Tyra,

I can't even tell you how happy I was when I saw what you said to all the moral degenerate people who called you fat. I'm glad you told them off and encouraged so many girls and women to stand up for themselves. Just last year on the last day on school I was hanging out with my friend Greg. I thought he was my friend and a good person until he told my other friend that I was overweight and needed exercise. I'm 5'9 and 130lbs. I play softball, basketball, and soccer. I'm the only tall girl in my grade which now apparently makes me fat. I don't think people should get away with things like that. I just wanted you to know that sometimes it's you who makes me get up in the morning and face school. I wish every girl and woman in this country who is being harrassed about their weight should stand up and say that if they were probably skinnier they would be considered malnurished. My oldest sister who was my leading roll model and in perfect shape gave in to others and became anorexic. At that time in my life I felt as if there was nobody who understood me or supported me and I started starving myself so that I wouldn't have to be different. About a month after I started starving myself I saw your reaction to what the tabloids said about you. I realized what you were saying was true and that if Greg had a problem with me he could kiss my fat a**

I practically know that speech off by heart now, after watching it so many times! I showed it to some of my friends the other day they got all teary eyed.

I really really admire Tyra, I must say. She's not only beautiful on the outside, but she just seems like someone you could easily be best friends with! :D

Tyra should clearly do a few episodes over here in UK and like do some sorta comparison between how the UK view differnt issues copared with the US. That'd be pretty awesome tbh! :D

SAM SAM SAM!!!!what about MANDELA and TUTU and GHANA...hahahahaha aish opportunists...hei Ty u beautiful gal...fat or not fat...and luvd tha clip u did 4 em tabloids...

Dear Tyra,
I admire you so much. I'm a teen && i plane on following your foot steps. I've been lookin up to you since i was a diva in diepers lol. You are a postive role model for all the kids around the world. Expecially me. I consider you as a seconed mama. One thing I would love to share with you is that i've always wanted to be a model my whole life. I tryed out for Barbizion Modeling Agentcies. But I couldnt qualify for there school becuase i wasnt so good on my interview. They din't even give me a second chance. I was only 11 or so. But my sister (Aneisha) got chosen to go to their school becuase she had poetenial. Sometimes I think shw stole my dream away. Since i've been here on earth i've always seen my sister as a artist. I never even gotten a chance to fafill my dream to be a model. Iw ould go on different websites all the time. hopeing they would get my application. But no one ever did. I guess thats how the real world is "you have to fight for what you want". But it was very nice sharing my thoughts and how i feel. One day i hope to meet you. Hopefully soon.
love, Tashauna.

Hello Tyra,
My name is Sam from Arizona and originally from Ghana,west Africa , that was where i first heard about you but most interestingly enough for the past year or so my wife and I have been addent viewers of your show .All i want to tell you Tyra is you are beautiful and to tell you the truth where i come from a woman does not have to be soo thin but must have "some cushion " i can imagine you know what i mean since you travel alot and have been to Africa.
Tyra when are you going to GHANA, you know that is the true motherland you need to go see all the castles and forts that were instrumental in the shipping of ninety percent of all slaves from Africa to the Americas.Also most importantly world renowned figures like Nelson Mandela, bishop TUTU etc had a close knit connection with with GHANA.
If you wanna research about Tyra , which i know you are busy most of the time ,but find some time off your busy schedule to go to WWW.GHANAWEB.COM .
I hope you read this Tyra .
May the lord God in his own way continue to bless and propel you with your dreams and aspirations,

Yours Sincerely
Sam

Tyra,

I love your show America's Next Top Model that is my favorite show. I am only 12 but OMG you are 1 of my idols!

Your friend,
Hailey

Tyra,

With the new season of your talk show coming up and the new season of Top Model coming on I cant help but question your comments. You say on your show that you shouldnt care about your weight and to 'flaunt your flaws' and 'so what'. Then on one of your shows when you went to a rehab for girls with eating disorders, one of the girls called you out on being a cause of the weight issue by having your Top Model show. You retorted by saying the you have started to put plus size models on your show. So, your saying that you can only be too thin to be a model or have large curves to be a plus size model. The people who have the most issues are those who are in the middle-normal people. They arent on the Top Model show. So to be a model I need to drop 20 lbs or gain 20 lbs.? That is what is so ridiculous about the modeling industry! And that is what is so ridiculous about your shows. You are contridicting yourself.

ERYONE LISTEN THE TYRA BANKS SHOW IS SCRIPTED!!! HOLLY CRAPP!

THERE WAS A GIRL ABOUT RACISIM. THEY WERE JUDGING PEOPLE. SHE MADE A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.!

SHE CONFRONTS THAT THE TYRA SHOW IS FAKE AND SCIPTED!!!! THEY WOULD GIVE THEM LINES TO SAY AND TELL THEM TO BE THE MEANEST SHE SAID.I HAVE PROOF GO TO THIS VIDEO BELOW.... TYRA IS SOO DISSAPOINTING. THE GIRL SAID SHE IS NOT AS NICE OR WARM AS SHE SEEMS.THIS SI PROOF BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS ON THE T.B SHOW.. THEY CAN TELL YOU WHAT REALLY HAPPENED.

add the (http://www.)

youtube.com/watch?v=oaiB9u8udaM&mode=related&search=#

HI TYRA MY NAME IS GAELLE BUT YOU CAN CALL ME GAIL. IM ELEVEN YEARS OLD AND I'M ALSO YOUR #1 FAN. I THINK THOSE PEOPLE WHO TALK BAD ABOUT YOU ARE JUST HATERS. THERE PROBABLY JUST JELOUS THET DONT AS GREAT AS TOU DO.YOUR MY IDOL AND MY DREAM IS TO ONE DAY FINALLY MEAT YOU. I LOVE YOU GIRL STAY TYRA.

You know, being a bigger person isn't always fun, it's bad enough you constantly remind yourself of all your imperfections... after all we are our biggest critics and don't need to hear it from anyone else. but seriously, i just saw you live in NY w/ Star Jones and I have to say....the legs were not fat! shoot i wish i could be as tall as you!

It was so awesome to be a part of your show and being in the front row within arms reach of you. it was the best experience I have yet to have and felt so natural. I would definately come be a part of your audience any time! You were a very down to earth person and pretty!!

people who hate on us are just jealous because they are unable to do certain things themselves. I go through it a lot at work with people being jealous that i'm attending college and working full time.

P.S. for some great sticky ribs, try BBQ's on 72nd st. I don't get to go there often but it's my favorite place for ribs and chicken (with some good corn bread)! ALSO for moisturizing skin try oil of olay body quench. I put it on while in the shower and then when I get out I rub it off with a towel. then put my jergins body lotion afterwords. I have some dry skin myself and that seems to do the trick with feet and legs!

You're gorgeous.
So is your heart and spirit :)

Hi Tyra,

I saw your show today on the “fat” tabloid photos and how the media promotes eating disorders, and I so admire your strength. I am 33 and have hated my body for about as long as I can remember. I think it started when I was around 12 and hit puberty. By 15, I was diagnosed with anorexia, and I have been struggling with every form of eating disorder since. Even when I’m “well” according to my weight, I’m not even close to well in my head. That is where the eating disorder really lives. I’ve always counted every calorie I eat, and my weight continues to govern my life. Even though I got straight A’s through high school, college, and grad school, I’ve subsequently lost most of my jobs due to my eating disorder. I’m 5’ 9” and my weight has ranged from 92 to 185 lbs. I’m guessing I should be around 140ish, but I count every calorie to maintain a weight much lower. As an aside, this February I had major emergency surgery for a congenital defect with my colon and spent about a month in ICU on a ventilator and dialysis. The situation would have been serious regardless of my weight, but because my nutritional status was so poor, I almost died. I wish I could just be FREE of it all. I have heard wonderful things about the Remuda Ranch, and wonder if it could be of help to me. Not just with issues around eating, but also with how I think about myself and my body. What will it take for me to learn I am okay regardless of what I weigh? Like your guest, I cannot afford such treatment, and would need financial assistance. Maybe some day when I am healthy, I will be able to keep a job and be financially stable.

Thank you so much for continuing to bring attention to this issue. If you can help me get into Remuda Ranch, please let me know. I need all the help I can get, and am also passionate about ending our country’s obsession with being thin. The consequences are simply intolerable.

