R&B singer/songwriter and philanthropist Alicia Keys rounded up some of her A-List celebrity friends to join her last Thursday night (Nov 3) in New York City for her annual Keep A Child Alive Ball.

The gala, which raised $3 million for the children’s charity “Keep A Child Alive” featured appearances from Keys’ husband Swizz Beatz, Serena Williams, Carmelo and LaLa Anthony, Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Tyra Banks and more, as well as performances from Usher, Will.i.am, Jay Sean, Nora Jones and Alicia Keys herself, among others.

The $3 million raised will go towards providing lifesaving AIDS treatment, care and support for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and the Middle East.

“I am overwhelmed by the kindness I witnessed last night at the eighth annual Black Ball NY,” Alicia Keys said in a statement. “I am forever grateful to all of our supporters whose generosity will provide AIDS treatment and care for so many in desperate need.”

Look below for 30+ photos from the 2011 Keep A Child Alive Ball:

Supermodel Tyra Banks teamed up with the “Get Schooled” Foundation to surprise a large group of students at the High School for Teaching and Profession in the Bronx, New York City Wednesday (Oct 19).

Tyra also signed copies of her brand new book “ModelLand,” which has been steadily climbing the NY Times’ best-seller list since it was released last month.

Get Schooled, a non-profit foundation that focuses on empowering young people to take control of their own education through the use of media, technology and popular culture, was created to motivate young people to graduate from high school and go on to succeed in college.

And Tyra can relate to that because she is currently enrolled in Harvard Business School furthering her own education.

More pics of her in the Bronx are below:

Check out pictures of celebrities like Justin Bieber, Tyra Banks, Demi Lovato, Kim Kardashian, Will Ferrell, Jon Cryer, Kerry Washington, David Beckham, Nick Cannon and more attending the 2011 VH1 Do Something Awards at the Hollywood Palladium this past Sunday night (Aug 14) in Hollywood, California!

The “blue carpet” of the 2011 Teen Choice Awards last night in L.A. was a huge melting pot of celebrities from all walks of life, with singers, rappers, actors, actresses, reality TV stars, internet sensations and more all posing for pics!

Some of the big names who took pictures outside the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA before the big show were Justin Bieber, Tyra Banks, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, the Kardashian/Jenner family (Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kendall, Kylie AND Lamar and two of his kids), Zoe Saldana, YouTube sensations Rebecca Black and Keenan Cahill, Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale, Shay Mitchell, and Troian Bellisario from “Pretty Little Liars,” Raven Symone, Taylor Swift, Sean Kingston, Taylor Lautner and many many more.

Check out 30+ pics of celebs arriving at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards below!!

Tyra Banks is enjoying the college life.

The model turned media mogul made an appearance on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” yesterday evening….and spoke on attending Harvard Business School.

Banks admitted to at first being hesitant about the living requirements on campus, which makes it mandatory for all students to stay in a dorm. But as time went by … she eventually adapted to having to share a living room, kitchen, and study area with her college roommates. (Which is quite normal to the rest of us)

Now every time a term ends, the 31 year-old says that she misses everyone and everything back at school … even her dorm room.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s like summer camp. Every time a term ends, I get withdrawal … I miss my friends. I miss my professors. I miss living in these dorms.”

Check out the footage below:

Tyra Bunks has a good head on her shoulders (literally). The supermodel turned business woman has enrolled in some classes at Harvard University’s Business School!

Read more below….

Tyra Banks is enrolled at THE most fashionable business school — Harvard! HBS students have seen a woman “who looks just like Tyra Banks” in campus dining halls, a source tells us; meanwhile, Tyra has been tweeting photos of herself wearing an HBS sweatshirt and with some dudes who seem to be her HBS classmates. “Enriching my mind with these amazing buddies! They are sooooo intelligent! Geniuses!!!” she tweeted.

Banks is enrolled in one of the school’s Executive Education programs, which is not the full two-year, soul-sucking, scary-competitive MBA program, but courses consisting of roughly a couple weeks and costing a lot of money, naturally. Banks is in the two-week owner/president/management program, tuition for which is $31,000.

The Boston Herald seems just thrilled with having Tyra in town, eating their seafood, drinking their cocktails, going around town with her boyfriend. Because finally Gisele is no longer their only very famous sometime woman resident! And the enrollment was a long time coming for Tyra, who famously wore a Harvard sweatshirt in that Harper’s Bazaar spread from a while back in which she pretended to be Michelle Obama.

