In a column for The Daily Beast titled, “Tyra Banks’s Open Letter to Models: ‘Vogue’ to Ban Images of Anorexia”, the supermodel admits that if she had got into the business today, she may not have made it.

“The truth is that if I was just starting to model at age 17 in 2012, I could not have had the career that I did. I would’ve been considered too heavy,” Banks says. “In my time, the average model’s size was a four or six. Today you are expected to be a size zero. When I started out, I didn’t know such a size even existed.”

However, the America’s Next Top Model host confesses that she too struggled with her body image while coming up in the industry.

“In my early 20s, I was a size four. But then I started to get curvy,” Tyra, 38, recalls in her open letter. “My agency gave my mom a list of designers that didn’t want to book me in their fashion shows anymore. In order to continue working, I would’ve had to fight Mother Nature and get used to depriving myself of nutrition.”

Lucky for Tyra, her mom had a better idea. “As my mom wiped the tears from my face, she said, ‘Tyra, you know what we’re going to do about this? We’re going to eat pizza.’ We sat in a tiny pizzeria in Milan and strategized about how to turn my curves into a curveball.”

The 5’10″ supermodel continues, “In a way, it was my decision not to starve myself that turned me into a supermodel, and later on, a businesswoman.”

Tyra’s column comes after the editors of Vogue announced they will ban models from their pages who “appear to have an eating disorder.” The supermodel wrote excitedly: “This calls for a toast over some barbecue and burgers!”

What do you think? Has the modeling world gone overboard? Let us know, below.

victoria's secret models' bikini-clad looks

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]]> http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-05-16/tyra-banks-lashes-out-at-modeling-industry-size-4-shouldnt-be-considered-too-heavy/feed/ 4 http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-05-10/tyra-banks-makeup-mix-up-yay-or-nay-photos/ http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-05-10/tyra-banks-makeup-mix-up-yay-or-nay-photos/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 14:11:08 +0000 Rachel Maresca http://www.celebuzz.com/?p=10478201 She’s smizing all right! Tyra Banks stepped out on the red carpet at the 2012 Moth Ball soiree in New York City Thursday night, May 9, sporting a lot of layers– on her face that is! The America’s Next Top Model host, 38, looked like a contestant on her own show with the wild and...Read more»]]> She’s smizing all right!

Tyra Banks stepped out on the red carpet at the 2012 Moth Ball soiree in New York City Thursday night, May 9, sporting a lot of layers– on her face that is!

The America’s Next Top Model host, 38, looked like a contestant on her own show with the wild and crazy way her makeup was done. She certainly went for the vamp look with her severe smokey eyes and bright pink lips.

Do you think Tyra would win a challenge with that face?

What do you think of this fierce makeup choice: Yay or Nay? Cast your vote in the poll and state your case in the comments!

tyra's bizzare times square poses

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]]> http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-05-10/tyra-banks-makeup-mix-up-yay-or-nay-photos/feed/ 3 http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-04-25/pretty-in-pink-style-showdown-rihanna-vs-tyra-banks-poll/ http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-04-25/pretty-in-pink-style-showdown-rihanna-vs-tyra-banks-poll/#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:17:34 +0000 Amber James http://www.celebuzz.com/?p=10401462 As one of Time magazine’s most influential people, Rihanna toned down her usually controversial style and was a vision in pink, donning an ’80s prom frock to the Time 100 gala in New York City on Tuesday. The “We Found Love” singer looked very girly in a bright pink Vivienne Westwood gown. Pink seemed to...Read more»]]> As one of Time magazine’s most influential people, Rihanna toned down her usually controversial style and was a vision in pink, donning an ’80s prom frock to the Time 100 gala in New York City on Tuesday. The “We Found Love” singer looked very girly in a bright pink Vivienne Westwood gown.

Pink seemed to be the color of the night, with fellow honoree Tyra Banks stepping out in a gorgeous pink Marchesa gown. Looking strikingly similar to RiRi, the America’s Next Top Model host got quite a surprise when fans outside the venue accidentally confused her for the Barbadian babe.

