AMERICA’S NEXT TALK SHOW EXIT: Model-turned-empire-builder Tyra Banks took to her Twitter page Monday to tell her 832,319 or so followers that “it’s true y’all. The 5th season of ‘The Tyra Show’ will be it’s last.”
Banks, who will continue her nighttime hosting duties on “America’s Next Top Model” as well as work on her inner-beauty reality competition series, “True Beauty,” compared her decision to end “The Tyra Banks Show” with her earlier exit from the fashion industry.
“Several years ago I made the decision to leave modeling — at the height of my modeling career,” she wrote in a letter posted on tyra.com, “and although it was the most terrifying move, it was the BEST decision and led to me fulfilling some big lifelong dreams. Now, I’m a bit nervous and excited for my next HUGE steps which will allow me to reach MORE women and young girls to help us all feel as fierce as we truly are!”
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Though Banks avoided offering details, regarding both the why and what’s next — “I wish I could tell you about ALL of the new stuff,” the former model wrote, “but there are people here with me now telling me to stop typing and keep my lips shut about our new projects!” — she sketched a picture of expanding into movie making (including the creation of Bankable Studios, a film production arm of her company, Bankable Enterprises) and amping up digital initiatives. Explained Banks to fans: “If you’ve been reading the papers, you know that the television world is changing! And there’s this little thing called the DIGITAL EXPLOSION that’s flipping how the old companies are doing business and how people like me can talk and vibe with you.”
The 36-year-old Banks, who had been considered a front-runner in the race to replace Oprah Winfrey (who last month announced the end of her long-running syndicated talkfest when her contract expires in 2011), did tip her hat to the original daytime diva, saying: “Before I go, I have to pay homage to the ultimate Queen of Talk, Oprah, who made a huge impact on my life by giving me my first shot in daytime TV.…We will all miss her show so much. And to you Oprah: You have had, and continue to have, such an amazing impact on me. I salute you.”
This is not the first time the outsize personality has taken to Twitter to break news. On Dec. 23, Banks wrote, “Ok. wtf. i wake up w/a new zit a day. gonna make one or two or three of em a mole 2morrow. a la marilyn.” — Nick Axelrod
KATE STICKS WITH LONDON: As a model whose look is seen as synonymous with London style, Kate Moss seems to be sticking to her hometown after all. According to industry sources, British press reports published earlier this month that suggested Moss plans to relocate to Paris aren’t true. The reports claimed Moss had made a down payment on a 22.5 million euro, or $32.8 million at current exchange, apartment in the Trocadero area of Paris. It’s particularly handy Moss isn’t quitting London since earlier this month she won the London 25 award at this year’s British Fashion Awards. The award celebrates an individual who “embodies the spirit of London,” and acts as an “ambassador” for the city as a creative capital. — Nina Jones