Tyra Banks has retreated to a new life in Australia as a Netflix series exposes claims of “psychological torture” and body shaming on the set of America’s Next Top Model.
The supermodel moved to Sydney in 2023 with her partner and her son York Banks Asla, 10, whom she shares with ex Erik Asla.
The move came after the TV personality’s $US4.7 million ($A6.6 million) home was destroyed in the California wildfires.
Speaking on Sunrise, Banks revealed that she was in Sydney when she received the news her Malibu oceanfront mansion was decimated.
“I lost my house,” she shared. “I haven’t really talked about it, but yeah, I have.
“I just didn’t want to pull a lot of attention to me. I feel that there’s a lot of people that need that attention, so I haven’t really talked about it, but I can’t sit here and not tell the truth, so yeah, we lost our house.”
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Banks relocated her family to Australia in 2023. Picture: NBC News
Banks has been living her Aussie dream out of central Sydney where she has given fans on social media glimpses of her life via video tours of her favourite spots, including Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour and the Sydney Opera House.
During an appearance on Today With Jenna & Friends, the America’s Next Top Model host shed light on the reasons behind her family moving Down Under.
The Coyote Ugly star said she “fell in love” with Australia after she started spending more time there while working on her ice cream brand, SMiZE & Dream.
“I’ve been going to Australia a lot because we were making a lot of our ice cream there in this big facility, doing our recipes,” she explained to host Jenna Bush Hager.
“I just fell in love with it. Every time I went back, and went back …”
Banks said that she felt her business had incredible potential in Australia, noting that it is one of “three countries that eat the most ice cream” alongside America and New Zealand.
“So I was like, ‘I’m happy here and they love to eat some ice cream. So, are we going to do this, family?’ And we did,” she added.
As Netflix’s new docuseries Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model revisits the most controversial moments of Tyra Banks’ reality TV reign. Picture: Netflix
The three-part docuseries pulls back the curtain on the darker realities behind the quest for modelling fame. Picture: Bill Inoshita/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images
Banks’ relocation comes as the Netflix docuseries Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model revisits the most controversial moments of her reality TV reign.
One of the biggest moments in the three-part series was the unravelling of Banks’ longtime friendship with creative director Jay Manuel.
Manuel joined the series as creative director when it debuted in 2003, but says he attempted to leave just four years later.
After Season 8, he sent an email announcing his departure, only to receive a reply from Banks that read, “I am disappointed.”
He claims the working relationship deteriorated, describing the environment as increasingly isolating.
“It was clear I was not allowed to speak with her outside [being on camera],” he says in the documentary. “It was like psychological torture, I felt broken.”
Manuel alleged he felt pressured to remain on the show out of fear of being black-listed in the industry, ultimately staying until 2012.
One of the biggest moments in the series was when producers brought up Banks’ former friendship with fellow judge Jay Manuel. Picture: Netflix
When asked about the on camera rift two decades later, Banks declined to engage in detail.
“Nah,” she responded. “I’d prefer … yeah, I should call Jay. He’s a special man.”
However, one year after the documentary was filmed, Manuel said he is still waiting for that call.
“I never got that phone call. I don’t think I’m getting a phone call. She’s got my number,” he told People.
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model features contestants recounting allegations of fat-shaming and a lack of protection.
Contestant Shandi Sullivan recalled the moment she lost her virginity during Season 2 while drunk and “blacked out.”
The producers “should have been, like, ‘All right, this has gone too far, we got to pull her out of this,’” Ms Sullivan said.
A couple of moments in particular have sparked the loudest reaction, including her infamous meltdown. Picture: Netflix
Budding models also recounted their own stories, alleging fat-shaming. Picture: Netflix
Meanwhile, contestant Keenyah Hill claimed she was groped by a male model and told the judges. However, they reprimanded her for not being more playful.
“I say to Keenyah, ‘boo-boo, I am so sorry.’ None of us knew [how to best handle that situation],” Banks said.
“Network executives didn’t know, and I did the best that I could at the time. She deserved more.”
Banks also addressed her infamous 2005 meltdown where she yelled at contestant Tiffany Richardson when the budding model gave up on herself.
“I was rooting for you! We were all rooting for you! How dare you!” Banks said during the viral clip.
Reflecting on the moment, Banks said, “I just saw all that [work] going down the drain. I saw her just not believing in herself and giving up and not just giving up on a modelling competition, but deeper. … I went too far. You know, I lost it. It was probably bigger than her. … That’s some Black girl stuff that goes real deep inside of me.”
Insiders told The Hollywood Reporter the incident was worse than what aired and Banks had to be escorted out of the building.
Parts of this story first appeared in Realtor and was republished with permission.
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