Tyra Banks Opens Ice Cream Shop in Australia, Leaves Hollywood Behind
When Tyra Banks quietly relocated to Australia to open an ice cream shop, she wasn’t just chasing a sweet tooth—she was chasing a new chapter. The 50-year-old supermodel, media mogul, and entrepreneur has officially entered her dessert era, trading red carpets for waffle cones with the launch of a permanent storefront for her brand, SMiZE & Dream, down under.
“I came here and just fell in love,” Banks said in a recent appearance on Today with Jenna & Friends, explaining her unexpected move to Australia. “This country is the third-highest consumer of ice cream in the world.” And for someone who turned the phrase “smize” into a cultural lexicon, launching a quirky, feel-good ice cream brand feels oddly on brand.
Early Modeling Struggles and Breakthrough in Paris
Tyra Banks’s journey to supermodel status was far from instant. At just 15 years old, she began modeling while attending Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles. Despite early rejections from four modeling agencies, Banks’s persistence paid off when she was signed by L.A. Models. A year later, she switched to Elite Model Management, and at just 16, she relocated to Milan to chase global opportunities.
Her international breakthrough came in 1991 during her very first runway season. Banks booked an astonishing 25 shows for Paris Fashion Week, a feat that signaled her arrival as a force in high fashion. She quickly graced editorials for American, Italian, French, and Spanish editions of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, V, W, and Vanity Fair, becoming a staple in fashion’s most revered publications.
Runways, Covers, and Campaigns: The Rise of a Supermodel
Banks’s modeling dominance extended beyond editorial spreads. She walked the runways for iconic designers including Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Valentino, Marc Jacobs, and Donna Karan, among many others. Her versatility made her a muse across the fashion spectrum—from haute couture to ready-to-wear.
Magazine covers followed, with Banks appearing on Elle, Spanish Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, and Teen Vogue. She also became a commercial powerhouse, starring in campaigns for brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Victoria’s Secret.
In 1993, Banks became a CoverGirl spokesperson, further solidifying her commercial appeal. As one of the few Black women to reach true supermodel status, she shattered glass ceilings in a notoriously exclusive industry.
Bankable Productions: Building an Empire
With her production company Bankable Productions (formerly Ty Ty Baby Productions), Banks made a seismic impact on pop culture. She created America’s Next Top Model, which she hosted and executive produced, redefining how the public viewed the modeling industry. She also helmed The Tyra Banks Show, a daytime talk show that debuted in 2005 and ran for five years, winning back-to-back Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Informative Talk Show in 2008 and 2009.
The company also produced the teen film The Clique, cementing Banks’s behind-the-scenes influence in entertainment.
Banks made her film debut in John Singleton’s Higher Learning (1994), and achieved cult favorite status for her portrayal of Eve in Life-Size opposite Lindsay Lohan. She continued to act in popular films like Love Stinks (1999), Love & Basketball (2000), Coyote Ugly (2000), Halloween: Resurrection (2002), and Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009).
In 2018, she reprised her iconic doll role for Life-Size 2 on Freeform, showcasing her range and enduring appeal across generations.
A Dream Served Cold: The Rise of SMiZE & Dream
Launched in 2020, SMiZE & Dream is more than just an ice cream brand. Each cup contains a “SMiZE Surprize” at the bottom—a little treat and motivational message designed to inspire. “It’s like Cracker Jack meets affirmations,” Banks once said.
The company has popped up in several international markets, including Los Angeles, Dubai, and Sydney, but this marks its first permanent retail location. The decision to plant roots in Australia is strategic—and deeply personal. Banks says the country’s culture, climate, and love of frozen desserts made it the ideal place to settle down.
A Life Less Scripted
Though Banks has stayed largely off social media since her move, those close to her say she’s embraced a slower pace. Much of that has to do with her son, York, born via surrogate in 2016. “Motherhood changes everything,” she’s said. And while she once juggled photo shoots, show tapings, and business meetings, she now seems more interested in work-life delight than work-life balance.
She’s also embracing her role as a mentor and role model in the business space, especially for women and people of color. With SMiZE & Dream, Banks isn’t just selling sundaes—she’s serving up inspiration with every scoop.
Why Australia—and Why Now?
Besides its love affair with frozen treats, Australia offers Banks something she rarely had in Hollywood: peace. The lack of paparazzi, the vibrant food scene, and a growing community of creatives and entrepreneurs made the decision easy. “It’s just a vibe here,” she told Today. “A good one.”
And it’s not just about Tyra. The ice cream shop is designed to be interactive and community-focused, with storytelling built into every part of the experience. From the flavors (like Strawberry BirthYAY! and Salted Caramel King) to the affirmations in each surprise, every detail is meant to uplift.
A Legacy Beyond the Runway
Tyra Banks’ career has always been about transformation—physical, professional, and personal. From walking high-fashion runways to championing body positivity before it was trendy, she’s consistently pushed the envelope. Now, with SMiZE & Dream, she’s reminding us that evolution can be sweet, simple, and served with sprinkles.
This isn’t just an ice cream shop. It’s a love letter to reinvention. And if Tyra Banks has her way, it’s also the beginning of a global franchise designed to inspire joy—one scoop at a time.
What’s Next for Tyra?
Will she ever return to TV? Possibly. But for now, Banks seems content building a life that isn’t being live-streamed or endlessly analyzed. Her goal? To create “a global movement disguised as dessert.” And honestly, who better to do it than the woman who taught the world how to smize?
With her cones, her calm, and her big entrepreneurial dreams, Tyra Banks is proving that success doesn’t always mean staying in the spotlight. Sometimes, it looks like a quiet life in Australia—with a double scoop of legacy on top.
