Hi Tyra,
First off I'd like to tell you that your show is very good and I often find myself looking at some of your stories crying saying well, they did it so can I.
I am a mother of 2, one of my daughters is 5 LeeAnn, and has Downs, SO WHAT THAT MY DAUGHTER HAS A DISABILITY, I DIDN'T CAUSE IT AND SHE IS PERFECT!
My other daughter is 4 months and absolutely the light of my other daughters life. SO WHAT THAT I AM NOT BACK TO A SIZE 8 4 MONTHS AFTER HAVING A BABY!
Here are a few more of my SO WHATS:
SO WHAT THAT I SPEND ALL MY MONEY AND TIME ON MY DAUGHTERS AND NOT ON MYSELF!
SO WHAT THAT I HAVE FUNNY SHAPED TEETH, I STILL HAVE A BLESSED LIFE AND SMILE ALL THE TIME TO SHOW IT!
SO WHAT THAT I OPENLY IN LOVE WITH GOD, HE HAS HELPED ME THROUGH SO MUCH FROM CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE TO THE BIRTH OF MY OLDEST DAUGHTER!
Thank you for being such a beautiful person inside and out. Our country needs more people like you who care about others as much if not more than themselves.

hey tyra!

im 14 and i love your show!. i was wondering where i could buy a "so what" bracelet? i would LOVE to have one! thanks so much!

`ali

hey tyra!

im 14 and i love your show! i was wondering where i could buy a "so what" bracelet? i would LOVE to have one. thanks so much!

`ali

hey tyra!

im 14 and i love your show! i was wondering where i could buy a so what bracelet? i would LOVE to have one. thanks so much!

`ali

TYRA BANKS!!! Oh my gosh where do I start? Ever since I was little people would say "Oh you got a Tyra Banks five head" and I would cry because i didnt know who you were i just thought that you must have been the worst looking creature on Earth...but then I saw higher learning when i got older and I was like THATS TYRA BANKS...she is GORGEOUS!! My mom named me after Iman the model btu I have to say another model has given me strength to love everything about me even my big "tyra banks fivehead"...i am a 19 yr. old college junior and you inspire me so much...some people say im too skinny and some say i have a little too much flab in places but i say SO WHAT because I am BEAUTIFUL from my Tyra Banks forehead down to the soles of my feet....Thanks so much Tyra Smooches Girl!

Hey Tyra i just wanted to say THANK GOD SOMEONE FAMOUS SAID THIS!. I used to be one of those girls who was all upset about their weight. And ya i have been teased but lately i have just said SO WHAT IF I HAVE SOME FLAB! i work hard to keep my flab pack. and at least i stay warmer in the winter. Anyways im just glad you have a voice for all those girls who just wanna say SO WHAT?

Hi tyra,

I'm sixteen and i am normal weight for my age... but i still think i'm fat. I'm 5'2 and 120 lbs and i check my weight everyday because i think i'm fat and sometimes i even envy anorexic girls. I have tried to overcome my low self esteem. But I've been trying really hard since you started your SO WHAT campaign. I just wanted to say thanks for your inspiration, because i see a former model who worked in the business of being skinny and who has overcome that pressure and it gives me hope that i can change.

After being mis-diagnosed by doctors, my mother was eventually diagnosed with STAGE 5 Cancer, which is the highest stage of Cancer. With doctors & other people knowing the deadly effects of this disease, they told her of the slim chances of living, but my mother said, SO WHAT! to them and Cancer!! Long story short, she recently finished chemotherapy and is a survivor! Being a hip hop artist, I used my music as therapy during the process of seeing her suffer and it is amazing how many people the story/song/video has inspired & encouraged! I have submitted the video(also on www.myspace.com/misland) for the SO WHAT! campaign and hope that it is picked because I am sure my mother's SO WHAT! survival story will be a blessing to women across the world! Peace and love...

Tyra,
i am a normal14 year old teenager with really low self esteem. i am not overweight, but i am often teased about my fat rolls or lovehandles. also, i have a large birthmark that covers one corner of my forehead. kids my age often "mistake" it for dirt. but its not. i was born with it and had two surgeries on it. i guess it was meant to be there. but i felt helpless until i came across your SO WHAT?! campaign. you have inspired me to ignore what others say and be proud of who i am.

Trya
When i watch your show on the
SO WHAT?! campaign i felt so imspried beacuse all my life i was always overweigth and i always felt ugly. but when that espoide came on it gave me more confidece to love my body but always love my self. trya you are turely an imsporinally to all of us womean out their.
here my so what: MY BELLY MAY JIGGLY BUT SO WHAT?!
thank you trya

Hi Tyra!!!!
i was up watching tv late last night and i saw your "so what" show. i'm sure that you hear this soooo much but you are my ROLE MODEL!!! i'm 16 years old and all i ever hear is how people want to lose weight. and these are people around me that i personally don't think need to lose weight. i know that they feel this way because of the media and what it defines as "beautiful". But after watching your show, i felt like you are the light shining through the dark tunnel. i'm sorry if that sounds a little bit dramatic but that's seriously how i feel. I'm so glad you have the tyra show because you put everything into perspective. In a world where so many people tell you that its not okay to look like you do, you say that it IS okay to look like you do, as long as you are healty. i think that teenage girls as well as a lot of older women need to hear that so much. so thank you for starting the 'So What?' campaign. you're a gift to the world and you are beautiful inside and out and always will be!!! and thanks to you i'm starting to feel like i am too.

love,
Divya

Hi Tyra!!!!
i was up watching tv late last night and i saw your "so what" show. i'm sure that you hear this soooo much but you are my ROLE MODEL!!! i'm 16 years old and all i ever hear is how people want to lose weight. and these are people around me that i personally don't think need to lose weight. i know that they feel this way because of the media and what it defines as "beautiful". But after watching your show, i felt like you are the light shining through the dark tunnel. i'm sorry if that sounds a little bit dramatic but that's seriously how i feel. I'm so glad you have the tyra show because you put everything into perspective. In a world where so many people tell you that its not okay to look like you do, you say that it IS okay to look like you do, as long as you are healty. i think that teenage girls as well as a lot of older women need to hear that so much. so thank you for starting the 'So What?' campaign. you're a gift to the world and you are beautiful inside and out and always will be!!! and thanks to you i'm starting to feel like i am too.

love,
Divya

Hi Tyra!!!!
i was up watching tv late last night and i saw your "so what" show. i'm sure that you hear this soooo much but you are my ROLE MODEL!!! i'm 16 years old and all i ever hear is how people want to lose weight. and these are people around me that i personally don't think need to lose weight. i know that they feel this way because of the media and what it defines as "beautiful". But after watching your show, i felt like you are the light shining through the dark tunnel. i'm sorry if that sounds a little bit dramatic but that's seriously how i feel. I'm so glad you have the tyra show because you put everything into perspective. In a world where so many people tell you that its not okay to look like you do, you say that it IS okay to look like you do, as long as you are healty. i think that teenage girls as well as a lot of older women need to hear that so much. so thank you for starting the 'So What?' campaign. you're a gift to the world and you are beautiful inside and out and always will be!!! and thanks to you i'm starting to feel like i am too.

love,
Divya

my names kenisha and im 18 years old. Very often i my friends tease me or point out that i dont speak "black" or im not "ghetto" I mean its not talking black, its having knowledge to speak somewhat proper ya know. i was born in chicago and lived there for about 6 years, but then me and my family settled to arizona. So i guess i kinda picked up the way ppl talk out here. Being a black girl, ppl would think a need to have a big booty...but i dont. i mean a got a booty....but its not the biggest!! ppl tease me about that!! but i just tell them...SO WHAT!? Well i am 5'10 1/2 inches....im thin and have large breasts....yep..ppl think thats weird too. But ive learned to step up to ppl, stop being afraid and tell em SO WHAT!!! And this is all because of your SO WHAT show!! you taught me that not everybody is perfect, but we are all unique and beautiful in our own ways!!! I love you soooooooooooo much tyra....You are the most inspirational woman ive ever seen!! you mean so much to me....i almost cry when i see any of your shows, but thanks for helping me, and millions of other girls!!!

