Tyra Lynne Banks (born December 4, 1973) is a popular American supermodel, television personality, author, actress, executive producer, and talk show host, who's best known for her role since 2003 as both the host and judge of America's Next Top Model. Banks is widely-recognized as one of the most famous fashion models in the world and one of the original Victoria's Secret Angels.

Early life
Tyra Banks was born in Los Angeles, California to Don Banks and Carolyn London. She was raised in Inglewood, California with her brother Devin, and attended Immaculate Heart High School, an all-girls, independent Catholic private school in Los Angeles. Growing up, she was very thin and often teased; she was considered to be an "ugly duckling." Banks later said that this was a very difficult time for her and she developed a "very strong self-image problem." Banks has publicly stated that she has a severe fear of dolphins.