Sincerely,
Carol

Hi Tyra,
My name is Katherine and i'm 11=)I just wanted to say that when you had the "SO WHAT" topic...i was so greatful!I am 5'3 and 138 pounds=(I always used to eat so much junk food but now i am starting to eat very little and when i mean little it's like nothing=)I'm so happy that there's a show like yours!YOUR SHOW IS THE BEST!I LOVE U=)
FROM:KaTh3rIn3
.
.
.
.
.
...SO WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tyra,
I just wanted to say thank you for giving me such confidence in myself. Through watching your show, you have made me love my body, flaws and all. I've always worried about my weight, always comparing myself to other girls. There was a time when I wanted to look like I was anorexic. Thanks to you, I have come to love my curvy figure!!! I think that you are such an amazing, confident, person and I know you've changed the lives of so many women and girls like myself. And as for the show I watched today, YOU GO GIRL! I loved your reaction to the tabloids. You are anything but FAT!

Dear Tyra,

Hi my name is Shonna and i am 26 and i have two girls and i am married.I do not feel sexy any more i have took diet pills and worked out but nothing is working for me and i do not know what to do any more.....i am 5'4 and weight 190lbs Can you please help me.........

OMG!! TYRA DONT LISTIN TO THE TABLODS THEY ARE JUST HATERS! GURL G=YOOH ARE BEAUTIFUL!!AND IF PEPOLE DONT LIKE WHAT THEY SEE THEN THEY DONT HAVE TO LOKE.AM I RITE??

P.S-YOUR BEATUFILL =]
-CYNTHIA

Dear Tyra,
I watched your show "Dying to be thin" and I must say it was very powerful and overwhelming. I am 27 years old, under 5 foot and weigh about 108. As a teen i always thought i was fat and would go witout eating at times, however, it was not a serious issue for me. I am still contious about my weight and now being bigger than i have ever been , it is a struggle. I am now starting to except the fact that i am getting older so my body will change, i won't always be a size 2 or 3. I am a size 3 and am trying to stay that way but in a smart way. I eat healthier foods, drink lots of water and try to exercise faithfully. I have 4 children, 3 of them are girls, so i try to watch what i say about my weight around them. However, my 8 year old thinks shes FAT. She has a beautiful body, the body of a tennis player, thats what i tell her. She has got a fabulous build. She refuses to wear skirts or shorts that come above the knee, and has a hard time wearing a swim suite, She says "but mom they will see my thighs and make fun of me". That breaks my heart because she has been made fun of. I make sure that she knows that she is beautiful on the inside and the out, but im afraid that she will continue battling this on into her teenage years. I think that what you did on the show was the bravest thing any one could do on this subject, i applaud you and adore you for your concern on subjects that really matter, the ones that are affecting our little ones. If its possible i would love to be able to show the show "dying to be thin " to my girls. Please let me know how i could get a copy of the taping. thank you and God bless.

HEY TYRA! THANKYOU FOR BEING SUCH AN INSPIRATION FOR ALL THESE YEARS TO ME. SINCE THIS PHOTO CAME OUT OF YOU IN THE BATHINGSUIT, I IMMEDIATLY KNEW THAT THIS WAS NO WAY OF STOPPING YOU! I ADMIRE THAT YOU ARE A STRONG AND POWERFUL WOMAN, AND YOU ARE NOT FAT! I LOVE YOU TYRA AND EVERYDAY WHEN I WAKE UP I THINK OF THE ACHIVEMENTS YOU HAVE MADE! THANKYOU FOR EVERYTHING TYRA! KEEP IN TOUCH, EWA ROJEK, YOUR NUMBER ONE FAN!

OMG TYRA U R SOOOOOO PRETTY I LOVE U SOOOOO MUCH!!! U ARE THE REASON I LOVE THE WAY I LOOK. U ARE THE REASON WHY IM NAMEIN MY DAUGHTER TYRA MARIE!! U R THE REASON I GET UP EVERY MORNIN AND GO TO SCHOOL EVEN THOUGH I GET MADE FUN OF... I LOVE U SOOOO MUCH U R MY IDOL.. I HOPE ONE DAY I CAN MEET U WHEN I EVENTUALLY DO I WILL DIE!!!!!!!! BECAUSE U R SOOO BEAUTIFUL AND PRETTY AND I WISH U WERE MY RELATIVE LOL CUZ I LOVE U SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH TYRA I LIVE IN BRIDGEPORT ILLINOIS SO I CANT GO TO L.A OR NEW YORK 2 COME SEE U CUZ WE DONT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY SO I JUST WISH THAT MAYBE I COULD MEET U ONE DAY !!!!!!!! I LOVE U SOOOO MUCH LYLAS!! LOVE JESSICA JOHN-ANN 15,230 WEST CHESTNUT STREET.618-945-9545 BRIDGEPORT ILLINOIS, 62417 ! CALL ME LOL I LOVE U SOOO MUCH LOVE JESSICA WRITE BACK PLEASE!!!!!!

Hey There i just wanted to say i saw your show..and YOU Go Girl!...who cares what they think..u re hot so dont worry..you made me think about my thighgs and i thought if Tyra doesn't care so ..i say "So what! ..i love you~krisitna

Tyra,
I seen the show were you had put on the same swimsuit you had when people were saying you gained such and such weight. well i think you are a strong and brave women to get on national tv to prove them wrong. People now-a-days don't realize that as you get older your body changes. I think you look fabulous and losing a few pounds wouldnt make you anymore great or good looking. Your like super, top model no matter how much weight you gain. Your a legend so don't [[and i know you wont]] let these dumb tabloids bring you down.

Dear Tyra,
My name is Ninet and I'm 16 years old. I actually began to watch your show more often a few months ago when school got out. You are really a beautiful woman who has inspired young women everywhere. I feel like one strong aspect of your show is the great amount of support you get from your audience on every show. It's also great how you reach out to each and everyone of your guests personally. It makes us viewers at home feel like we have hope with our problems that are similar to the ones you help your guests deal with on the show.

Just by putting on that bathing suit again, you pretty much took a big fat you know what on the critics. YOU GO GIRL! We need more ladies like yourself to make this world go 'round. Right now, you pretty much rock my world.

Love, Ninet

tyra,

i think that you would'nt go to the point where you would gain 50lbs and you are beautiful in the way that it dosen't matter. tyra you are a great role model for all young girls out there that have a low self esstem from being fat. and you starting so what can open a lot of peoples eyes and relize that they are beautiful in there way. that people don't have to srave them self and look beautiful. just want to say that you are beautiful no matter what and you are a great role model.

amanda

Tyra! oMg is it really you..
i love you so much
your my idol
i love your shows
there great my favorite is americas next top model
ive always wanted to be a model but everyone tells me im to fat to do that its for pretty skinny girls.
i cant believe people said that about you your so not fat
your beautiful!
ive looked every where to find some way of getting to talk to you and i was just about to go to bed and i typed in plues size models and i was reading about it and then i was thinking of you not as a pluse size model just as a model and so i kept looking till i found this site and now here i am lol.
i wish i could meet you.
you seem like a really good person.
you care so much about the world around you and i guess thats what makes you me idol well and your beautiful
i would give anything in the world to meet you one time even if its only for one sec.
hmm..
well i really hate to go coz theres so much stuff id like to say but its getting really late so i guess im gunna go ttyl
love you
sarahbeth.

i love your show and so does my best friend bri martin. here she is to tell you something. "Hey Tyra you are my idol! and Ive always wanted to meet you to tell you how inspired I'am by you, I just hope I can meet you one day!"