“Fans started going crazy and were yelling, ‘You look great Rihanna!’ Tyra took it in stride but definitely let them know they had mistaken identities,” an onlooker tells Celebuzz.

Despite the mix-up, both gals looked fabulous. So who wore the pretty in pink style best: Rihanna or Tyra? Vote in the poll and play fashion critic in the comments.

Rihanna Gets Wet & Wild on Facebook

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Inside the event, Rihanna performed and entertained the nominees, who included Kristen Wiig, Claire Danes, Hillary Clinton, Louis CK and Amy Poehler.

She got quite a surprise when her mom decided to attend and proceeded to discuss her daughter’s headline-making alleged fling with Ashton Kutcher. A cringing Rihanna told fans of her embarrassment, tweeting:

Well….2nt consisted of us singing Bob Marley, drinkin Vintage Scotch, and my mom thinkin a joke abt Kutcher was appropriate! #Thxtime100

— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 25, 2012

Can you guess which celebs beefed up for their on camera roles?

Click through the gallery above to see if you can tell through all the cushion who the star is.

In case you missed it, you can watch a fuller January Jones right here:

A few of our favorite stars have posted pictures of their exciting week for all of their fans. Celebuzz did some digging and gathered the most popular ones for everyone to enjoy!

Take a look through the gallery to see a top model go back to college, a Belieber get a huge surprise, and a favorite brunette who recently went blonde.

the Best Kardashian Twitter Pics of 2011

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Which Twitpic is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below!

Remember years ago when Gisele, Tyra, Naomi and Heidi strutted down the runway? Now these girls knew how to be fit and skinny…not just skin and bones.

Take a look back at ten of our favorite Victoria’s Secret angels.

Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr, and Adriana Lima need to show a few new girls how it’s done! Do you guys agree?

Check out our picks for the best celebrity cover songs that hit the web recently!

Taylor Swift paid homage to her fellow country colleagues, Rascal Flatts during the latest stop on her tour in Oklahoma City. Decked out in a purple dress and strumming away on her guitar, T-Swift sang a melancholy cover of their smash single “What Hurts the Most.”

“Rascal Flatts have been amazing to me, they’ve been wonderful to me,” quipped Taylor.

Lady Gaga wasn’t the only singer rocking the stage at former President Bill Clinton‘s 65th birthday bash/charity fundraising event, A Decade of Difference. Usher paid tribute to Joe Cocker‘s cover of The Beatles‘ “With A Little Help From My Friends.” Does the tune sound awfully familiar, TV watchers? It was also the theme song for the iconic, ’90s show, The Wonder Years!

Meanwhile, Tyra Banks joined YouTube sensation Keenan Cahill at his Chicago home for a hilarious yet touching lip-sync and dance performance of Peter Kaze‘s “Walk Like Tyra.” And of course no Tyra appearance could go without some “smizing!”

And from one American Idol winner to another, Kelly Clarkson did a chilling rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “I Know You Won’t” during her L.A. concert at the Troubadour on Wednesday. Accompanied by a piano and cello, Kelly’s emotional version is certainly goosebump-inducing.

What was your favorite cover song this week? Sound off in the comments!

The model, TV personality and creator of America’s Next Top Model is adding author to her resume with her first book, Modelland, which will hit bookstores on September 13. 

Aimed at young readers, the book’s press release says the tome follows the adventures of “Tookie De La Crème, a 15-year-old aspiring model who receives an unexpected invitation to Modelland – an exclusive, mysterious place on top of a mountain.”

Natch, Tyra isn’t the only celebrity author out there. In fact, several celebs have landed on the best seller list! 

Find out some of Hollywood’s biggest bookworms by clicking through the gallery — and if you have a favorite celebrity book, tell us which one in the comments below! 

There has been an overload of ladies seen frolicking on the beach so far this summer — not that we’re complaining. Tyra Banks stepped out, showing off the curves that made her famous. Everything Sel-go has been trending lately, and her itsy bitsy bathing suit is quite the fashion statement. Whitney Port has also proved that summer isn’t the only thing that’s been hot lately.

And speaking of itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikinis, Coco is most famously known for her body, that she proudly struts around this summer. Other celebs have also been spotted, such as Eva Longoria and Jennifer Aniston. 

