MY ULTIMATE GODDESS

Stunning…all the way!” may seem like a remark I haven’t used since birth.

“So, she’s Tyra…”, and from then on, I decided she’ll be my favorite supermodel.

It was during my high school years when I saw George Michael’s music video, “Too Funky”. (back then it was one of the most expensive videos of all time and apparently, it must be true—-Tyra Banks is god damn expensive!) I was entranced by this black supermodel’s presence on the runway.

When I was in the prime of my life, I adored the beauty of Barbie; Fabio was the most majestic man I’ve seen, and being Caucasian is dazzling. I was even obsessed to become just like them—to become pearly by scrubbing myself with scads of whitening products. By the way, I’m not dark. I’m fair, but I just wanted to be as pale as Bjork. My idea of a beauty queen was so quintessential— Snow White of the fairy tales.

Most of the supermodels I’ve seen when I was young, especially on the covers of Vogue magazines, were blonde, or a little bit brunette, but with skin like a snow. From Lisa Fonssagrives, Dorian Leigh, Twiggy to Claudia Schiffer, Amber Valleta, Shalom Harlow and Cindy Crawford—they were all royal to me. I didn’t even care for Iman Abdulmajid, Beverly Johnson, and Naomi Campbell. Not until I saw Tyra Lynne Banks in that music video. It was then I realized women like her can be far more beautiful than any typical pretty snow white princesses. I began appreciating even the beauty of Alek Wek, a Sudanese supermodel, who’s been gracing the runway fashion shows of Issy Miyake, John Galliano and Donna Karan.

I love everything about Tyra. I was sad when she retired from modeling on May 2005. But thank God, I can always go ahead and see her on her talk show, TYRA. She’s not only beauteous; she’s also intelligent, honest down to earth and an advocate of bravery. I still remember one of my favorite episodes (it was also during the first month of airing of the show) Who would have thought that Tyra would actually undergo sonogram to prove that her breasts are real? She also went undercover as a stripper on her March 2006 episode, and my most favorite is her confrontation with long time rival, Naomi Campbell, on her November 2005 episode. It is said to be that there were no studio audience that time, because Tyra was so nervous to interview Naomi. I also loved the May 2006 episode where Tyra interviewed one of my goddesses, Jenna Jameson. Yes! She’s the porn star and I deeply admire and respect her. Imagine a goddess interviewing another goddess! And of course will never forget Tyra’s encounter with Tyra Banxxx, the porn star who has a big resemblance to the real Tyra (and she’s also gorgeous!)

My Tyra would not be the ideal girl next door beauty. But she’s an endless revelation, I should say. She might not be the supermodel who we usually see on the covers of magazines (she only appeared on Vogue once), but hell! She’s still the first black woman to appear on the cover of Victoria Secret Catalog, and that’s huge! For me, she’s the most bewitching and elegant supermodel of all time. I just hope that before I reach 35, I’ll be able to see her in person, and this would be a rewarding gift for myself.