Tyra Banks Wants Plus-Sized Teens for New Modeling Competition
Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage The CW Network
America's Next Top Teen Model?
Tyra Banks announced her latest modeling competition -- the first-ever "fiercely real" plus-sized teen model search.
The talk show host, 36, made the announcement on The Tyra Show on Monday and put out a call for women between the ages of 13 and 19 to enter.
The only requirements? The teens must have a dress size of 12 to 20 and stand 5'9"- 6'1" tall, she told UsMagazine.com in a statement.
See modeling shots of Angelina Jolie when she was only 16 years old!
"I've always felt it was my mission to expand the narrow perceptions of beauty," she told Us. "Through America's Next Top Model, True Beauty and The Tyra Show, I challenge industry and universal standards by featuring and celebrating non-traditional beauty, and stressing that true beauty is both inside and out."
Banks said she was unhappy that the term "plus-sized" has such a "negative connotation" in today's society.
See photos of another variety of plus-sized models -- pregnant supermodels!
"I want young girls to realize that what's considered plus-sized is the average American woman," Banks said. "That woman is healthy, fit and beautiful. Adolescence is such an impressionable time in a young woman's life, and I hope this contest helps teen girls discover their own beauty from the inside out."
Look back at contestants from America's Next Top Model
The finalists will be introduced on the March 2 episode of her talk show, and the winner of the Fiercely Real Teen Model Search will be crowned the following day. The winner will receive a one-year modeling contract and a spread in a major fashion magazine.
For more information, check out The Tyra Show's official site.
Tell Us What You Think
248Hello Tyra! My names Taylor and I feel like I would be perfect for your type of model! I am a quarter korean and quite a bit irish but mostly american. I am 5'6 and i am athletic im 15 years old and I weigh about 118. I love talking pictures and playing sports! But i watch your show all the time and you inspire me :) Ive always wanted to be a model. And if i get the chance then i promise you you will not be dissapointed! ~Taylor
I feel stupid too! this was 2 years ago, but if she does it again,im gonna b ur next pluz size model!
i just realized that this was last year haha wow i feel stupid but its all still true
hey tyra! my name is sarah eyre i am 13.. almost 14! 5'11 and around 210 pounds . i have been very into fashion since i was a little girl. i would always grab a pencil and start drawing out a dress. i wanted to make my own fashion line and be a plus iszed model. o saw this and it really made me want it more i dont know how to get more information than this gives because i cant figure out how to get to the web page help? haha i have always struggled with my weight but i still believe i am beautiful
It is great that you are doing this. If you are still looking for models I'd be happy to help. I watched your show and you are a big inspiration to me. I am 16 years young. 5'9" 185lbs. dress size 14-18 depending on designer (i love how that works. NOT)...I was 260 lbs last year. I have struggled with weight all my life. Struggling with the image of myself or image set by people at school does affect kids whether they say so or not . I have learned many things over my short 16 years. It's ok to be yourself and not the image set by others. Woman all over the world need to realize that true beauty lies within. Everyone is Beautiful.
Hey Tyra!, My name is Danielle, Im 15 years old. Im 5'5 and weigh 145 lbs. I live in Florida in a small town named Navarre. When i was younger i always remember being called "fat" now since I am older I realize that it doesn't matter what size you are, but how you see your self, I've always had the " I don't care what other people think about me " attitude. But in reality I do care, I see myself as a strong, independent women, whose confidence seems to get better day by day.Modeling to me you should not have to be a size 2, but because of what society has made it that is what young girls think. Being a model is a all time dream for me, I have been told that if i lost weight i might have a chance because a pretty face can only get you so far.Being told this just makes me want to do everything possible to prove them wrong.I hope you read this Tyra, and give me a chance but if not I will continue to work hard and achieve my goal and be a plus size model thank you for the opportunity and I hope you know what you are doing is going to help change how young girls view themselves!
