Tyra Banks is finally returning to the runway.
It’s been almost 20 years since the supermodel strolled down the catwalk. The 2005 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was her final triumph before she retired as a model and devoted herself to other ventures, including acting, producing, publishing books, and hosting a reality show and daytime talk show. It became a stage. After appearing in a few rare campaigns, Banks has now decided to make a grand comeback, with an intimates brand closely tied to her world-beating modeling career.
It all started in 1997, when Banks became the first black woman to cover the Victoria’s Secret catalog. She then became a Victoria’s Secret Angel and appeared in nine different shows before retiring, cementing her status as a VS legend. Since then, the famous fashion show has been on hiatus, only to return in 2023 with a revamped format. The 2024 show is sure to be even bigger and better, and Banks feels ready to take the stage.
In an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar ahead of the show on October 15th, she said: “Never in a million years did I think I’d be walking the runway again, but I’m so excited.” And I’m ready,” he told Harper’s Bazaar. The event will be held at the brand’s flagship store in New York City and will feature headline performances by Cher, Tyra and Blackpink’s Lisa.
We caught up with this innovative model to learn more about her big runway return, how she hopes to inspire the next generation of superstars, and what’s next after this long-awaited comeback. I asked them to talk about it.
It’s been almost 20 years since you last appeared at the Victoria’s Secret show. How does it feel to be back?
It’s a bit like an out-of-body experience. I left that runway and I had this huge retirement and it was so spectacular. I felt like an athlete saying, “I’m going to stop wearing cleats…I’m going to retire from basketball.” And now it’s back! Never in a million years did I think I would ever step on a runway again, but I’m so excited and ready for this.
Do you feel like you’ve changed since your last Victoria’s Secret show?
It’s interesting because in terms of diversity, I was also diverse. I was considered curvier and a black woman. And I think it’s still important to acknowledge that back then…19 years ago, it was, “Wow, they put Tyra on the cover and they’re ruining everything.” Overcoming these barriers, Victoria’s Secret has come forward and claimed to be the first black woman to truly go against the norm. And what’s even more amazing today is that they broke open those doors. I feel like I cracked it open and now it’s popped and I’m so excited. I see a video commercial that I did with Paloma (Elsesser) and I’m walking down the hallway and as the Victoria’s Secret woman, I break down a bunch of doors and I hand Paloma the invitation and she breaks down the doors. It is. . It’s just a continuation of beauty and diversity, and it’s really exciting.
Can you tell us something about what your appearance looks like on the show? Do you have any surprises?
I can’t say much about it, but I can tell you that I walk in heels. For example, I rode in the car to drop my son off at school, and the teachers didn’t know I was wearing heels underneath. This is (will be) live on the runway! This isn’t like a tape that Tyra can edit if she stumbles. So I make sure that I’m on point in my game. I got a herniated disc and no one would notice (lol) So I was ready. But in terms of what’s happening on the show…I can only speak about what the world knows. We have one letter different in our names, just an r and an a, so I’m really excited for Tyla to perform. So I can’t wait to be like, “Hey, girl!” As you know, you are my cousin. ”We have to do something together. I don’t know what it is, but because of our names, we have to do something social, something super fun together.
What is it about Victoria’s Secret that brings you back? What is it about the brands you love and what ultimately inspired you to come out of retirement?
I was a fan of Victoria’s Secret even before I became a Victoria’s Secret model. That catalog arrived in the mail…When I turned 16, my parents even gave me a Victoria’s Secret robe, which I still have. It is like a green silky textured robe. So that really resonated with me, not just as a model for them, but even before I was a model, and even now that I’m not a Victoria’s Secret model and have decided to retire. , we feel like family all these years.
One of the great things is that when I decided to retire, Victoria’s Secret came to me and was considering another contract. And I decided, “No, I need to be a talk show host and I need people to trust my words.” I don’t think people will accept me if I remain a model,” which may have been what she thought at the time. But then I became a businessman, ran an ice cream company, spoke at business institutions, earned a certificate in a course at Harvard, taught at Stanford University, and, yes, modeled for Victoria’s Secret. I think the world has evolved so that we can become. I think the world has changed in a way that makes us realize that as women, we don’t have to have stereotypes or fit into one mold. So I feel very excited and lucky to be able to come back and celebrate everything about myself and not feel like I have to cut out any part of myself to be taken seriously. So it feels really, really good.
How do you think you’re influencing the next generation of supermodels in that regard? And how do they inspire you?
So, I won’t say their names, but they’re all top-notch supermodels right now. But years ago, they were growing up and I was doing mentoring sessions with them. I told them: “We don’t come empty-handed. You grab a pen and paper and we’ll map out your path, right? Because it’s a strategy. It’s a business. It’s not about who’s the prettiest. You There are millions of people who are more beautiful, have better bodies, and are better than this (or that). It’s about strategy and about your integrity. were planning these paths, and I felt like it was — I wouldn’t say it was a responsibility, but there was a sense of happiness and fulfillment that came from doing it. . And they said: What can I get back? ” I said, “Baby, just be successful.” (Laughter) “Show me that this content I’m sharing with you is taking you to the next level. And you Success happens when they don’t call me anymore.” And they don’t call me anymore. You know, I see them all over the world. I’m like, “Oh my god, you’re a household name, girl!” And I’m not saying it was my fault at all. But being able to relate to it makes me feel better. So even if I’m backstage at an[upcoming]fashion show, if girls come up to me and want to say, “Tyra, show me how to do that,” I’ll continue to be there as well. I’m going to certainly not stumble. (Laughs) Well, just giving young girls these snippets and stuff would be great. If they want to follow up after a fashion show with charts, graphs, paper and pen, I can help. I feel that this is my calling.
So do you think this is a one-and-done thing? Can we expect more runway appearances in the future?
I thought it was going to be like, look, I’m doing this and I’m going to move on… but then this video was posted and people posted this video on Victoria’s Secret Instagram 11 million times ( He told me that the number of views) was as follows. The biggest real thing out there. It’s crazy, it’s crazy. So I get a lot of calls. Would you do that? But I’ll never do anything until I’m on the Victoria’s Secret runway for the first time. That’s where I want to come out of retirement. Then you can evaluate everything else and figure out what you do and don’t want to do. But I feel like my retirement happened with them, and my return will also happen with Victoria’s Secret.
Fans will love it! Speaking of comebacks, personally, I’d love to see Lindsay Lohan co-star with Lindsay Lohan again in life size, especially with the news of the Freaky Friday sequel.
So, I made the second piece and would like to make a third piece with Lindsay as a doll. How crazy is that? Now is the time. I feel like I have become a very nice woman. She’s already a mom. For example, can you imagine (my character) Eve teaching her (character) to be a doll? But it would be tough because Eve doesn’t know what life is anyway. (Laughs) That’s my dream, so let’s see.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Related articles
