Tyra’s gone Tyger!
Supermodel Tyra Banks took fierce to a new level, by channeling a tiger for a ferocious photo shoot in the new issue of Paper magazine, which hits newsstands on Tuesday.
ET was there as the America’s Next Top Model host underwent a stunning transformation which required a five-foot wig, a tiger mask made from hundreds of sequins, five sets of fake nails and three sets of prosthetics.
“I call my fans tigers with a ‘Y’ and the creative director of Paper magazine was like, ‘Girl, I want to turn you into a t-y-g-e-r!’” Banks explained about the fun concept.
“I've never done prosthetics in a glamourous way,” she added. “However, I have done prosthetics for when I was turned into a man and actually when they transformed me into a man I was attracted to myself. I was like, ‘Wow, I look kind of hot.’”
Photo: Vijat Mohindra/Paper Magazine
Photo: Vijat Mohindra/Paper Magazine
Photo: Vijat Mohindra/Paper Magazine
One person who isn’t fazed by Banks’ different looks? Her young son, York, who Banks says wasn’t at all bothered by his mom looking like a scary feline.
“My son 100% knows who I am, no matter how crazy transitioned I am,” she shared. “I find it really strange that he can tell. In the same day I come downstairs with no makeup and a head rag on, he’s like, ‘Mama.’ And then I get transformed into this, [and he says,] ‘Mama.’ I’m like, ‘It’s weird!’”
Having split from York’s father, photographer Erik Asla, Banks says her greatest advice to working moms is to be present. She’s even removed email from her phone to help her stay fully connected with York, who turns two in January.
“It's all about quality, not quantity,” she said. “When you're there, make sure that time is concentrated and rich. I'm guilty of, ‘I'm here, but I'm here answering emails.’ So, I've actually taken email off of my phone, so that when I'm with my son, I'm with him.”
When she’s not getting her purr on for photo shoots or hanging with York, Banks is also busy preparing to film Life Size 2 and confirmed that Lindsay Lohan has not yet signed on, but expressed her interest verbally.
Then of course there’s the upcoming 24th cycle of America’s Next Top Model, and it’s only appropriate that Banks dressed up as a tiger given that she tells Paper the new season will be, “#NFL – Next Level Fierce.”
Addressing her 2015 departure from the series, Banks credited backlash from unhappy viewers on social media for her decision to return to the popular VH1 show.
“I stepped away, but social media was calling my name in my sleep, screaming [that] they were pissed off at me that I deserted [the show],” Banks told the magazine. “I needed to bring my butt back, so I did.”
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