Hi Tyra,
I'm watching your show right now. I have something to say about those ugly tabloid comments. They aren't true. If you let people put you down, then your going to end up very disappointed with yourself. Believe me. Coming from a 13-year-old, you'd probably not take my advice. But, you're so beautiful. You could be 5 million pounds but your still beautiful. I've been put down so many times I can't even count how many. People have told me things about being so short and I keep telling myself to allow them to talk about me; I just have to not let it get to me. Doing that was so wrong. It made me feel even worse because people really did keep saying stuff like that. Honestly, I really do care what people think of me. I also want to talk about your show yesterday about the Phelps family hating homosexuals and about the man who hated black people when he was black himself. First off, noone can stop two people from love. If they really love each other, then you can't do anything about it. Even though God doesn't want us to be gay, I bet you he'd prefer us to be happily gay than straight and mad at each other all the time.
Secondly, to the black man who hated other blacks: I totally understand how he would hate his own kind. I believe that deep down, he really doesnt hate ALL blacks. I'm Asian and I often wish I am white, too. But it's for a crazy reason. I still love being Asian. Anyways, this is the reason why sometimes I wish I was white: (This might sound stupid) There's this boy and he knows I like him, but he never makes contact with me. He doesnt talk to me or even look at me. He always goes for the other cutsy white girls. Sometimes I think that he's racist or doesn't like people of other colors. Yeah, that's mean of me to say that, but I think I'm pretty decent looking and if I was white, maybe he would wanna go out with me. Yeah, this is kinda sad. I'm only thirteen and I want to 'fall in love.' I know I'm too young. I don't understand why kids should even have to think about love. I think that in today's world, there is too much stress. I think the only things kids have to worry about are things like 'Wow! I just failed in math.' Kids want to grow up so fast, but I want to stay 3-years-old. My friend recently ran away because her dad accused her of stealing without any evidence. That is so uncalled for. AND.. my mom won't allow me to do somethings because she says that 'I am Asian' and 'Asians don't do things like that.' I am so tired of all the things that people are telling me. I can't do this. I can't become this. WHAT CAN I DO? Noone thinks I can become a singer/ actress/ model. My whole life is practically planned out. I AM becoming a doctor. I HAVE to be successful and have money when I grow up. I just want to live life day by day and whatever seems to come my way, I just have to accept it and do whatever I think I should at the time. Okay, I have to stop before I get even more stressed. Thanks for your time :) E-mail me

hi tyra

U ROCK GIRL I HAVE NEVER SAW ANYONE WHO IS PROUD OF THE WAY THEY LOOK. U HELPED ME BELIVE IN MYSELF. IM 14 AND GOING TO THE 8TH GRADE. U ARE STROUNG WOMEN AND I LOVE U FOR THAT, U WILL ALWAYS BE MY IDOL.

THANX TYRA
LOVE SHEKINAH

Hi Tyra my name is Robyn I watch your show and I love this one that is the people magazine one I love this so much now that is not what is in side a person or in meaning you are beautiful in any way I know the feeling that girls have I have really seen people just be not right about it I dated girls that were over Wight but end different ways but I think it a art that god crated woman I like to say that you’re a beautiful woman with in and with out I m a guy that dues not think it is bad to be fat or beautiful any one is a good looking person

hi i'm a big fan of you

Hey Tyra,
I watch your so everyday now, I loved the so what show you did, I just had my son June 5 and I gained 27lbs so I weight 188 right now and I was feeling so down on myself your show made me feel do much better about what I am calling the sag that I have. But I am still trying to diet and exercise I am getting married in Jan 08 so I want to look good in that dress.

hey tyra

my name is nyasha and im 16 years old. Everyday i come how and i watch your show, but the one the i love the most is when u talk about your weight you made everyone know that you don't have to be skinny or be fat that everyone is beautiful. Befor that show sometimes when people tell me im small it hurts me but me being stong i never show the pain i always hide it now after seeing your show when people say something it does not hurt no more. Im 128 and i love it. I think your so beautiful and brave because no one will ever know what you go though everyday and i love the fact that you talk about things that no other talk show would ever talk about. well thats all i had to say bye and love you tyra

p.s keep on doing what u doing.

I'm undecided about this whole fat fight crusade. Didn't Tyra make alot of money of the back of that model show she presents. Which seems to be all about judging what young girls look like. Funny when the tables turn how much it hurts, slightly hippicritical dont you think! Still, its great television ,insecure women fighting with each other, to young to know any better. If Tyra's all about morals and equality why doesn't she give the proceeds of the show to the deluded models , that might even things out.

hi.tyra.my name is ashlee and i live in BArbados.i have stretchmarks and i hate them.i luv showin off my body but recently i hid my shape with pants an stuff 2 hide them.i would like 2 have a private chat with you any time. plz reply 2 the forum and let me know sumthing plz.bye.

HI TYRA,
MY NAME IS ROCHELLE. IM 12 YEARS OLD(ALMOST 13). I REALLY LOVE WATCHING YOUR SHOW! I THINK YOU ARE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN AND YOU INSPIRE SO MANY PEOPLE INCLUDING ME!! I THINK YOUR SO BEAUTIFUL ,TYRA, AND I DONT BELIEVE WHAT THE MAGAZINE SAYS. I THINK YOU SHOULD KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING! I THINK, I KNOW YOU'LL BE BEAUTIFUL FOR LIFE, TYRA!! I HOPE YOU'LL READ THIS! EMAIL ME. LOVE ALWAYS*

hey tyra, im reeka from the philippines. i really love watching your show. you are such an inspiration to women all over the world! you are truly beautiful, inside and out.

tyra i love you . you are my role model. your so beatiful. nothing gets you down.

tyra i love you . you are my role model. your so beatiful. nothing gets you down.

tyra i love you . you are my role model. your so beatiful. nothing gets you down.

tyra i love you . you are my role model. your so beatiful. nothing gets you down.

tyra i love you . you are my role model. your so beatiful. nothing gets you down.

tyra i love you . you are my role model. your so beatiful. nothing gets you down.

tyra i love you . you are my role model. your so beatiful. nothing gets you down.

tyra i love you . you are my role model. your so beatiful. nothing gets you down.

Hey tyra, I just finished watching your "kiss my ass clip" and was inspired. All my life iv'e been put down by my family and by the kids @ school,so bad that I would try to avoid walking in their direction!! But im so lucky and blessed to have romodels such as jill scott the beautiful and talented r&b singer, The Queen herself Queen Latifa and of course yourself. Also I am proud to say that I have found the love of my life who like u keeps me motivated and feeling like the beautiful young woman that I am, I truly just want to congradulate u and most of all thank u for all the wonderful, inspiring,life changing work u do!!! Even though I don't really kno u, I can say from the bottom of my heart I LOVE U!P.S If your ever in Miami Holla!!! lol Your friend America.

hey t
i hope its alrigth i gave u a nickname like mine hehe im 12 and i live in australia tyra could of told me that u were going to aus did ya have fun since ur a formal supermodel now ! can u come back ??:D
because mi number one dream is to meet you but im afraid that i wont have the money to getto amercia or ever be noticed enough to ever be on ur show and i wanna say if you did come to aus agen it would be a dream come true :D
wanna let u know that ive had my dream crushed before and it hurts on the inside and ur scared for life and t ( tyra) ur not ganining wietgh and all them loser are wrong they should get a life and yer i hope u stay the same and dont let them loser paprazzies or wotever there are called make u change because u have too only changed because u want to
luv ya t!( tyra)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

dear tyra,
do you ever feel put down by someone like in your family
about your weight
i do a lot
LOVE YOUR FRIEND,
HARLEE F.

dear tyra,
do you ever feel put down by someone like in your family
about your weight
i do a lot
LOVE YOUR FRIEND,
HARLEE F.

Dear Tyra,
You are the most amazing person. You are such a great role model for all the young people in the world. If only there were more people like you. I love you Tyra.
-Ally

Dear Tyra Banks:

I just wanted to thank you for promoting a healthy lifestyle. When watching your February 1st show, you touched on issues that I have been trying to press on my clients, that you do not need to be a size two to be healthy. To me, being healthy is being in good shape for your body and feeling comfortable and confident with who you are. I own a small company called Fit Your Style in Grand Rapids, Michigan that is dedicated to creating a positive mind set in the women in my area.
When you showed your acceptance of your self and your size, I believe that you helped to communicate the need for empowerment in women not only concerning their physical health but also their mental health.
My goal is to change the mind set of women, to make them feel better about themselves by focusing on their body, beauty, mind and soul. Your willingness to speak out about the issues of weight and health give me hope that one day women will feel confident in who they are and how nature made them.

Thank you for helping to make a positive difference,

Jennifer Ettinger
CEO and Principle of Fit Your Style

Dear Tyra Banks:

I just wanted to thank you for promoting a healthy lifestyle. When watching your February 1st show, you touched on issues that I have been trying to press on my clients, that you do not need to be a size two to be healthy. To me, being healthy is being in good shape for your body and feeling comfortable and confident with who you are. I own a small company called Fit Your Style in Grand Rapids, Michigan that is dedicated to creating a positive mind set in the women in my area.
When you showed your acceptance of your self and your size, I believe that you helped to communicate the need for empowerment in women not only concerning their physical health but also their mental health.
My goal is to change the mind set of women, to make them feel better about themselves by focusing on their body, beauty, mind and soul. Your willingness to speak out about the issues of weight and health give me hope that one day women will feel confident in who they are and how nature made them.

