Quotes from Tyra Banks

I am who I am today because my mama mama'd me.... Every accolade I get, every accomplishment I've achieved, all my iconic moments and catchy coined phrases (Smize, boo!) are because of her. I am her creation. Her FrankenTy.

The beginning of my career focused on trying to be a successful model for myself. How many campaigns, magazine covers, fashion shows, and endorsements I could get. The way I see the world now has changed. I am trying to offer as much opportunity to others as I can.

I hate when models say 'Oh, plastic surgery is just a wrong thing. What are you talking about? You won the genetic lottery. You look like this specimen that's making people feel insecure and you're going to ridicule someone for getting plastic surgery?

Much of my success as a Supermodel was not because I looked better than other models but that I marketed myself in a way that stood out.

If you like your natural self, don't worry about it, but if you feel insecure about something ... I have a magic bag of beauty tricks to make you who you want to be.

The only way to live a perfect life is to not take risks, to just sit in a little box and never go after what you want or reach for your goals (because, God forbid, ya could try and ya could fail, and that sho' ain't perfect).

I'm very comfortable speaking to millions of people, but not comfortable in a small, intimate social setting. Like cocktail hour. I get very panicky. Even if I know them. I know it's weird -- it's just not my strength.

It's all about lovin' not only who we see in the mirror, but what we feel about ourselves when we look in the mirror.

The runway symbolizes something in society that's very intimidating to women.

I love all kinds of bread. Whenever I crave junk food, I want salty things like peanuts or potato chips.

Designers are very fickle. I never wanted to be a victim of that. You're in one minute, out the next.

There's always going to be dreams and goals I have, but I never really tell people what they are.

I made my living being 20 or 30 pounds heavier than the average model. And that's where I got famous.

My mom never taught me to be waiting for some prince on a white horse to swipe me off my feet.

Black women don't have the same body image problems as white women. They are proud of their bodies.

People always ask me if I'm going to stop modeling because I have started an acting career. I hope to continue to model for years to come.

I've been singing for six years. I've been in and out of the studios with top producers, but it wasn't something I was ready to express to the public or to the press. I wasn't ready to come out. I wanted to perfect my voice and be 100 percent positive that I could come out right.

I don't go to the cool, trendy restaurants. I go to either the holes in the wall or the super-fancy restaurants where there are no cool people.

Paris is one of the most beautiful places in all the world. Unfortunately, I was so homesick I couldn't appreciate its beauty.

I'm trying to build a strong business. I want to create new stars, new shows and new products for my audience and create a legacy that outlives me. There are so many other ways I want to reach women besides doing a talk show.

Black women have always been these vixens, these animalistic erotic women. Why can't we just be the sexy American girl next door?

I love food and feel that it is something that should be enjoyed. I eat whatever I want. I just don't overeat.

Smiles come naturally to me, but I started thinking of them as an art form at my command. I studied all the time. I looked at magazines, I'd practice in front of the mirror and I'd ask photographers about the best angles. I can now pull out a smile at will.

Never dull your shine for somebody else.