Tyra banks quotes

I haven't seen the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre. I haven't seen anything. I don't really care.

I know this is weird... I am a Black woman and I am not mixed with any Asian blood or Chinese blood at all, but for some reason, as a child, the movie, The Last Emperor, had a serious affect on me. I can't understand why. But there's something that the movie did to me.

I loved planning 'The Tyra Show' more than actually having to do it. I loved coming up with show ideas, honing each program and crafting it. I'm more excited being in a meeting than being on TV.

Don't chase the money... chase the passion. Because that's what is going to keep you happy and motivated and jumping out of that bed Monday morning.

You can have all the potential in world, but unless you have confidence, you have nothing.

I just want you to be yourself. Be a bigger yourself.

It's not like I want to hop on a bandwagon, because I said it 15 years ago - bringing a child into your life who is not genetically yours is one of the most beautiful things you can do. But I'm also interested in having my own baby, too.

Black women don't have the same body image problems as white women. They are proud of their bodies.

When I think about moguls, I think like Donald Trump who... owns NYC practically. That's a mogul. I feel like I'm on my way to a lot more, but mogul is a really serious thing. I think it's a word that gets thrown around easily.

Once you plant seeds of success, your tree will bear fierce fruit.

I've had my heart broken one too many times.

I would not recommend a teen getting into modeling if they're not solid when it comes to their grades and school. That comes first.

I've made millions of dollars with the body I have, so where's the pain in that? If I was in pain, I would have dieted. The pain is not there - the pain is someone printing a picture of me and saying those horrible things.

Beauty's easy. Modeling is not just about being pretty.

I love all kinds of bread. Whenever I crave junk food, I want salty things like peanuts or potato chips.

I'm trying to build a strong business. I want to create new stars, new shows and new products for my audience and create a legacy that outlives me. There are so many other ways I want to reach women besides doing a talk show.

Never dull your shine for somebody else.

[You] have what it takes to be a victorious, independent, fearless woman.

From offstage until the moment I walk onstage, I constantly tweak my talk show and 'Top Model', but at the same time, I often leave my private life by the wayside.

My fingers used to hurt really bad when I played guitar. I stopped because of it.

I made my living being 20 or 30 pounds heavier than the average model. And that's where I got famous.

I won't say if I'm single or dating or married or divorced. There's boundaries.

I've made millions of dollars with the body I have, so where's the pain in that?

My mother always told me that came first. I started modeling in 11th grade and it was something that I did after school and on the weekends. School is so important and modeling should be treated as an extracurricular activity as opposed to a career until you graduate high school.

I think I'm too young to be a mogul. I think I'm too young for that.

It was really hurtful to me. I get so much mail from young girls who say, 'I look up to you, you're not as skinny as everyone else, I think you're beautiful.' So when they say that my body is 'ugly' and 'disgusting,' what does that make those girls feel like?

Love me or hate me I promise that it will never make or break me...<3

I feel more comfortable when I'm lighter - I sleep better, I snore less, I have more endurance when I work out, my arms look better.

I was backstage in Paris and saw Cindy Crawford doing House Of Style. I thought, I would love to to be in control of my career.

Smiles come naturally to me, but I started thinking of them as an art form at my command. I studied all the time. I looked at magazines, I'd practice in front of the mirror and I'd ask photographers about the best angles. I can now pull out a smile at will.

Paris is one of the most beautiful places in all the world. Unfortunately, I was so homesick I couldn't appreciate its beauty.

I don't like the label 'plus-size' -- I call it 'fiercely real.' On 'Top Model,' we call it fiercely real. I don't want to use the term 'plus-size,' because, to me, what the hell is that? It just doesn't have a positive connotation to it. I tend to not use it.

I am totally against plastic surgery. A lot of people think I have breast implants because I have the biggest boobs in the business. But I was a 34C when I was 17...They stay up when I wear a push-up bra. But if people could see me when I come home and take off my bra, how could they think these are fake?

I am totally against plastic surgery. A lot of people think I have breast implants because I have the biggest boobs in the business.

I was embarrassed when a businessman friend asked, 'What's the yearly budget of your talk show? What's the per-episode budget?' And I looked at him with these blank, typical-model eyes and said, 'I don't know.' I call myself a businesswoman and I don't know that? So that is my goal next year - to really dissect the budget.

In high school I definitely had a clique of friends. And what I loved about it was that we were healthy and good girls.

I didn't have a job because nobody would hire me. My friends were getting hired, and I couldn't even get a job interview. That really rocked my self-esteem because I didn't understand what I did wrong on those job applications.

My aunt used to call me light bulb head because my head is small at the bottom and bigger at the top. But it was a term of endearment.

I think a lot of business students chase money and then they burn out. They have early retirements, not because they want to retire and chill... But because they hate their job and they are miserable. I don't chase money.