Thank you for helping to make a positive difference,

Jennifer Ettinger
CEO and Principle of Fit Your Style

Dear Tyra Banks:

I just wanted to thank you for promoting a healthy lifestyle. When watching your February 1st show, you touched on issues that I have been trying to press on my clients, that you do not need to be a size two to be healthy. To me, being healthy is being in good shape for your body and feeling comfortable and confident with who you are. I own a small company called Fit Your Style in Grand Rapids, Michigan that is dedicated to creating a positive mind set in the women in my area.
When you showed your acceptance of your self and your size, I believe that you helped to communicate the need for empowerment in women not only concerning their physical health but also their mental health.
My goal is to change the mind set of women, to make them feel better about themselves by focusing on their body, beauty, mind and soul. Your willingness to speak out about the issues of weight and health give me hope that one day women will feel confident in who they are and how nature made them.

Thank you for helping to make a positive difference,

Jennifer Ettinger
CEO and Principle of Fit Your Style

Hi Tyra. My name is Vanessa and im only 13 years old. I weigh 175lbs. For my age its huge i hate the way i look and it hurts me when i take pictures cause i never feel as pretty as my bestfriend. shes beautiful and i get realy jelious of her. my other friends say there fat and there not there so small. and gorgeous. and it gets to me so much i hate feeling this way. im in grade 7 going on grade 8. all the girls in my class are skiny. and the bigest one i feel like i dont fit in at all. i've been getting called. *fat* *ugly* * you will never find a boyfriend* * your never gonna get married* * you should go get lipo*. I thought about getting liposuction. and i was about to go get it done. and i didnt tell my mom...the thing you should no is that its been going on for about 7 years. well since i was in the 1 grade and i lost weight. but i still dont feel beautiful i could get told im beautiful. and i never take that cause i always think that there telling me that to make me feel good. but all i do is i just get mad and leave or just augh about it and pretend everthing is okay when its realy not. i dont know if you can help me but i just need a bit of advice on how to get through cause i hate it when people tell me that like. the guy i like likes my bestfriend and my bestfriend is dating someone else. and my bestfriend is amzingly pretty and she gets like every guy she whants . and i feel ugly and unwanted cause all the guys are tellng me they think shes hot and then i tell her and she doesnt care what i feel inside she would just laugh about it and be like well i guess its true or something like that. and i feel unpretty.

well i just need to talk to someone about this cause its been bugging me my whole life.

so if you have any advice for me. please let me no

thank you so much your Gorgeous I love you show♥

xxoxx
Vanessa

hey Tyra,
well i have always struggled with weight, but not all that bad! I wouldnt call myself fat, but I would define myself as chunky! I used to take everythng that people said to heart, but after i saw your "SO WHAT" show. It has turned my life around completley. I have so much more confidence, and it actually got me to work harder at getting healthier. I am 5'9 (pretty tall) and im 180 pounds. Being pretty tall, i dont look fat that much! i just look well rounded, but I just wanted to thank you dearly, for giving people the chance to say "SO WHAT". :]
-Tiffany

hey tyra...
my name is bianca and i was just writting you to tell you how gorgous you are.... but tyra i need your help i have a very big problem well tyra i am only 13 years old and i weigh 166 lbs.... and im sick of every one telling me that im fat... i hear it very often i hurts me alot but i dont like to mention it to people but i feel that i can tell you because you went through the same thing.... well tyra do you think you can help me or do you have any suggestions for me cause i really need your help.... thank you lots tyra....
love always bianca

hey tyra...
my name is bianca and i was just writting you to tell you how gorgous you are.... but tyra i need your help i have a very big problem well tyra i am only 13 years old and i weigh 166 lbs.... and im sick of every one telling me that im fat... i hear it very often i hurts me alot but i dont like to mention it to people but i feel that i can tell you because you went through the same thing.... well tyra do you think you can help me or do you have any suggestions for me cause i really need your help.... thank you lots tyra....
love always bianca

hey tyra...
my name is bianca and i was just writting you to tell you how gorgous you are.... but tyra i need your help i have a very big problem well tyra i am only 13 years old and i weigh 166 lbs.... and im sick of every one telling me that im fat... i hear it very often i hurts me alot but i dont like to mention it to people but i feel that i can tell you because you went through the same thing.... well tyra do you think you can help me or do you have any suggestions for me cause i really need your help.... thank you lots tyra....
love always bianca

hi Tyra,

i am a 11 year old girl, and i say what people wrote about you and they are crule and mean. i am not the prettist girl in school but i love watching your show. I want you to know you are my role model!!! :)

Hello Tyra,
My name is Cherry and I have a story to tell you.
I have a 16 year old daughter who is so in need of a friend.You see she is almost 7 months preganent and feels so alone.Her friends and the young man just left her in the dust.Her father and I are the only ones she has.We stand behind her all the way.But some times when we go out she sees her friends laughing and making fun of her.Our daughter is talented in dancing and very pretty young girl.When she became preganet people laughed and said well their goes her nice little body and to this day they tease her.We decided along with our daughter that she would be home schooled for her time.She also wanted this due to the kids at school.Tyra she is so down on her self and it breaks my heart to see this.She and I have talked and I let her know that the weight that she has can and will go away.She is a awsome person who just needs a friend.We are a poor family working hard to suply all that our grandson will need.It is hard to buy the things to make our daughter feel good about herself.Tyra I am amazed by her.She never ever thought about abortion or giving this child up.She is a God fearing girl.And she knows the responablity's that she now has.My husband and I are proud of her and would never walk away from her.Is it hard money wise yes so very hard for us.But no matter what we are here.I just want our daughter to have some one to talk to.She deserves so much more. But this is all I can do.Is write you and ask for you to take a small amount of time to write to our daughter to let her know she is not alone.Even if she is not because we are here for her.But we are not teenagers.But I know how she feels I too was a mother by the age of 16.Please Please help us make her feel wanted. Thank you so much for your time Cherry

i look at my legs in the meire and i never want to look agian . im afraid that people wont like me and i wont be able to get a date! you look so much better than me , i wish i could have your body !

hello every body,

i'm tessa and i am 15 years old.. and i living in Holland. Every day i look Tyra :D and it is nice ;) .. but i don't like myself .. nobody loves me .. and the boys looking to the skinny girls .. and i'm not skinny .. my hips are fet .. and i don't like it ! Tyra you are so nice ! and i hope that i can see you someday !
with love, Tessa

hey tyra,
im patricia from corpus christi texas and i watch your show every night! i found many of your shows to be very inspiring! i saw those magazines on you and your "weight" and its unbelievable how they focus on such minor details of a person! your an amazing person, the way you help others and promote posative things i admire you! keep your head up and by the way your beautiful dont let any reporters negativity bring you down!

hi tyra. i just saw the video of u confronting what the tabloids say about you and it really opened my eyes. My whole life I've been the sexy and beautiful girl in our family. In school, i'm known for being sexy, beautiful and nice because I compete in muse competitions and people know me for that. But no one really knows how that makes me feel. There is that pressure to be perfect. There are times that it goes so far that I cry looking at and telling myself that i need to lose that weight that i see. I need to be beautiful in their eyes cause i feel like its all i got. I'm seventeen years old.. and i thought I looked like a hippo out of water. Thank you for showing me someting genuine. Thank you for showing me what REAL is.

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hey tyra,
i think u r so beautiful!!went ppl said u were fat i couldnt belive it!! u are the most beautiful moled iv eve seen.u are such a strong women.i love ur body and would do anythin to look as good as u!! so im askin u if u have and tips on lose and toning ur body? i just turn 20 and i feel like i am not fat but im on my way there.im 5"2 and i weight 150.i use to be so much thiner and now im 2 sizes bigger.ive complety changed my eating and i only drink water.i go to the gym but its hard to make time when i work full time .when i can i do sit ups at home and do cardio.when i look around there are so many beautiful gurls so when i go out wit my boyfriend i feel there are all there ppl who could take him away from me. he calls me beautiful all the time but i feel like i will turn him off if i dont lose weight,i know i wont but i wont leave me head. plz help me trya!
love jean

hello tyra ... i dont know if u will ever really read this but what tha heck ...might as well give it a try rite ? ...well this is one of ur episodes i wanted to see most and missed due to b ball prac. lol i do to worry about ma weight and sometimes feel very insecure ! i try to be motivated but u kno those "haters" are always there to knock me down !!! if you have any advice for me please get bak with me .

p.s. im so in love with u and ur show !!!!!