Hey Tyra!, My name is Danielle, Im 15 years old. Im 5'5 and weigh 145 lbs. I live in Florida in a small town named Navarre. When i was younger i always remember being called "fat" now since I am older I realize that it doesn't matter what size you are, but how you see your self, I've always had the " I don't care what other people think about me " attitude. But in reality I do care, I see myself as a strong, independent women, whose confidence seems to get better day by day.Modeling to me you should not have to be a size 2, but because of what society has made it that is what young girls think. Being a model is a all time dream for me, I have been told that if i lost weight i might have a chance because a pretty face can only get you so far.Being told this just makes me want to do everything possible to prove them wrong.I hope you read this Tyra, and give me a chance but if not I will continue to work hard and achieve my goal and be a plus size model thank you for the opportunity and I hope you know what you are doing is going to help change how young girls view themselves!
Hi tyra, i am a 17 year old named Toni. I am only five foot and i weigh 130. I would really like to try out for this. I have allways wanted to be a model and i think i would be great at it. i live in wasilla Alaska so there inst much offered around here for modeling. please consider me. My email is .Thank you for your time
Hey Tyra, my Name is Natasha. I am 17 years old, i am 5'8 and i weigh 240 lbs. I just moved to Milwaukee, WI. I have always wanted to be a model, because to me, beautiful women dont just come in a size 5. I know that i am beautiful to, and i would love to show the worl that big women can be beautiful to. I have went through alot through my life, but im trying to move past everything bad and just put all my effort into something that i love. If i dont get choosen im still going to stick and work towards my dream of being a model. My email adress is texastasha@ymail
Hi tyra my name is Tiara im 17 i live in detroit mi.I'm 5''5 and im 180.I new that i was always destened to be a plussized super model, i have alway's loved fashion,makeup,and jewlery,i would like to call myself a younge Mia Amber she's one of my hero's as well as you.I absolutly love taking picture's posting,and trying on clothes.And i have alway's been a fan of your work every since i was 6years of age and i alway's will be even if you dont choose me i will still try,try,try agian that's one thing that i have alway's learned about you ,you still encourage weman and young teen girl's everywhere to never look back and strive for nothing but the best.If you ever get to read this message i just want to let you know to keep doing what you are doing witch is empowering any and everyone.My e-mail is ...tiara.bullard2yahoo or tiara.bullard@gmail thank you and stay bless P.S. KEEP BEING BUEATIFUL INSIDE AND OUT!!!!!:) :)
Hey Tyra.My name is Ameenah.Im 13 and I live in Skokie IL.Im 5'7".and Im 160.I have always wanted to be a model so I can show the world who I really am and show them what i can do .Let me show what I can do. If you would email me back its at Ameenah.Robinson@yahoo,com
hey tyra! um in jessi. i live in ohio. and im sick and tired of being called fat and ugly, i want to start my own clothing line for plus size girls. i want to show that big girls are beautiful. and i want to be known as that one girl that rocked out with tyra banks. im big and happy. and i hope other girls read this and look at my for inspration. im 14 years old. weigh in at 183 and im 5'5". it would be amazing if you could email me at bubblyjessi99@yahoo,com (dot instead of comma) :) thanks a lot tyra. ull change lives
Hi Tyra. I'm Valerie. I'm 6' 1" and I am 16, and I wear a size 14. I have one tattoo. I really badly would like to be a model, but live in a smaller town so it's hard. Any help would be great:) Thanks Tyra.
hey tyra my name rikki kelver i am wanting to be a plus size model for a while now i just never really told noone cause i am plus size and i dont want noone to make fun of me but i am 16 and i weight two hundred and something i use to weight 180 but i got pregant and once i had my baby i started gannign weight
Hi tyra im tapanga and im 14 and i want to be a plus size model ever since i was little.I weight 180 lbs and im only 4'9.
Its been my dream for 13yrs (btw im 13) I love America's Next Top Model. The onlt thing is that im 5'3. i hope that wont keep mr from my dream
Oh and I weigh 174 lbs
dear tyra .. okaye so i love the idea of teen models and even the fact you wana support plus size teens..but why not skinny to... ? justa question ?? i've been modeling since i was 5 an it a dream of mine..so ive never heard this one before.. im to skinny .. wow Lol i kinda wana see a modeling show that doesnt only choose one thing such as skinny,fat,short,tall,black,white .. none of that... ijus wana model ):
i 'm 19 and my size is a 41 34 44. i stand 5'8. i think ill would be great for this
hello im interested in join the plus size modeling..