Open Discussion - Do you think Tyra is a Supermodel or Top Mod that made the transition into entrepreneur?

Tyra got coined a “supermodel” before she ever stepped foot in Victoria’s Secret.

Tyra had high fashion work, covers, 3 music videos, TV and hosting work before she was even legally able to drink. Her supermodel status was WHY she was getting booked for these things.

Veronica was the 1st supermodel to get a cosmetic contract.. and Tyra was the 3rd. I don’t even think it was a year later that Tyra got hers.

The reason why the Tyra says she was the new hot girl is not because she was blowing smoke.. she was literally THAT girl. Veronica, Beverly, Karen etc had all been there before but within her first two seasons Tyra was already making headlines in the industry and the next it girl.

Also contrary to popular belief Tyra was doing “high fashion” work up until around ‘95 and if you look at the models that were in shows with her (other than Herve Léger) who loved curvy women, nobody has boobs and hips like she did. So yes it’s entirely probably that she wasn’t getting booked became of her size.

Now in terms of the high class high fashion. No she wasn’t besties with top designers, having dinner with socialites or on every cover of Vogue (but literally no other black model of her time does other than Naomi. They ALL have two or less covers yet nobody comes for their supermodel status). But in terms of actually making money and fame just solely based on the fact that she was a model Tyra surpassed a lot of them. Tyra is well known by everybody not just people who follow fashion.

Tyra was also one of the few models who was successful in every facet of modeling. She the catalog (got 17 mag at 16 yo) she did high fashion, she did commercial, and she did the s3x symbol. The high fashion girls were giving high fashion only (for the most part)

I know that Tyra doesn’t have the “status” of a lot of those 90’s ladies, but saying she’s not a real supermodel is not it. Please look at Tyra Lynne Banks resume

Aside from Naomi, I’d argue Tyra and Heidi are the most famous of all the supermodels and a large part of it is because of their presence on reality tv. Not to say they weren’t excellent models who did very well, but they are remembered today because of ANTM/DWTS and AGT/Project Runway and other shows.

Tyra was not in the same league as Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington or even Kate Moss. Those models were on another level of fame and part of their star power was their relationships with top designers and photographers. Naomi was Versace's muse, Christy and Kate were the faces of Calvin Klein, Linda Evangelista was Steven Meisel's favorite girl, etc. Tyra walked for some blue chip designers in the early 90s but she never had those kind of affiliations and as far as I know she never fronted any major campaigns. But she's rightfully pointed out that racism limited her options since there was an unofficial rule that there could only be one black supermodel.

Tyra really became a household name with Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated. The fashion industry doesn't hold those names in the same esteem but lbr they catapulted Tyra to global recognition, especially VS as it hit its peak in the mid 2000s. And she was smart enough to branch out into other ventures like movies and TV while still modeling on the side and is one of the few to successfully transition out of fashion and into entertainment. In the end she might not be considered a supermodel in the vein of Linda/Naomi/Christy but she made the smartest moves. And with ANTM having been licensed to over a hundred countries she is now probably sitting on more money than all three of them have combined. I know we clown Tyra a lot on this sub but her early career and her hustle can't be denied.

I remember recognizing Tyra in the windows of Victoria’s Secret in the 90’s when I was in high school. Before “Angel” was the thing it is now. I knew and cared nothing about fashion and only recognized VERY famous models, so I’d say she had a level of modeling success enjoyed by very few, in a time where social media did not exist. And then she became whatever she is now.

She was in the George Michael video “Too Funky” enough said.

She isn't a super model. I tell my friends this all the time lol! A super model claims the covers, campaigns, editorials, and cat walks. Her cat walk experience wasn't bad but it was brief. She had 1 cover of Vogue and that was the Spanish edition. She didn't land impressive campaigns or editorials. Literally teen magazines, a few Elle shoots, and for the most part her biggest claim was Victoria's secret and sports illustrated

Tyra may not be a “supermodel” like other famous models, but her personality and show really influenced people who wanted to get into modeling in such a large way. So even if she’s not the same type of supermodel as janice and naomi, I still think she’s a fashion icon:)

Tyra was definitely a super for that time. No one will be the trinity because it was a moment in time that will never be repeated.

But she had an absolutely historic debut and stormed high fashion and then had a huge commercial career and was a household name. That's super.