I cried when I watched your video confronting the tabloid photos. You are so beautiful and amazing that I don't understand how anyone could say anything bad about you. People hurt all of us with their comments and I thank you for standing up for yourself and all women. I am so glad you have this forum to have your voice heard. I love YOU and your show!

I cried when I watched your video confronting the tabloid photos. You are so beautiful and amazing that I don't understand how anyone could say anything bad about you. People hurt all of us with their comments and I thank you for standing up for yourself and all women. I am so glad you have this forum to have your voice heard. I love YOU and your show!

YOU are a great person inside and out. You know yourself well than these people. As long as you feel beautiful and confident with yourself. the most important thing is that you help people and touch people's live's... it's your BIG heart that gives new hope and new life to others. Keep it up TYRA Because YOU are a blessing.

dear,tyra
you are a insperation to mebecause i dont like my body and know i dont eat breafeast anymore i just dont know whats worng with me.Tyra you are my idole you fight through to what people say about just remeder that you are pretty any size that you are dont let nobody put you dow.Tyra I believe in you.You can make the world a better place with your insperations to people girl you have my respects.Just remeber to keep your head up dont let noone put you down.
love,jasmine
p.s. im always here for you love ya Bye

You are an inspiration to all of us.. you are a beautiful person inside and out whether your fat skinny or anything else like that. I am so happy to hear that you are fighting back, why should you allow people to put you down? TYra you are one in a million and an amazing person.. love you lots

Hi Tyra I just want to say you are beautiful

Hi Tyra, I am turning 15 tomorrow and i have been having some problems with injuries in december i had knee surgery,calf infection,5th diease, fracture in my tibia, and now i have a fracture in my third toe,all in the left leg.I am only 5'0, So i have gained a quite a bit of pounds and now has strechmarks and my grandparents want me to lose weight when i still have my injuries. I would really like to be in you "So What" group.
You are an inspiration to me with not caring what people say about you and what you should do. I just love your personality and what you believe in.

Thank You,
Chelsie

tyra,
im always being desperate when im at home.i need your big help.please.

hi tyra you are pretty

hi tyra you are pretty

Hi Tyra, I just wanted to let you know, that i'm from New Zealand and well I've seen in our local magazines here how there slamming you because of weight gain. And Honestly i think that there is nothing wrong with gaining a few extra pounds. I am a mum to a beautiful little boy who will be 3 in october and since having my son, the hardest thing i have struggled with is losing my baby weight as I call it. Before I had my son, I was this skinny little thing and actually never knew how hard it was for people who were slightly larger than myself, especially trying to buy clothes that look good. After having my son I gained nearly 30 Kilos and am only just starting to loose that slowly but surely. Basically all I am saying is that you are such a positive person and please don't change that about yourself, you have a lot to give to the world and all the people who write these horrible things about you should have a reality check and see you for you and not what there camera's are taking.

Much Love
Melody

Tyra,

It's so unfair how ppl say bad comments bout u nd the worse thing bout it is that is not even true.Ppl this day needs 2 judge ppl in the inside not of wat wat they look like.I think u did the right thing when u told them 2 kiss ur fat ass.They should be lucky u din't call them out of their names. But anyway u handle the situation real well nd don't waste ur tears 4 those childish ppl cuz ur preety,fat or not, make up or no make up. U inspired me in many ways but most importantly u inspired me how 2 be strong nd i thank u for that. Just keep doin ur thing nd don't worry bout them haters aight. I Love you tyra.......
GOD BLESS u ALWAYS
luv
DANALENE
a.k.a
"DANA"

Yey! this show was on my birthday :D sorry i know random lol

HiTyra

my name is daisy am in south africa,i watch ur show every day i never miss it cos it has changed my life.i'v always wanted 2 be a model,i found an agency but they told me i've got a very bad skin and they have crushed my life.i dont think my skin is that bad its only natural spots,i wanna do cat walk n be like u.i luv Gizele too.tyra i think u r send by god to come and save people like me who r opressed by their appearance.plzzzzzzzzz bring tyra's top models in south africa.i luv u,ur my angel

HEY TYRA! I AM 12 GOING ON 13 AUGUST 19 AND I LOOK A LOT OLDER FOR MY AGE I LUVVVVVVV U SO MUCH JUST BECAUSE U CAN MAKE SOMEONE LUVV THEIR SELF MORE I WOULD JUS LUV 2 SAY THANK U OTHER THAN MY MOTHER U R A PERSON I WOULD LIKE 2 BE LIKE AND WHEN I GET OLDER U MAKE ME FEEL THAT I SHOULDNT CHANGE FOR ANY 1 UR R NOT FAT UR P.H.A.T PRETTY HOT AND THICK LOL THATS MY MOTO I THINK SINCE IVED LEARNED SO MUCH FROM U I COULD PASS THAT ON ~!~!~! LUV MECCASIA

HEY TYRA! I AM 12 GOING ON 13 AUGUST 19 AND I LOOK A LOT OLDER FOR MY AGE I LUVVVVVVV U SO MUCH JUST BECAUSE U CAN MAKE SOMEONE LUVV THEIR SELF MORE I WOULD JUS LUV 2 SAY THANK U OTHER THAN MY MOTHER U R A PERSON I WOULD LIKE 2 BE LIKE AND WHEN I GET OLDER U MAKE ME FEEL THAT I SHOULDNT CHANGE FOR ANY 1 UR R NOT FAT UR P.H.A.T PRETTY HOT AND THICK LOL THATS MY MOTO I THINK SINCE IVED LEARNED SO MUCH FROM U I COULD PASS THAT ON ~!~!~! LUV MECCASIA

HEY TYRA! I AM 12 GOING ON 13 AUGUST 19 AND I LOOK A LOT OLDER FOR MY AGE I LUVVVVVVV U SO MUCH JUST BECAUSE U CAN MAKE SOMEONE LUVV THEIR SELF MORE I WOULD JUS LUV 2 SAY THANK U OTHER THAN MY MOTHER U R A PERSON I WOULD LIKE 2 BE LIKE AND WHEN I GET OLDER U MAKE ME FEEL THAT I SHOULDNT CHANGE FOR ANY 1 UR R NOT FAT UR P.H.A.T PRETTY HOT AND THICK LOL THATS MY MOTO I THINK SINCE IVED LEARNED SO MUCH FROM U I COULD PASS THAT ON ~!~!~! LUV MECCASIA

Tara:I am 56 years old will be 57 years old on th 28th of June. I stay up at night looking at your show. You are such a beautiful young lady, If you should ever have a talent seach please notify me my son is so good and talent and he is such a handsome youn man. reagarding what people say calling you fat..the only thing FAT about you is your pocket book...Go girl. stay focus on God he will direct your path always. Thanks for loving your mother the way that you do. That is so why I want my son to make it in his career(singin and writter) because he worry about not giving me what he promise. I don't look for nothing from my children I just pray to God THAT ONE DAY MY SON WILL BE BLESSED.
Stay beautiful and sweet.
Ingrid

Tara:I am 56 years old will be 57 years old on th 28th of June. I stay up at night looking at your show. You are such a beautiful young lady, If you should ever have a talent seach please notify me my son is so good and talent and he is such a handsome youn man. reagarding what people say calling you fat..the only thing FAT about you is your pocket book...Go girl. stay focus on God he will direct your path always. Thanks for loving your mother the way that you do. That is so why I want my son to make it in his career(singin and writter) because he worry about not giving me what he promise. I don't look for nothing from my children I just pray to God THAT ONE DAY MY SON WILL BE BLESSED.
Stay beautiful and sweet.
Ingrid

