Baby Banks is in the building!
Tyra Banks' journey to becoming a mom wasn't the easiest, but we're soo glad that she finally found happiness. The 42-year-old model, mogul and now new mommy took to her Instagram to share this picture of baby Banks while celebrating her first Mother's Day.
We were super ecstatic when the news broke a few months ago and she confirmed that her and her partner, Norwegian photographer Erik Asla, are parents!
@tyrabanks: "The best present we worked and prayed so hard for is finally here. He's got my fingers and big eyes and his daddy Erik's mouth and chin. As we thank the angel of a woman that carried our miracle baby boy for us, we pray for everyone who struggles to reach this joyous milestone. York Banks Asla, welcome to the world.""
Tyra, who admitted last year that she'd been struggling with conceiving a child, went on to further detail regarding her miracle baby and "light":
“We are so excited for our new baby boy bundle of joy. The journey to now has not been an easy process, as I’ve shared before. But there was a beautiful bright light at the end of the tunnel for me and his father, Erik. As I gaze into the beautiful eyes of my son, I think about all the people who struggle with fertility or carrying a child and continue to pray for them every day. My hopes and dreams are filled with well wishes that they get to feel what my little treasure, York Banks Asla, feels like in my arms.”Tyra and Boyfriend Erik Asla via Instagram
News of Tyra's pregnancy came just a few months after the new-mom broke down on her show The Fab Life. When the topic of pregnancy came up, Ty-ty had a very painful and personal moment when she admitted that being without child had been taunting her more than people realized:
"I am so tired of seeing on my social media, ‘Why don’t you have kids?. Why don’t you have kids?’ You don’t know. You don’t know what I’m going through. When I was 23-years-old, I used to tell myself, ‘In three years I’m gonna have kids,. Then I turned 24. ‘In three years I’m gonna have kids.’ Then just every single year I kept saying that. And then, after a while it’s like, ‘OK, now I want to-and it’s not so easy.'” (breaks down crying).“It’s crazy, A woman that is divorced three times is more normal than a woman that hasn’t been married.”
Shortly after the episode, Tyra's former co-star, model and host Chrissy Teigen, who admitted she and husband John Legend had sought out fertility treatments, announced she was finally pregnant. So conrgats to both ladies on their bundle (and pending bundle) of joy!
As any mom would tell you, motherhood is a journey. And with any journey, the routes may be different but the destination is still one and the same. I am happy for Tyra having her "mom"ent that she has so dreamed of since her 20's. Whether it is traditional birthing, adoption or surrogacy, a mother is a mother and the love is one in the same.
[easy-tweet tweet="The routes may be different but the destination is still one and the same"]
Back in 2013, Shonda Rhimes (who is the mother of three girls - two adopted) opened up about her decision to choose surrogacy the third time around. The 46-year-old TV producer and writer, who admitted to Oprah once that she always saw her self having children, just not ever carrying one, opened up about the experience with having a surrogate parent:
"I didn’t adopt this time.... I had my baby via gestational surrogacy. Yes. You heard me. An incredibly awesome woman gave me the incredibly awesome gift of carrying my baby for me. It was equally as incredible as the experience of adoption. Different but still just as special and as wonderful as adoption.Anyway, I don’t actually think it matters HOW a child comes into your family. Bio, not bio, infant adoption, older child adoption, c-section, surrogacy, egg donor, sperm donor, embryo adoption, whatever…children are amazing. They are a gift. We shouldn’t be worrying about HOW they got here. I don’t worry about it. I just do the best I can to be a really great mother so they won’t write tell-all books about me later."
Congrats to Tyra! And all good mothers around the world. You run it!
RELATED
The essence of effortless poise and refinement shines bright through the iconic university colors of indigo blue, red, and white. Every October, Howard University students, alumni, staff, and friends gather on the prestigious campus in Washington, D.C. to take part in time-honored traditions and events, which is Homecoming. This year's theme, “The Meccaverse,” was a week-long celebration of Howard University’s heritage, including the Homecoming football game and Bison Pep Rally, the Fashion Show, Greek Life Step Show, Homecoming Day of Service, Lavender Reception, and the iconic Yard Fest Concert.
As 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the Howard Bison trek back to The Mecca and after two years of virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was to be a celebration of a lifetime. We enlisted HU alumnus Sharmaine Harris, a luxury retail buyer, as she revisited her alma mater as eyes on the yard for fashion-forward outfits mixed with personal style and campus pride for the weeklong celebration.
Before we get to the looks, discover how attending Howard University impacted her career in fashion and her day-to-day style:
Credit: Sharmaine and Friends
xoNecole: Describe your personal style. Did attending Howard have any impact on developing it?
Sharmaine: Howard taught me that there’s no such thing as being TOO dressed. There’s always a reason to “put it on” and look presentable, even if it’s just for a day of classes. Standing out was celebrated and encouraged with my peers embracing the opportunity, giving me the confidence to try new styles and trends.
xoNecole: How did Howard shape your career as a luxury buyer?
Sharmaine: I studied Fashion Merchandising, through which I was fortunate to have professors who were very connected to the industry and able to give first-hand accounts of opportunities and what to expect post-college. I was also able to build a network through my peers and other Howard Alum, which has opened doors to endless possibilities both within fashion as well as daily life.
The same confidence instilled in me through my style has also been rooted deeply within me as I step into any role or project I’m faced with throughout my career.
xoNecole: This year marked Howard’s 100th-anniversary Homecoming celebration. Can you describe what the weekend looked and felt like?
Sharmaine: I’ve gone to many Howard Homecomings since graduating, but this year’s 100th anniversary felt like a huge family reunion filled with nothing but love. It was beautiful to see so many Bison return home looking great and radiating joy. It was beautiful!
xoNecole: What makes Howard fashion different from other HBCUs?
Sharmaine: Being that Howard is The Mecca, we have such a diverse population with each individual having their own spin on fashion. Getting dressed is second nature for us, but the layered confidence is our secret ingredient to make any look come together. Through that comfortability to push barriers, we have a legacy of setting trends, as indicated by the many alumni we have in the fashion and entertainment industry.
Keep scrolling for the top street style moments from The Mecca's Homecoming weekend:
Credit: Lacey Gallagher
Credit: Alan Henderson
Credit: JaLynn Davis
Credit: Dylan Davis
Credit: Caleb Smith
Credit: Kendall W.
Credit: Jordyn Finney
Credit: Vanessa Nneoma
Credit: Dr. Mariah Sankey-Thomas
Credit: Caleb MacBruce
Credit: Tiffany Battle
Credit: Teniola
Credit: Ilahi Creary
Credit: Nicolas Ryan Grant
Credit: Dylan Davis
Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
Featured image courtesy of Sharmaine Harris
