The New York runway for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025 felt a notable absence. While other supermodels walked, one iconic figure was busy on the other side of the world.
She was in Australia, focused on her SMiZE & Dream ice cream shop. Her current venture involves promoting a unique Hot Ice Cream innovation, a project that demanded her full attention.
This shift follows her grand return to the Victoria’s Secret catwalk just a year prior. Her 2024 comeback after nearly two decades away from modeling was a celebrated moment, closing the show to a powerful reception.
The supermodel recently explained her reason for missing the 2025 event. She revealed her entrepreneurial drive in Australia took priority over a return to the New York spectacle.
This news highlights a significant evolution. The focus has moved from the runway to building a business empire, marking a new chapter in a storied career.
The Evolution of Tyra Banks in Fashion and Media
In 1997, a barrier broke on the glossy pages of a Victoria’s Secret catalog. Tyra Banks became the first African American woman selected for its cover. This milestone led directly to her being named a Victoria’s Secret Angel that same year.
Her role as an Angel lasted nearly a decade. She walked in nine separate Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows. This period cemented her as one of the brand’s most recognizable faces worldwide.
Early Life, Breakthrough, and Historic Runway Moments
Her career trajectory was defined by these early breakthroughs. She retired from modeling in 2005 at the peak of her fame. This move shifted her focus toward television and business ventures.
Becoming a Victoria’s Secret Icon
The 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show marked a stunning return. She walked the runway for the first time in almost 20 years. Banks served as the closing model, a position of honor.
She strutted in a silver cape and crystal-crusted bustier. The crowd’s roaring response confirmed her enduring icon status. This 2024 appearance, however, felt profoundly different to her.
She later shared that she walked not for herself, but as a vessel for others. She represented women of all ages and body types. Her own body had changed, and she celebrated it openly.
Banks credits the Victoria’s Secret brand for much of her career foundation. This legacy provided the platform for her subsequent entrepreneurial success.
Breaking Barriers: From America’s Next Top Model to Runway Comebacks
In 2003, television screens gained a new reality competition that would reshape modeling for a generation. The show became a cultural force beyond its entertainment value.
Impact of “America’s Next Top Model” on Pop Culture
America’s Next Top Model ran for 24 cycles over many years. The creator served as host and executive producer for most seasons.
This next top model competition introduced modeling terminology into everyday language. Words like “smize” became part of popular culture. Even people who never watched the show recognized these terms.
The program addressed beauty standards and diversity in fashion. It gave aspiring models a new way to understand the industry. The show’s influence extended far beyond physical appearance.
Through her production company, the host expanded into other media projects. She launched a successful daytime talk show that earned Emmy Awards. This established her as a media mogul.
Years after the series ended, discussions about America’s Next Top Model continue. A Netflix documentary announced for 2025 will explore the show’s complex legacy. The impact of this top model competition remains relevant today.
Innovative Ventures: Ice Cream, Beauty, and Media Productions
The transition from modeling to media mogul marked a significant evolution in her career trajectory. Business ventures became the new focus.
SMiZE & Dream: Revolutionizing the Ice Cream Experience
Her Australian ice cream shop introduced hot ice cream innovation. This unique concept demanded full attention during the 2025 fashion season.
The venture represented a shift from traditional modeling work. It showcased entrepreneurial ambition beyond the fashion industry.
Tyra Beauty and Business Endeavors
Cosmetics became another business priority. The beauty line reflected her understanding of the industry.
This focus sometimes meant leaving television projects early. Business commitments took precedence over media appearances.
Television Hosting and Production Highlights
Her talk show earned Daytime Emmy Awards for informative content. It ran for five years on The CW network.
Major competition shows featured her as host. America’s Got Talent and Dancing with the Stars benefited from her presence.
The 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York featured diverse talent. Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, and Ashley Graham walked the runway alongside established Angels.
| Show | Years | Role | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Tyra Banks Show | 2005-2010 | Host/Producer | 2 Daytime Emmy Awards |
| America’s Got Talent | 2017-2018 | Host | Seasons 12-13 |
| Dancing with the Stars | 2020-2022 | Host/EP | Season 29-31 |
| FABLife | 2015 | Co-host | 2-month tenure |
Current hosts sometimes reflect on her television work. Her style generated discussion among fans of these competition shows.
Looking Ahead: Legacy, Influence, and Future Impact
The 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show return served as a powerful statement about representation and evolving beauty standards. Banks revealed she walked not for personal glory but as a vessel for women of all ages.
Her legacy includes breaking racial barriers as the first Black woman on multiple magazine covers. Time magazine repeatedly ranked her among the world’s most influential people. MODELS.com designated her as one of only seventeen Legendary Supermodels.
Beyond the runway, she established the TZONE program for leadership development. The initiative evolved from a camp into a public charity. She also created a scholarship for African-American girls to attend her alma mater.
Her influence extends to literature with Modelland topping The New York Times Best Seller list. The young adult novel drew from her modeling experiences. She later co-authored “Perfect is Boring” with her mother.
Future impact appears focused on entrepreneurship rather than traditional entertainment. The Australian ice cream venture represents this permanent shift toward building sustainable brands.