Tara:I am 56 years old will be 57 years old on th 28th of June. I stay up at night looking at your show. You are such a beautiful young lady, If you should ever have a talent seach please notify me my son is so good and talent and he is such a handsome youn man. reagarding what people say calling you fat..the only thing FAT about you is your pocket book...Go girl. stay focus on God he will direct your path always. Thanks for loving your mother the way that you do. That is so why I want my son to make it in his career(singin and writter) because he worry about not giving me what he promise. I don't look for nothing from my children I just pray to God THAT ONE DAY MY SON WILL BE BLESSED.
Stay beautiful and sweet.
Ingrid

Hi Tyra I just wanted to email you and vent a little if thats alright, so here comes my venting.....I'm just straight tired of constantly hearing people telling me that I have a very beautiful face, but if I would lose weight I would be even more beautiful. It's just so hard now a days to lose weight because society potrays the way you should look in the public's eye. But who says that certain weight limit defines my beauty inside and out. Who says that being thin or weighing under 135lbs defines my personality or the woman that I'm becoming. So what if I made poor choices in the way I should eat or excercise.Somtimes I get so frustrated with some people who like to put a label that is not even fair to all people. That being thin is beauty. I f I want to lose weight it's because i chose to do it for myself and not because America thinks the thinner I get the more beautiful I am..... I want to lose weight not only to be healthy as I'm getting older, but I'm just tired of feeling so insecure and the majority of plus clothes never fit me right because I'm short waisted with a big booty and I got hips and I have long legs.....it's just a shame...what advice can you help me out with cause it's really hard for me because sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I was thin....can ya feel me on this Tyra????? but "THANK YOU" that took a lot for me to write this email but I felt it in my heart to do so...Im not asking to be put on your show or for you to call me(but you can if you can) I just wanted to be real with you since you're always real with us

How about you just not care what people think instead of believing you need to address it...or for that matter. You stop relating every issue back to yourself, when it is unnecessary.

HEY Tyra,

Once again you have inspired me.. You have taught me to love myself and not care about what other people think.. I have learned to love myself more and love people for who they are and not what they look like or what they do... My boyfriend even loves his self more.. You have helped me and my family.. I love you for that and I thank you...

Keep doing what you do best...

Love you girl
Nikki ♥

hey tyra!!
i watched your lil clip about when you visited Australia and how the press was sayed that you've gained weight... i live in australia.. how dare they say that when they well and truly know that you are happy with your curves and that you truly don't give a dam bout what they say!!!

i find that very mean.. i am " plus size" i am only 13 but i know enough about how to be self confident!!

luv ya and i look up to you for being SSOOO strong. and also with your "SO WHAT" campaign.. i dnt look that crash hot in a bikini but SO WHAT? everyone has problems and strengths thanks!!
muah xx

(could you plz write back?)

Tyra,
I watched your show because I knew you would handle the situation so well. You have a very level head and that's why you're such an inspiration to me. Don't worry about what the tabloids say. They might say you're f-a-t, but I think you're p-h-a-t. =] I love you, Tyra!! Keep rockin' it girl!!

hey.
evey one i love to watch the show and just to let you know tyra you have all ways been favorte supermodel ive have all ways want to model ever sence i was 10 years and yonger but iam at job corps trying to get my life in order.i hate it i have modle befor and loved evey min of it iam in class now .i have real problems like me and my mom dont have the best relationship becase i left home.stayed with my boyfriend befor coming to school i love hem he is wonderful.you can find me at my space.tinkinkpink@yahoo.com thank you for your time it has been one of my dreams to be on your show tyra.Tyra i tryed out in nc for A.N.T.Model 2 time but never got it and i konw i would win because their is nothing i would like more.not to sound or look crazy i dont have a phone now at the time i just want some one to write to sometimes because i have realy no one to talk to iam 21 and iam at job corps in va could you if you have the time.
email me at chinnant@old.rescare.com or rind me on my space.

thank. a million tyra
christy

Tyra you look lovely and to me not fat,but the truth about obesity is that it causes health problems,high blood pressure(if not treated renal failure),stroke,heart attack,knee problems,and the list goes on.

I was 100 lbs obese,I weighed 350lbs(I lost it,and still losing) and had high blood pressure,burning painful knees,chest pains because of it(I never had high blood pressure,chest pains,painful knees before).

Now after 1 year of misery due to always being hungry,I am back to normal and feel better.

Also about weight gain it is something that creeps up on you slowly,unless the overeating is acknowledged and controlled.

Hey Tyra,
First Off,I Just Wanted To Tell You That You're Like So Awsome! Like,Seriously. But Yeah. This Past Week I've Been Watching Tyra. Like The "Show Off You Legs" Episode. And SO WHAT!? That's Like,So Rad Of You To Do That. Because So Many People Are Worried About There Body Image. But Know,Im Not That Worried About My Weight Anymore. Everyone Is Beautiful No Matter What!!! Thanks For Making Such A Big Affect On My Life.

Much Love Tyra.
Nadia

Dear Tyra, I am a 29yr old divorced single mother of three children(two girls and a boy)divorced due to domestic abuse, with a not so good health history , I went in to have a hysterectomy about six weeks ago. The whole time I was home on disabilty I watched the show , I have such a hard time making eye contact with people men esp.due to past abuse,I wanted you to know how much you have helped me with your so what campaine , I try every day to get alittle more assertive without worrying about being hurt. Every day is a hard challenge even after three yrs of being out of the relationship but you have helped me, not just with that but with my self image as well, I have hated myself for such a long time and so many different reasons. I really don't know any way of thinking,your show and your additude has helped me so much , God bless you tyra
the changes I am Trying to make will surely help my self and my children in the long run. Thank you again and I love the show gives me something to look forward to
Sincerly,
Sherri

You're beautiful Tyra... Thanks for the inspiration...

hi tyra my name is kimberly i am 13 years old i love yours show i watch it ever day with my sister. i admirer u so much. where u ever picked on when u were small i always do. people pick on me because i am over wieght and fat. i hate it too cause they only peck on me and not other people it makes me fell like i am not pretty . i want and try to lose wieght but i just cant i just have to eat. i cant help it i just want u with can write back give me some help cause i just fell like not eating no more or eat then thought it up so that just can lose wieght so bad. or also i fell like just.....buying something that can make me skin very very fast. well it was nice writing to u bye..

Oh my god. I can't believe people actually lap this crap up. For shame you stupid Americans.

Casey.

Hello Ms. Tyra
I wanted to tell you are very beautiful and I admire you, you are a very amazing women and you Tyra gives me courage to try to do better for
myself and my family.
I am a 32 yr old woman with 5 children, have tried my best as a mother and a wife, and as a supervisor at my job, it's amazing that I was to busy to care for myself , to where I ended up very ill, where I had several surgeries. And I feel like I am so ugly. fat, and need my teeth repaired, I hate smiling, but I have to put a act on everyday so my family can feel like I am okay, but my kids know I am depressed, but as long as they see me stay busy.
At times my kids say to me, that they are tired seeing me feelin down on myself. I just don't have the motivation to exercise, because of my knees, and my hip pain I feel everyday, if I do exercise, the next day I can't crawl out of bed. Tyra I wanna lose weight and get my teeth fixed so I can feel beautiful again and live longer for my children, and don't feel like I embarrass my kids no more. And show My husband I can feel and be beautiful again, even though he tells me I am everyday. I don't know what to do, I wish I could get over the feelings I have about myself and How people would judge me. I need your HELP Tyra. E-mail me back Please and give me some ideas. Thanks Dawn Marie

I have such a major headache right now. any way I jsut wanted to say you have changed how i feel about my body I noticed I havn't been all hung up about being so fat!

Hy Tyra. I just wanted to say something about your message to the people who called you fat. You are AWESOME. I cried when I seen that. I love your show and so does my daughter. I can't not for the life of me figure out how anyone can think you are fat. Well keep up the good work.
Angela

Hi Tyra well it's a few days to my 45th birthday & over 30 of these years have been diets & weight torture I had anorexia at 22 o 30yo always striving to be 8stone as I am only 5'5'' tall only the past 3 years have I come to peace with myself I am a Woman not a child & I have a womans body of 9 1/2 stone seeing you Tyra in all your beauty & happiness & self acceptance has helped me so very much you should be proud as you are a Positive role model not only for the teens but for persons like myself with wight & self esteem problems you make me feel good in my skin knowing health is everything as I made myself very ill, I now have MS as well as other food related problems due to my own stupidity.......never again !!.

