Tyra Banks Says Models “Have to be slimmer than slim”, Be Social Media Savvy & Compete to Make It Big Today

Supermodel, Tyra Banks has since made it known that after her exit from the runway, she will now spend more time inspiring and coaching young model hopefuls through America’s Next Top Model and more. One way she is definitely doing that is often sharing inspiring stories about her career, role models and inspiration in general via her social media pages.

Her latest topic? The pressure young models of today are under to get skinny, compete to get jobs, be social media savvy and more. She posted this as part of a ThrowBack photo showing a much younger version of herself backstage at a YSL show.

She posted;

Models have so much pressure today. They have to look good on AND off the set. They have to arrive backstage at fashion shows looking and dressed as if they are already ON a runway. They have to be slimmer than slim, skinnier than skinny. They have to compete with actresses, recording artists and reality stars for magazine covers and ad campaigns. They have to have tons of followers on social media to book top notch jobs. And they have to do selfies that make them look relatable, but not TOO relatable, because then people may comment that they don’t understand “Why the heck us THAT girl a friggin model??!!!!“

Models have been said to think and re-think their social media posts so as not to seem ‘un-model like’ for designers and brands who want to use them for campaigns, shows etc.

She continued;

When I was a young model, yeah, we had to think about our weight, but not like today. I think I was a size 6, not a size 0. And backstage at fashion shows, I looked like this photo you’re looking at. Yep, that’s a teenage me right before a YSL show was about to start in sneakers, plaid flannel and bad jeans. Mr. Yves Saint Laurent could care less how I looked when I arrived to his show But when I hit his stage, he expected excellence. And I made sure I delivered that every time I was chosen to walk his amazing runway.

I’m sending love and hugs to all working, aspiring and super models worldwide. You all have lots to live up to. And I’m here cheering for you every single day. Strong Girls. #ThrowBackThursday #ThrowBackTyTy.

We love Tyra’s more inspiring side!

Photo Credit: @TyraBanks (Instagram)