Girls of all kinds can be beautiful - from the thin, plus-sized, short, very tall, ebony to porcelain-skinned; the quirky, clumsy, shy, outgoing and all in between. It's not easy though because many people still put beauty into a confining, narrow box...Think outside of the box...Pledge that you will look in the mirror and find the unique beauty in you.

A smile is the most important thing you wear.

I'm not sure exactly how gossiping about my life with my audience really helps them

I've been singing for six years. I've been in and out of the studios with top producers, but it wasn't something I was ready to express to the public or to the press. I wasn't ready to come out. I wanted to perfect my voice and be 100 percent positive that I could come out right.

I have so many goals.

In terms of success and drive, I think some people are born with it, sometimes certain circumstances push you towards success... trying to prove people wrong. I'm not exactly sure where mine comes from, but, I have this thing inside of me that, when someone tells me that I can't do something, I become obsessed with proving them wrong. It's a weird thing.

When I was a young girl, I lost a lot of weight over one summer - involuntarily - and was just really depressed and sad. There was nothing I could do to gain weight. I would look in the mirror and call myself disgusting every day.

There's always going to be dreams and goals I have, but I never really tell people what they are

I enjoy doing fashion shows and transforming myself into different looks for photo shoots.

Use romantic relationships to grow, not to lose yourself. Keep your priorities in order.

Because my hands are rough and wrinkley, they are my least favourite feature. An ex-boyfriend used to call them 'Freddy Kreuger' fingers.

It was hard to get guys to notice me, period, because I was so skinny and all my friends were curvy. Plus, I used to be very nervous in front of guys.

I actually don't miss modeling and I think the reason why is because of America's Next Top Model.

Stop saying these negative things about yourself. Look in the mirror and find something about yourself that's positive and celebrate that!

I don't know what to do with my arms. It just makes me feel weird and I feel like people are looking at me and that makes me nervous.

I try to keep my private life kind of private.

Keep in mind that we should always thank those who hurt us, especially those who did so bad we are forced to transform. They risk the eternal verdict of going to hell just to make us better than who we are.

There is 3 key things for good photography: the camera,lighting and... Photoshop

Pledge that you will look in the mirror and find the unique beauty in you.

When I am full, I stop eating.

Journalists told me that a talk show wouldn't work. Some told me I was going to get canceled before my first season was up.

I hate when models say 'Oh, plastic surgery is just a wrong thing. What are you talking about? You won the genetic lottery. You look like this specimen that's making people everywhere feel insecure and you're going to ridicule someone for getting plastic surgery?

I love the confidence that makeup gives me.

I wanted to be a film and television writer and producer.

As my mom wiped the tears from my face, she said, 'Tyra, you know what we’re going to do about this? We’re going to go eat pizza.' We sat in a tiny pizzeria in Milan and strategized about how to turn my curves into a curveball. In a way, it was my decision not to starve myself that turned me into a supermodel, and later on, a businesswoman.

As a model, you're so used to taking your clothes off that you just don't care.

I close my eyes while driving and just sing along. I always open them again in time.

I want to be like the athletes who seem stuck in time. When you see them at 50, you say they probably can still run like a champ.

I think it makes women feel better to find fault with other women. I do that, too.

Its so important to understand your good attendance ups your chances of graduating.

Love every part of yourself. Even the things that frustrate you. They make you who you are!

My nutritionist says, 'If you bite it, write it.' Writing down everything that you put in your mouth really helps. I don’t count a damn calorie. But when I’m really trying to eat healthy, I write everything down. It really holds me accountable and puts me on a healthier path.

Every woman has a story.

Girls of all kinds can be beautiful.

Modeling chose me, I didn't choose modeling.

I kind of like the wind in my face. If it wasn’t there, I don’t know if I would push as hard.

It's a crazy time right now with kids. They are so much, more savvy than even their parents are. They are handing down their devices to their parents. They are giving their parents the old iPad in exchange for the new one. It's a whole different world nowadays and they are in control and in charge of technology. It's scary but at the same time it's exciting. There are a lot of choices for them.

Flaws are awesome - so, flawsome! I love making up a word.

I don't go to the cool, trendy restaurants. I go to either the holes in the wall or the super-fancy restaurants where there are no cool people.

I've always seen modeling as a stepping stone.

I always feel great when I don't have clothes on.

People always ask me if I'm going to stop modeling because I have started an acting career. I hope to continue to model for years to come.

I think my magical dream land would have all of my friends from high school and elementary school. I'm extremely nostalgic so my closest friends are people from my childhood.

Models now need to promote themselves, think like businesswomen and diversify their careers by doing other things. Chances are very slim that a mere model will become a household name today.

I'm a perfectionist. Sometimes I have to remind myself that it's okay if there are flaws here and there.

Modeling is being a ho, but making it fashion.

Well, I don't think of myself as a diva. I'm too dorky! Look at my shoes. (Points to the aforementioned sneakers.) I always look like this. I don't always want to be "working."

Self-love has very little to do with how you feel about your outer self. It's about accepting all of yourself.

