Early life
Tyra Banks was born in Inglewood, California. She is the daughter of Caroline London (now London-Johnson), a NASA photographer,and Donald Banks, a computer consultant.From a DNA test on America's Next Top Model it was revealed Tyra is of Black, British, and Native American ancestry. She has a brother, Devin, who is five years older. In 1979, when Banks was six years old, her parents divorced. Banks attended John Burroughs Middle School and graduated in 1991 from Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles. While growing up, Banks states she was teased for her appearance and considered an "ugly duckling";when Banks was 11 years old she grew three inches and lost 30 pounds in three months.