|| Q&A ||
1 2 3 NEXT  Page 1 of 3

Woman on Top

Whether she’s coaching a transgender aspiring model on Top Model or putting The Advocate’s “Gay Is the New Black” cover up for debate on her talk show, Tyra Banks always struts the right side of the runway between exploiting and celebrating gay people.


TYRA BANKS X390 JIM DEYYONKER) | ADVOCATE.COM

Whether she’s coaching a transgender aspiring model on America’s Next Top Model or putting The Advocate’s cover line “Gay Is the New Black” up for debate on her eponymous talk show, Tyra Banks always struts the right side of the runway between exploiting and celebrating the gay people. The 35-year-old former supermodel was even honored with the prestigious Excellence in Media Award at the 20th annual GLAAD Media Awards in March. Now sizing up the competition for cycle 13 of Top Model, which premieres September 9 on the CW, Banks shares some drag-worthy beauty secrets and reveals who’s still in the running towards becoming her next gay best friend.

You’ve done so much to educate people about gay issues. What did we do to deserve so much of your attention?
As a model immersed in the fashion industry, I was lucky to be embraced by the LGBT community, and many of them became my dear friends. They’ve shared the stories of their struggle, pain, and excommunication from their families, as well as their triumphs. Those friends have really become a second family to me, and I would never be where I am today without their support.

What did it mean for you to receive the recognition from GLAAD?
2008 was a really big year for me -- my talk show won an Emmy, True Beauty [which I executive-produced] became a hit, and Top Model continued to grow -- but I have to say that I was incredibly honored to receive that award. I feel so fortunate to have the power to put a transgender woman like Isis on Top Model last year; that was a very proud moment for me, and it took a lot to get there. Of course, there have also been a number of lesbian contestants on Top Model since the very beginning, but I don’t pay attention to anyone’s sexual orientation; I focus on their modeling ability. And I’m proud to have my talk show as another platform that allows me to address important LGBT issues, so to have that community recognize me for my efforts is very rewarding.

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Facebook. 1 2 3 NEXT  Page 1 of 3
Reader Comments
  • Name: lisa77
    Date posted: 9/15/2009 11:44:35 PM
    Hometown: new orleans

    Comment:

    The Tyra Banks show educates everyone about LGBT issues. Her show deserved to win every award it received. She tackles all issues that are important. Race, domestic violence, and obesity are some of the topics. Entertainment and education is what you get when you watch the Tyra Banks show.



Don't Miss
  • Best of Broadway Smash: Why You Will Love It

    Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, two of the producers of NBC’s new critically acclaimed musical series, explain why the backstage drama of creating a musical about Marilyn Monroe has mass appeal and why big stars like Anjelica Huston, Uma Thurman, Bernadette Peters, and Nick Jonas were eager to appear in it.

  • Best of Broadway How Broadway Does a Flea Market

    Find out why actress Kathleen Chalfant calls the annual Flea Market and Grand Auction in Times Square "the most glamorous flea market you've ever seen." It raised half a million dollars to fight HIV/AIDS.

  • Travel Slideshow Flag Gayest Cities in America, 2012

    It's no secret that megalopolises New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles have robust LGBT life — and we've even heard tell of little queer hoods like the Castro and P-Town. This isn't that list.

 
 
Advocate Subscribe Promo Banner 300x50
 
Follow Us Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterSubscribe to our RSS feedsDownload our app
Facebook Activity
 
1056 COVER X135 | ADVOCATE.COM
Today's Headlines