Tyra Banks

Former American supermodel Tyra Lynne Banks was born on December 4, 1973 in Inglewood, California to Carolyn, a photographer, and Don, a computer consultant.

Banks started modeling when she was 17, but her career kicked off during her early modeling days in Paris. She has worked extensively for fashion and advertising heavyweights such as Victoria's Secret, Swatch, Tommy Hilfiger, and Dolce & Gabbana, and graced the covers of ELLE, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan. Her last runway walk was in the 2005 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show with Heidi Klum, Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bundchen.

Banks was a cast member in the television series "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Felicity". Her film appearances include "Higher Learning", "Life Size", and "Coyote Ugly". She is now best known for her hosting and judging in the reality TV series "America's Next Top" Model, and hosting "Tyra Banks Show", her own talk show which earned an Emmy Award nomination.