my names kenisha and im 18 years old. Very often i my friends tease me or point out that i dont speak "black" or im not "ghetto" I mean its not talking black, its having knowledge to speak somewhat proper ya know. i was born in chicago and lived there for about 6 years, but then me and my family settled to arizona. So i guess i kinda picked up the way ppl talk out here. Being a black girl, ppl would think a need to have a big booty...but i dont. i mean a got a booty....but its not the biggest!! ppl tease me about that!! but i just tell them...SO WHAT!? Well i am 5'10 1/2 inches....im thin and have large breasts....yep..ppl think thats weird too. But ive learned to step up to ppl, stop being afraid and tell em SO WHAT!!! And this is all because of your SO WHAT show!! you taught me that not everybody is perfect, but we are all unique and beautiful in our own ways!!! I love you soooooooooooo much tyra....You are the most inspirational woman ive ever seen!! you mean so much to me....i almost cry when i see any of your shows, but thanks for helping me, and millions of other girls!!!

hey,
i'm 16 years old and live in newjersey. i just wanted to tell you that your "so what" campaign has changed my life. i've always been the bigger girl in school, the "funny fat friend". and itreally hurt my self confidence growing up, and still today. but seeing how your making such an effort to help women and girls eveywhere to be okay with themselves, and to love themselves is amazing. it's inspired me to be happy with myself again. i was always ashamed of being big, always trying to find the next best thing to loose weight, i even thought that being anorexic was the only way to go, but not anymore. seeing your shows about being healthy and happy has been one of the most positive things in my life.

and i just wanted to say that you, trya banks, are my hero.

love always,
alyssa.

hey,
i'm 16 years old and live in newjersey. i just wanted to tell you that your "so what" campaign has changed my life. i've always been the bigger girl in school, the "funny fat friend". and itreally hurt my self confidence growing up, and still today. but seeing how your making such an effort to help women and girls eveywhere to be okay with themselves, and to love themselves is amazing. it's inspired me to be happy with myself again. i was always ashamed of being big, always trying to find the next best thing to loose weight, i even thought that being anorexic was the only way to go, but not anymore. seeing your shows about being healthy and happy has been one of the most positive things in my life.

and i just wanted to say that you, trya banks, are my hero.

love always,
alyssa.

Dear Tyra,

First I want to say, Thank you for making me feel okay with myself and my body. I was once a size 2, until I met my [now] husband. Love took over, I gained weight, had 2 children, and I've had a problem losing it all. Haha! I had low self-esteem, a bad self-image, no confidence at all, and it took a big toll on my love life. You, along with Mo'nique, who also supports curvy women, have made me feel proud to be who i am and how i look. And when I see people who thinks "oh my gosh, she gained some weight! She used to be so small!" I'm going to say "SO WHAT!"

Im a 17 years old girl who have always not been comfortable in my skin i think i pretty on some days but when im with some of my friends who are smaller than me i feel like nothing. i have very wide shoulders so thats what makes me not feel NOT pretty i had an ex boyfriend who i've been dating 4 five months until he left me 4 a girl who was lighter skinned and longer hair and not 2 forget smaller than me that made me feel ugly and that no one will never like me agian. since middle school people have always talked about me so im kinda used of it now but i still cry and get hurt but i watch ur show almost every day and u show young ladies like myself not 2 go by what the media is saying and thats why i can say you are my role model. i like tha shows when u bring people on there all shapes and sizes to make them feel that they can do anything if they want. so 4 now i want to say IM NOT A SIZE 2 AND NEVER WILL B SO WHAT!!!
THANK U 4 BEIN SUCH A GOOD PERSON. AND A GOOD ROLE MODEL 4 ALL WOMEN

Im a 17 years old girl who have always not been comfortable in my skin i think i pretty on some days but when im with some of my friends who are smaller than me i feel like nothing. i have very wide shoulders so thats what makes me not feel NOT pretty i had an ex boyfriend who i've been dating 4 five months until he left me 4 a girl who was lighter skinned and longer hair and not 2 forget smaller than me that made me feel ugly and that no one will never like me agian. since middle school people have always talked about me so im kinda used of it now but i still cry and get hurt but i watch ur show almost every day and u show young ladies like myself not 2 go by what the media is saying and thats why i can say you are my role model. i like tha shows when u bring people on there all shapes and sizes to make them feel that they can do anything if they want. so 4 now i want to say IM NOT A SIZE 2 AND NEVER WILL B SO WHAT!!!
THANK U 4 BEIN SUCH A GOOD PERSON 4 WOMEN AND

I just wanted to say (girl you look good) you know where we come from the extra weight is truely loved. Black men love it even if we don't, I told one man from Texas that I was trying to lose 20lbs he told me that he liked the way I looked thats why talked to me, that helps.

Tyra.
I just wanted to say thank you. I find is amazing that you can make so many people feel better about themselves and give them confidence. I dont have a story about how I have become comfortable with myself because I've never had a reason not to. But to see how you can change a person's life by telling them they are beautiful no matter what is just AMAZING. You are my idol and I hope I can meet you some day. I love the Tyra Show and ANTM. :)

Tyra,
When I saw your "SO WHAT?!" episode a while back, it made me feel so good about myself. I'm 12 years old and I'm struggling to lose weight. I weighed 201 at the begining of the summer. I lost 3 pounds over 3 moths, but my body changed so much. I'm 5' 7" , I wear a size 11 in shoes, I have stretch marks on my stomach, my sides, my breasts and some small ones onmy arms. SO WHAT?!?!?!?!?!
I'm still trying to loose more weight, but I ain't doin it for no one but my self! I feel so happy that you started this campaign. It helps full figured women realize how beautiful they are!
Thank you so much Tyra,
Aviella

Hey Tyra,Omg I am soooo glad you started the So What movement.I am a 15 year old girl and I have flab on my arms and legs and on my stomach and when I have girls that come up to me and tease me because I am fat all I have to say is "soooooooo what."I won't even go to the beach because I think that if I wear a bathingsuit I feel that people are judging me. And when I look at these skinnie girls in a bikini I think why can't that be me.Please write back.

hey tyra

i love your show and your SO WHAT campaign.
i am over weight everyone in my class and all my friends are skinny and i always feel like i dont fir i and im not pretty cause im not skinny i watched this epidode and i said to myself so what i am sweet , nice and i shouldnt feel that way about myself cause im beautiful the way i am. i just wanted to let you no i admire you so much your my hero and you are very pretty iloveu so much

Tyra,
I want to thank you for creating the "SO WHAT!?" movement, I'm sure that it has inspired many women across the country. I find that even I, sometimes have to just throw all of my weight procausions out of the window and just say "so what". But it's harder than it seems. With this movement, I know it was your intention to inspire women everywhere to feel comfortable in their own skin, but what has worried me the most is that I just saw recently on the news that for your next cycle of America's Next Top Model, a woman that is a SIZE EIGHT, is being labelled plus sized. The normal plus sized range is size 14+ and a woman who has probably spent her entire life feeling she had a body figure, only to be labelled as plus sized. I understand that it is the modelling industry, but I would have figured that somebody as influencial as yourself would have even seen that a size 8 is not plus sized, it's beautiful.
I'm not dissing you, or condradicting you, I just found it to be a concern that worries me, because if you promote good self- esteem on one show, I was under the impression that it would be the same kind of influence on the other.
But I do appreciate you and all that you do. You are a very compassionate person with a heart of gold. I am a very big fan of yours, I wish I had somebody like you to talk to at times.
God bless.

Hello, Ms. Banks! I am 14 years old, and I am your biggest fan. You are one of the most influential people in MY life, and I want to thank you for that. But first, my so what moment is that I have hips. Big Hips. Also, I have stretch marks on my hips and bottom, and a little cellulite, and people have made fun of me about it both behind my back AND in my face.

But at the end of the day, I realize that I am a beautiful, smart girl, and all those girls at my school ain't got NUTHIN im me! I do have a BIG booty, and hips, but hey, SO WHAT!?!?! I have cellulite and stretch marks and i haven't had kids, or even SEX at all, but so what?! and I have hair that grows in unwanted places, but So What!? And on top of that, I wear a size 11 shoe, but SO WHAT? So thank you, Ms. Banks, for being ONE OF the most important people in my life.

