After 19 years, Tyra Banks made a splashy return to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on Tuesday, Oct. 15—but as she told Drew Barrymore , the experience was different this time around on a number of levels.
On the Oct. 16 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show , the America's Next Top Model star opened up about what it was like to walk the runway again.
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“When I was walking...I would normally walk for myself,” Banks said, referring to her earlier days on the catwalk. “When I was a model I was walking for myself and I retired almost 20 years ago, but when I was walking on the Victoria’s Secret runway this time, I felt like everybody was inside of me.”
“Fifty-year-old women, insecure women, I just felt like there was more," she continued. "I look at the playback and I’m like, ‘Boom, boom, boom.’ I was stomping because I felt like I was a vessel more so than it’s not just all about me. It was different.”
Her shift in perspective was partially due to her changing body, Banks added.
“What was different is my boobies were, like, 10 times bigger because I was about 40-50 pounds heavier on this runway than when I retired,” she explained. “So I was like, ‘Don’t fall out, don’t fall out.’”
Related: Fans Divided as Tyra Banks Returns to the Runway in Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
Some people on social media took issue with the model's comments, referencing her behavior as a judge on ANTM .
"Never forget the Top Model days where she laughed and fat shamed and ridiculed many young vulnerable women on national television. Now we are supposed to applaud her??? For what exactly!?? 😐," one person wanted to know.
"Tyra perpetuated a lot of fatphobia and body shaming and body image issues for women in the early 2000’s. I would like to know how she plans on using her platform to change that now?" demanded another commenter.
They continued, "How has her perspective changed since she herself has had to embrace a 'curvy body?' is her public acceptance because of a trend? Societal change? Make it right."
Others, however, gave Banks credit for evolving.
"I think people are getting confused. She as a model back then are made to stay a certain size / figure. This was not her decision it is what she had to do and follow in the industry at the time.," a fan wrote in her defense.
They added, "It’s not her fault nor should be made to feel bad for it. She has since obviously adapted with the times and embraced everything and happiness and standing for everything that is now. I applaud 👏her and the woman she has grown to be xx."
Next: Fans Thrilled That Ashley Graham Is "Finally" in Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: "I Feel Represented"
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