Tyra Banks opens up about why she gave up on her music career after pursuing it for six years
Many women young and old have seen the supermodel work her magic on the runway and have aspired to be just like Tyra Banks. While she is well known for her flawless features and modeling skills, the America's Next Top Model host at one time aspired to be in the music industry and have sold-out concerts.
As reported by EW, Banks tried to make her mark in the music industry between 1998 and 2004. What drew her to be a musician the most was the eagerness to feel the performative rush of a rockstar. "[Even on the runway] I didn’t just walk: I twirled and sashayed. Sometimes I’d get in trouble with the designers…but I couldn’t help myself. … I pushed, smiled, twisted, clapped, pointed at people, winked and was so over-the-top because I loved the stage!"
"After retiring from modeling, the only way I thought I could continue to work that stage that I loved so much was I had to sing in order to do it. With modeling, I knew that I was fierce. I knew my runway walk, even in those early days, was amazing. … I had true talent even though I was being rejected [from agencies] and being told that I wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t just a dream; it was more of a mission," she continued.
Despite being very ambitious, Tyra was not able to make her musical dream come true and eventually abandoned her six-year attempt after releasing one single, Shake Ya Body. The supermodel had the help and encouragement of many musical giants such as Pharell, David Foster, Rodney Jerkins, Wyclef Jean amongst others.
"I didn’t have a dream to be a model; I was discovered and realized I was good at it and continued to work hard and hone a craft that was already in my nature. With singing it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, look at J.Lo! That looks so fun!’ There’s a difference. I kept pushing [for] six years. … That was my tenacity and tunnel vision and ‘don’t give up’ attitude."
When you mix that with something that isn’t your calling, that’s when it can get a little dangerous. It should have been six months, not six years. But because I had such focus, I continued to go down a path that was not meant for me. If my voice was amazing, I would’ve been a huge pop star. But my voice was just decent, and that’s not good enough to transition from being a model."