Hii I'm Steph =]
I'm 15 years Old and i'm about 217 pounds.
I love my body.
I hated it for the longest time.
I went through a faze in my life were all i do would do is sneak food into my room and eat. I put myself in a viscious circle.
I would to make me happy (beacuase food was the only thing that made me happy and once i finished that last bite of whatever I was eating i would be so ashamed with myself for eating that much which would make me even more upset then i already was...which then led to me crying and trying to sneak out to get more food.
This happend for about 2 years of my life. I didn't have very many friends but I'm such a bubbly person that i wanted to be friend with everyone...So I got upset easily when people didn't look me just cause of the fact that i had some actual fat on my body.
Anyways over the past month i have been losing weight and finaly realizing that if you dont like the fact that I'm over 200 pounds. Then dont look at me...because I'm big blonde and beautiful in my eyes!...So I'd like to say so what?! I'm big...AND i'M FABULOUS!!
THank-you tyra...You are honestly my idol.... I love watching you show because I love to just sit there and watch you talk about beauty =]
I dream of one day comming to new york to watch you live on show and I really think it would amasing if you did a show called Americas Next Plus Size Model.
Beacause To Me Plus Size Models Are The Most Beautifullest Models our there
Love
Stephie

hey tyra! first of all, i frickin' love you!!! you're an amazing woman who should be a role model to any young girl, you definitely are for me! im a 16 year girl in a small town and there are a lot of really pretty, skinny girls in my school. my family tells me how beautiful i am all the time, but sometimes it doesn't make me feel better. it's taken me a while to accept myself for who i am and what i look like, but i have, because of you. i started developing early, when i was nine!, so i had my awkward phase in 4th grade. i was taller than everybody and was already wearing a c-cup bra. i felt awful! but now i fell normal and comfortable in my skin, even with my triple d's!!! sometimes i feel like im getting the wrong attention from guys, but that's to be expected! i am finally able to say "so what?!?!" loud and clear to anyone that has something to say about me!!! so bring it!!! thank you so much tyra, you're an awesome person!!! i wish you great success in your future and happiness in your life! you deserve it!!!!!!

much love,
Emilie!!!

Hi Tyra I ALSO just wanted to tell you that its good you talk about weight and how it doesnt matter alot on your show also i love your show so much i watch it as much as i can but I just wanted to say that honestly your shows have helped me be more confident in my body. sure there are things bad and good about it but thts just how i was made and i shouldnt change to make other people happy =D

yourrr greatt!

Dear Tyra,
hi Tyra im only 12 and i have been unhappy with my body since i was smaller. But when i heard about ur So What campaign i felt secure that ur just who u r and ur body is how it is. Im really happy i started feeling secure im known to have a pretty face but just not really the body but u know what i dont care. I want to make every one feel secure and pple feel how i feel if they have gaines some wait. sometimes it just makes u who u r. U have made me look at life different> u have made me feel secure about myself.
Thank u
Susan

DEAR TYRA,
HEY TYRA I AM 13 AND I USED TO THINK BECUZ I WASNT A SIZE 2 THAT I WAS SO UGLY I AM BUILT LIKE MY MOTHER WHEN U HEAR THE AGE 13 U KINDA HAVE A BODY DESCRIPTION WELL I AM 13 WITH A 16 YEAR OLDS BODY WHEN YOU DID THE SO WHAT THING I FELT SO BEATIFUL I FELT THAT IT WAS FINALLY TYME 2 BE OK WITH THE WAY I AM AND I ADMIRE U SO MUCH AND I WISH I HAD ALL OF THE SELF CONFIDENCE U HAVE BUT I DONT SO WHEN I WATCH THE SHOW I TRY 2 TAKE EVERY THING YOU SAY AND TAKE IT TO HEART WHEN THE MEDIA SAID THAT YOU WERE FAT I FELT SAD AND DEPRESSED BECUZ I FELT THAT U HAD TO BE A SIZE 2 BUT WEN U DID THE SHOW U MADE ME FEEL SO MUCH BETTER IT HURTS ME SO MUCH 2 FIND OUT THAT THATZ WAT THE MEDIA THINKZ IZ THE ONLII BEAUTIFUL BODYTYPE BEING SKINNY U MAKE ME WANT 2 LUV MYSELF MORE I REMEMBER A TYME I USED 2 CRY BECUZ I DIDNT LOOK LIKE THAT SO I WOULD JUS LIKE 2 SAY THANK U SO MUCH 4 MAKING ME FEEL BEAUTIFUL

Tyra,

I love that you are putting out a positive influence on girls my age. I'm 16 and know a lot of girls including myself that are self-conscious about the way we look. I know I'm not fat but somedays I can't help but feel that I need to lose a little weight. After watching your show about your "SO WHAT!" campaign I went downstairs and got some chocolate pudding. I've wanted to model for a long time, but never felt that I was pretty or skinny enough. I've never let what anyone says get me down. I always feel beautiful and thankful for what god gave me. Why starve yourself to look smaller? Why have surgery to fix your flaws? Live with them and LOVE them. Your show is so inspiring to me and I want to thank you so much!

- Shelby =]

SO WHAT...DUH?! There are so many things and people that I want to say that to. I have lived with a tracheostomy since 1975. I was in an auto accident at the age of 22, my larnyx was shattered. After escaping an abusive marriage, I began working in a very busy superstore (meijer), I am a greeter and I began attending college at the age of 50.(I will have a paralegal degree in November, 2007). My voice sounds like I have a cold, and I hear some of the most unbelievable statements from people. I hear people say things about others that I can't believe. They judge people for their race, their size, their clothes, their disabilities, their beliefs, their job,etc. I see wealthy people steal and poor people return wallets and purses with large sums of money. I see good people and disgusting people. If I allowed what people say to control my life I would stay at home an never go anywhere. Worry about what others think or say about us keeps us from truly living. I've had a tough life and my struggles are still many, but I never struggle with what others think or say about me. As a paralegal I hope to find a job where I can help others discover what I have learned; and use it to realize, we are not what people say or think we are, we are WHAT WE ARE-- AND WE CAN BECOME WHAT WE DREAM.

Hey Tyra Wus up,

I feel like I can relate to you alot. I remember when you was talkin about how skinny you were. I was that girl. I was called all kinds of names like Olivoyal, snake women and all kinds of names. Its seems much harder now that I wish I was that skinny again so I can model.When I was a teen I saw a picture of you walking down a runway, and on the side of that picture was your measurments, and I compared mine to yours. We were the same hieght and wieght. Now that I am 25, I can still compare. I am 5'11 and my wieght is 161, and I have dimples in my booty and thighs. And since I had 2 girls I have developed a pooch. So freakin WHaaaaaaaaat, Thats why I got a man that loves all of that......

Dear Tyra,
Well I just wanted to add, my story to the "So What" column, even if it doesn't go with what others wrote, I thought it fit here. So I should start with an intro, that only seems appropiate. I am a 28 year old woman, who is happily married to the greatest guy in the world, and we have two rockin' little boys. When I was 13 I witnessed what breast cancer could do to a woman. My mom's sister had a bilateral mascectomy and underwent radiation and chemo and lost all of her hair, the whole nine yards. She did survive, and is still alive today. But even then I knew this was a warning, especially since my maternal grandmother died from breast cancer almost 10 years prior to that. Skipping ahead some, My uncle on my father's side was murdered about a year later. Now a bigger jump. I was "daddy's girl" growing up and we did everything together. Only for us to lose him to a heart anerism right after I turned 16, and one week before my brothers 14th birthday. This left me, my brother and mom, sort of in a turmoil as you can imagine. So much so, my mom tried to kill my her dad, who she cared for, one night. A whole lot there I'm no putting in. Jumping ahead to me turning 19. I met a guy who seemed really cool, and within 2 weeks of dating, he asked me to marry him. I said yes, cuz that sounded like fun when I was 19. Right after I got married, I found out my mom had breast cancer, and it was malignent. They only gave her a year to live from the point they removed her left breast. This was also about the time the guy I married decided to show off the fact he was so much bigger than me by throwing me around. That ended when my brother witnessed his abuse, and not liking him anyway, he ran him out with a machete. Meanwhile, my mom just gets worse and ends up on life support for a week. That was a bad week for my brother and I. He ended up in jail with my teethmarks imprinted into his left arm. He says they are still there. Again, alot left out there. She ended up passing away in January of 2000. I moved to Fl to live with someone I thought was a friend. But drugs were more important to her. (Not that I didn't dabble) After 4 months of being there I had to come home, and my brother came and got me, and once I got "home" there really was not place for me to go. So I had to move in with my cousin, her boyfriend and 2 kids in a 2 bedroom apt. I started working in the office of the apartment place and got my own place shortly afterwards. By the end of the year, I met the man of my life. We got married, he joined the Navy, we had our boys, life has been great. In June of last year, I found out I carried the breast cancer gene. Many options are available now that weren't even 5 years ago. I was given many choices on what I could do. I chose to have a bilateral mascectomy with a tram flap recontruction. And I couldn't be happier. Life will throw just about anything at you. But God will never give you more than you can handle. You just have to learn and grow with each experience.
I hope this helps some people.

