Tyra Banks is not happy with today's modeling industry standards.
The "America's Next Top Model" host expressed her displeasure in a lengthy message to the fashion industry posted on her Instagram account, complaining that models this day and age are under "so much pressure" to look good both on and off the set.
"They have to arrive backstage at fashion shows looking and dressed as if they are already ON a runway. They have to be slimmer than slim. Skinnier than skinny," the 41-year-old former model wrote, alongside a photo of her younger self backstage at a show wearing a baggy top and black pants.
"They have to compete with actresses, recording artists and reality stars for magazine covers and ad campaigns. They have to have tons of followers on social media to book top-notch jobs. And they have to do selfies that make them look relatable, but not TOO relatable, because then people may comment that they don't understand, 'Why the heck is THAT girl a friggin' model?'"
Banks began her modeling career as a teenager and booked 25 shows during Paris Fashion Week in 1991. Unlike today's famous models - Cara Delevingne, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Behati Prinsloo - Banks admitted that the standards in her day were different.
A photo posted by Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) on Jun 25, 2015 at 10:23am PDT
Banks, who represented brands like Victoria Secret, acknowledge that a model's size has always been an issue, but the demand to be thin is nothing compared to today's standards.
"I think I was size 6, not a size 0. And backstage at fashion shows, I looked like this photo you're looking at. Yep, that's teenaged me right before a YSL show was about to start in sneakers, plaid flannel and bad jeans. Mr. Yves Saint Laurent could care how I looked when I arrived to his show," she said. "But when I hit his stage, he expected excellence. And I made sure I delivered that every time I was chosen to walk his amazing runway."
The author-actress ended her post with an encouraging message to young models, writing, "I'm sending love and hugs to all working, aspiring and supermodels worldwide. You all have lots to live up to. And I'm here cheering for you every single day. Stay strong girls."
Banks made headlines last week after posting a makeup-free selfie, giving her followers a glimpse of her natural beauty.
