Top 10 Tyra Banks Moments on America's Next Top Model
Tyra Banks is known for her crazy antics and fabulous catch phrases. She's truly a character we can't get enough of! For this video, we're going to take a look at the Top 10 Tyra Banks Moments on ANTM! We've included the famous “Tiffany, we were rooting for you!”, The music video “Shake Ya Body”, when she pretended to faint, when she acted like a damn fool, when she addressed Denzel's homophobia and kangaroo Tyra.
#10: The Poison Apple
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Early on in this Cycle 11 episode, Tyra shows up at the house to offer the models some advice- and show off her acting skills. At this “Princess Party,” she initially talks about her physical transformation as a young model, and how it affected her career. Tyra then transitions into a makeover announcement, which is interrupted by a hilarious Snow White-inspired skit featuring a poisoned apple. Maybe Tyra won’t put this moment on her acting reel, but it was a unique way to announce her alleged absence from the makeovers the following day.
#9: When She Coined the Term “Pot Ledom”
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Tyra has a knack for original wordplay, and isn’t exactly modest about it. In Cycle 17, she not only coins a new phrase, but uses it for a music video shoot with YouTuber Keenan Cahill. “Pot Ledom” is “Top Model” backwards of course, and Tyra coordinates a challenge that forces the girls to use the phrase in an original song that they’ve written. This is just about as difficult as you would imagine, with some cracking under the pressure of the task. Once again, Tyra ultimately steals the show in this colorful Top Model moment.
#8: This Timeless Advice
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During a Cycle 8 judging panel, Tyra gives the contestants some classic modelling advice. For this shoot, the theme is “High School Cliches,” and Samantha doesn’t quite live up to her “bad reputation” concept. So, Tyra breaks it down – she explains that most modeling is “acting like a hoe but making it fashion.” Hoe. Fashion. Hoe. Fashion. Tyra strips down the concept for Samantha, who instantly becomes a better model while simultaneously enjoying a classic Tyra moment. Tyra’s blunt feedback managed to connect with contestants, cycle after cycle.
#7: The Music Video
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Near the end of Cycle 2, Tyra films a music video for her debut single, “Shake Ya Body.” This episode features lessons on movement, and Tyra casts the models in the shoot to show off what they’ve learned. The production is a perfect way for Tyra to set an example, and the contestants follow her lead by working it out on camera. Some move more naturally than others, but they all embrace the opportunity and enjoy themselves. For Tyra, it’s a major moment...even if her music career didn’t take off.
#6: When She Addressed Denzel’s Homophobia
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In this Cycle 21 episode, Tyra uses her influence to teach one of the contestants- and the audience- a powerful lesson. Denzel, one of the male models in the competition mocks another male model for wearing heels, and makes several other homophobic comments. During the judges’ panel, he tries to explain himself, but Tyra isn’t having it and counters back. She compares homophobia to racism all the while reminding Denzel about how diverse the modeling industry is. Tyra is firm in her message, and she definitely gets her point across.
#5: When She Acted Like a “Damn Fool”
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For the Cycle 19 “College Edition,” Tyra gets all CRAY in Jamaica. She breaks out all her best phrases like “Hooch in Your Tooch” and “smize.” And she offers up something new when Kristen seems a bit “too cool for school” in her pictures. At first, the mood is light as the contestants process the feedback. But then Tyra does something that surprises everyone with the sheer intensity of it. The best part is that she’s actually referencing one of her most famous moments. …
#4: Kangaroo Tyra
A big Top Model announcement always deserves a big Tyra moment. In Cycle 8, April from Cycle 2 explains the specifics of a new challenge. The models can tell that something is up, and their suspicions are confirmed when Tyra bounces into the room in a kangaroo costume, followed by an actual kangaroo. It takes a moment for the contestants to process their emotions when Tyra reveals the big news that they’re going to be traveling to Australia. Like Renee says, only Tyra could look so incredible dressed as a marsupial!
#3: When She Pretended to Faint
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At the beginning of this Cycle 6 episode, Tyra makes a house call to discuss the pressures of the competition. For one of the contestants, it’s the unknown that scares her the most. Always the entertaining mentor, Tyra takes the queue and creates a moment the models (and the audience) will NEVER forget. First, she gains their sympathy by telling them that she isn’t feeling well. Next, she executes a near perfect faceplant into the floor. By then, everyone is panicking about what to do. But SURPRISE – it’s only acting! Acting, acting, acting! Tyra is so good that she makes Furonda cry.
#2: Smize!
If there’s one thing that non-viewers know about ANTM it’s that if you want to make it in the modelling world, you have to “smize.” Tyra first introduced the concept in Cycle 13, which is all about smiling with your eyes... without actually smiling. From that point on, “smize” became a go-to concept; a quick way for models to re-focus and find their “Top Model” groove. Plus, it’s always a special moment when Tyra goes into model mode to demonstrate how to smize like a boss. Her smizing moments captivate the models, and the smize concept has become a pop culture mainstay.
#1: When She Screamed at Tiffany
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Tyra Banks knows what it takes to become a top model. She also understands the importance of staying positive and focused. In Cycle 4, Tiffany struggled with attitude problems, which didn’t go over well with her mentor. During the judges’ panel, Tiffany remained aloof and confrontational - which became too much for Tyra to deal with. So, she unloads on Tiffany with a shocking outburst that shows just how much she cares for the contestants. This is one moment where Tyra really lets go, and the fact that it has turned into a frequently used meme just goes to show how much impact it had.
