Checking in with TYRA BANKS
If you’re happy about Tyra Banks becoming the new host of “America’s Got Talent,” you can thank her mother.
“My agent presented it to me, and I was like, ‘Hmmm,’ ” the lively, friendly Banks says, “and after a couple of hours, I called my mom to see what she had to say. She’s my sounding board, and she said, ‘Why are you even calling me about this? You’re classy and fun, and also that big sister who hugs people and makes them feel good about themselves. You totally should do this!’ ”
Thus, as she also revs up to return to “America’s Next Top Model” – which is just going into production on a new VH1 edition–model-author- actress-producer-business woman philanthropist Banks succeed s Nick Cannon in presiding over NBC’s summer talent competition, which begins its 12th season Tuesday, May 30. While she’s a fresh face to the contest, the judging panel remains intact: Mel B, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel will be back to give some acts instant admission to later rounds by using the “Golden Buzzer.”
Banks told Cowell about the should-I-or-shouldn’t-I conversation with her mother during a visit to his house: “He said that his mom told him the same thing about ‘America’s Got Talent.’ He’d produced it, but he wasn’t on it in the past. He said, ‘Our moms must know what they’re talking about.’ And a couple of days later, I was on the set. It was the craziest, fastest deal I’ve ever done.’ ” That up-close-and-personal encounter with Cowell was rare, at least up to this point, in the course of the early “America’s Got Talent” rounds that lead up to the live shows. “I can’t spend as much time with the judges as they spend with each other,” Banks notes, “because they’re at a desk together constantly, and I’m with the acts backstage. The time that we do have together is really sweet and special, though.” Birthdate: Dec. 4, 1973 Birthplace: Inglewood, Calif. Current residences: Los Angeles and New York Marital status: Single; has a son
Other television work includes: “America’s Next Top Model,” “The New Celebrity Apprentice,” “blackish,” “Glee,” “Gossip Girl,” “The Tyra Banks Show,” “American Dreams,” “All of Us,” “Soul Food,” “Life-Size,” “Felicity,” “MADtv,” “The Hughleys,” “Space Ghost Coast to Coast,” “The Apartment Complex,” “Just Shoot Me!,” “New York Undercover,” “All That,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” Movie work includes: “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” “Tropic Thunder,” “Mr. Woodcock,” “Larceny,” “Eight Crazy Nights” (voice only), “Halloween: Resurrection,” “Coyote Ugly,” “Love & Basketball,” “Love Stinks,” “Higher Learning” Favorite movie: “‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.’ ” Favorite television series you’re not on: “I’m obsessed with ‘This Is Us,’ and I love ‘American Horror Story.’ I’m really upset with Ryan Murphy that he didn’t spin the ‘Coven’ season into a full series.” Favorite singer: “I really love Rihanna and Drake right now.”