Tyra Banks Responds To Weight Critics

Former Supermodel Says That She Is Healthy And Comments Are Destructive

(CBS)  Tyra Banks is speaking out against critics who say she has gained too much weight since leaving the runway.

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."

[shernoho]

I think it is wonderful that Tyra can be a role model for girls and women who are not size 2 and under! (This coming from a former size 2) Everywhere young girls and teens look (especially Hollywood), they are besieged with thin and bony bodies. This has had a drastic effect on those that are not the "ideal size 2-4".

I think Tyra looks great, *** and healthy.

[goldsummer]

Being beautiful is a matter of attitude ... its not a number on a scale. Tyra.. you go girl!!

[demetrapage]

Tyra just need to keep on doing as she been doing.You know people has to talk about something and someone.I think she looks GREAT GO GIRL

[jennyhonaker]

I watched the Early Show this morning and frankly was appalled by Julie Chen continuously referring to Tyra Banks as being "plus-sized." This kind of thoughtless comment contributes to the problem in this country of young girls and women starving themselves so they can conform to someone else's view of who is the "right-size" and who is "plus-size." If Tyra Banks is now to to be considered a plus-sized woman then the number of women in this country who are overweight and "plus-size" just tripled.

[ssporleder]

Plug your ears Tyra and enjoy yourself.
I used to be 175 and at that time that was a 15/16.
Over the years I have gone up and down and now am more often a 9/10 - 11/12.
But, my weight is only better by about 10-15 pounds.
How is it that I am now what I used to think was a more skinny size?
Have they have changes the sizes on clothes to make us think we are slimmer, but we really are not?
Also, when ladies are refered to as Plus, they are putting 11/12 into that and years ago that was the average.
Good thing Marilyn Monroe is not trying to make it in Hollywood these days.
What gives?

[inventagod]

My wife died trying to be thin.
Anyone who calls a woman 'fat' is a misguided gullible fool.
Women are round, if not, there is something wrong.
If you desire a man with boobs, maybe a transvestite is your dish, Bucky...

[mitch0927]

caponeduke, you're a creep that needs to be wiped off the face of the earth. Creeps like you are what drive women to killing themselves to be skinny. I think skinny women are a big turn off and wouldn't date one, no matter who she is.

[nishaboston]

Tyra Banks is no where near being fat. Half the people that are calling her these names are unattractive. Tyra Banks has been a model for years and probably starving herself doing so.

She is almost 6 feet tall and weights 160, that is not fat.

[xxbabygirlxx-2009]

i think Tyra Banks is freaking GORGEOUS!!! that girl could weigh 763 pounds, and she would still be kinda pretty! i think you people suck...critics need to be a little more open minded about this kind of stuff. imagine what this is doing for teenagers my age?? not a good impression...

[janedoe32]

Tyra Banks is GORGEOUS. That's it; no other explanation needed. Those taboid heroin-junkies need to stop looking for negative things to say about people who HAVE A LIFE, and get one of their own.

[dgshiner]

they are just jealous Tyra is excellent and with her out of the model business she no longer has to subject her self to some of these peoples remarks furthermore there are all sizes and shapes in this world for those who prefer whatever! You go girl and continue to give em hell!

[alimech]

The "plus-sized" and such comments are not healthy or necessary. I have a 34 year old daughter that is 5'10", and still fighting anorexia. And her two daughters.., age 9 and 12...are beginning to "worry about their weight". My daughter should weigh about 150... but the reflection in the mirror tells her she is too fat. We almost lost her two years ago... not eating and drinking too many energy drinks... and her kidneys failed. She is a beautiful woman, but at 140 she is gaunt with deep circles appears sickly.

LET'S NOT PROMOTE MORE ANOREXIA IN OUR YOUNG GIRLS AND WOMEN!!!

[Haug_Dude]

"Former" supermodel? A real survivor with beauty and brains. All the so called supermodels look wasted, and have expressions suggesting they just cleaned the bus station WC. HollyWierd needs to get over itself in the worst way. Go Tyra !!

