The Bert Show – “Vault: Tyra Banks Joins The Show”
Podcast by Pionaire Podcasting
Date: December 2, 2025
Episode Theme / Purpose
In this classic episode, The Bert Show welcomes legendary supermodel and television host Tyra Banks for a candid interview. The conversation explores Tyra’s groundbreaking modeling career, her experience with self-image and industry critiques, advice for young models, and details about her then-new show, America’s Next Top Model. Tyra’s trademark humor and authenticity shine throughout, as she discusses both the glamour and the realities of the modeling world.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Tyra’s Pioneering Career & Magazine Covers
- Host highlights Tyra’s breakthrough as the first African American woman to grace the covers of GQ, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and Victoria’s Secret catalog.
- Notable moment:
- Host: “Well, first, first African American woman to grace the covers of GQ magazine, Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, and Victoria's Secret catalog. Yeah. Good for Tyra Banks.” (01:46)
- Co-host/Commentator: “That's a huge accomplishment. Congratulations.” (01:58)
- Notable moment:
- Tyra reflects on the impact of being on the Sports Illustrated cover:
- Tyra Banks: "Yeah, I think it really did help a lot. I really think it made me, you know, everybody in America say, oh, who's that girl?" (02:13)
2. Life in the Spotlight & Photo Shoots
- Tyra shares the reality of glamorous photo shoot locations:
- Tyra Banks: “Anywhere with sand and water? I know that sounds crazy, but I hate shooting on a beach... sand just gets all in weird places. You have to change with a towel wrapped around you in front of everybody...” (02:59)
- The group laughs about being recognized on newsstands and the mythical “spritzing guy” at shoots.
- Co-host: “I think that's Tyra Banks nothing. She's walked past my newsstand eight times.” (02:43)
3. Beauty Routines, Self-Image & Perception
- Tyra busts myths about “supermodel” regimens:
- Tyra Banks: “I don't really do any of that stuff like that prep stuff... But I do sit in a hair and makeup chair for three and a half hours... I don't get facials and all that stuff. I don't do that.” (03:58–04:08)
- When asked if she feels beautiful without makeup:
- Tyra Banks: “When I look in the mirror, I look at myself as a palette... I don't look at myself when I'm all natural and say, ooh, girl, you fine. I don't do that.” (04:18)
4. Advice to Aspiring Models
- Tyra encourages education and perseverance:
- Tyra Banks: “Get your education first. I didn't drop out of school... The advice I tell girls is to... it's not just about beautiful... they're looking for that extra special something... they're also looking for a personality.” (04:42–05:25)
5. Facing Industry Rejection & Racism
- Tyra recounts painful rejection lines she endured:
- Tyra Banks: “I heard that we already have enough black girls. We have somebody that looks just like you. Your lips are too big, your nose is too soft...” (05:29)
- She shares her mother’s wisdom about separating self-worth and industry standards:
- Tyra Banks: “My mom taught me to look at myself as a product and to separate myself from the product... If people aren't wanting that product, it doesn't mean they don't want you... I see it as a separate entity from me.” (05:59)
6. Talking About Flaws & Media Perfection
- On the most airbrushed part of her body:
- Tyra Banks: “Dimples on my booty... Cellulite on the backs of the thighs. Dark circles underneath my eyes. Yeah, Those are my main ones.” (06:55)
- Reaction to photo retouching:
- Tyra Banks: “Sometimes I'm like, oh, my God. I can't believe they didn't retouch them.” (07:11)
7. Launching America's Next Top Model
- Tyra introduces her new TV show:
- Tyra Banks: “I created this show, America's Next Top Model... We follow them 24/7, similar to the show ‘The Real World’... and after eight weeks, the best girl is left standing, and she's starving.” (07:20)
- Authenticity of the show:
- Tyra Banks: “I tried to keep this as close to the true modeling world as possible. And the drama came with the girls' personalities and cat fighting and things like that. But in terms of the modeling world, it's really legitimate and true.” (07:55)
8. Tyra’s Reality TV Favorites & Down-To-Earth Side
- Tyra professes love for “The Real World”:
- Tyra Banks: “I love that show... I like Las Vegas and I liked Seattle. No, I liked New York.” (08:21–08:25)
- Laughs when told the co-host was on Seattle’s season, remembering a notorious scene:
- Tyra Banks: “Which one was Seattle? Was that when that guy bitch slapped that girl in the car? Yeah, I like that one too.” (08:33–08:37)
- Co-host fangirls:
- Interviewer/Co-host: “It's so wonderful to hear that you have so much personality and you're so well spoken and just incredible. You're a great role model.” (08:55)
- Tyra modestly thanks her.
Memorable Quotes
-
On magazine covers:
“I think it really did help a lot. I really think it made me, you know, everybody in America say, oh, who's that girl?”
— Tyra Banks (02:13) -
On beach photo shoots:
“I hate shooting on a beach... the sand just gets all in weird places. You have to change with a towel wrapped around you in front of everybody...”
— Tyra Banks (02:59) -
On beauty routines:
“I don't really do any of that stuff like that prep stuff... But I do sit in a hair and makeup chair for three and a half hours.”
— Tyra Banks (03:58) -
On self-image:
“I look at myself as a palette... I know I have the capability to be transformed into anything, but I don't... say, ooh, girl, you fine. I don't do that.”
— Tyra Banks (04:18) -
On industry rejection:
“I heard that we already have enough black girls. We have somebody that looks just like you. Your lips are too big, your nose is too soft. You know, all kind of stuff.”
— Tyra Banks (05:29) -
On dealing with criticism:
“My mom taught me to look at myself as a product and to separate myself from the product... If people aren't wanting that product, it doesn't mean they don't want you...”
— Tyra Banks (05:59) -
On what gets airbrushed:
“Dimples on my booty... Cellulite on the backs of the thighs. Dark circles under my eyes. Those are my main ones.”
— Tyra Banks (06:55)
Notable Segments with Timestamps
- Tyra's groundbreaking firsts: 01:36–02:13
- Realities of photo shoots and fame: 02:27–03:23
- Self-care and beauty myths: 03:58–04:18
- Advice for aspiring models: 04:32–05:25
- Experiences of bias and handling rejection: 05:25–06:43
- Talking about media and body image: 06:55–07:17
- America’s Next Top Model explained: 07:20–07:55
- Tyra’s reality TV favorites and relatability: 08:11–09:01
Episode Tone and Style
The episode is lighthearted, direct, and full of the authentic warmth characteristic of The Bert Show. Tyra Banks is candid, witty, and vulnerable, balancing humor (“Dimples on my booty!”) with heartfelt advice and honest commentary about the tough realities of fashion and self-confidence.
Takeaways
- Tyra Banks’ legacy isn’t just about covers and catwalks—she’s honest about her struggles, resilient in the face of rejection, and passionate about representing real, multifaceted women.
- Her advice to young models is practical, focusing on education, individuality, and emotional resilience.
- America’s Next Top Model was launched with the goal of showcasing the real world of modeling, mixing drama and mentorship under Tyra’s guidance.
- Tyra’s down-to-earth attitude and relatability—she loves reality TV, deals with insecurities, and doesn’t buy her own hype—make her the role model the hosts praise her for.