Tyra Banks Captivates on Essence Beauty Cover
Tyra Banks proves once again why she is a fashion icon. At 51, she graces the cover of Essence magazine’s March/April Beauty Issue, leaving fans in awe. The stunning cover, shot by photographer Kenny Germé, captures Banks in a bold, high-fashion look.
Styled by Edem Dossou, she wears a coat by Agapornis, a Dawei Studio dress, Florence Moorhead earrings, and Larucci sandals. Her voluminous hair and dark, dramatic eye makeup add to the striking effect. Her mesmerizing gaze into the camera reminds everyone that she is still a force in the modeling world.
Despite stepping away from modeling in 2005, this cover proves she still has it. “It felt so natural,” Banks told Essence. “Like I never left.”
The Hustle Behind SMiZE & DREAM
Beyond the runway, Banks is a dedicated entrepreneur. She runs SMiZE & DREAM, a thriving ice cream brand inspired by flavors she loved as a child. While business is rewarding, she admits the grind can be overwhelming.
“I don’t sleep. I’m hot-flashing now, so I wake up in the middle of the night many times—and I just work,” she shared. “It’s entrepreneurship: boom, boom, boom, constantly. But when I’m on a set, it’s almost Zen, because I’m not in charge.”
Balancing her business and personal life is not easy. She finds joy in spending time with her son, York, and her boyfriend, French business executive Louis Bélanger-Martin. The family now lives in Australia after losing their Los Angeles home in devastating wildfires. The loss was painful, and she has not returned since.
“I still picture my house as if it’s there. My memory and reality haven’t connected yet,” Banks revealed. “It’s a strange psychological thing.”
A Possible Return to the Runway
The legendary supermodel hints that she might not be done with modeling. After walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in October 2024, she felt a renewed spark. Fans were thrilled to see her iconic strut and signature “smize” back on the runway.
Banks credits her mother, Carolyn London, for pushing her to make a comeback. “My mama said, ‘You’re not just walking for you this time. You’re 50. You’re walking for Black women. You’re walking for older women.'”
Inspired by that moment, Banks is considering taking her modeling career global. “I’m gonna sign with an agency in Sydney. I’m gonna have agencies in Paris. I’m going to be in New York. Like, I’m just gonna do this,” she told Essence.
