Tyra Banks: The Next Oprah?

January 3, 2007 | Television


It's a revealing new look for the red-hot Tyra Banks, as she poses for the new issue of Vanity Fair and bares secrets of her life as a model in a candid all-new interview with the prestigious magazine.

"I think it's pretty clear she's assuming the mantle of the next Oprah," dished Vanity Fair's Contributing Editor Nancy Jo Sales, who also told "Extra" that Tyra admitted she's making herself in the image of old pal, Lady O.

"Tyra looks at Oprah as a mentor," Sales added.

The talk show princess also recently opened up to "Extra's" very own Jon Kelley about Oprah's influence on her.

"She's supported me and continues to support me and give me great advice," Tyra admitted. "But it's really big shoes to fill, and I don't think I'll ever fill them."

But with her smash hit, "America's Next Top Model," a high-flying daytime talk show, which has just been renewed for another two years, and a reported annual income of $18 million, Tyra is building an empire of her own at just 33 years of age.

Tyra was even named one of the Most Influential People in America by Time magazine.

"My mom and I cried together when we saw that I was on the Time's list," Tyra admitted. "So that does feel really, really good."

Nancy Jo Sales also dished that Tyra appeals to a younger generation of fans than Oprah.

"I think young women relate to her because she's a lot like them," Sales said.

However, the tireless Tyra admitted she's too busy to even fit a man into her life.

"She's not dating anyone right now; I don't think she has any time," Sales relayed.

To get the full scoop and to check out Tyra's tantalizing photo spread, check out the new Vanity Fair, on newsstands now.


comments

heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Anonymous
March 3, 2008

I adore Tyra!
With so many negative role models in Hollywood today, it’s so refreshing to see her doing her thing and empowering women! I hope when I have a daughter someone like her will be around!

brit morgan
July 8, 2007

I became a fan of Tyra back when she was a regular on Oprah. It’s great to see they’re still so close.

Josh
July 6, 2007

Dear Tyra,
My name is Fabyne C. Thegenus, Iam Haitian American and 17 yrs old. Tyra, I really have a dream to become a supermodel like you. To be the first Haitian supermodel, I really think I can live out my dream. But their two things stopping me. One is my dad, I want him to know that I believe in myself, and prove that I have the talent to become a top model. The way I think about my goals and dream in life. My father and mother may not think the same. He always says I talk ”bling bling” like as if, I dream big but show nothing that I can give in the industry of modeling. Sometimes I feel like maybe it’s not possible, because I get so put down. But Tyra I don’t want to give up on my dream, I want to at least have a chance to show I can make it with a great fight. I know my father is a poor man, and he may not have the money to help me start my dream and goal. I know my father loves me so much and, I know my father is a good father. It just seems like he thinks I wouldn’t fit the picture as a model. He’s always saying, why don’t I take any classes at school for nursing or do or say anything to take my mind off of what I love and want to do. I don’t want to later in life regret that I didn’t live my dream, and did something I didn’t enjoy doing in life. I don’t want to spend my life in the darkness, I want to see the light one day. The other thing is about my skin, my back has patches of lighter skin color. It makes me sad and feel no good in my own skin. When I look at people who have swimsuit and have nice backs, and I look at myself and want to wear a t-shirt when I go swimming, so no one will see my skin. I feel so insecure when I look at my skin or when I do my hair. I always find some way to cover my forehead. Because of the mark I have in the middle of it. Sometimes I don’t want to look at myself. Because I feel like Iam not beautiful at times. I don’t want to feel like this anymore, I want to love the skin I’m in. Please Tyra, help me, Iam writing from the bottom of my heart. And I know that is the way God is going to open the doors for me.
I love you so much.
May God Bless You and Your Family.

Thank You so much
Fabyne C. Thegenus

Fabyne
July 6, 2007

i have tried and tried to lose weight but i cant there is all of food i dont like what sould i do.

angel
June 1, 2007

I love the Tyra Banks show!!!
I watch it whenever I can and when I don’t have school!!!
She is my role model, and I wish that more people were like her.
I am trying to email her, but it’s not working, so if anyone can help me with that, i would personally appreciate that.

Payge
June 1, 2007

Yes I would like for her personaly to read this that I’ve wrote. My 2 year old son has been in a terriable unfortonate accident. He was ran over by an SUV truck and he’s pulling through like you would’t beleive. He has some very serious injories with his lungs, liver, and other serious organs that are internaly bleading I would love her to prey for my only born child. Matthew Connor Neal Pruitt He’s very strong willed. But I need as many preyers as we can get. A few days befor this happend my soon to be husband lost his job so you could imagine how much were struggling. Just Please remember he is coming off the machine that breaths for him tommarrow March 27, 2007 and he is responsive and coheirent also moves around when not sedated. Please prey for my baby Tyra. Your my favorite out of all the talk show hostes. I live at 50 Padgett Ln. Jasper AL 35504.

Thanks
Sincerly Yours
Elizabeth Newsome
I Love You Tyra Banks for your bravery to the real world.

Elizabeth Newsome
March 27, 2007

Temporarly I move to Tijuana, Baja California Mexico. and I find a chanel to view your program I like it now is good to be close to my fevorite program and thank for all that you do for us to not only view our favorite starts and to have more info on that.

Love you all thank you.

Sincerly.
Theresa Vanderpool.

Theresa Vanderpool
January 30, 2007

Tyra is so GEROGOUS! I don’t know why the media said she was fat. It is not true at all. She is a beautiful person in the inside and out. I LOVE YOU Tyra .. I will always be your biggest fan

AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL IS AIRING FEBRUARY 28TH 2 HOUR PREMIER. EVERYONE GET READY !!

Brittany
January 27, 2007

The Gloden globes would have been great however the awards show was ruined for our globe party due to the fact that your show gave away the top winners names prior to broadcast out here in California, Bad programing on your part so we will chose not to watch your show again.

Jeff
California

Jeff
January 16, 2007

I really love Tyra. She is so talented and humble. I love the fact that she is reachable, some celebrities are so stuck on themselves and she is just like everyone else, on her show she shows her weaknesses to let people know that she is a normal person. She deserves all the accolades she receives. you go girl!111111111111

Felisha
January 5, 2007

I Love Tyra banks she is so cool and she’s like the best that’s why everybody wants to be just like her bu she is like so cool though and I want her to kno that her shows are an slam hits shows of all time if you see this Trya keep doing yo thing girl your an impact on alot of lives well i kno your one on mines thanks. ~**LaRhonda_aka_SILVERDOLLA**~

LaRhonda
January 5, 2007

I LOVE tyra banks she is soooo thoughtful. I rly need her help but, my cp is messing up. If you see this tyra i am a low self estem teen and i rly need ur help VERY BADLY.

Emily branaman
January 4, 2007

Way to work it girl! Tyra is simply stunning… we need more “role models” like her who tell it how it is and don’t get caught up in La-La Land.

Melissa
January 3, 2007
post comment


(not displayed)


Back to Top »