Thanks Tyra xoxoox

Hi Tyra,my name is shante.I love you, even through I dont know you, but you have touched my life in such a special way. I know that you get alot of messages and comments, but I hope you really read this one. I watched your show on monday May 1st about legs.OH GIRL- was I touched, I cried when the show went off.Im 26 yrs old very beautiful and I have eczema on the back of my legs.Almost all my life, every time I wore a skirt I felt like my legs were my face.Also when I found out keri D had psoriasis and still won America's next Top Model, I knew that your skin is not your beauty!!That show that day made me say SOOOOO WWHHAATT!!!!!-Your so real, and hopefully one day I will get to meet you.Emotionally yours, Shante-Have a Blessed day

Tyra, life is hard for everyone. I have moved to a new place and have no friends. i have an outgoing personality and dont understand why it is so hard for me to meet and have friends. I am overweight because of 4 or 5 knee surgerys and cant seem to get rid of the weight. it is hard to go out and pretend to have confidence even though i really feel so unatractive that it makes me want to cry. my family tells me to stop being so pesimistic, but i just cant help the way i feel. i just thought i would send this out into the void and maybe you would read it and i wouldnt feel so alone. i watch your show alot and i hear you say all the time that you read your e-mail and blog messages. so i figured i would send it out there and maybe not feel so empty and alone. thank you for understanding that no matter how much you have or dont have you can still be a great person and have something going for yourself.

Hi Tyra and Readers,

I was just skimming through some of these posted comments and I wanted to say a little something. I'm a big girl myself, so don't get me wrong, I know where everyone is coming from. On the other hand, for those of you who look in the mirror and are disgusted by your looks, for those of you who wish you were someone else for a day, for those of you who are tired of being stared at, for those of you who have such low self-esteem because you are overweight...DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!! Trust me, I was and still partially am in the same position as you all. I've been overweight since the age of 5. When I was 18 years old, I weighed 400lbs. I was told by my doctor at a routine checkup that if I didn't do something with my weight, I probably would not live to be 30. At the age of 18, that is one of the scariest things you can hear. I decided to do something about this. I wasn't going to let a doctor predict my future and I sure wasn't going to let me kill myself with food. Today, at age 20, I've lost 160 lbs and am still well on the way to losing more. I don't want to be thin. Yes, I still have self-esteem issues and I'm still well overweight. But I am doing something about it! I'm not sitting around wishing that 100lbs would magically fall off. I'm not letting the cruelty of others get to me and I sure as hell am not losing faith in myself. If I can do this...so can yall. It's hard. Sometimes you want to give up...but you've got to do it for yourself because no one else is going to do it for you! Look in the mirror and name all your beautiful qualities. Stop looking at the fat, the love handles, the cellulite and thunder thighs. Start looking at your beautiful eyes, full lips, gorgeous curves, and be thankful for the beauty you have on the inside. LOVE YOURSELF. Respect yourself. You have to start with YOU!!

Tyra,

I'm Lizabeth. I'm 16 years old and I have to say you are one of biggest inspirations. On how to accept myself through my teenage years. Theres all these peer pressure problems going on with weight. Of course as you say its ridiculous. I'm not saying being over weight is good but, being healthy is always gunna make you feel better about yourself. Though now my biggest concern is one of other favorite shows "Celebrity Fit Club". Has Dustin Dimaond on there that has made a comment basically stating "She's A big girl. She will always be a big girl!!!". You know being a teenager it's hard enough dealing with weight and peer pressure. Now Dustin Diamond is making men look like a big sexist descrases. You know that honestly hurt me deep down him saying Big girls will be big girls. I mean when you have more smaller girls hearing that for all they know they might think that means them too. && That could cause for a bigger eating disorder controversy then what it is. Tyra I think you should address this issue on your show. I know it would probaley make him think. To Think before you speak.

Also to your "So What" campaign.

So I don't look perfect in a bikini.

SO WHAT

SO WHAT

SO WHAT!!!!!!!!!!

Tyra!!

U go girl! I am soooo proud to be a woman with curves. For several years now, I have been very self-conscious about my weight, because as a teenager and young adult woman I was always slim and shapely--but then I gave birth and it's been a constant struggle since then. But after seeing your show and reading all of the comments here, I am inspired to be the best me possible--hips, thighs, brown eyes and all!! Thanks for being bold enough to stand up for us ALL.

DB

hi tyra

jaz wanna say thanks for inspiring me.

Dear Tyra,

girl i think u are the most amazing roll model any woman girl any one could have i know ur freckin wonderful and always well be no matter what u look like i think u are BEAUTIFUL and
dont let some stupid google site put you down beacuse u are a great woman dont ever forget that. well thank you tyra for bein a great person to look up to in life!!!!!!! i love you

I so love you Tyra. Im a small town girl that never gets to see much but our local mall. Watchin your show is like my veiw to the outside world. I dont think you need to change a thing about you. You've worked it for all these years, why do you need mad tips to continue to be you. You are & have been my role model for you years. And when you got plus sized models on ANTM, I loved you even more. Stay doing you & let people know when your on-line. I would so love to talk to you.

oook girl you have inspired me and you are a good roll model. You seem like a really down to earth person. OH and im so sick of everyone talking about that crrap. You have a gorgeous body. Dont take that in a weird way. IT is stupid and I dont think you should care and i dont think they should either because they pretty much have noooooooo life as you can see ok. You are amazing no matter what, and a nice person I can see. I would love to meet you because you are not like all the hollywood people if that makes any sense.

Tyra, i have been watching you for a long time and am now turning 14 and you have inspired me to do what ever it takes to exsentuate my curves but some times i just don't feel right in my own skin and i really need your help to better my self. All my friends say you have curves you need to show them but really tyra all i see is FAT(jelly) and when i see people when i am wearing my clothes i hind my stomach or i wear my sweatshirt almost all the time, and i am desperate for you to help me i'll do what ever it takes. And i Have looked up to you like no one ever has and i just wanna ask you if YOU can help me!!!!

Tyra;
I cannot for a minute imagine you are "fat" to the paparazzi! I'm your height(5'11" tall) and about 10-15# heavier than you(between 171-174lbs.). Our curves are roughly in the same places(busty w/hips and booty, but your waist is a bit smaller), I have no idea what your size is, but mine is a 12. If you are fat, I must be WAAAAY fatter! I've been at both ends of the spectrum, as light as 128# and as heavy as 220#(meaning I've worn as small as a size 10 and as large as an 18). At my smallest, a modelling agent said I needed to lose 10 more lbs. to be considered model material! I looked at him, said thanks and decided then and there that if at 128(and looking back at photos I was scrawny, and I remember always being cold)I was too fat, the fashion world could do just fine without me. I am NOT fat, I am curvy and sexy at 170ish. The reasons why I've lost 50lbs. in the last year was because of the health issues I suffered at the heavier weight and I just felt uncomfortable. I didn't do it because of social pressures to be thinner. At my heaviest, I was treated like the "Invisible woman"; stared at, then through like I didn't exist. I didn't allow people to treat me that way. I would make sure they were talking TO me, not AT me. I demanded and was given respect. I'd like to lose 10 or 15 lbs. more, and maybe I will, but if it doesn't pan out, that's fine too. I don't own a scale, and the only times I know how much I weigh is if I get on my doctor's scale, which are the most accurate ones. One tip I can pass along: If people insist on weighing themselves more than once in awhile, do it 2 times a month. Once at the beginning, and once at the end of the month. Weighing several times a day or several days a week is pointless because weight flutuates. We weigh less in the morning because of calories burned due to sleeping. Water and fluids play a lot into weight and we get dehydrated, weight drops. We eat meals, clothes add extra weight(your natural weight is with no clothes and shoes on). For women, our menstrual cycles come into play. We retain water at some times, lose it at next. Bodies don't automatically "lose" weight because of a session at the gym or 100 situps, so it makes no sense to weigh after exercising. Too much weighing causes stress, stress causes weight gain. STOP THAT CYCLE!! Stop obsessing about that number! When I finally stopped chaining myself to that scale number, stopped beating myself up for gaining the weight, realized that I eat in times of stress and relied on lots of convience foods(there's a LOT of salt and high fructose corn syrup in stuff! Read those labels.), I changed the way I ate. I started moving more and using stuff at home to exercise as much as I can(I have disintegrating discs in my lower back and cannot do a lot). Instead of obsessing about the number, I check how my clothes fit and while losing the weight is great, it doesn't make life automatically perfect.