“There were some people from Harvard who couldn’t believe we put a Harvard sweatshirt on Tyra and thought it was outrageous,” Bazaar editor Laura Brown said at the time. And now that she’s done it of her own accord it makes neither that photo shoot nor her real-life sweatshirt-wearing any less outrageous.

Source

We can just see it now…..all those nerds at Harvard walking around with books on their heads, trying to come up with their best catwalk poses!!

Thoughts?

“America’s Next Top Model“ producer and judge Tyra Banks was snapped outside of a restaurant in Hollywood, CA on Wednesday (Nov 17).

The ex-top model, best known for her work as a Victoria’s Secret angel, recently revealed on Access Hollywood that she uses a traveling tip from her friend Halle Berry so that she can travel in peace:

“I put my airplane blanket over my head. I do that to this day. I take it and put it over my head and guess who I learned that from? Halle Berry! You don’t wanna get caught up there with drool coming down your face and have somebody trying to take your picture or bothering you or whatever.”

Oh, the measures a celebrity must take for their privacy! More pics of TyTy in Hollywood below…

Tyra Banks is being sued by the mother of a 15-year-old girl Tyra featured on an episode of the show that aired last year about sex addiction.

Beverly McClendon (the girl’s mother & a licensed social work) charges that the “America’s Next Top Model” host allowed the girl to appear on “Tyra” without her permission, and even flew her out to New York, where she was put in a hotel ahead of her (paid) appearance on the show, which ceased production this past May.

The full story is below…

Beverly McClendon, a licensed social worker, according to public records, said her daughter answered an open call placed on Banks’ website last October. The show’s producers contacted the girl and invited her to appear as a guest, the complaint, obtained by Reuters, alleges. A month later, the teen allegedly flew unaccompanied to New York, where she was put up in a hotel in advance of her paid appearance on “Tyra,” which ceased production in May. McClendon said she had no idea about her daughter’s television debut until it was too late.

“This show was undoubtedly watched by sexual deviants, perverts and pedophiles alike,” McClendon contends in the suit, filed in federal court last week. She’s seeking $3 million in damages from Banks, her producers and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

McClendon’s complaint asserts the teen’s right to privacy was violated. She seeks an injunction against any future airings of the program, which still appears in repeats on the CW network.

Source: AJC

Supermodel turned TV personality/executive Tyra Banks recently came under fire after the release of a promotional video for the upcoming season of her show “America’s Next Top Model” showed off a tall, 6-foot-2 aspiring model from Dallas with a shockingly thin waist. I

n the clip, Banks told the model: “You have the smallest waist in the world” before saying “There’s something about her I like!”

But now Tyra Banks is apologizing on behalf of her team for letting that clip make it into the final cut of the promo, assuring folks that that the cut has been “removed from the CW airwaves, and the message conveyed in that video was NOT intentional, and is clearly not ‘Top Model’ or Tyra-approved.”

Peep Tyra’s full statement and the video clip of the model with the incredibly small waist (you have to see this to believe it!) below:

First and foremost, I want to give a personal shout-out to each and every one of you who spoke out and took a stance on the Top Model Cycle 15 teaser trailer that was released last week. My life’s mission is to expand the definition of beauty – EVERY kind of beauty! This is one of the reasons I created “America’s Next Top Model” just 8 years and 15 Cycles ago…since then we’ve challenged all different stereotypes of beauty with race, weight, height and beyond. The overwhelming response sparked by the Top Model trailer shows that the overarching message of the show – to accept and celebrate all types of beauty – is reaching and affecting our viewers. I knew I had to address this once I realized that this message was on the line.

On behalf of the entire Top Model team, I am truly sorry for the style in which the Top Model promo clip was presented. Like all of my projects, I am extremely involved in “America’s Next Top Model” from casting the final contestants to conceptualizing the episode challenges, but with all the work and details that go into producing a TV show, I can’t be 100 places at once (although I try), but it’s just impossible for me to see everything that’s created before it’s released to all of you! That being said I can assure you – that cut has been removed from the CW airwaves, and the message conveyed in that video was NOT intentional, and is certainly not Top Model- or Tyra-approved. The Top Model team is extremely talented and truly enjoys creating fun, engaging promos and episodes for you. The team really wants to entertain you, while promoting and embracing multiple forms of beauty. Sometimes in the quest to have fun in a limited amount of time, especially in a 20-second promo, our overarching message can be misconstrued, and in this case it most certainly was.

