Tyra banks now

I didn’t set out to be in front of the camera. My goal in high school was to get into film school, where I would hopefully start my career as a producer and writer—behind the camera. Modeling was the last thing on my mind; I felt awkward and uncomfortable in my own skin most of the time.

My freshman year, a classmate approached me and told me I looked like I could be a model. I’m not sure how she could see past my awkwardness, but she got the wheels turning, and for the first time, modeling was a potential option in my mind. Two years later, I was finally convinced to give it a try.

I signed with an agent who eventually began booking me local gigs.  My agent doubted that my “look” could result in a career in photographs and told me I should stick to runway because I wasn’t photogenic enough. My modeling “career” consisted of doing catalog work and local ads for Macy’s in the Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times. Meanwhile, I applied to several universities and film schools around the Los Angeles area and was accepted to them all, from UCLA to USC.  I chose to attend Loyola

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