Now that more stars have been taking advantage of the hot summer weather, Celebuzz made sure to update you on the hottest bikini bodies.

white hot: summer's most trendy bikini

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Make sure to check out all these bikini babes, and leave us a comment — or let us know on our Facebook page — which leading lady is looking smoking hot!

America’s Next Top Model host Tyra Banks worked the eye-popping look when she stopped by the Good Morning America studio in NYC today, wearing a gold wing affixed to her eyebrow and a complimentary tie.

Tyra is known for being fashion forward, and her over-the-top eye accessory definitely shouts avant-garde.  The playful eyepiece added some glittery fun to her blue pin-striped top and black vest ensemble.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Tyra with a wing over her eye. On Wednesday, she was spotted striking a few poses for a photo shoot in Times Square with her models – who were wearing similar wings, although those were more like wing eye-patches in green! Check out the photos below to see what we’re talking about:

tyra wings out in times square

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What do you think? Would you wear an eye wing? Tell us in the comments below!

Tyra had something glued over her eye and was wearing a light pink unitard with writing all over it as she swung from a pole. Meanwhile, models dressed in shades of green wore eyepatches that looked like eyes! Check out the pictures to see what we’re talking about!

Just like her photo shoots, Tyra is anything but modest on her Twitter. She wrote on Tuesday with an attached link: 

“Too much hair down there? (Yeah, I said it!) Find out how to keep your bikini line in check. ;-)”

Over July 4th weekend, the supermodel showed off her curves in a teeny blue bikini. Check out the pics below and be sure to follow Celebuzz on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr for more celeb news and photos.

tyra bikinis in mexico

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]]> http://www.celebuzz.com/2011-07-20/tyra-banks-strikes-bizarre-slightly-scary-poses-in-times-square-photos/feed/ 0 http://www.celebuzz.com/2011-07-05/battle-of-the-sexiest-4th-of-july-bikini-bodies-poll/ http://www.celebuzz.com/2011-07-05/battle-of-the-sexiest-4th-of-july-bikini-bodies-poll/#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:24:48 +0000 Elizabeth Santana http://www.celebuzz.com/?p=8199331
Forget fireworks and BBQs, this hot 4th of July weekend was full of celebs showing their patriotism in a different way – with bikinis! From Katie Holmes to Ashley Tisdale, a bevy of beauties took to the beach to celebrate the festive weekend! Country starlet, LeAnn Rimes, showed off her tiny figure as she frolicked around the beaches...Read more»

]]> Forget fireworks and BBQs, this hot 4th of July weekend was full of celebs showing their patriotism in a different way – with bikinis! From Katie Holmes to Ashley Tisdale, a bevy of beauties took to the beach to celebrate the festive weekend!

Country starlet, LeAnn Rimes, showed off her tiny figure as she frolicked around the beaches of Malibu with her husband, Eddie Cibrian, and took pics with friends and family. LeAnn is no stranger to bikini pictures: she recently tweeted a picture to disprove her critics and show off her curvy figure.

Texas native Eva Longoria took to Spain with her rumored boyfriend (and Penelope Cruz‘s younger brother) Eduardo Cruz. The petite star soaked up some rays on a yacht while wearing a simple white bikini.

Tyra Banks took Eva’s route and went abroad for the holiday weekend. While in Mexico, the 37-year-old former supermodel and media mogul lounged poolside with her boyfriend John Utendahl. Tyra didn’t shy away from wearing the two-piece purple bikini seeing as she’s gotten criticism over her weight gain.

Sure, she isn’t technically American but all Spice Girls are honorary Americans in our hearts. Geri Halliwell celebrated the hot weekend by donning a white and pink polka dot bikini in Sardinia. The former Spice Girl was joined by her long-time beau Henry Beckwith.

The weekend wasn’t all about celebrating the birth of our nation, but also of a few of our favorite actors as well. Katie Holmes had no problem baring her bikini body as she and and her daughter Suri Cruise celebrated Tom Cruise‘s 49th birthday at Miami Beach’s Soho Beach House.