[redwilma]

I'd give a million bucks to look half as great as Tyra. She's gorgeous!! (A bit thin, but gorgeous!)

[epearson65]

Go Tyra! I'm a tall (five foot ten) woman who for years weighed only 127 pounds, but always felt light headed and weak--people would always comment on how pale I looked. Now at 42 years old I've finally decided I've earned the right to wear my 150 lbs without guilt, and I feel much healthier. Tyra looks great at her new weight, too!

[ches22]

NorCalRuss MUST be a MAN because you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. Slim is NOT healthy nor is it attractive or even realistic. America does have a weight problem but you know what? Most people can't help it because of their genetic make-up. By the way, Remember all the old Roman statues of women and how voluptuous they are, or even 50 years ago the women were more "round" than the curve-less figures of today, by today's standards Marilyn Monroe would be considered OBESE. I say NO MORE SKINNY CURVELESS MODELS, GO TYRA!!

[brooklynstr8]

Tyra looks amazing! At her weight and height, she is probably a size 8, not a size 15, (no such size anyway), and a healthy, strong, beautiful role model for girls. I'm tall, been a size 8 most of my life, worked as a fit model, (because clothing is fit, not shown, on size 8 women, and then graded up and down for the other sizes), played sports, danced for more than 20 years and have a bmi of less than 22, and I only wiegh about 5 pounds less than Tyra.
This is what a reaL woman looks like, America, get used to it!

[smalian]

The girl got out of modeling--she's her own person now. If you don't like it, don't watch her show! She's still a great role model for young women.

[llcoolwsr]

Just as long a she doesn't get Queen Latifa fat!!!

[cantshutup]

hey llcoolwsr...

queen latifa is on the chubby side but she is still dammmmmn hot and would prolly kick you to the currrb!

[ilovemyson-2009]

All Tyra has to do is a point a mirror in the critics' direction. I'm sure they don't even come close to being as in shape and beautiful as tyra. Now, if Tyra were still in the modeling career, then the critics would have a right to criticize. but HELLO, she's a talk show host! Probably the prettiest one ever.

[norcalruss]

The irony never ceases to amaze me. Consider the following facts: A. About 50% of the ADULT population in this nation is obese. B. About 25% of the CHILDREN in this nation are obese. C. We live in the FATEST nation on earth. When one considers these facts, am I the only one who sees the folly of the growing past time of many in this FAT nation to criticize models for being too %u2018skinny%u2019? I hear a lot of talk about anorexia, bulimia, blah, blah,%u2026What about the flip side or (fat side) of the equation. It is well known that obesity is the number one PREVENTABLE cause of premature death in this nation, if you don%u2019t believe me ask your doctor. There is a causal relationship between obesity and heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney failure etc. According to the Body Mass Index calculator (BMI) an average weight is a reading of 18.5 %u2013 24.9. This means that a model who is 5 ft 9 inches tall is still in normal range if she weighs at least 125 LB. Recent scientific experiments with lab animals have shown that underweight specimens outlive those with normal weight. So for all those in the world with a BMI around 30 or higher, before you start dissing the slim attractive models, take a good look at yourself in the mirror and at the number you hate on the scale. Don%u2019t hate the models because they are beautiful and you are fat.

[acofield2]

I wonder who determined what is considered "normal" sized and what is considered "plus sized" on that show. I was amazed that the morning hosts would refer to Tyra's physique as "plus sized" and I do not believe that they bothered to research and educate themselves as to what a plus sized physique is. All in all this was a poorly worded, misinformed report but Ms. Banks still came out shining like a star.

[acofield2]

I wonder who determined what is considered "normal" sized and what is considered "plus sized" on that show. I was amazed that the morning hosts would refer to Tyra's physique as "plus sized" and I do not believe that they bothered to research and educate themselves as to what a plus sized physique is. All in all this was a poorly worded, misinformed report but Ms. Banks still came out shining like a star.

