Supermodel and entrepreneur Tyra Banks has officially relocated to Sydney, Australia, with her partner Louis Bélanger-Martin and their 9-year-old son, York Banks Asla. The move marks a significant shift for Banks, who has spent the past 18 months immersing herself in Australian culture while expanding her ice cream brand, SMiZE & DREAM.
A New Chapter Down Under for Tyra Banks
“We were coming here for business and fell in love with it,” Banks shared during an appearance on “Today with Jenna & Friends.” “Even before that, I came [at] 20 years old, promoting a movie called Higher Learning… and I couldn’t believe that I was coming here!”
Banks’ ice cream venture, SMiZE & DREAM, is set to open a 3,000-square-foot flagship store in Sydney’s Darling Harbour. She cited Australia’s high ice cream consumption as a key factor in choosing the location. “From a business perspective, I was like, ‘OK, we love it,’ but then also the biggest ice cream eaters are America, New Zealand, and Australia,” she explained.
The brand is a tribute to her mother, Carolyn, who inspired Banks’ love for ice cream. “It’s a love letter to my Mama,” she said, recalling their Friday visits to Haagen-Dazs to discuss dreams and aspirations.
Embracing Aussie Life
Adjusting to Australian culture has been both delightful and challenging for Banks. She expressed amusement at the local habit of adding ‘ie’ to words, noting, “I like that everything’s [got an ‘ie’ at the end].” Her son, however, pointed out that she sometimes overdoes it, jokingly calling water “waterie.”
Banks also highlighted the Australian work-life balance as a pleasant surprise. “You know what, it used to frustrate me but now I just lean into it and now I have more balance,” she admitted. “At first it was a culture shock… but at the same time I’m like ‘Oh this is a weekend? You’re not supposed to work on that?’”
The decision to move was further influenced by personal loss. Banks revealed that her Los Angeles home was destroyed in the recent wildfires. “It’s tough,” she said during an interview on Australia’s “Sunrise.” Fortunately, many cherished mementos were safe, having been stored in other residences in Australia and New York.
As she settles into her new life, Banks continues to explore opportunities in Australia. She has hinted at a possible return to television, stating that it would feel like home. “The people are so warm, so kind, so helpful,” she remarked, expressing gratitude for the community that has welcomed her family.