Across the country, Ashley Tisdale celebrated her 26th birthday at the beaches of Malibu with a multi-colored bikini and aqua shades. She was joined by her High School Musical co-star Zac Efron and the two BFFs were spotted goofing off on the sand. Zac even gave the special birthday girl a piggyback ride!

All of these ladies brought sexy back, but this begs the question: Who has the sexiest 4th of July beach body? Vote in our poll and leave your comments below!

While her supermodel peers were either getting married (Kate Moss) or attending star-studded royal weddings (Naomi Campbell in Monaco), Tyra spent her holiday weekend South of the Border with banker boyfriend John Utendahl. Wearing a bright purple bandeau two-piece, the 37-year-old retired model enjoyed a dip in a Jacuzzi with her longtime beau.

The TV host has been criticized over the years for gaining weight. In 2006, Tyra was mocked for her fuller figure after photos of her in a bathing suit appeared on the cover of several magazines. Tyra later went on her talk show, The Tyra Show, and infamously slammed her critics:

To all of you who have something nasty to say to me or to women built like me. I have one thing to say to you: Kiss my fat a**!

Tyra later revealed to People that her weight has fluctuated between 148 and 162 pounds since she quit modeling in 2005.

Fourth of July Bikini ROund-Up

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Joined by the fashionably loud Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Talley, the two prove that the LBD — that they refer to as the “dress of a lifetime” — even works when you’re holed up in a “haute mental institution.” What’s tip No. 1 to finding the right black dress?

According to Tyra and Andre, “Invest in a well-made LBD, you’ll wear it forever.” The super-styled stars also match the LBD with the right body type, in addition to showing how to evolve the dress from corporate casual to sexy chic.

However, there are some “Little Black Don’ts” that even the America’s Next Top Model host herself has fell victim to. Tyra pulls out a picture of herself at an awards show in the 90s where all she had on was what looked like a black bikini top and a floor-length skirt,

“I had a black dress moment, Andre, that was one of the biggest fashion don’ts of my entire life. It was the mid-90s, I felt hot, sexy. I thought my abs were doing good. … [But it was] dreckitude.”

Tyra’s new word, dreckitude, means “the lowest point in the lowest ebb. The lowest of the lows.” 

While not everyone can be a regular Albert Einstein (who was actually born on March 14 … go figure!), there are those celebs who have much more going on beneath the surface of their gorgeous skulls.

Case in point:

People Magazine reports that model Tyra Banks has been taking classes at Harvard Business School for the last year! She already has a glowing empire, but felt the need to keep herself mentally stimulated and wanted to expand:

“In order for my company to grow and be the best, and to reach these women, and to serve them, I needed the best. So I went to the best.”

To celebrate Tyra’s latest scholastic venture as well as this fantastically nerdy day, Celebuzz compiled a list of the smartest stars out there, some of which may surprise you!

So check out the gallery and tell us on Twitter or Facebook — which smart celeb is your fave?

Full Story and Photos at LimeLife.com.

Well, sorta: the 36-year-old TV host has recently re-signed with her former modeling agency, IMG.

However, Tyra isn’t returning to the runway, she is re-signing with IMG to, in her words, “align myself with brands that I believe in,” which is publicityspeak for “finding companies to pay me to shill their stuff.”

So, in a way, Tyra will be modeling again and smizing her way into our hearts and pockets.

Meanwhile, if you just can’t get enough Tyra between her daytime talk show and America’s Next Top Model, then prepare yourself for Tyra’s foray into the world of fiction with her new novel, Modelland.

Will Tyra be as successful at fiction writing as she was at modeling and television? We guess we’ll have to wait and see.

The America’s Next Top Model host tops Forbes‘ list of Prime Time’s 10 Top-Earning Women this year. According to the venerable financial rag, Banks raked in $30 million between June 1, 2008 and June 1, 2009.

Following in a distant second is Grey’s Anatomy gal Katherine Heigl, who took in $18 million during the same period—which is a good thing, since she has a young mouth to feed now.

Click here for the rest of the list of well-compensated ladies from prime-time. And let us know in the comments section: Does Tyra Banks deserve to make $30 million a year?