To the people who see me as a representation of upholding the fact that beauty comes in all sizes, I personally apologize. The jokes of my fellow judges connected with my edited sound bite sounded like I was supporting unhealthy eating habits. This has never and will NEVER be the case – I am and will always be committed to promoting healthy body image.

As a pre-teen, much of the body image pain I experienced was NOT being able to gain weight. Being so incredibly thin, I was the receiver of countless stares; feeling helpless. I’ve also been (VERY) publicly attacked for being bigger. Being on the receiving end of both sides of that pain has really shaped my perspective.

I want the media and viewers to continue to challenge perceptions of beauty, but to understand that BEAUTY comes in all shapes, sizes and proportions. I have always celebrated uniqueness, and encourage women, myself included, to accept and embrace their own bodies – flaws and all! Whether it’s exaggerated curves (or lack thereof), bee sting boobies, a juicy booty or a big ole’ forehead (eh-hem) – it’s about rocking what we’ve got.

Ann (the young woman featured on the Cycle 15 promo) like so many other women that stand before us on the Top Model judging panel or approach me on the street, was experiencing her own internal struggles with her body, and the cruelty she faces on a daily basis directly related to the way she looks (stemming from her 6’2″ height), some of which is revealed in the upcoming season. I offered her the same level of support and encouragement I’ve extended to all younger women that have opened up to me – the girls and young women who attended my TZONE camp way back, guests on The Tyra Show, past Top Model contestants and strangers on the street. Having the opportunity to be there and help all of these women drives me to further my mission.

Taking a look ahead, on Sept 15th, week two of the new episodes of Cycle 15, we do a photo shoot that deals with beauty, body image and bullying. This is an issue that I’m passionate about and am so happy we did. The girls really express what they are insecure about in a big way. Many sensitive issues are discussed at the shoot and in the judging room. I’d like to ask you to do something – it would be great if you could show support for them as well as people you know going through similar circumstances. The Top Model girls exposed themselves, to heal themselves and you. For some, it was a painful process.

Again, if you’re ever unhappy with anything you see, we want to know. I want to know. Thank you so much.

- Tyra

Source: Tyra.com

We’re still “O_O” at the fact that someone was able to simply wrap their hands around that girl’s waist with no issues! OMG!!

Thoughts?

She’s conquered the world of fashion and television and now super model turned TV personality Tyra Banks is hoping to score big with her new book series “Modelland!” And most of the characters from the novels will be based on real people in the modeling industry, including possibly Tyra’s frenemy Janice Dickinson.

“It’s a work of fiction that honors my love of books and fantasy, and also lets me poke fun at things I’ve seen in the real world,” Tyra says of the tomes, which are about a fantasyland where characters called Intoxibellas rule and have superpowers and “edgy, sexy, exciting adventures. … So, yes, many of the characters will be inspired by some of the models I’ve known – both nice and ‘ice.’ And many of the people I’ve met along the way, from the fashion world, my TV shows, even people I’ve met in restaurants and on the street.”

Although TyTy wouldn’t dish on who those lucky – or not-so-lucky – ladies are, a source close to the TV diva had some ideas. “Tyra has had ups and downs with a lot of people, including Janice Dickinson, Naomi Campbell and Paulina Porizkova,” says the insider. “All of those were pretty public issues, so there’s a definite chance that characters similar to those ladies could find their way into the book. Needless to say, some of those women probably won’t be too happy if they get their hands on a copy.”

Janice and Paulina famously fell out of Tyra’s favor in 2005 and 2009, respectively, when she reportedly gave them the ax from the judge’s table on “America’s Next Top Model.” Tyra had allegedly started feuding with Janice after Dickinson called her “fat” and with Paulina because of the latter’s “ego.”

NY DAILY NEWS

The 23rd Annual Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards went down over the weekend (Sat. Mar 27) and a ton of stars (including Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Will Smith and his family, Swizz Beatz and his sons, Snoop Dogg and his family, Jermaine Dupri and his daughter, Keke Palmer and more) came out to the Pauley Pavilian at UCLA, where the show (hosted by actor/comedian Kevin James) was held, to see who would take home one of those famous orange blimps in categories like “Cutest Couple,” “Favorite TV Show,” “Favorite Song,” “Favorite Movie,” “Favorite Female/Male Singers” and more. Hit up Nick.com for the complete list of winners for the 2010 Kids’ Choice Awards, and check out pics from the red carpet (and the show) below and when you continue reading!