I don't like looking at awards everyday because I feel like they can make you lazy. So, I give them to my Mom and let her look at it everyday. They are symbols of the hard work she put into me. Her sacrifices allowed me and my team to win those awards. But I don't look at any awards everyday.

I liked college guys but they could tell I was just a skinny girl.

I talked about adopting a baby when I was 20 years old, before it became 'hip.'

You've got to learn to accept the fool in you as well as the part that's got it goin' on.

I was always a good student. I wasn't the A-plus student, but I studied really hard, and I probably had a 3.2. I always wished that I had the capacity to get straight A's, but I didn't. I didn't beat myself up about it, but I really studied hard for my grades.

I'm competitive with myself. I always try to push past my own borders.

A lot of young girls think that the opposite of fake is rudeness. And just as ugly as fake is, so is saying whatever is on your mind because it's the truth.

I really, really love China. To be honest, the food is so amazing! When I first went to Beijing and Shanghai, I actually became obsessed with soup dumplings, and would stand in lines and get them on the street. It was something that I became obsessed with and when I came back to the States, I did all this research for the best soup dumplings in the Los Angeles area and in the New York area and it was amazing to find those Asian dishes that were authentic and I can enjoy them at home.

Girls of all kinds can be beautiful; from the thin, plus-sized, short, very tall, ebony to porcelain-skinned

I love food and feel that it is something that should be enjoyed. I eat whatever I want. I just don't overeat.

Take responsiblilty for yourself because no one's going to take responsibility for you.

Hotness to me is scary. I don't want to be hot. I just want to be a staple. I want to be something that's trusted.

Perfect is boring, human is beautiful

Love is an excuse to be stupid

Designers are very fickle. I never wanted to be a victim of that. You're in one minute, out the next.

I don't like expensive things... I just can't help looking in a magazine for the splurge and the save.

I'm not ugly, but my beauty is a total creation.

A smart model is a good model.

I don't want to have to put on that "thing" - I call it "the thing" when I have to do my hair, put on the lashes, get dressed up. When I go out for potato chips, I just want to go out looking like myself, which means you will see bad pictures of me. There probably are some out there right now, but it's just part of the life.

Black women have always been these vixens, these animalistic erotic women. Why can't we just be the sexy American girl next door?

I love being able to go to a store, let's say... a store like Topshop or Zara or maybe even Macy's, depends on what department, and not have to look at the price tag.

I think every woman would want to do something about their cellulite!

I had had an extroverted personality with a lot of friends, but when I lost the weight and grew so tall, I withdrew within myself.

Most of my career is spent in a meeting... dressed sharply, looking really great; negotiating over a table, strategizing or coming up with new marketing plans or new ideas. And that makes me really, really happy.

I used to love writing in my journal.

I'm a big fan of Lady Gaga. I think she's kinda what modeling is about in a way: Unique-ness, different-ness, edginess, quirkiness is actually special and I think her message is - I wouldn't say it's exactly like my message - but there are similarities in embracing your uniqueness. When she talks about being born this way, I really think she's absolutely fabulous.

I know how to dress for my body to give off illusions, and I like to teach women about it - it's important for women to have that power and that arsenal... tricks that make you feel good when you walk outside.

I went from being very popular and the head of the clique in the sixth grade to having, like, kid depression in the seventh grade. Not leaving the house. Not looking people in the eye... My body made me feel bad at everything.

The runway symbolizes something in society that's very intimidating to women.

Tyra the businesswoman is very close to - and I hate third person, but you said it, oh, chiiild, you said it - but me the businessperson and me the person: very similar. I can be in a business meeting and be all 'Wooo!' and 'Oh, child!' and still be talking revenues and profits and cash flows.

My mom never taught me to be waiting for some prince on a white horse to swipe me off my feet.

You can't model for the rest of your life, so it is important to diversify your career.

Many kids only think about the present moment and don't realize that they are creating a digital footprint, which will follow you forever! You have to be careful about what you put on the Internet. It can even prevent you from getting a job! Other kids... especially girls... give in to peer pressure and take racy photos for boys because they think it will make the boy like them more. This NEVER works. Girls, let him like you with your clothes on.

One thing my mom used to tell me was to look to the other side, and know that my present is not going to be everything. So if I'm having a bad day, she goes, 'Just imagine tomorrow. This is going to be over. This is going to be done with.'

Don't make excuses - make improvements!

I look at myself and pick out the things I don't like. No matter how much I work out, I never get muscle tone in my butt and hip area.

I'm not just retiring from the runway, I'm retiring from all modeling. God, I love saying that! When I was 18, my mom said I have to have a plan. I decided I'd leave on top. I want to be like the athletes who seem stuck in time. When you see them at 50, you say they probably can still run like a champ.

I've helped some of my classmates on how to strategize to get to the next level of their businesses. And it's interesting, because here I am sitting there from the entertainment industry and the fashion industry, and I'm giving a billionaire that has a business that's been in his family for 300 years - I'm giving him advice about strategy!