Dear Tyra, I just wanted to say how much of an inpact you have had on my life since you told the world to "kiss you fat ass". You are so beautiful that the world has to judge on every imprefection they can find. The things you do for us women are amazing. I had tryed to loose weight for a long time. I am 5'1" and weigh close to 200 lbs. I know its over weight but nothing i do seems to help. In a since i have given up and have just been living day to day. I was married to a man for 5 years who was very abusive both mentally and physically. I also have 2 beautiful children from that marrige. They seen it all and heard it all. I have been with a new man for the last 3 years now and we are planning on getting married next summer so once again i am trying to loose the weight for my wedding. The so what campaign you have launched has been great for me. every day i find a new one to be thakfull about. My new boyfriend has done wonders for me and my children. 3 years and never laid a hand on me. I say it all the time its almost weird because i have been hit all my life. First by my dad and then my first husband. Eric is the best thing that has come into my life. My children love him to death and i couldnt be happier. Thank you for everything you do for us Tyra. Keep up the amazing work!!!!

HEY TYRA
SO I JUST THINK THAT UR SO AWESOME I LOVE YA I WATCH UR SHOW LIKE EVERY DAY AND UR A VERY GOOD ROLL MODEL LIKE EVERYONE HAS ALREADY TOLD U THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, you know something I just saw a clip from the bathing suit show and I think its awesome how you defend yourself and other “fat” people, and I am also a big fanatic of the tyra goes undercover as a fat woman. Do you really believe that ONE DAY in that suit would show you the struggles of an over weight person????? ( I CHALLEGE YOU!!! PUT THE SUIT BACK ON BUT THIS TIME DOCUMENT A MONTH OR MAYBE TWO…. THEN YOU WILL SEE EXCACTLY WHAT I MEAN) But what really gets to me is that no matter how many suits you wear you will never understand!! NEVER!!! What its like to be over weight, what its like to be stared at in disgust, what its like to look at yourself in the mirror and want to rip your flesh out ( you get to enjoy your life, go shopping, be yourself etc) ha-ha you aren’t even fat. It might of hurt you when you were made fun of for supposedly being fat, but guess what you aren’t and you know that. What some people may not understand is that being overweight is a curse and a poor excuse of a life ( in other words a life worth not living) ITS JUST HEARTBRAKIING…………..

p.s please don’t get me wrong you’re an amazing person and I do watch your show.

Tyra,

Let me tell you, you are BEAUTIFUL!!! I am watching your show right now and I love everything about you. I have to admit I am an avid tabloid book fanatic and when I saw the pics I couldn't believe what people were saying. I am a 26 year old teacher. I am what I guess you could call a "fat bottomed girl". This has always been my very best "asset". I am about 5'2" and I weigh about 115 lbs. By no means am I fat but recently I have been obsessed with keeping my 22 year old figure and I want to start working out. My only problem is that I hate it! I love to eat meatloaf, mashed potatoes, pinto beans, greens, fried chicken, ham, steak, donuts, chips, all junk foods. I have recently realized that I am not a model and will never be one. I am happy to be me, however, I am trying to eat a little heathier because I love myself so much!!! So what!!! Love you Tyra! You are the purrfect size!!

Tyra,

Your so what campaign has made me look at myself differently. I am only 19 years old and have always wanted to do modeling but was alaways a little round on the sides. It really used to put me down and it was so sad i didn't want to go out anywhere with friedns becasue i was always heavier than any of my fierends. I also had my heart broken by guys who would call me fat and tell me i wasn't there type becasue of my wieght. Ever since i have alawys been very self concious. But after watching your show and seeing your so what campign it has given me a lot of strenght. I weigh 170 pounds and have stretch marks and have always been scared of people seeing them. Never in my life ahve i worn a 2 piece bathing suit and probably never will. But i feel so much bettter hearing you speak out about this and fighting all those critics that put you down. Your are absolutley beautiful. ?And your show made me cry thank you for standing up to the hollywood image.

Tyra,

Your so what campaign has made me look at myself differently. I am only 19 years old and have always wanted to do modeling but was alaways a little round on the sides. It really used to put me down and it was so sad i didn't want to go out anywhere with friedns becasue i was always heavier than any of my fierends. I also had my heart broken by guys who would call me fat and tell me i wasn't there type becasue of my wieght. Ever since i have alawys been very self concious. But after watching your show and seeing your so what campign it has given me a lot of strenght. I weigh 170 pounds and have stretch marks and have always been scared of people seeing them. Never in my life ahve i worn a 2 piece bathing suit and probably never will. But i feel so much bettter hearing you speak out about this and fighting all those critics that put you down. Your are absolutley beautiful. ?And your show made me cry thank you for standing up to the hollywood image.

OMG! tyra what i think you are doing is just a fabulous thing. there is so much pressure these days for girls and women to look a certain way and be a certain size that it is soo easy for a girl to become so critcical of herself. You are a beautiful girl who apreciates her body and so many girls have to learn to appreciate that " i have curves so what i look beautiful in them" that is what you have helped me do! i am sexy and beautiful and i love my curves :)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

tyra, can i have your E-mail address.

Tyra,

For as long as I can remember I've always struggled with my weight and self image. I can remember being four years old and refusing to eat because I was going on a diet. As I started to get older, I can remember my weight really being an issue. I don't think anyone voiced anything to me about it, but I remember feeling the awkwardness from people. The looks of whether or not I was going to fit in a desk or be able to perform physical activites in gym class. I can remember a few people approaching me because they thought I had a beautiful face. I was so grateful to hear their compliments. It wasn't until one day that my mom and I were walking in the mall that it took on another meaning for me. A woman had approached me complimenting me on my face, but she also presented me with a business card for some diet pills and a gym membership. She went on to tell me that she thought I would appreciate my body to match the beauty of my face. I'm now 23 years old and I can still remember the sound of her voice, the way the card looked in my hand, and how she looked at me with such pride as she made her sales pitch. It breaks my heart that we as human beings and as fellow women do this to each other every day. I would love to say that I am confident in who I am, but the truth is I'm not. Everyday is a struggle. However, you are such an inspiration to me. I look at you and I see all the things that I wish I could have just an ounce of. Thank you for beng the strong, beautiful person you are. God Bless.

Tyra,
We live in a world that is so caught up with what a woman should look like regardless of her powerful given nature.
As women, we are your mothers, your nurturers, your sisters, your cousins, your wives, and your friends. As women, we are the seed of any society’s plant.
Yet as women, we are insecure, we lack confidence and almost never feel beautiful because the very society we raise emotionally abuses us to look a certain way.
Some will say that being beautiful is being blonde with blue eyes. Some will say that it is being thin. A lot will say that it is being thin and being blonde with blue eyes.
What if I do not fit this description? And we all know that with 6 billion people in this world and having the diversity we have, most people—along with me—do not fit this description. Does that make us ugly or less beautiful? Well, I have struggled with this issue emotionally for quite some time and recently, I had a light bulb moment that made that struggle seem almost silly.
People have forgotten that beauty is not a shape of a body or the size of it. It is not the color of one’s eyes or the color of one’s hair and it is definitely not the color of one’s skin.
A beautiful woman knows she is beautiful just for being created as a woman. God makes no mistakes. A beautiful woman carries herself as such. A beautiful woman talks, walks, acts and cares in a beautiful way. A beautiful woman loves and respects herself.
As women, we are all beautiful. We are all beautiful Black women, we are all beautiful White women, we are all beautiful Latina women, we are all beautiful Asian women, we are all beautiful Native American women and we are all beautiful mixed women.
As women, we are all Oprah beautiful, we are all Angelina Jolie beautiful, we are all Jennifer Lopez beautiful, we are all Lisa Ling beautiful and we are all Alicia Keys beautiful. We are all just plain beautiful!
So ladies, accept yourselves, respect yourselves and most importantly, love yourselves! Claim your beauty back. It’s always been there, within yourselves, for you to hold it as your own. Tyra, I am glad you are not afraid to do so. It is quite inspiring.
Take good care,
Fatouma

well tyra when i saw the photo first i didnt immeditly think,"OMG! shes fat! now im never gonna watch her show or ever like her!" or like, anything ridiculus like that. a funny thing that i thought of was,"she gained wieght, but she still looks hot" so, was it true? or was that a fake picture, i missed your show on it. did you feel offended? were you embarrased to be seen as a fat pers