Vogue editor at large (and America’s Next Top Model‘s newest judge) Andre Leon Talley and supermodel/media personality Tyra Banks posed for pictures together on the red carpet of an event hosted by CW at the Simyone Lounge last night (Thurs. Feb 23) in New York City. Fashion photographer Nigel Barker, along with his wife Cristen Chin, was also spotted on the red carpet of the event.

Check out a few pics of the above mentioned ANTM judges at the launch event for “The CW: It’s A Reality,” below…

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE

After five seasons of being on the air, supermodel turned TV personality Tyra Banks is closing up shop on her talk show, “The Tyra Show,” so that she can focus on her New York based film production company, Bankable Studios.

“This will be the last season of The Tyra Show,” Banks tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I’ve been loving having fun, coming into your living rooms, bedrooms, hair salons for the past 5 years.” Wrapping at the end of its fifth season in the spring of 2010, it will be lights out for the show that brought viewers memorable weave-exposing, cellulite-revealing and tear-jerking moments. Banks will focus on the launch of Bankable Studios, a N.Y.-based film production company currently reviewing possible projects. Sticking to her mission, Banks aims to bring “positive images of women to the big screen,” says an industry insider.

“My next huge steps will allow me to reach more women and young girls to help us all feel as fierce as we truly are,” Banks says. Adds the insider: “Tyra is sad because she’ll be missing so much of the daily connection to her viewers, but excited at the same time to be taking on a new challenge.” With encouragement from filmmaker Tyler Perry and longtime mentor Oprah Winfrey, Banks is “redefining beauty for women in film,” adds the source. “With Oprah’s big announcement this year, I think that gave Tyra the confidence to get out there and follow her longtime dream of film producing.”

But fashion fiends worry not. America’s Next Top Model is slated to return for its 14th season in February along with Banks’s ABC show True Beauty. “There’s a lot cooking right now and a lot of fire burning in my heart,” Banks writes in an open letter on her Web site. “And I salute you my amazing family of viewers; without you there never would have been a Tyra Show. I really love you all.”

SOURCE

On a recent appearance of the Tyra Banks show, Halle Berry was asked what her favorite curse word was. And it has something to do with the paparazzi and them getting too close to her baby girl. She said she had to get gangsta on a paparazzi one time!

Tyra Banks: “Halle Sweary, what is your favorite cuss word? … Use it in a sentence.”

Halle Berry: “I’ll tell you what I just said yesterday to somebody.”

Tyra: “What did you say?”

Halle: “I said, ‘Didn’t I tell you don’t use no f**king flash on my daughter!!‘”

Continue reading for another video when the 39-year-old actress recalls a complete stranger knowing her daughter Nahla before they even realized who Halle was! She says that kind of thing scares her. Read on for her answer to Tyra’s question (about 3 mins into the video) about how she feels about the paparazzi taking the privacy away from her family.

Tyra: I’ve seen your baby because of a paparazzi picture.

Halle: And that part scares me! We were at the San Diego Aquarium, and a woman comes up and… my daughter is playing her little daughter, and the lady said ‘Wait a minute, is that Nahla?’ And I looked at the woman and she goes, ‘Oh my God and you’re Halle Berry but I recognized your daughter first!’ And I wanted to melt, I was so distraught because that is bothersome.

HALLE BERRY’S FAVORITE CURSE WORD

HALLE TALKS ABOUT THE PAPARAZZI AND HER PRIVACY

Singer Rihanna, pictured above with her boss, Island Def Jam record exec Antonio “L.A.” Reid, made a public appearance Monday night (Nov 9) in New York City at the Glamour Magazine 2009 Women of the Year Awards at Carnegie Hall.

Wearing an ivory gown by designer Stephane Rolland, here she can be seen hitting the red carpet of the event, designed to honor the biggest women of the year 2009. Read her acceptance speech below:

“It was a real honor to be named Glamour’s Woman of the Year, especially because I think of myself as just becoming a woman. I just turned 21 this year. Just to be mentioned in this group of women is overwhelming. I love being a part of a night where we’re celebrating women and such strong women.”

