A fed-up Tyra Banks has hit out at the fashion industry’s treatment of young models, saying these days they have to be “skinnier than skinny” to succeed.
In a lengthy message to fashion insiders on Instagram, the veteran model aired her gripes with the state of the modeling world.
“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,” the 41-year-old wrote alongside a photo of herself backstage at a show early in her career.
“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 is THAT girl a friggin’ model??!!!!’”
The post, which has already accumulated more than 56,000 likes and thousands of comments, continued: “When I was a young model, yeah, we had to think about our weight, but not like today. I think I was size 6, not a size 0.
“And backstage at fashion shows, I looked like this photo you’re looking at. Yep, that’s teenaged me right before a YSL show was about to start in sneakers, plaid flannel and bad jeans. Mr Yves Saint Laurent could care 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.”
The “America’s Next Top Model” host ended the scathing post with a message to young models: “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. Stay strong girls.”
Banks started modeling when she was just 15 years old while attending school in LA. The actress and author made headlines last week when she shared a no-makeup selfie, giving fans a glimpse of what she really looks like without all the glamour.
“And there YOU are … looking at me, studying this picture. Maybe you’re thinking, ‘Whoa, she looks ROUGH.’ And if you are, great! You deserve to see the REAL me. The REALLY real me. #RawAndReal,” she captioned the shot.