Tyra-
i've been battling weight ever since i realize i was chunky. i've battled teasing, even from my own family about my weight. many people tease me at school, but i realized, SO WHAT?
so what if people dont like me, i like myself and that's all that matters. i'm independant and smart and i take care of myself more than i need my parents to take care of me. i get good grades without being hassled. i do everything for myself, instead of trying to please other people. SO WHAT if my dad doesnt appreciate me and i dont have many friends? i have the people i have around me because i put them there and i'm the only one that matters in my life because i'm the one who controls my life.

thanks, Tyra for starting the campaign. i think a lot of young people like myself will think higher of themselves because a beautiful ex-model woman is telling other people to think higher of themselves. Celebrities are a big influence on many people, especially teenagers, and many of them arent doing any good to them. all we read in magazines and see on TV is "anorexic" and "alcoholic" and "bulimic," etc. you, on the other hand, are doing an excellent campaign and i believe it WILL make a difference.

Mariah, age 16.

i have love handles and a pouch and im short...SO WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi tyra im 17 and i love how your so real. i mean alot of other shows just talk about how "he cheated on her" or "thats not his baby" you know what i mean?in my opinion you talk about topics that make a differance.thank you tyra! {hug}

Hi Tyra,

You are a very amazing young lady. I admire you and I love your "so what!" shows. I have been struggling with my weight for years and I have come to terms with the weight and I love myself regardless of my weight. I admire all of the women who stood up and said "so what" I don't wear a size 2 and never will. You have taken this to a higher level and I thank you so much for opening my eyes. I am no longer as depressed as I used to be about my weight. As long as I can dress well and wear my heels then I am satisfied and I feel good inside and out. Once again keep up the good work and keep looking out for our beautiful plus size women. We rock!!!

I am only 19 years old and I have been battling cancer for the past 3 and a half years and I say SO WHAT! Some people treat me differently and it used to bother me but now I don't care because I know that I am a stronger person then they ever will be. I have lost my hair more than once and I still looked beautiful. Tyra, you have been the reason why I have confidence and the reason why I keep fighting. You are such a strong and independent woman and it just shows me that whatever you set your heart to, you can achieve. I have been thru so much and I have come to realize that the people who take things for granted are not worth worrying about. Tyra thank you sooo much!!

I think Tyra’s “SO WHAT?!” Campaign is a waste of time. All the women who support it are either fat or ugly and i think that stupid tyra banks show should be cancelled because nobody wants to watch a bunch of fat ugly women on tv trying to make a stand. It makes the whole world watching laugh at all these stupid fat ugly women. Tyra banks should not even have a show i mean there other black women out there who look 10 times better then her and dont need to use a stupid SO WHAT phrase. Big deal on her stupid model job. Like i said there are better looking black women then Tyra Banks. Tyra is fat thats why she came up with that stupid thing SO WHAT. She makes me laugh and to tell you the truth it amuses me all those fat women on her show. I hope the show gets cancelled soon and we can have a better show on tv instead of having a show that wastes time and money. An to all you fat and ugly women out there stop trying to be proud and stop saying SO WHAT because the reality is you FAT AND UGLY

hey guys! i just wanted to say that you changed my life. i used to have such low self-confidence. i face nothing but critisism and everything but support all the time. one time when i was at school and someone was putting me down in the worst ways. i just stood up, looked them straight in the eye and yelled, "SO WHAT!" now, i walk down the halls with my head held high. i can not begin to explain my graditude. i love you TYRA!!!

Hey Tyra!
I just wanted to say thanks because you have change my mom. My mom use to care what people said about her and ever since she seen your show she dosen't care what people sayabout her now when people talk about her the only thing she says is
!!!!!SO WHAT!!!!!!
She likes the way she looks.And I'm very happy for her.I learn that us girls shouldn't care what other people say about us and we shold feel good and know that the way we look is just fine.
YOURS TRULY,
VANESSA
P.S IM 14 TEEN YEARS OLD AND IM A BIG FAN OF YOURS AND I THINK YOU LOOK GOOD JUST THE WAY YOU ARE AND DON'T CHANGE WHO YOU ARE!!!

Hey Tyra! I just wanted to say i am 12 years and you have inspired me with your "SO WHAT" campaign.Everyone at my school always calls me skinny even tho i am 5"2 n weigh 91 lbs.It really gets me frustrated to hear that over and over again, but since you started your "SO WHAT" campaign I can say to them SO WHAT IF MY BODY IS NOT UP TO YOUR STANDARDS SO WHAT!!! You also taught me not to care what people think so if i think im the perfect weight for me I WILL NOT LET PEOPLE EFFECT ME WHEN THEY SAY IM SKINNY!!!! TYRA I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!YOUR MY IDOL :) I WISH TO MEET YOU IN PERSON ONE DAY :)

Hey Tyra! I just wanted to say i am 12 years and you have inspired me with your "SO WHAT" campaign.Everyone at my school always calls me skinny even tho i am 5"2 n weigh 91 lbs.It really gets me frustrated to hear that over and over again, but since you started your "SO WHAT" campaign I can say to them SO WHAT IF MY BODY IS NOT UP TO YOUR STANDARDS SO WHAT!!! You also taught me not to care what people think so if i think im the perfect weight for me I WILL NOT LET PEOPLE AFFECT ME WHEN THEY SAY IM SKINNY!!!! TYRA I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!YOUR MY IDOL :) I WISH TO MEET YOU IN PERSON ONE DAY :)

Hi Tyra

YOU ARE AWESOME! I just want to commend you on your "SO WHAT" campaign, that is a great message for women of all ages all over the world. Where I live I work with middle school girls with a program I have designed called "Turning Beauty Inside Out". When I meet with the girls we pretend we are on the "Tyra Show" and I pretend I am you. The girls open up so much and I help empower them to be love who they are inspite of what anybody says negative to them. I have designed some "SO WHAT" cards and I pass them out to them to give to anyone who say something negative to them. One girl in particular she says the boys at school have been calling her ms piggy. She has been so hurt by the comments, she was in tears when she told me the story. The first thing I said to her was "SO WHAT". She started to smile and said from now on if the boys call her that she will give them a "SO WHAT" call. Tyra keep the "GREAT" work up, girl you are really making a difference In so many women lives. I have told the girls that one day I will be a guest on your show to talk about my program and the difference it is making in girls lives in my community. These girls would really like to see me as a guest on your show and I would love to have a chance to meet you and give you a hug for all you do.
Theresa Mobile, AL

I'm a 22 year old latina and I'm also a mother of a 5 month old baby. I really support your show and the "SO WHAT" campaign. I think that all women are beautiful in their own way. When someone says you are fat or ugly it's just their opinion. God made us unique and beautiful. So for that people that only think "beautiful" is a certain way you have to open your eyes and see that your judgement has made you ugly already.

I think Tyra’s “SO WHAT?!” Campaign is a waste of time. All the women who support it are either fat or ugly and i think that stupid tyra banks show should be cancelled because nobody wants to watch a bunch of fat ugly women on tv trying to make a stand. It makes the whole world watching laugh at all these stupid fat ugly women. Tyra banks should not even have a show i mean there other black women out there who look 10 times better then her and dont need to use a stupid SO WHAT phrase. Big deal on her stupid model job. Like i said there are better looking black women then Tyra Banks. Tyra is fat thats why she came up with that stupid thing SO WHAT. She makes me laugh and to tell you the truth it amuses me all those fat women on her show. I hope the show gets cancelled soon and we can have a better show on tv instead of having a show that wastes time and money. An to all you fat and ugly women out there stop trying to be proud and stop saying SO WHAT because the reality is you FAT AND UGLY

I think Tyra’s “SO WHAT?!” Campaign is a waste of time. All the women who support it are either fat or ugly and i think that stupid tyra banks show should be cancelled because nobody wants to watch a bunch of fat ugly women on tv trying to make a stand. It makes the whole world watching laugh at all these stupid fat ugly women. Tyra banks should not even have a show i mean there other black women out there who look 10 times better then her and dont need to use a stupid SO WHAT phrase. Big deal on her stupid model job. Like i said there are better looking black women then Tyra Banks. Tyra is fat thats why she came up with that stupid thing SO WHAT. She makes me laugh and to tell you the truth it amuses me all those fat women on her show. I hope the show gets cancelled soon and we can have a better show on tv instead of having a show that wastes time and money. An to all you fat and ugly women out there stop trying to be proud and stop saying SO WHAT because the reality is you FAT AND UGLY

I'm 13 years old and have been watching your show ever since it stated. You inspire me so much to feel good about myself and to have great self confidance. There are some things that i hate about my body but i can live with them now and accept the fact that they may be that way forever. Your inspiring words have helped me through the rough days when nothing seems to fit right anymore,lol. Thank you so much and i hope you continue the great job you are doing.