She thanked a host of people, including her record label, her mentor Jay-Z and her mother and grandmother.

“They are my two women of the year. I love you very much, Granny. I love you very much, mom. They’ve shown me what strong women can accomplish and achieve. Without their unconditional love and guidance, I wouldn’t be here, and I hope I can be an example for young girls and women today. Thank you so much.”

Other celebrities at the event were Estelle (who performed), actress Gabourey Sidibe, Serena Williams and more. Continue reading for the rest of the pictures!

Forbes.com recently announced that super model turned TV producer Tyra Banks earned $30 million between June 2008 and June 2009, making her prime-time TV’s biggest female money maker this year!

Among them: “America’s Next Top Model’s” Tyra Banks, who lands atop our list with estimated earnings of $30 million during the 12-month period. The supermodel turned super-personality serves up her unscripted model competition series on the CW as well an eponymous daytime talk show (also on the CW) and frequent cameos (most recently, on “Gossip Girl”). Off camera, Banks acts as a producer on a host of shows, from ABC’s “True Beauty” to the CW’s since-canceled “Stylista.”

SOURCE

Check out these photos of Tyra getting her super model on at a photoshoot in Chelsea and Madison Square Park in New York City Monday afternoon (Oct 12). Continue reading for more!

Tyra Banks‘ talk show, “The Tyra Banks Show,” won a Daytime Emmy Award in the “informative” category for daytime talk shows Sunday night (Aug 30) at the 2009 Daytime Emmy Awards, held this year in Los Angeles at the The Orpheum Theatre. Other folks at the annual event, hosted by Vanessa Williams this year, were Wendy Williams, Tatyana Ali, Ellen DeGeneres and more.

Continue reading for more pics!

Tyra Banks and a mob of women took over the streets of Union Square Monday (Aug 17) in New York City as they “flash danced” for a taping of The Tyra Banks Show.

In related news, the talk show host plans to ditch her weave and reveal her “natural hair” for the season 5 premiere of her CW talk show, which airs on September 8th.

“This season on The Tyra Show we’re taking it to the next level and getting more real than ever before by encouraging women everywhere to own and rock what they’ve got and be proud!” she says in a press release. “For the season 5 premiere, I will be doing just that – no fake hair, I’m rocking my REAL hair. This will all be going down on September 8, 2009, which we’re declaring National Real Hair Day! We welcome everyone to go natural with me!”

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Here’s a shot of Kanye West and his girlfriend Amber Rose on the red carpet of the 2009 BET Awards, which went down Sunday (Jun 28) in Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium. The show itself pretty much sucked. And that’s us being nice. But for the most part, everyone looked good on the red carpet. Continue reading for 80+ pics of celebrities like Beyonce, Ne-Yo, Tyrese, Soulja Boy, Ciara, Mario and tons more!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE / FILM MAGIC

Ne-Yo and his girlfriend Tenille Jiminez stopped for a quick pic in the audience as they watched the 2009 BET Awards go down at the Shrine Auditorium Sunday (Jun 28) in Los Angeles. Continue reading for lots of pics of celebrities like Beyonce, Kanye West, Soulja Boy, Keri Hilson, Monica, Keyshia Cole, Lil Wayne and much more chilling in the audience and backstage at the show.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE / FILM MAGIC

Tyra Banks attended the 4th Annual New York Times Sunday with the Magazine at TimesCenter Sunday in New York.

Eva Marcille and Tichina Arnold took a picture together Friday night at the Grand Gala VIP reception at The Gillespie in Louisville, Kentucky.

Butt buddies Jay-Z and Larry Johnson (throwing up the signature “Roc” symbol) posed for pics at Jay’s pre-fight party at Lavo Friday night in Vegas. We wonder if these two are still “roommates” …

Our favorite “do nothing” celebrity Kim Kardashian hit up the 2nd Annual Derby Spectacular celebration at Glassworks in Louisville, KY Friday. Above she can be seen reading a Louisville Courier Journal paper featuring a frontpage article featuring none other than … herself!

R&B singer Keri Hilson was getting her album promo on Friday in London as she taped an episode of BBC2′s “Sound” music show.

Legendary R&B singer Patti Labelle performed the National Anthem during opening weekend for the Newark Bears at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium Friday in Newark, New Jersey.

