Talent"
Tyra Banks hosted the 12th season of "America's Got Talent" in 2017.
2018: Returns to acting, Life-Size 2, and signs with Universal Television
2018 marked Tyra Banks' return to acting with Life-Size 2. She also signed a deal with Universal Television and started working on the documentary series Beauty for Quibi.
2018: Co-authors Perfect is Boring
Tyra Banks co-authored Perfect is Boring with her mother, Carolyn London, in 2018.
2019: Return to Modeling for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and Name Change
Tyra Banks came out of retirement in 2019 to pose for a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover, her third time being featured. She also announced that she would use the modeling name BanX.
July 2020: Becomes host of Dancing with the Stars
In July 2020, Tyra Banks took on the role of host for Dancing with the Stars.
August 2020: Signs with ABC Signature
Tyra Banks signed a deal with ABC Signature in August 2020.
2020: Host and Executive Producer of "Dancing with the Stars"
In 2020, Tyra Banks became the host and executive producer of the 29th season of "Dancing with the Stars".
2021: Releases "Fashón" with Todrick Hall
In 2021, Tyra Banks collaborated with Todrick Hall on the song "Fashón" for his album Femuline.
March 2023: Leaves Dancing with the Stars
In March 2023, Tyra Banks decided to step down as host of Dancing with the Stars to focus on her business ventures.