NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2007
Tyra Banks Responds To Weight Critics
Former Supermodel Says That She Is Healthy And Comments Are Destructive
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Tyra Banks is getting a lot of criticism for gaining weight since leaving modeling. (Getty Images/Mark Davis)
Unflattering photos of Banks in a bathing suit have been posted on the Internet with captions like "America's Next Top Waddle," "Fat Tyra" and "Tyra Porkchop." Web sites and tabloids have criticized her for gaining 30 to 40 pounds.
Banks is now firing back in a People magazine article. She admits that she has gained some weight since her modeling days and that her weight does fluctuate depending on how well she is taking care of herself.
"They have been mean, calling her ugly, fat, disgusting — all because she put on a little weight," Galina Espinoza, senior editor for People magazine, told The Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen. "Tyra wasn't aware people were talking about her. She came back from Australia and saw pictures on the Internet and people were calling worried saying, 'You gained 40 pounds, we should talk about this.' She thought, 'What is all the fuss about?' "
Banks says she's hurt by the comments, that she's "still hot," and that she's more "relatable" at 155 pounds instead of 145 pounds. She plans to address the situation during an episode of "The Tyra Banks Show" set to air next week, Espinoza said.
"She's saying yeah, she's put on a little weight but she's at a healthy body weight and a healthy size and her big concern is young girls who look up to her, saying, 'We think you are so beautiful and love that you are not a size 2,' " Espinoza said. "What are they going to think if they see my picture being called these horrible things?"
Banks sees herself as a role-model now that she's launched her career as a talk show host. Espinoza said that Banks knows she contributed to this image of perfection during her years modeling.
"Now she wants to be honest about all the work that goes into looking that good and what she really looks like," Espinoza said. "Tyra found this ridiculous, saying, 'What does my weight have to do with all of my years of experience and success? I'm not a model any more.' "
On "America's Top Model," Banks doesn't pick excessively thin women and deliberately chooses models of all body sizes. Espinoza said Banks gives advice about getting in better shape, but also acknowledges that she is not a model anymore and doesn't have to adhere to those standards.
This has been a struggle Banks is long familiar with. Even when she first became a model, critics said she was too big.
"She said there was a list of designers who wouldn't work with her because she had hips," Espinoza said. "She's used to being criticized for her body but has always turned it into a positive. So she went to places like the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and Victoria's Secret, where curves are valued. That's a message she wants to send. You don't have to conform to one beauty ideal there are lots of ways to be beautiful."
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Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
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See all 37 CommentsBeanpoles have a right to life too. NATURAL beanpoles that is. The problem comes in when people are trying to be something they are not.
Critics are just haters...critics of books, movies, music, entertainment, they're all morons. If you watch Tyra's show...you WILL be entertained. She's vivacious, exciting, and has a great sense of humor. I'm a guy and I love watching her show, simply to see what she'll come up with next. She's great...and the few pounds (which I haven't noticed personally) haven't put her in some new "heavy" category...she rocks...plain and simple. Awesome woman!
Okay, I'm kidding (just a little). But I understand she is talented beyond the "eye candy" factor...
Tyra's looks have certainly changed- for the better. She is more beautiful than before.
Also, cheers(!) to Oscar nominations for Judi Dench, Hellen Mirren, and Meryl Streep.
There's so much more to women than their ages or measurements.
Besides, I'd seek advice from my Pekingese before I'd seek advise from the media on most issues of any relevance.
(I'm a guy by the way, if it matters.)
You like to use the word pig a lot, is that because you are afraid of becoming one? Nothing I said is false, so stop your whining, Ms piggy-to-be. Obesity is the the number one health problem in America. Don't blame others because you don't look like the model they find attractive. The size, shape, and look, of the model is determined by the clothing designer so just get over it if they don't look like you.
NorCallRuss, people should listen to you. OBESITY is the american problem these days.
compare pictures of crowds in the 1920's with crowds of today....modern day fat city.
queen latifa is on the chubby side but she is still dammmmmn hot and would prolly kick you to the currrb!
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