Actress Zoe Saldana, looking hella gorgeous, strutted her stuff down the red carpet of the premiere of “Star Trek” at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater Thursday in Hollywood. Zoe plays Nyota Uhura in the movie.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Tyra Banks was an honoree at the 20th annual GLAAD Media Awards, held Saturday in Los Angeles. GLAAD is an acronym for “Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation,” and the organization holds an annual awards show where they recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender community and the issues that affect their lives. Continue reading for more photos from the red carpet and to see who else attended the ceremony.

PHOTOS: WENN / WIRE IMAGE

An open New York casting this past Saturday call for Tyra Banks‘ hit show, America’s Next Top Model, ended in three arrests and six injuries, following a stampede after someone yelled “fire!” when a smoking car pulled up beside the queue . Apparently, as the aspiring models waited in line, fights broke out and a stampede/riot ensued as news of a supposed care on fire began to spread. During the mayhem, someone mentioned a gun, which made the situation a bit worse.

Police were forced to shut down the casting call, and arrested two women and one man on charges of disorderly conduct and inciting to riot, according to the NY Times. Two people were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, while four others refused treatment.

In a statement released Monday to Usmagazine.com, executive producers Banks and Ken Mok said “We are concerned by the events that occurred Saturday afternoon in the vicinity of the New York City casting call for the next cycle of America’s Next Top Model. At this time, we still don’t know all the details of what happened or what triggered the incident. We appreciate the efforts of the NYPD and will assist them in any way possible in this matter.”

SOURCE

Supermodel Tyra Banks is featured on the cover of the December 2008 issue of EBONY Magazine.

Supermodel, businesswoman, talk show host, producer…there isn’t much that Tyra Banks can’t do. She recently sat down with EBONY magazine and dished on why she’s just an ordinary lady who’s all about value and appreciates a good sale! In fact, she even offers readers six ways to save money and time.

Although Banks boasts some frugal ways, word has it that she is a huge tipper and takes great care of her employees. “I gotta take care of my people,” she says. Tyra also discusses why she has yet to place her name or face on a product and gives the latest scoop on her love life. “One thing I can say is I try not to date people who are famous because one celebrity equals five…I get set up by friends,” says Banks. (p. 76)

Tyra Banks graces the latest cover of V Magazine. Tyra shot a fashion spread with fellow model Sesslie Lopez for this issue of V. Ms.Tyra has been getting her hustle on, the latest season of Americas Next Top Model premiered a couple weeks ago, she has been posing for some of the hottest fashion magazines, and The Tyra Show is one of the top rated talk shows airing right now! It seems like every time you turn around a celeb is talking about retiring and the you start seeing them more than you did before! I ain’t mad at cha! Get that paper Tyra!

The 5th Anniversary of Fashion Rocks! went down Friday night and the stars definitely came out and shined. Many celebrities came out to prove they can dress the best and the most…risky. Either way they still rocked the latest. Stars like Chris Brown, Rihanna, Ciara, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Brandy, Ashanti, Tyra Banks, and more all came out to show their love for fashion. Check out the best to the worst after the cut.

PHOTOS: WIRE IMAGE

Tyra Banks is featured in and covers the September 2008 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. In this issue Tyra poses as Michelle Obama and talks about how she has been inspired by the future first lady.

With Barack Obama, his becoming president is them becoming president because Michelle was there from the beginning. Without Michelle, he wouldn’t be there.” Or, as she pronounces to her Tyra Banks Show camera after her Oval Office portrait, “Michelle Obama, you’re one hot mama.”

“Being first lady is not just about being the wife but really taking command and having true vision,” Banks adds, noting the infinitely tricky terrain of being a woman in politics. “Hillary Clinton was on my show in January, and I asked her, ‘Do you ever just get terrified to say anything? Because everything is so scrutinized and picked apart and dissected?’ And she said, ‘Honestly, Tyra, yes!’ And it’s the same for Michelle Obama, especially with her and Barack being the first, you know, in so, so many ways.”

If Banks ever reached the highest office in the land, she would dress the part. “I’d wear a V-neck shift and a two-inch heel. Even if the president were taller, I would keep them low. Otherwise it gets a little too sexy. I mean, I was a high-fashion model, but I was also a swimsuit model and a lingerie model, so I would constantly be making sure that I wasn’t looking like that.” As for hair, perhaps a Jackie/Michelle-style flip? “Nooo, my question isn’t to flip or not to flip. Mine would be to weave or not to weave.” What would be her Secret Service acronym? She pauses, smiles broadly, and replies, “KMFA: Kiss My Fat Ass.” [CONTINUE READING]

What do you guys think about the photos?

