Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks

Birth Date: December 04, 1973
Birth Place: Inglewood, Calif.

As a kid, Tyra Banks described herself as "this tall beanpole freak." However, the 5'10" voluptuous knockout went on to become the first African-American to grace the covers of GQ and the iconic Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

After becoming a mainstay for lingerie brand Victoria's Secret, Banks blazed a trail beyond modeling by serving as creator, producer and judge on America's Next Top Model. But, it was with her talk show, The Tyra Banks Show in 2005, that she really became "far, far more than just a body in a bathing suit" according to Time, who twice listed Banks as one of their 100 Most Influential People.

The supermodel mogul also helps build self-esteem in teens at her camp, Tzone, and launched her "So What" campaign that promotes positive body images. Most recently, Banks took action and fought the tabloids when they printed unflattering photos of her in a swimsuit, disputing claims of being called fat on the cover of PEOPLE, showing everyone that beauty comes in all sizes.