hello tyra your so what campaign moved me! im a 17 year old mother my daughter is two and her father is not in the picture anymore buit she does have i father figure i was lucky enough to find a wonderful man that did not judge me because of my past i fell in love with him and we plan to be married when he gets out of boot camp. i was talked about made fun of and hurt. I have grown up alot since i had my baby girl i give her all my love and she is my life and my joy. everything i do is for her and i just want to say to all the people that thought i could not do it SO WHAT!!!! thanks for standing up for all the ones who are criticize and hurt every day!!!!! marina

hello tyra your so what campaign moved me! im a 17 year old mother my daughter is two and her father is not in the picture anymore buit she does have i father figure i was lucky enough to find a wonderful man that did not judge me because of my past i fell in love with him and we plan to be married when he gets out of boot camp. i was talked about made fun of and hurt. I have grown up alot since i had my baby girl i give her all my love and she is my life and my joy. everything i do is for her and i just want to say to all the people that thought i could not do it SO WHAT!!!! thanks for standing up for all the ones who are criticize and hurt every day!!!!! marina

tyra,
my name is Morgen, i am 15 years old. In my school there is always the cliks in my school like with the "ghetto" people and the jocks. i am mixed and everyday i get picked on that i am to white and not enough black; SO WHAT i wnt to yeel cause and both beautiful and dont need to gotannings i got that color all year long!!!!!

i'm 21 and have big thighs so what

hey tyra, my name is Amber and i am a twenty two year old single mom, before i got pregnant i was the skinnyist i had ever been, i didn't start showing until i was about six months along and my little girls father started telling me that i was fat and pretty much not attractive, it was hard and i am so glad you are doing this for everyone! At the time it hurt so much hearing that expecially from someone you thought you loved. Now i am still overweight a size 14 but i think you know what i was pregnant with his baby and now i am raising her by myself "so what" people can think what they want but i am doing just fine the way i am! I enjoy being a mother and that is all that really matters! Thanks for your support.

Hey Tyra!
thank you so much for launching your so what campaign! As a high school student, my self-confidence was at a low. All the "pretty" (skinny) girls in my class would allways flaunt their size 0 bodies and small feet. After seeing them everyday i would pick myself apart, and the size of my feet was allways an insecurity for me, and they would use that against me, to break me down, and i would let them. But over the summer I saw yor show and promised myself i wouldnt let them get to me because i am a beautiful 5'9 athlete with size 10 feet, and im saying- SO WHAT?!

HI TYRA! I LOVE YOUR TV SHOW, YOUR PROGRAM MAKE´S ME FEEL BETTER WITH MYSELF AND MY BODY!!! YOU ARE MY ROLE MODEL!

HI TYRA! I LOVE YOUR TV SHOW, YOUR PROGRAM MAKE´S ME FEEL BETTER WITH MYSELF AND MY BODY!!! YOU ARE MY ROLE MODEL!

Oh yeah, I just commented ya, and my bestie Gabby and I really wanted to say that we absolultly Brittany and Gabby

Hey Tyra
You are my total role model !! I look up to you for sooo many different reasons that its not even funny. Like I used to be really body conscious but now I have learned that I am what I am. All through elementry and half of jr. I wore humungo shirts and tied jackets around my waist so know one could truly see what I looked like. So it wasnt till I saw your show that made me feel truly comfortable with myself and I thank you sooo much for that!!! Lol, I watch your show 24/7! Even in school, when we arent doing anything in spanish, I turn it on. Sure the boys dont like it because it's for "girls" but who really cares. Tyra, you talk about things that totally matter and things that people go through every single day. The sad part is..hehe..I quote stuff that you and mommy have said, or like the topic that your show was on. Im always tellin my mommy "Well Tyra said you shouldnt do this because of blah blah blah or Tyra said your supposed act like this while doing this" it drives her absolutly bonkers. Guess she doesnt know really how much you changed my life. Im 15 about to turn 16 in October and I dont know what more than half of the stuff out there is really like and thats another reason why I

Hi Tyra,I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a great rolemodel for teen girls everywhere.you really make me feel like i'm beautiful.also you are so real you don't hide anything and you definately speak the truth.i'm only fifthteen and i watch your show religiously and every time i feel discouraged the right topic is always on.you are such a beautiful person and i can tell that you honestly care for your fans, so thank you so much Tyra.i wish i could write more but i just don't know what else to say but THANK YOU!!!!

Tyra can say whatever she wants, and I can say, "America's Next Top Model" right back.

I think that its great that this show tries to promote equality, but I think some things are over looked. Yes, there are "big beautiful women" out there, but people shouldnt always except their bodies the way they are. There are overweight people out there who need someone to say something to them because they are unhealthy. This country is fat and it is not healthy. Some people need to realize they are overweight otherwise they will have future problems with their health. Those people need to take charge of their lifestyles instead of just excepting the fact that they are fat.

OH. AND JUST SO EVERYBODY KNOWS.
it's been almost two years.
october 8th, 2005.

read the entry below this. that's me.

I am sixteen and i have a boyfriend that i adore. it seems like all of the adults in my life disapprove of me being with him. and it isn't because he's a bad kid. he's the most intelligent person i know. and my dad is actually always telling me that he likes my boyfriend... but what's the problem then? if he likes him so much. i can't help myself from thinking he's just mad because i have a boyfriend, and i'm his little girl. but i love this boy. i've been through masses of things in the past 4 years or so, and the only person that i knew i could always run to, was him. i knew that he would always be there. and he has been. he's been my best friend for so long. long before we became romantically involved. everything is going amazingly for us. and i do love him. and it isn't high school love, puppy love, or anything else. it is the future marriage love, the forever love.

I AM SIXTEEN,AND IN LOVE.
"SO WHAT?"

Hi, I am 15 and i have been overweight all my life, there has been many mean things said about me. I am interested in theatre and one year i was one of the lead roles and a girl was jealous because she was put in a minor role. Well my character was a drunken jester from William Shakespeare's "As You Like It", Touchstone. Well, my character had to fall alot on stage and make a complete fool of myself, but i didnt care because if you dont feel foolish then you arent doing it right. Well this girl had made a comment to another person in the play that, " oh abby is so fat everytime she falls the stage shakes." I was in middle school and of course that hurt me, but i soon got over it because I knew that the way i look and my weight doesnt matter on how i act because i deliever my characters. Acting is a huge part of my life because i currently go to a high school for the visual and performing arts. What she said to me never affected on how much i loved theatre and acting. Ive been told that my being overweight i will not be accepted for as many casting calls and audtions. I say SO WHAT my looks shouldnt matter on how i act they should accept me on how it is i interpret a character. I am so glade that you tyra have made a SO WHAT campain because i am able to share my stories and have people realise that yes i am overweigth, but i love myself because i try my hardest and never let what people say affect me, and i know its difficult not to, but as long as you are confident about yourself and your body people react on it. And everyone treats you differently beacuse they see that they cant bring you down. I will let you in on this i am 5ft 8in and i currently weight 298 pounds, now i am trying to lose weight but not for my self image but for my health beacuse diabetes and heart problems run in both sides of my family. I truely love myself, but my health must come first in this matter.

Thank you so much for letting me speak,
Abby

I have lost over 80 pounds and kept it off for over a year now! I'm sure when some people see me they still think" She needs to lose more". I say "SO WHAT! I'm a size 14 and I love my body. The curves and the flaws. I say go 'head big girl" I love the campaign. I think it is empowering for women of all shapes and sizes to embrace their bodies and stand together and celebrate all that we are without living up to others body standards.

hi tyra!!
i just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful message you are putting out there. i am 5'10 and 130 pounds and as much as all my friends tell me im thin i would always look in the mirror and grab at my skin seeing how much fat was there. thanks to you i realize that it doesnt matter as long as i am healthy. so..
so what if my stomach doesnt look like jessica alba's.. i am beautiful anyways

Tyra, i love your "so what" campaign. I'm 4'11" and thats the first thing people see. they think i'm still in highschool but i'm actually going to be turning 20 very soon. So i'm 4'11" but so what i pack a big punch.