In this edition of “Who Owns the Look” we have Tyra Banks and Actress Mary-Kate Olsen rocking the same Vintage Azzedine Alaïa “V” Belt. Mary-Kate wore the belt first at last years Costume Insitute Gala, while Tyra wore it while gracing the latest cover of The New York Times. So we must ask the question … WHO OWNS THE LOOK?

[poll id="33"]

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter attended the Barclays Center Opening Night Party in New York Thursday night.

Even though Will Smith‘s new movie, Hancock, hits theaters in less than 2 months, it appears as though filming isn’t completely wrapped. The actor was spotted on the set of the aforementioned movie in New York earlier this week.

David Beckham and Chris Tucker were spotted enjoying themselves Lakers Game Wednesday night in LA when the Lakers took on the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of the Western Conference playoff games. The Lakers won with a final score of 111-104.

Retired supermodel and daytime TV talkshow host Tyra Banks posed for photos on the Red Carpet at the CW Network’s Upfront Tuesday night in New York.

Comedian Katt Williams performed at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida Thursday night.

Pop diva Janet Jackson hit up the Alexander McQueen Store Opening Tuesday night in L.A.

Actress Joy Bryant and rapper Eve showed up for the store opening too.

Ludacris, Chaka Zulu, and Jermaine Dupri posed for photos on the red carpet at the 5th Annual Ludacris Foundation Dinner and Casino night Wednesday night in Atlanta. Proceeds from the dinner and the casino go towards the Ludacris Foundation.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Cee-Lo Green were at the charity event for Ludacris’ foundation too.

Singer Alicia Keys dropped by BET’s 106 & Park yesterday (Apr. 24th) to premiere her new video, Teenage Love Affair.

Click below for candids of Kanye, Mariah Carey, Serena Williams and more!

Rapper Kanye West, former athlete Magic Johnson, and actor Chris Tucker all were in attendance at Wednesday night’s (Apr. 23rd) Lakers game. The Lakers took on the Denver Nuggets in game 2 of the western conference’s playoffs. Click here for Terrell’s recap of the game!

Michelle Williams definitely isn’t joking about her cross-over to secular music! The former Destiny’s Child member was in Downtown LA Wednesday night (Apr. 23rd) filming the music video for her new single, “We Break the Dawn.” Her third solo album, “Unexpected” is slated for an August 12th release.

Singer Lionel Richie was spotted with his new young lady friend as he left LA’s Sushi Roku restaurant early yesterday (Apr. 24th). His daughter, Nicole, recently gave birth to his first grandchild. But don’t even think about calling him grandpa! He prefers the term, “G-Pa.”

So this is what Tyra Banks looks like without all of the glitz and glamor. Still fine as all outdoors, if you ask me! The former supermodel was spotted in Beverly Hills with her assistant (?) Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 23rd).

Mariah Carey was photographed as she left a party Tuesday night (Apr. 23rd) to celebrate the release of her new album E=MC², which is sitting pretty right now on top of the Billboard 200. That damn Mariah. Always posing for the paparazzi…

The paps spotted actress Zoe Saldana leaving Starbucks in Encino, California yesterday (Apr. 24th).

Actor (and Kimora Lee Simmons’ boo) Djimon Honsou was spotted solo in Beverly Hills early yesterday (Apr. 24th). He was waiting for his business agent, who was apparently supposed to be meeting him there for lunch.

Tennis champ Serena Williams was on hand yesterday (Apr. 24th) in Venice, CA at the unveiling of the Nike 2008 Women’s Fall Line.

{ PHOTOS: PACIFIC COAST NEWS / BAUER GRIFFIN / GETTY IMAGES }

PHOTOS: INF » Singer Beyonce, who “secretly” got married to Jay-Z over the weekend decided to walk out of the house looking like a Dominatrix (a sexy one, of course!) dressed in black from head to toe Tuesday (Apr. 8th). Whenever these two get a chance to honeymoon it up, I’m sure they’re gonna have some “fun!” And I assume she’s wearing the gloves to cover up her *ahem* wedding ring? Anyway, if she is indeed pregnant, she must be only a week or two ’cause I see no baby bump what-so-ever. And that jacket is a little tight … so, yeah.