[ches22]

Actually I am not fat..I'm normal according to your BMI index you pig. Even if models are 5 foot 9 and 125, that still looks disgusting. Rib cages showing, absolutely no thighs to speak of and ankles that looks like they're about to snap off. By the way I don't "hate" anyone, looks like you're the one with the anger problem, why are you so defensive? Maybe because you have issues too. I'm five foot two and 129 lbs. I'm NOT denying most american's have a weight problem, but being anorexic is just as unhealthy as being overweight. Why don't you research that too arrogant pig.

[wileygrl5]

WOW NORCALRUSS sounds like YOU'RE the one with the problems, and you're obviously a male. Why do you assume that woman writing stuff is fat? You've got some serious issues with body image not to mention reality. Just buzz off.

[wileygrl5]

WOW NORCALRUSS sounds like YOU'RE the one with the problems, and you're obviously a male. Why do you assume that woman writing stuff is fat? You've got some serious issues with body image not to mention reality. Just buzz off.

[hermit22]

some fairminded person scrawled on a wall someplace, "thin may be in, but fat is where its at." i thought, fine! a good chance for everyone.

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.

[norcalruss]

Chess22,

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.

[nmsuip]

I don't normally follow this "reality TV" and "talent search" ***. I know nothing of Tyra Banks besides this publicity. However, I'm compelled to comment here:

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.)

[nmsuip]

...And whatever happened to Laurie Dhue? As far as I'm concerned, she put the "fox" in "Fox News." At least more so than Bill O'Reilly or Tony Snow ever did...

Okay, I'm kidding (just a little). But I understand she is talented beyond the "eye candy" factor...

[mrdet]

In my opinion Tyra Banks is one of the most beautiful women in the public eye. She is to be admired for her self confidence, and the role model she is for our daughters. I say this being a parent of a 13 year old who believes (and has since she was eight) that she looks fat in everything she wears. Shopping for her is like torture, leaving the mall in tears everytime we look at clothes. She has even talked to the doctor about her weight, he told her she is not overweight and is very healthy. This is still hard for her to accept when everywhere you look there are bone thin young ladies promoting todays fashions. So as to the few pounds Tyra has put on, you go girl. We need more woman like you in fashion today.

[navyretired2]

NorCalRuss....dude....this blog is about how ignorant and envious critics are, for calling Tyra Banks overweight, when she's nowhere close to it. Its not about how fat the country is...go check out the science/health sections.

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!

[jb3boyz]

Most people do not realize that Marilyn Monroe was a size 12, which in today's standards would be considered "plus size". I doubt that Tyra is now a size 12 considering her height, so this whole idea of her being "fat" is ridiculous! No matter what she is one of the most beautiful women to every walk the planet, and my hats off to her for firing back at her critics on this issue. Tyra is a role model for ALL women and I praise her for not starving herself to look the way people "think she should look".

[zendor1]

how can anyone say that tyra banks is fat?? the woman is almost 6 feet tall and only weighs 145 pounds. she looks healthy and alive, unlike the too-skinny models that everyone thinks are the "standard" for american women. yes, obesity is a big problem in america today, but there is no way i would call tyra "morbidly obese", would you? i am a "normal" sized woman who is a size 10-12 and don't consider myself fat because i don't wear a size 0 or a 2. fact is, eating disorders are a very serious problem among our young people today and part of the reason for this is the unrealistic looking models of today. kudos to tyra for gaining a little weight, looking GOOD, and not caring what people think!!

[eunicabrown]

I think Tyra Banks is one of the most beautiful women in the world inside and out. What she has done for herself and women of all nationalities can not be measured on any scale. She is more beautiful now then she has ever been.She is a real WOMAN!!! Hold your head high Tyra, you have alot to be proud of. Don't change yourself for public opinion. STAY STRONG.

[hermit22]

who was it that said "a model is a scaffolding to build a woman on"?


Beanpoles have a right to life too. NATURAL beanpoles that is. The problem comes in when people are trying to be something they are not.