Tyra you are a Blessing to your fans. I don't know if you really have the time to read theses but, I have to tell you I was touched by the “So What” show you did a while back, but even more touched by the show you did on the "eating disorders". I have not always been the size I am today and I am constantly reminded of it on a daily basis by my husband (of course). I made him sit though that show with me to make him see what he was doing to myself esteem. I think he sees it now. I have to tell you I have been desperately trying to lose the weight I have put on from my three kids; it has literally been a seven year dieting and failing hell. I weighed 98 pounds when my first child was conceived (yes I was healthy) and my weight went up to 135, I was ok with it but I wanted to lose some of the weight. Needless to say I failed. But the real weight came when the twins came along I went from 135 to 185. This of course put a huge strain on my marriage and myself esteem. I tried every diet pill I could get my hands on and every exercise routine you could think of (even tried belly dancing). Nothing worked and it was literally killing me. At times it took everything I had just to eat a salad, I felt so guilty about everything I ate. I felt horrible about the example I was setting for my kids, especially my daughter. I have to tell you the most life changing thing was when I kept having chest pains, I thought they would go away and that I was just being a big baby. So my mom had to step in and take me to the doctors because I believed that if I thought I was fine then I would be. The doctor told me that I was having major anxiety attacks and that they were so bad that if I didn’t start taking care of myself I was going to have a stoke. I thought to myself I am only 28 years old I will be damned if I am going to die and leave my kids behind. So I told my husband that I wanted to quit my job and us all move out to Mississippi (BIG change from California). Once we moved out here I lost 32 lbs. I had no help or encouragement from anyone well expect from my kids. I still don’t feel like I used to but I am learning to except myself better. I miss feeling beautiful and sexy and having people especially my husband say how beautiful I am. But I am learning how to say I don’t care what they think they can kiss my big butt! So think you Tyra for giving me a little bit more of myself esteem back. God bless you Tyra!

Sincerely,

Cristy

Tyra you are a Blessing to your fans. I don't know if you really have the time to read all of these but, I have to tell you I was touched by the “So What” show you did a while back. And even more touched by the show you did on the "eating disorders". I have not always been the size I am today and I am constantly reminded of it on a daily basis by my husband (of course). I made him sit though that show with me to make him see what he was doing to myself esteem. I think he sees it now. I have to tell you I have been desperately trying to lose the weight I have put on from my three kids; it has literally been a seven year dieting and failing hell. I weighed 98 pounds when my first child was conceived (yes I was healthy) and my weight went up to 135, I was ok with it but I wanted to lose some of the weight. Needless to say I failed. But the real weight came when the twins came along I went from 135 to 185. This of course put a huge strain on my marriage and myself esteem. I tried every diet pill I could get my hands on and every exercise routine you could think of (even tried belly dancing). Nothing worked and it was literally killing me. At times it took everything I had just to eat a salad, I felt so guilty about everything I ate. I felt horrible about the example I was setting for my kids, especially my daughter. I have to tell you the most life changing thing was when I kept having chest pains, I thought they would go away and that I was just being a big baby. So my mom had to step in and take me to the doctors because I believed that if I thought I was fine then I would be. The doctor told me that I was having major anxiety attacks and that they were so bad that if I didn’t start taking care of myself I was going to have a stoke. I thought to myself I am only 28 years old I will be damned if I am going to die and leave my kids behind. So I told my husband that I wanted to quit my job and us all move out to Mississippi (BIG change from California). Once we moved out here I lost 32 lbs. I had no help or encouragement from anyone well expect from my kids. I still don’t feel like I used to but I am learning to except myself better. I miss feeling beautiful and sexy and having people especially my husband say how beautiful I am. But I am learning how to say I don’t care what they think they can kiss my big butt! So think you Tyra for giving me a little bit more of myself esteem back. God Bless you Tyra!

Sincerely,

Cristy

Tyra you are a Blessing to your fans. I don't know if you really have the time to read all of these but, I have to tell you I was touched by the “So What” show you did a while back. And even more touched by the show you did on the "eating disorders". I have not always been the size I am today and I am constantly reminded of it on a daily basis by my husband (of course). I made him sit though that show with me to make him see what he was doing to myself esteem. I think he sees it now. I have to tell you I have been desperately trying to lose the weight I have put on from my three kids; it has literally been a seven year dieting and failing hell. I weighed 98 pounds when my first child was conceived (yes I was healthy) and my weight went up to 135, I was ok with it but I wanted to lose some of the weight. Needless to say I failed. But the real weight came when the twins came along I went from 135 to 185. This of course put a huge strain on my marriage and myself esteem. I tried every diet pill I could get my hands on and every exercise routine you could think of (even tried belly dancing). Nothing worked and it was literally killing me. At times it took everything I had just to eat a salad, I felt so guilty about everything I ate. I felt horrible about the example I was setting for my kids, especially my daughter. I have to tell you the most life changing thing was when I kept having chest pains, I thought they would go away and that I was just being a big baby. So my mom had to step in and take me to the doctors because I believed that if I thought I was fine then I would be. The doctor told me that I was having major anxiety attacks and that they were so bad that if I didn’t start taking care of myself I was going to have a stoke. I thought to myself I am only 28 years old I will be damned if I am going to die and leave my kids behind. So I told my husband that I wanted to quit my job and us all move out to Mississippi (BIG change from California). Once we moved out here I lost 32 lbs. I had no help or encouragement from anyone well expect from my kids. I still don’t feel like I used to but I am learning to except myself better. I miss feeling beautiful and sexy and having people especially my husband say how beautiful I am. But I am learning how to say I don’t care what they think they can kiss my big butt! So think you Tyra for giving me a little bit more of myself esteem back. God Bless you Tyra!

Sincerely,

Cristy

i am glad you did this so what campaign. its awesome. i am suprised you did seeing how so stuck on yourself you are. its amazing.

Tyra I love so what. I was born with learning disability, am 27 year old. I alway had help in life in school. In high school my special ed teacher I was like blooming flower and motived to get my education. I whated to try maketing call DECA it was a business class. I had to start a project on MDA and rise money for it and had help writing the paper. It would take me four hours to do. we use spell check a lot time. I had to talk about it in front of judy how we rise the money and about MDA I came in 4th in state. I started college and they put me down disrespected me and more. I had my fashion teachers was there for me. I was misunderstood with teachers and friends I really did not have time to hang out with friends. I had push what I beleive in to get better education. I was thinking so what and push myself and graduated from college. My so what stop because I need help to find a better job My family helps me out with money and i know I try to find help with government widsit and they are not willing to help me because my disability hidden no one can see it. They think it like light that I can shut it off and on or am lying about. I what to have a life on my own and to be fashion desinger. Someday to stop fighting throw life.

hey i think that this is a really good thing your doing because all of the models that are as skinny as they are there not the real role models that they are suppose to be letting all these young girl starve there self to be as skinny. this is a good thing for the world to know the big is beautiful as the skinny ones
♥always♥
brittanee
soderlind

tyra, i am a 24 year old women that was born with a disability called cerebral palsy and i walk with a limp and as i am becoming more comfortable in my own skin i want to help other girls with or without disabilities to be proud of who they are and although i don't know exactly what to do i think your "SO WHAT" campaign would be great for women of all ages. cause i believe that if you don't see the beauty in yourself no one else will see it either.

I love this campaign, it helps women except who they are and be proud of it! BTW, I eat donuts and I look like it! LOL

I love this campaign, it helps women except who they are and be proud of it! BTW, I eat donuts and I look like it! LOL

tyra,
thank you soo much for doing the "so what" segment on your show!!!
when i saw in the magazines what people had said about i got soo mad because i thught if this is what people think about her what would they think about me but then when i whatch the "so what" show i realized that we all have are flaws and that is one of the things that make who we are and that make us beautiful so thank you for being such a great role model and i will always look up to you!!!:]

i have some really bad cellulite on my thighs and butt.....SO WHAT!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH

I am a 24 year old girl. In 2004 I got diagnosed with Crohns diease, at that point in my life I thought my life was over. I have had multiple surgeries to try to fix some of my problems. Ever since my last operation I have hated myself inside and especially outside. I feel like I look disgusting and that I will never find a guy. Everyone I know has said to me oh you look fine, your scars don't even look that bad. I was always like yeah ok whatever. Then one day I was sitting at home and my girlfriend called me and told me to watch the Tyra show it was the "so what" epesode. Ever since then I have had that attitude "so what" I have a bunch of scars, it just shows how much I have been through and am still alive to talk about it today. Thanks for helping me with my problems. Meghan

HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Tyra,
Your "SO What" Campaign ROCKS. By watching this, i really got inspired to feel better about myself, and not be worried so much about the way i look. I am 18 years old, and my family and friends had always seen me in jeans and over-size stuff.before watching your talk show, I was always so angry at myself because of my body image.I was killing myself at the GYM to loose more pounds every week. I even had decided not to go to the prom just because of my weight. I weight 138 Pounds, but still, i always wanted to be 20 pounds lighter, like some other girls on TV.after watching this so what campaign. I drove to the mall and got rid of those things that always covered me up.The same week i found the cutest prom date and the nicest dress possible.Now, i am out of those plus size shirts and pants. I feel so much better about my life. You are such an inspiration for all of us out here. I consider you as my role model, and i will do whatever it takes to be a brave woman like you.
Thanks Tyra.

tyra,
first of all, I love both you and your show. I have actually used you as a topic for a paper on positive role models for young girls! When I read about the "So What" campaign I really got to thinking. Ever since moving to college I have fallen victim to the dreaded 'freshman 15'. But now I realize, weight is just a number. I am far from comfortable with my body but I am getting there. My So What? "I have the Freshman 15... SO WHAT?"

tyra--

i am 12 and i started watching a while ago.
when i was growing up in TN i was the one always picked on b/c of the way i look, i was always taller and i was fat and i started getting pimples earlier (especially on my arms(i still have them on my arms)and i would cry in the middle of the class b/c this would happen to me. when i was there i saw your - so what - episode. i was so inspired i started writing down all my flaws and after each one i would smile and say "so what."

so my 'so what' is...
"my arms 'jiggle' when i move them, so what."
thank you so much tyra.

you are my hero and so beautiful.