Check out photos of Lil’ Wayne, Janet Jackson, and Usher, and more after the cut!

PHOTOS: SPLASH NEWS » Rapper Lil’ Wayne and his “daddy” Birdman posed for some some flicks as they left a Manhattan courtroom yesterday (Apr. 9th). Weezy is currently facing gun charges stemming from an arrest from last year. If he was gonna wear jeans to court, the least he could’ve done was put an iron to those mofos! I mean really, c’mon now…

PHOTOS: WENN » Actor Columbus Short was spotted arriving at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York Tuesday (Apr. 8th). According to his Wikipedia page, he’s set to star in 4 movies this year, one being Cadillac Records, which also stars Beyonce!

PHOTOS: GETTY » Model Tyra Banks taped an episode of her daytime talk-show in Union Square in New York early yesterday (Apr. 9th). As a part of a celebration of her 500th episode, she was handing out subway Metrocards to folks passing by. Congratz on the 500th, Tyra!

PHOTOS: GETTY » Singer Janet Jackson touched town in Tokyo yesterday (Apr. 9th) for a promotional tour for her new album, Discipline. Y’all can’t tell me her and Tay Zonday don’t favor either each other! Especially in that last pic (bottom right).

PHOTOS: WENN » Singer Usher and his wife Tameka were spotted arriving at the MTV studios Monday (Apr. 7th) in New York for a taping of TRL. I’m running out of nasty insults to say about Man-eka so I’m just going to point out that homegirl needs some Jergens on those dogs, and leave it at that.

Diddy, CEO of Bad Boy Records, officially introduced one of the latest members of the family, Janelle Monae, to music industry insiders with a showcase in New York City Thursday night (Apr. 3rd).

“I’ve been blessed with artists like Jodeci, Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige in the past, but this artist right here … you’ve just got to see it to believe it. I don’t know if you ever felt the Holy Ghost, but that’s the only feeling you’re going to feel tonight,” Diddy said as he introduced Janelle Monae. “This is possibly the most important signing of my career,” Combs continued. “I thank God for blessing me with an artist like Janelle Monae. Now, are y’all ready to go to church?”

Let’s just hope and pray Diddy doesn’t “forget” about her, like he tends to do with his other artists. Y’all saw what happened with Danity Kane last year.

Check out more flicks from the showcase after the cut!

Tyra Banks presents to you The 1st Annual Fiercee Awards. The award show honors the women of America’s Next Top Model. The show was taped for The Tyra Banks Show at Chelsea Studios in New York on Friday and airs on April 30th.

THIS WEEK’S TOPICS » Tiffany “New York” Pollard caught in a sex tape scandal! – Vivica A. Fox denies her Sex Tape – Kim Kardashian’s ass is major & more!

Black Hollywood showed up and showed out at the first ever BET Honors, which were held in Washington D.C. Saturday night. The ladies glammed it up on the red carpet, and the fellas got their GQ on. Honorees included R&B star Alicia Keys and supermodel Tyra Banks, Time Warner board chairman Richard D. Parsons and Princeton professor Cornel West. “For me, I’m just a girl still from Harlem, and here I am,” Keys said. “It’s a tremendous feeling to do what you love and for people to love what you do. … People are honoring me for doing what my heart tells me to do, (and that is) so fulfilling.” Actor Blair Underwood presented Keys’ award, while her musical idol, Stevie Wonder, performed a special rendition of of “As” especially for her. John Legend, Wyclef Jean, Gladys Knight, Brian McKnight, Jill Scott and Raheem DeVaughn also performed. The show is set to air sometime in February. Check your local listings for more details.

I really haven’t been into this cycle (9) of America’s Next Top Model that much, it got boring for me. But thank God for my friend Koriee; she informed me who won this season. Saleisha Cooper, a 21-year-old receptionist from Los Angeles, California and one of the final two girls, next to Chantal Jones, won.

Prior models eliminated during the season include: Mila Bouzinova, Kimberly Leemans, Victoria Marshman, Janet Mills, Ebony Morgan, Sarah Hartshorne, Ambreal Williams, Lisa Jackson, Heather Kuzmich, Bianca Golden, Jenah Doucette.

Anyone else saw the finale? How was it? Do you think Saleisha deserved to win this cycle? Thoughts?