5 Shocking Ways Tyra Banks Is Redefining Her \$90 Million Empire In 2025

Tyra Banks, the ultimate supermodel-turned-mogul, is currently making headlines in late 2025, not for a new season of *America's Next Top Model*, but for a high-stakes legal battle and a complete refocus on her entrepreneurial empire. After stepping away from the television spotlight, the multi-hyphenate star is doubling down on her business ventures, proving that her career evolution from runway icon to boardroom boss is far from over. Her strategic move to prioritize businesses like her ice cream company, *Smize & Dream*, over her high-profile hosting gigs marks a pivotal, and sometimes controversial, new chapter.

The year 2025 has been a whirlwind for Tyra Banks, also known by her business alias, BanX. Her estimated \$90 million net worth is a testament to her savvy business acumen, which is now being tested by a major lawsuit. This article dives deep into the five most impactful and surprising moves she has made recently, including the full details of her biography, her ice cream venture's legal troubles, and the true reason she quit her role as the host of *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS).

Tyra Banks: Complete Biography and Profile

Tyra Lynne Banks is a legendary figure in fashion and media, celebrated for breaking barriers and creating a multi-faceted brand. Her career spans modeling, television production, writing, and entrepreneurship, all built on her foundational success as a supermodel.

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• Full Name: Tyra Lynne Banks
• Also Known As: BanX
• Date of Birth: December 4, 1973
• Age (as of late 2025): 52
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): \$90 million USD
• Ex-Partner: Erik Asla (2013–2017)
• Child: York Banks Asla (Son)
• Key Businesses: Bankable Productions, Smize & Dream (Ice Cream)
• Career Milestones: First Black woman on the cover of *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit* (1996), Creator and host of *America's Next Top Model* (ANTM), Host of *The Tyra Banks Show*, Host of *Dancing with the Stars*.

1. The \$2.8 Million Lawsuit Rocking Her Smize & Dream Empire

One of the most significant and recent developments in Tyra Banks's professional life is the major legal challenge facing her ice cream company, Smize & Dream. In October 2025, Banks and her company were hit with a substantial \$2.8 million breach of contract lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed by a Washington, D.C., landlord, Christopher Powell, who alleged that Banks failed to pay back rent and honor the terms of a 10-year lease agreement for a retail space intended for a Smize & Dream location.

This legal battle has put an unexpected spotlight on her business operations, suggesting that even a mogul with a megaphone like Banks faces the harsh realities of small business ownership. Despite the challenge, Banks has continued to aggressively promote the brand, hosting global pop-ups to introduce fans to her "hot" ice cream and its unique "smize" concept, a term she coined to mean smiling with your eyes.

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2. Stepping Away from DWTS to Focus on the Boardroom

Tyra Banks's departure from her high-profile hosting role on *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS) after three seasons was a major shock to fans in 2024, but the reason is a clear indication of her 2025 priorities.

She explicitly stated that the decision was driven by a desire to focus entirely on her business and entrepreneurial ventures. This move signals a shift from a front-facing television personality to a behind-the-scenes producer and full-time CEO.

Her focus is now squarely on Bankable Productions and expanding the Smize & Dream brand globally. This strategic pivot allows her to control her narrative and maximize her earnings from her ownership stakes, rather than relying on a salary from a network show. Her goal is to produce more television content, but from a position of power behind the camera.

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3. The Evolution of Her Brand: From Supermodel to 'BanX'

Tyra Banks has always been a master of reinvention, a trait that is central to her topical authority. Her adoption of the single-name moniker 'BanX' is a deliberate attempt to separate her modeling past from her business future.

The 'BanX' persona is less about the runway and more about the financial and creative power she wields. This new identity encapsulates her shift from being the face of a brand (like CoverGirl or Victoria's Secret) to being the creative force and financial backer of her own empire.

This reinvention is crucial for her to maintain relevance and drive her businesses in the 2025 landscape, where celebrity-owned brands are scrutinized for authenticity. By emphasizing her Harvard Business School education and her role as a producer of iconic shows like ANTM, she solidifies her image as a serious, multifaceted mogul.

4. The Status of ModelLand and Her Son’s Business Acumen

While the ModelLand "story-based attraction" in Santa Monica faced significant delays and challenges, including the global pandemic, it remains a key entity in her overall vision. ModelLand was conceived as a multi-level theme park experience, based on her 2011 novel of the same name, intended to democratize the modeling industry and make it accessible to everyone.

In a more personal update, her son, York Banks Asla, is showing early signs of inheriting his mother's entrepreneurial spirit. At just nine years old, York is reportedly already displaying business acumen, with Banks sharing stories of his clever ideas and financial understanding. This focus on family and mentorship highlights a softer, more grounded side of the supermodel mogul, an important element for maintaining a relatable public image.

5. A Return to the Runway and the Power of Nostalgia

Despite her focus on business, Tyra Banks proved her enduring relevance in the fashion world with a surprise return to the runway. She notably walked in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2024, a powerful moment that connected her legacy with a new generation of models and fans.

However, she later revealed that she chose not to appear in the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, further emphasizing her commitment to her business ventures. Her brief return served as a reminder of her iconic status—the first Black woman to grace the cover of the *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit* issue—while her subsequent withdrawal cemented her new identity as a full-time entrepreneur.

Her ability to leverage her nostalgia—from her classic "smize" to her iconic ANTM quotes—while simultaneously pushing forward with modern, ambitious business plans is the core of her enduring success. The current challenges, particularly the Smize & Dream lawsuit, are simply the next obstacles in the path of a model who has always turned adversity into opportunity.