← Tyra Banks Decoded: From Supermodel to Mega Mogul

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By Anslem Samuel | Published March 22, 2012 | Full size is 620 × 480 pixels

MODEL BEHAVIOR Although she enrolled in Loyola Marymount University, Banks booked her first modeling gig before she even stepped on campus. Only 17, the 5’10”, green-eyed beauty dropped out of college to join Elite Model Management. She flew to Europe and did 25 shows in her first runway season. Since then, Tyra has appeared on the covers of Elle, Maxim, Details, Seventeen, Shape and Harper’s Bazaar. In 1994, Banks was named as one of People’s “50 Most Beautiful People,” and, by 1996, she appeared on the cover the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, alongside model Valeria Mazza. The following year, she became the first African American woman to pose alone for the sports publication. Tyra’s appearance on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue helped transform the publication into the single best-selling magazine under Time Inc.'s publishing house. She went on to ink an exclusive contract with Victoria’s Secret, becoming the first Black model to appear in their catalogue.

MODEL BEHAVIOR

Although she enrolled in Loyola Marymount University, Banks booked her first modeling…

(Image: Getty)