Tyra Banks is crazy and I love it

This past Sunday, New York Times Magazine profiled the ever so insane model/mogul, Tyra Banks.

In short, the lengthy article discusses her move from Sports Illustrated cover girl to a budding Martha Stewart. And how she kind of wants to take over the world:

“I want power,” she said. “The power to make change. I have never been interested in being ‘hot’ or ‘cool.’ I’m not interested in walking down a bunch of red carpets, dating someone famous, being in a big movie. I’ve done those things, and it never felt right. But I do want power and not for financial reasons.”

The piece also establishes that Tyra is a lot more calculating than her wild production antics would lead us to believe. But, admittedly, we all knew that:

“My mom said, ‘You will not go to Paris without studying the industry first,’” Banks said. “I went to the fashion library in Los Angeles and looked at all the French magazines from the past. My mom explained that I should study the names of the hairdressers, the stylists, the makeup artists, the photographers, the editors and, of course, the designers. I watched videotapes of models walking. My mom said, ‘This is not just glamour — it is a business.’ So when I arrived in Paris, I was ready.’”

Lynn Hirschberg did this video screen test of Tyra for the New York Times. It’s brilliant. If only because she demonstrates 7 of the 275 smiles that she has created over the years. Yes, you heard right.

Enjoy. Practice. And hit me with an email if you get signed by IMG.