Women in Television: Tyra Banks

By Allison J. Waldman

Who: Tyra Banks, supermodel, host and producer of “America’s Next Top Model” and “The Tyra Banks Show”

Why: This year, in the third year of her daily talk show, Ms. Banks won a Daytime Emmy Award, “America’s Next Top Model” was the No. 1 show on The CW, and she began work on “Stylista,” another unscripted program for The CW, this one about fashion magazines.

“Tyra is a self-made woman with an empowering, aspirational message that you can do anything you put your mind to if you have the passion, persistence and incredible work ethic that she embodies,” said Hilary Estey McLoughlin, president of Telepictures Productions, which produces her talk show.

What: According to Ms. Estey McLoughlin, Ms. Banks can be described in three words: “Fierce role model.” Ms. Banks has been an influential presence on the order of daytime talk stars Phil Donahue and Oprah Winfrey, and she’s still evolving. Her talk show this past election season became a major stop for most national candidates, including President-elect Barack Obama.

Ms. Estey McLoughlin recalled, “The day Barack Obama came … she just made a very honest, human connection with the future president. She went on to ask him about everything from healthcare and unemployment to the first time he ever kissed Michelle. I believe it was also the first time he mentioned his daughters, Sasha and Malia, wanting a puppy, and that was a big line in his acceptance speech.”