Tyra Banks, the iconic supermodel, media mogul, and entrepreneur, proved in 2024 that her career is far from slowing down, making headlines with a series of high-profile moves that cemented her status as a global powerhouse.
As of late 2024, the former host of *America's Next Top Model* (ANTM) has seamlessly blended her legendary fashion past with her current business ventures, most notably achieving a stunning and viral runway comeback that shocked the fashion world and aggressively expanding her unique ice cream brand, all while managing a robust financial portfolio.
Tyra Banks: The Essential Biography and Profile
Tyra Lynne Banks, also known by her mononym BanX, has built a career that transcends modeling, transforming her into a successful television producer, actress, author, and businesswoman. Her journey from the catwalk to the boardroom is a masterclass in brand longevity and strategic career evolution.
- Full Name: Tyra Lynne Banks
- Also Known As: BanX
- Date of Birth: December 4, 1973
- Age (in 2024): 50
- Birthplace: Inglewood, California, U.S.
- Parents: Carolyn London (medical photographer) and Donald Banks (computer consultant)
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
- Estimated Net Worth (2024): $90 Million
- Key Career Milestones: First African-American woman on the cover of the *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue* (1996), creator and host of *America's Next Top Model* (2003–2018), former host of *Dancing with the Stars* (2020–2022).
- Education: Graduate of the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School.
- Current Ventures: Smize & Dream (ice cream brand), Fierce Capital (investment company).
1. The Viral Victoria’s Secret Runway Return After Two Decades
The most explosive and talked-about moment of Tyra Banks’ 2024 was undoubtedly her triumphant return to the Victoria’s Secret (VS) runway. After nearly 20 years away from the catwalk, the original Victoria’s Secret Angel closed the highly anticipated Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2024.
Her appearance was not just a nostalgic cameo; it was a powerful statement on body positivity, career longevity, and the enduring star power of a true fashion icon. Banks, who first became an Angel in 1997, walked alongside a new generation of models and fellow legends like Kate Moss and Adriana Lima, proving that the ‘smize’ remains timeless.
The overwhelming global response to her walk has reportedly led the supermodel to consider a more permanent return to modeling, suggesting that her work in exposing the modeling industry's issues with diversity is far from over. This move was a masterstroke of marketing, blending her legacy with the brand’s modern revival and generating massive media buzz.
2. Smize & Dream: The Ice Cream Empire Expansion
Away from the bright lights of the runway, Tyra Banks is cementing her status as a serious business mogul through her premium ice cream brand, Smize & Dream. This venture, which she has passionately pursued, is a key focus of her entrepreneurial energy in 2024.
The name is a playful nod to her famous *America's Next Top Model* phrase, "smize" (smiling with your eyes), and the brand is structured around an inspiring message of dreaming big. In 2024, Banks significantly expanded the brand's footprint, including opening a highly publicized pop-up shop in Washington, D.C.
This expansion signals a shift from e-commerce to a physical retail presence, a crucial step for any growing food and beverage business. Banks has been personally involved in the promotion, often making appearances to serve scoops and interact with customers, leveraging her celebrity to drive foot traffic and brand loyalty. The success of the D.C. pop-up has led to speculation about a permanent flagship location, further solidifying the brand’s future.
3. The $90 Million Net Worth and Strategic Wealth Building
Tyra Banks’ financial success in 2024 is a testament to her strategic diversification across multiple industries. Her estimated net worth remains a robust $90 million, a figure built not just on her initial modeling career but on her savvy business acumen.
This wealth is a product of several income streams:
- Television Production: The creation and executive production of the globally syndicated reality television hit, *America's Next Top Model* (ANTM), provided a massive, long-term revenue stream.
- Hosting Roles: Lucrative contracts from hosting shows like *Dancing with the Stars* and her own talk show, *The Tyra Banks Show*.
- Brand Ventures: The development and sale of her e-commerce cosmetics line, Tyra Beauty, which demonstrated her early understanding of the direct-to-consumer market.
- Investment: Her investment company, Fierce Capital, focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in female-led businesses, showcasing her commitment to empowerment and smart financial growth.
Her Harvard Business School education has clearly informed her transition from a model to a serious entrepreneur and investor, allowing her to command high value across all her projects.
4. Reflecting on the Legacy of America's Next Top Model
While there were no new cycles of *America's Next Top Model* announced in 2024, the show’s legacy and Banks' role in it continued to be a major talking point. Tyra Banks herself has been candid about the show’s complicated history, acknowledging that some of the show’s moments and comments were "dumb s---" by today's standards.
However, she cherishes the show's pioneering role in promoting diversity in the modeling industry, casting "girls from all walks of life" and challenging the traditional, narrow beauty standards of the time.
The show remains a foundational piece of reality television and a crucial entity in the Tyra Banks brand narrative. Its streaming availability ensures that a new generation continues to discover the show, keeping the concept of the 'smize' and the 'fierce' attitude alive and relevant in 2024.
5. The Continued Evolution of BanX: From Hollywood to the Boardroom
Tyra Banks’ career has always been characterized by reinvention. Beyond the runway and ice cream, her 2024 activities reflect a media personality who is comfortable operating on multiple fronts. She was seen attending high-profile industry events, such as the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue launch party, where she discussed her career and future plans.
Her acting career, which includes memorable roles in films like *Coyote Ugly* and the popular Disney film *Life-Size*, remains an important part of her overall brand. While no major new film projects were announced, her consistent presence at media events and her willingness to discuss a potential full-time modeling return indicate she is actively curating her next big move.
The "BanX" persona, a name she has used to signify her business and artistic ventures, represents a powerful fusion of creativity and corporate strategy. This persona allows her to be a supermodel, a television producer, a Harvard-educated CEO, and an author all at once—a true 360-degree media personality who continues to set the standard for celebrity entrepreneurship in the modern era.
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