EXCLUSIVE Supermodel Tyra Banks reveals why she moved to Australia as she launches upmarket ice cream store in Sydney
In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia, the American supermodel-turned-entrepreneur revealed she fell head over heels for the Harbour City after visiting regularly for over a year while producing ice cream for a cruise line account.
'I was coming for about a year and a half and just fell in love with it,' she said. 'And I said, should we make this move? And here we are.'
The 51-year-old said Sydney's relaxed charm and community energy helped seal the decision to base her global business Down Under, with one spot standing out above all others.
'I love Darling Harbour because of this park. Tumbalong Park is magical,' she said, adding that even before her shop opened, she and her family would spend their weekends there.
'I have friends that live an hour and a half away and on the weekends they drive here just to go to the water and put their feet in with the kids.'
'There's a playground for older kids, one for younger kids, Darling Square nearby, the harbour – it just felt natural.'
Tyra's passion for the brand is personal, down to the flavours themselves. When asked about her favourite scoop, she didn't hesitate.
'My favourite flavour is called Tyra's Favourite – very creative, isn't it?' she laughed.
The flavour features salted sweet cream with butter-roasted pecans and a thick, savoury caramel butter swirl.
'It's not your traditional ice cream taste – it has this surprising, rich sensation in the mouth,' she said.
She also teased a potential first celebrity collaboration, revealing a well-known Aussie star is already in talks.
'I have a very good friend – she's coming today – and we've been talking about doing a collab,' she revealed.
'She's very known here, so I'm touched that she wants to do something. I think she'll be the first, hopefully.'
Beyond ice cream, the SMiZE & DREAM founder wants the business to stand for something bigger – encouraging others, especially women, to reinvent themselves no matter their age.
'It's never too late,' she said, when asked what advice she had for women starting over.
'But we have to know our stuff. Unfortunately, women – we have to be better. We have to be smarter. We have to know more.'
Her message was firm and inspiring: 'Just go deep, study hard, walk into that room head held high. You're going to hear 'no's – but one day you're going to get that 'yes'. And you just have to be ready for it.'
Previously speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the former America's Next Top Model host revealed that she has embraced the Aussie lifestyle fully – and says even her mother can't believe they live here now.
'Australia's not real to Americans,' she said. 'I know you guys, this is where you're from, but this is like fantasy land.'
She's swapped designer boutiques for shopping sprees at Kmart and lazy weekends in the park.
Previously speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the former America's Next Top Model host revealed that she has embraced the Aussie lifestyle fully – and says even her mother can't believe they live here now
'I went the other day and bought stuff for our kitchen,' she laughed. 'Kmart here is fancy! Where's the cheque? This is ridiculous—I just keep talking about it!'
Tyra hasn't ruled out returning to television – and this time, it could be in Australia.
'I think I'm going to go back to do some TV,' she teased. 'I might even do stuff here – morning shows, hosting, something. When I do, it's going to feel like home.'
She admitted that after years in front of the camera, it's being a businesswoman that's truly tested her.
'I used to think, 'Oh, I'm so stressed with all these TV shows,' she said.
'But that is nothing compared to being an entrepreneur. When I go back to TV, it'll actually feel relaxing!'
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