Tyra Lynne Banks (born December 4, 1973) is an American television personality, Emmy Award-winning talk show host, actress, supermodel, former teen idol, and businessperson. ABC News: Tyra Banks Experiences Obesity Through Fat SuitTyra Banks On It - Forbes.com She became famous first as a model in Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, and New York, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough. She is known best as the creator and host of the reality television show Americas Next Top Model since its 2003 debut. She current hosts her own Emmy- winning talk show, The Tyra Banks Show. Banks is one of four African Americans and seven women to have repeatedly ranked among the worlds most influential people by Time magazine.