-- bri

hey gurl,
you have an amazing body. I have recently been watching your show, I never realized that so many ppl r critized for there body. I've always had a complex about my body but seeing your show made me realize that i shouldn't be worried about it. You are an awesome rolemodel and a good person. You have become one of my Idols. I love your show and I love your style. You are awesome and have a kickin body girl.

Hi Tyra!
I'm 13 years old and I have EXTREME self esteem issues. I dont hink I'm Pretty and I think I'm fat. But I know I'm not Fat..but all my friends weigh almost under 100 pounds and i'm so much bigger then them..I mean I know they are WAY to skinny and I dont want to be like them but I dont want to be 125 pounds..I'm in taekwondo so I'm in pretty good shape I guess but I dont know. Once I saw the "so what" episode I was like "My theighs touchso what? I can still kick over your head!" It made me feel really awesome. You are one of my absolute heros. and not to mention your GORGEOUS! Well i'll try ang watch your show even with school coming up! ♥ash

Dear tyra u r a true insperation to alot of ppl!
im 17years old ,5"5 and 241 pounds i had a low self estem till i saw ur show ur amazing person
if u ever c this message plz emial me my computer wont let me get to ur sit for the emial thing

Tyra,
I am 18 years old, and I feel like I'm trapped in the body of a mother of quintuplets. I don't like my body at all. I can never find pants that fit because I'm too big around the middle and the only pants that fit my waist are baggy in the butt and legs. I am just too big for most clothes in the Missus section, but not quite big enough for even the smallest size in Women's. I have been made fun of for various reasons my whole life, and that's taken a toll on my mental outlook on the world. My boyfriend rarely calls me beautiful, so I don't really think that I am. However, since you started the SO WHAT campaign, I have learned that my body is what it is. Although my boyfriend doesn't say I'm beautiful, he does tell me that my body is just right for him. I'm a big girl with big opinions and a big heart. I'd like to change the way I look, if only to be healthier and more content with myself, but until then, My pants sag in the butt, but SO WHAT?

Tyra ~I do know the PERFECT MOISTERIZER as well… it is called MAC STROBE CREAM ($38) it is great alone without make up or under makeup. It gives your face a really beautiful glow. I hate going out even without makeup but with this stuff I do.
Ps. I swear I don’t work for MAC I just love this blush ( I am an over user)….MAC MINERALIZE SKINFINISH ( I am currently using the “gold spill” but they also have a really nice pink one that is my favorite. With this stuff you never over use …it is great. If you are interested just let me know and I can get the name for you. (( this product come out in the summer only))
GOD BLESS
~*Ang
...if I use to much blush SO WHAT lol

dear Tyra,
im a 12 year old girl and your show has helped me so much im spanish and im curvy i wiegh 110 pounds and i love my body i have breast and i have a butt but so what i would never even come close 2 doing anything 2 harm my body 2 b skinny my older sister is really skinny and has the body of a model and my grandmother told me 1 day that i could never b 1 cause im 2 fat and she compares me 2 my sister saying i need 2 loose weight which i know i do not need 2. i eat right and exercise there r girls in my middle school who r taller then me and wiegh 45 pounds cause they wont eat because there dream is 2 b a model which i think is so sick that they would put there life in danger 2 b skinny.i look up 2 u and i think that u r absoultely gorgouse.i would like 2 thank u 4 everything you've done u r my hero.

Dear Tyra, thank you so much for taking a stand against what the industry is saying about what is bueatiful. For years I was shy and very introverted becasue I thought I was fat. I also started to belive that no one would ever love me because of my weight, but since watching your shows and when you did the episode on people who have distorted views of their bodies, and seeing what the men had to say about women who were curvyer and they loved it. Thank you so much. I am not a size 2, "SO WHAT!"

hey tyra i just wanted to say i love what you do and i suport it 100 percent

Miss Tyra you rock girl! I am a 26 year old women and a mother of one little girl. I had a problem with my body after being pregnant! I was a victim of sexual abuse and had self esteem problem my whole life being 100 lbs in high school people thought I was anerexic and I wasnt. But now I am a healthy 130 and yes I have that baby roll from my baby but because of this campaign and your amazing ability to reach out to everyone and say SO WHAT makes me say SO WHAT and it has given me more of a "true" look of myself in the mirror and realize that I am not a girl I am a women with curves and I am beautiful and if I dont fit your standard of thin so what I have a beautiful daughter and a beautiful soul!!!! Love you lots tyra and i appreciate you more than you know!

PS How do I get a wrist band for "so what" It would be great to have a constint reminder just in case I feel bad...Thank you for being true you have a beautiful soul!!!!!

Thanks Tyra so much for coming up with this campaign!!!! i absolutely love the attitude about this!!! it makes me feel better about myself. I've often thought about some sort of eating disorder just because I cant seem to be comfortable with my body. But when i saw the episode where everyone wore they're weight on those red swimsuits I was like OMGOSH! thats so awesome! I was really excited. It made me feel like I wasn't alone. I even made up my own SO WHAT!!! I DONT LOOK LIKE EVERY CHEERLEADER ON THE SQUAD!!! SO WHAT!!!!! thanks Tyra. Alot.

~Emily

Hey Tyra

Well first of all I would like to thank you for making my "catch phraise" a nation wide campaign. My name is Alex and I 14 years old. I go to an All Girl School in Montreal Canada, so I am very familiar with teenage girl insecurities. When some of my friends say that the are fat or lower their self-esteem in any other way I start on long lectures about how EVERYBODY IS BEAUTIFULL!!! I mean everybody. I have never brought my self down to that level, because if I decide to do that, I radiate less confidence and I no longer have an individual approach on things. We're all different and THAT'S what makes US beautifull. If you disagree... well SO WHAT?

Hey Tyra,
the SO WHAT campaign has showed me that its not whats on the outside but on the inside. I am a 16 soon to be 17 year old girl who has been extremely over-weight all my life. I have been called names and had rude things said about me behind my back and to my face. The comments do hurt but i try to not let that show. I am just like any other person. I do the same things other people do. I have tried to lose weight, diets and pills. Nothing has worked. I was on the verge of going up completely but your show has showed me to be happy in my own body. Either i'm skinny or heavy I'm still the same person. I am going to keep trying to lose weight for my health because i have been tested for diabetes, luck ally i don't have it. My mom and I a worried that one day i will have it. thanks to your show it has given me the will power to be a better person and say SO WHAT to people who judge and make rude comments because someone is different but the same as you

Tyra I think you are awesome! I love the "SO WHAT" movement!! I am a 22 year old wife and mother of two. I was sexually abused as a child for most of my life and as a result I have alot of self esteem issues especially about my body. Now that I have two children my body is definatly not what it used to be but because of you and your show I say "SO WHAT!" I don't care anymore!! I think you are gorgeous and I love you show! THANKS Tyra!!

dear tyra,
im 16 and about to have a baby. my mom and the rest of my family are supportive of me but other people look at me a stare and make comments that arn't so nice. i have realized that i shouldnt care what other people say about me or how they look at me. SO WHAT im pregnant at 16 its a gift from god and they shouldnt judge me because of it. tyra seeing your campaign has helped me to just ignore those people and focus on whats really important. thank you.

