Tyra Banks, the iconic supermodel and television personality, made a dazzling appearance at the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue launch party in New York City. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the magazine, Tyra, who graced one of the Legends covers, hinted at a potential return to the runway and the world of high fashion modeling.
Considering a Comeback
Speaking exclusively to Extra on the red carpet, Tyra shared some exciting news: “I modeled for the shoot,” she said. “I don’t feel like I’m modeling, but people keep telling me that I should do it again, so I’m thinking about maybe doing it, like, runway and stuff. We’ll see.” She added with a smile, “I haven’t said that to anybody. Extra, you are the only people on this whole red carpet that I said that I’m thinking about really, really modeling, like, for real for real, like, fashion shows and, like, covers of magazines that are not Sports Illustrated.”
Beauty Empowerment and Inclusivity
Always an advocate for body positivity and inclusivity, Tyra joked about the realities of returning to modeling. “Hope that my hip is here for it and let’s hope that I can get the right lighting so the front of my thighs with the cellulite is not showing as much. We’ve come a long way when it comes to beauty empowerment and inclusivity, but y’all will still hate on me in the comments about the cellulite on the front of my thighs.”
Reflecting on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s milestone, she remarked, “It feels crazy, like, I’m 50 and it is 60. It means it started when I was 10, right? I love being, like, somewhat like the older model on set. I don’t know why I do, but I feel like a sage. I feel like the Oprah of modeling, you know what I mean? I feel like I’ve been here, I can teach you guys things. So it feels, it feels really good.”
Mentoring the Next Generation
Tyra also shared a heartwarming story about mentoring a fellow model. “One of the models, I won’t say her name, very famous, she’s on this cover, she wanted a mentoring session… I think it was the morning before the shoot, we had an hour breakfast at the hotel and I just gave her advice, really deep, deep advice, career advice on how to take her stuff to even the next level… She’s like, ‘Thank you so much, thank you so much.’ I’m like, ‘No, thank you! You make me feel like I have something to offer to help you, so it makes me feel good.’”
Turning 50 and Embracing Change
Reflecting on her milestone 50th birthday, Tyra got candid about the ups and downs. “Besides my freaking hip that is killing my ass, oh my gosh, so that is the one thing. I have sciatica, and I could not walk more than 100 meters without, like, sitting down. I got really sad and I was just eating a lot and just finally got an epidural in my back, and now I can kind of walk better, getting in shape again. So that’s the only thing I don’t like about 50 is like when you hurt yourself it takes a lot to get back, but other than that, oh my God, I feel freedom.”
She added, “I say what I feel a lot more, it feels good. A lot more cellulite, though. I used to only have cellulite on the back. Now I got cellulite on the front.”
First Sip of Alcohol
In a lighthearted moment, Tyra revealed she recently had her first alcoholic beverage. A couple of days after my birthday and I finally had a whole drink, and then I stood up and the room went and then it stopped swirling and then I walked out and I was fine… I was like, ‘I’m I supposed to feel like I’m flying? Isn’t that what alcohol is supposed to do?’ I don’t know, so it didn’t do that for me, but I did have some champagne on the airplane on the way here for this party and I feel so elegant. I’m holding and I feel like, I feel elegant.”
The Future of Tyra Banks
As Tyra Banks hints at a possible return to the runway, fans and fashion enthusiasts are eagerly waiting to see what the future holds for the supermodel. Whether she steps back into the world of high fashion or continues to empower and mentor the next generation, one thing is certain: Tyra’s impact on the fashion industry and her dedication to beauty inclusivity remain as strong as ever.
