Tyra Banks, the former supermodel and host of America’s Next Top Model, made headlines as she celebrated her 50th birthday in December. She marked the occasion with a memorable trip to Australia, accompanied by her mother and best friend, where she indulged in her first-ever alcoholic drink.
Reflecting on her milestone, Banks shared with PEOPLE, “My mama [and] my best friend surprised me there, and it was so magical.” However, the experience of trying alcohol for the first time fell short of expectations. She humorously remarked, “I had an alcoholic drink for the first time! […] It wasn’t worth it. I was like, ‘This is nasty!’”
Despite the less-than-stellar drink, Banks exuded confidence about reaching 50, viewing it as a rite of passage to embrace her true self. She emphasized challenging misconceptions about aging, proudly proclaiming, “Child, I’m 50!”
Tyra Banks Embracing 50
Banks’s journey to 50 was filled with moments that defy traditional notions of aging. She recalled her earlier perceptions of 50 as “granny old,” contrasting it with the vitality embodied by icons like Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez. Now, she finds herself flipping the script on aging, reveling in the newfound freedom and authenticity it brings.
The former model’s zest for life extends beyond her birthday celebrations. Living and working in Australia with her boyfriend and eight-year-old son, Banks embodies a spirit of adventure and self-assurance. She has bid farewell to the pressures of fashion and embraced a more natural approach, asserting, “I don’t care about no clothes, child.”
As she navigates this new chapter, Banks advocates for women to embrace their natural beauty and demand respect. She humorously anticipates her next milestone, joking, “I can’t wait until 60 comes along because I’m probably going to be cursing everybody out.”
For Banks, reaching 50 signifies a liberation to live authentically and demand respect. “I have bitten my tongue, said the right thing, try to please everybody my entire life,” she shared. Now, she revels in speaking her truth and embracing her natural beauty.