Banks, Beyonce Branch Out

By Tammy Lo and Janelle Shklyar


From issue 3 winter 2006


Tyra Banks recently retired from modeling after her last runway show. Now that Tyra is retired from modeling she will be able to concentrate more on her television talk show and her reality show, “America’s Next Top Model.” Tyra said in an on-line interview, “Modeling is one of those jobs that have a ticking time clock on them” and in that field, it’s better to “step out and not get kicked out.” Tyra Banks retired at the age of 32.


Tyra was born on December 4, 1973 in Los Angeles, California. Tyra has modeled since she was 15 and now she is 32. At the age of 23, she was the first African-American model to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit issue.


What can viewers expect to see from Tyra’s new show? Tyra’s has already invited the stars from America’s Next Top Model to appear on the show, which they did in December. We’re sure to see more celebrities on the show too. And, wait until you hear what hot new star made a clothing line this year! It is none other then Destiny’s Child’s lead singer Beyonce. According to the website Arants.com, the clothing line will be called House of Dereon. It is named after her grandmother Agnes Dereon. She targeted it to women ages 18-28, but I believe even teen-agers will buy the clothes. A student I interviewed said, “She (Beyonce) is classy and chic. She is so fashionable. She is my role model.”