The 5 Biggest Secrets Tyra Banks Revealed About Her Victoria's Secret Angel Era And Why She Skipped The 2025 Show

Tyra Banks remains one of the most transformative figures in the history of Victoria’s Secret, a legendary supermodel whose impact transcended the runway to redefine global beauty standards. Her tenure as an original Angel, which began in 1996, cemented her status as a fashion icon, but her journey is far more complex than just wings and lingerie. As of late 2025, the conversation around her legacy continues to evolve, especially as the brand attempts a massive cultural shift away from the "Angel" concept she helped popularize.

The biggest news surrounding Banks and the brand in December 2025 is not a dramatic return, but a notable absence. After making a spectacular comeback to the catwalk in 2024, Tyra Banks was conspicuously missing from the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The reason? A surprising pivot to entrepreneurship, promoting her viral "hot ice cream" concept, which speaks volumes about her focus on her multifaceted business empire over nostalgia.

Tyra Banks: Complete Supermodel and Media Mogul Biography

Tyra Lynne Banks is an American supermodel, television personality, producer, actress, and businesswoman whose career has consistently broken barriers and redefined industry roles. Born on December 4, 1973, in Inglewood, California, Banks has built an empire on the foundation of her groundbreaking modeling career.

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• Full Name: Tyra Lynne Banks
• Date of Birth: December 4, 1973
• Place of Birth: Inglewood, California, U.S.
• Career Start: Began modeling at age 15.
• Groundbreaking Milestones: She was the first African American woman to be featured on the covers of *GQ* and the *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue*.
• Victoria’s Secret Tenure: Began walking in the show in 1996 and was an official Angel for years, wearing her first set of wings in 1998.
• Media & Production: Creator and host of the long-running reality competition *America's Next Top Model* (ANTM), host of her own daytime talk show, *The Tyra Banks Show* (which earned two Daytime Emmy Awards), and founder of her own production company, Bankable Productions.
• Entrepreneurial Ventures: Founder of the ice cream company SMiZE & DREAM, which launched a flagship location in Sydney, Australia, and is known for its "hot ice cream" concept.
• Education: Attended Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program.

The Angel Era: Tyra Banks’ Groundbreaking Impact on Victoria’s Secret

Tyra Banks wasn't just a model for Victoria's Secret; she was a pioneer who helped define the "Angel" phenomenon and, in doing so, challenged the narrow beauty standards of the late 90s and early 2000s. Her powerful presence and voluptuous figure were a stark contrast to the waifish models popular at the time, making her a figure of empowerment for many women.

1. Breaking Barriers and Reshaping Beauty Standards

When Banks first walked the runway in 1996, the fashion world was still largely homogenous. Tyra’s success as a Black supermodel who also graced the covers of mainstream magazines like *GQ* and *Sports Illustrated* gave her a unique platform. Her confident strut and undeniable charisma on the Victoria's Secret catwalk helped to popularize a more curvaceous and powerful image of femininity. This impact extended far beyond the runway, inspiring a generation to embrace different body types and challenging the industry’s perception of what a "supermodel" should look like.

2. The Power of the Supermodel Status

Tyra Banks, along with models like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford, belonged to the last true generation of supermodels—women whose names were as recognizable as the brands they represented. Her celebrity status, amplified by her work with Victoria's Secret, was the launchpad for her subsequent media empire. The visibility she gained as an Angel directly fueled the success of America's Next Top Model, a show that completely democratized the modeling industry and brought fashion into the mainstream television landscape. The show itself became a powerful entity, creating a new generation of reality TV stars and influencing global fashion culture for over two decades.

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3. Her Return and Celebration of the "Beauty Revolution"

Tyra Banks has been vocal about the evolution of the Victoria's Secret brand. After years of hiatus, the brand made a massive pivot, retiring the controversial "Angels" concept in favor of the more diverse and inclusive VS Collective. This group of accomplished women—including athletes like Megan Rapinoe, plus-size model Paloma Elsesser, and transgender model Valentina Sampaio—aims to drive positive change.

Banks publicly celebrated this shift, calling it a "beauty revolution." She acknowledged that while her time as an Angel was iconic, the brand’s move toward genuine diversity and empowerment was necessary for the current cultural climate. Her positive reaction to the change solidified her legacy as not just a historical figure of the brand, but a forward-thinking voice in the industry.

Beyond the Wings: Why Tyra Banks Skipped the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Show

The biggest update in 2025 is the official reason for Tyra Banks' absence from the latest Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, especially after her much-publicized return in 2024. The answer lies in her relentless focus on her entrepreneurial ventures, specifically her rapidly expanding dessert company, SMiZE & DREAM.

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4. The Viral Power of "Hot Ice Cream"

Banks' current passion project is her ice cream company, which she founded with the concept of combining a decadent ice cream with a "hidden yummy treat" at the bottom—a "Smize Surprize." The latest viral phenomenon from the brand is the launch of what Banks calls "hot ice cream." This innovative, and somewhat divisive, concept has generated significant media buzz, with the supermodel actively promoting the new idea and the flagship store in Sydney, Australia.

Tyra Banks confirmed that her demanding schedule, which included promoting the new SMiZE & DREAM concept internationally, was the direct reason she was unable to participate in the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. This decision highlights a powerful shift: for Banks, the role of media mogul and entrepreneur now takes precedence over the nostalgia of her modeling past. Her focus is on building a legacy beyond the runway, proving that she is a serious businesswoman and media mogul who balances multiple creative and financial projects.

5. The Legacy: Tyra Banks as the Ultimate Brand Builder

Tyra Banks' career is a masterclass in brand building. Her time as a Victoria's Secret Angel gave her the global visibility, but her subsequent ventures—from America’s Next Top Model to The Tyra Banks Show and now SMiZE & DREAM—have demonstrated her ability to pivot and capitalize on her fame. She has successfully transitioned from being a model who was the face of a brand to a mogul whose own name *is* the brand.

The entities she has created, such as Bankable Productions, are centered on empowerment and the idea of recognizing one's own necessity, a theme that echoes the "smize" philosophy she popularized. Her legacy with Victoria’s Secret is not just about the iconic outfits or the famous wings; it is about the blueprint she laid for models to become multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs. Her current focus on her ice cream empire, even over a high-profile fashion show, is the ultimate testament to her independence and her enduring power as a CEO and innovator in 2025.