"Stop With The Fat Jokes"---Supermodel Tells Critics To Kiss Offby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 01 Feb 2007 06:40 PM Did you see today's episode of "The Tyra Banks Show?" Even if you didn't, it's likely you've seen the massive amount of press Banks has received regarding a single picture of her that has made the cover of tabloids around the world. The photo features the former supermodel in a bathing suit with the headline: "Tyra Porkchop." Another magazine ran the photo of her under headlines that screamed, "America's Next Top Waddle." The unflattering photo of Banks was today's featured topic on her talk show. Wearing the same bathing suit that prompted the mean-spirited headlines, Banks' admitted she'd gained about 30 lbs. since her runway days, but said: "I still feel hot." She then twisted and turned her body to demonstrate how the wrong camera angle or a shift in body stance can "add weight" in a photo. "Luckily, I'm strong enough and I have a good enough support system," Banks told viewers. "I love my Mama, and she has helped me to be a strong woman so I can overcome these kinds of attacks, but if I had a lower self-esteem, I would probably be starving myself right now. That's exactly what is happening to other women all over this country." The 33-year-old talk show host and creator of TV's "America's Next Top Model" then addressed those who "have something nasty to say about women who are built like me ... women who have been picked on, women whose husbands put them down, women at work or girls at school - I have one thing to say to you: Kiss my fat a--." Banks also revealed that her own 5'10" body, which currently weighs about 160 lbs., is a lot heavier than when she landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue in 1997. But, she added: "I still feel hot, but every day is different. It's when I put on the jeans that used to fit a year ago and don't fit now and give me the muffin top, that's when I say, 'Damn!' " The bottom line: Sure, she has put on weight, but not nearly as much as those recent tabloid stories suggested. What's more, she says: "Who cares?" Banks' says she's happy with her post-modeling size and wants the world to know it. In fact, she recently told reporters that the new season of "America's Next Top Model" will feature two plus-size models. After all, Banks maintains: "You don't have to be rail thin to be pretty." Amen, Sister! Related Articles: Famous Model Blames Parents For Eating Disorders Model's Death Prompts Wake Up Call Not Something You Hear Everyday Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantpopular culture tags User Comments  Sara Denomme (1063) 01 Feb 2007 07:16 PMTyra can be flaky now and then, but she really has a winning personality. I enjoy watching ANTM because I like photography, but I really respect Tyra's desire to help women who want to become models achieve it in an honest way and by staying true to themselves. Sounds cheesy, but she's a real decent chick in my book! :D  Michele Cheplic (37339) 02 Feb 2007 08:40 AMWho gets the last laugh--she's made a TON of money off of her looks... and this brouhaha has only brought more viewers to her show! Good for her.  Valorie Delp (49340) 03 Feb 2007 07:33 AMI second what Sara says. Kudos to Tyra for saying it like it is. Community Tags fat celebrity, models, Tyra Banks, tabloids, weight issues Discuss this article
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