I'm a 16 year old girl and I loved the "So What" campaign. I am emotionally neglected by both of my parents because I was sexually abused when I was in the second grade. I am now just getting therapy to help me. I have a boyfriend, we've been together for three years, he's the only one who can make me smile, yet, my family wants him away from me. He respects me and loves me for me. He listens to me when my family gives me the cold shoulders. I love him, SO WHAT!?

I have always been a large woman. My "so what" moment came a long time ago, back when I was 16 and had gotten my weight down to even below what it should have been at the time. Even at that, where I could see I had gotten too thin, there were those that had the audacity to call me fat. It was then I took the initial attitude of "so what". I gained back enough weight to look right for my bone structure and have went thru my times of insecurity and frustration about being overweight many times since then. But I know that the real struggle with my weight is to be at what is healthy for me, not what some chart or someone else thinks I should weigh or how I should look.

Tyra, I am thrilled at what you are doing for women by bringing this campaign on. There are too many women of all ages that are so hung up on a clothes size, and forget to just be who they are. Keep up the great work!!

And for those that do want and really need to lose a few pounds to be healthy, there is no fast-track to it. Be accepting of yourself for who you are whether you lose that weight or not. Eat for health and eat healthy...

Tyra, I just want to say that I love your "So What?!" campaign. I wish everyone would think that way.

I jusr wanted to say something to those who have come on here and made it their goal to put Tyra down. Those who say she is hypocrite, the only reason she is caring about this NOW is because she was put down, she is not a good role model, etc.

The subject of self image and impowering women, especially us young women, has always been in her agenda. published 1998, if I'm not mistaken, "Tyra's Beauty Inside and Out," TZone, etc and that is just the beginning..so, before making statements...inform yourself a bit. Speak with facts to back u up..Tyra's mission is inspiring,making a difference, and promoting self acceptance! follow up with her history, past interviews, the book, achievements, even goals she set out before she even had a talk show or ANTM, i believe contraer, for all those reasons she created them..when she was(still is)America's Top model..
again...it's only the beginning of the impact this woman is making...she is making a mark, her mark

Dear Tyra
I think your "SO WHAT" campaign is great.I have been over wight my who life and have constantly been teased and made to feel wothless about it. I am an incomming high school sophmore and in the last year and a half I have lost nearly 40 lbs and I still feel so heavy next to most girls. I live between LA and Palm Springs the pressure is so great to be the size zero. I am far from it. Thanks to you I am learnig to accept who I am and be able to say Im a sexy, curvatious, valuptuous cheerleader. And feel like I can truly be an inspiration for the kids years behind me. I hope that being the size I am and a cheerleader will make little girls realize they dont have to be a size 0 to accomplish their dreams! To all my trojans out there lets rock and bring the bell back to where it truly belongs belongs. Yeah we've got spirit!!! Yes we do!

Hey Tyra,

First of all, I stay up until midnight to watch you every night on Oxygen, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your show. I am also a big fan of how you have shown that people who are different can be in the fashion industry too, and it's not about your size, or like past seasons on top model, your sexual orientation.
I am not a small girl. I am going into high school and am 40 pounds overweight, a size 15. The other night, I watched a show on positive body image, and I related to the girls on there who said they feel like "monsters."
Then those bigger women came out in their underwear, and I was SHOCKED, because I thought they were absolutely gorgeaus. It amazes me how people can discriminate against people for their size. A lot of big women are beautiful.
This month, heading back to school with the horror of school shopping for clothes, I decided to put on a happy face and love every part of me. Sure, that may be fat, but, hey, that's MY fat. And it's sexy, too!!! :) Thanks for changing my view of others, but most important, myself! Love ya, and ROCK On! Impossible isn't in our vocabulary!!! Julie Terrell

Hey Tyra,
I'm mikayla I am 11 I'm not happy b/c ever since I was in the 4th grade I have been holding my stomach in and im going in to 6th grade this fall and I do not like it I am over weight I am spouse to be around hmm 95 or 100 but I am 183 but I am bloated so about 181 When I was growing up every day I would make fun of boys make fun of me and Like I am bigger then my friends and Like I sit higher its horrible this skinny lil "thug" made so much fun of me I ran out the class room and my teacher all ways makes us sits across or same table and I am fed up I tell her all the time but she doesnt care she thinks it will help Ha I wish it would , when I go in to 6th grade I will probley the biggest one cause my school is very competive and every one is very petite and skinny yea Hopefully this yearw will be better thank you you are my hero

message me back please :]]

Hey Tyra I love your show you are so tight for reals!!!!! You help everyone that's so cool I wish I could see you in person!!!You are the best!!!!!

yea who cares what people say if I am fat or something like that people could say that that's true!!!!

HEY TYRA! I AM 17 YRS. OLD AND I USUALLY DONT WATCH T.V. TALK SHOWS BUT I WAS JUS FLIPPEN THRO THE CHANNELS AND HAPPEN TO WATCH YURS... TO TELL YU THE TRUTH, NO OFFENSE, I DIDNT LIKE YU BECAUSE I THOUGHT YU WERE JUST ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE MODELS WHOSE WAS JUS PUTTNG PLUS SIZED MODELS ON AMERICAS TOP MODEL JUS TO "BE NICE" AND I DIDNT KNO WHY THEY NEVER WON THO SINCE THEY WERE SOo BEUATIFUL. BUT SINCE I'VE BEEN WATCHING YUR SHOW I SEE THIS OTHER PERSON AND I LOVE WAT YUR DOIN ON THE SHOW YU ARE VERY INSPERATIONAL AND A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL FOR YOUNGER GURLS LIKE ME. YU DO DEAL WITH REAL ISSUES ND ALSO ISSUES THAT MAKE ME MORE AWARE OF THINGS NOW .ND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT NOT ONLY YUR A BEAUTIFUL WOMEN OUTSIDE BUT ALSO INSIDE.
♥MELODI

Hey tyra,
I LOVE ur show. I am 16 and inspired by everything u do. SO WHAT has inspired me so much because i am in high school and being on the bigger side isnt the easest thing to deal with. Some of my friends r on the big side like me and i am the one who says so what what we look like if they dont like us for what we look like then its there problem and i dont want to be friends with them anyways...So...i just wanted u to know that u inspire me and i hope i meet u someday...

First of all Tyra you're my idol. im about to be 15 on august 24. im a big island girl so of course i LOVE to eat. your "SO WAT" campaign has inspired me so much. im not comfortable in my own skin and some of my friends aren't too, but when i watched the "SO WAT" episode i could care less of what my body looks like. But im slowly learning how to eat healthy and exercise daily and to be happy with my own body instead of obsessing about how perfect other girls' bodies are. I LOVE YOU TYRA and you're such an inspiration to me.

First of all Tyra you're my idol. im about be 15 on august 24. the "SO WAT" campaign has inspired me so much. im not comfortable in my own skin and some of my friends arent to but when i watched the "SO WAT" episode i couldnt care less of what my body looked like. But im slowly learning how to eat healthy and exercise daily and to be happy with my own body instead of obsessing about how perfect other girls' bodies are. I LOVE YOU TYRA and you're such an inspiration to me.

Tyra,
Your "SO WHAT?!" campaign is so inspiring! I'm not totally comfortable in my body and I have friends that aren't comfortable in their bodies either, but I watched a couple of the "SO WHAT?!" shows and I realized that so what if I'm not perfect. I like to not be perfect because that's what makes me an individual. I told a couple friends about the show and they saw it too and were also inspired. It made me much more comfortable in my body although I'm still a little insecure. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration, Tyra!

Dear Tyra, I saw your "So What" video clip on your website and I immediately thought of my Beautiful wife! She is an amazing and inspiring Beautiful woman. So much has gone on in her life, from an abusive relationship to family problems to a teen pregnancy. She is now 22 years old and has been in the advertising news industry now for 3 years.She is a strong Woman who is an awesome Mom,a loving Wife and the Perfect match for myself.I love her with all of my heart and soul! The reason why I am writing about her now is that through all of the difficulties that life has thrown in her path she has overcome them with Class, Dignity and Character.Her strength, to me, is what "So What" is all about!If I could give her an award I would do so in an instant! All I can do is somewhat share with you all the incredible person and Woman that she has grown to be and to love her and show her everyday that I am Proud,Uplifted and Inspired every time I look at her. I love my wife and I want everyone to know that no matter what your everyday struggles are , no matter what you think, that no matter what, You have the strength inside of yourself to overcome it all--- no matter what! and this is what my wife has shown me.

HEY TRYA MY SO WHAT IS MOMMENT I HAD A DAUGHTER AND I HAVE THESE UGLY STRECTCH MARKS. SO WHAT THOSE ARE MY BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES OF PREGNANCY. SO WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey tyr