Tyra Banks' 4-year-old son can smize and celebrates body positivity

The supermodel and businesswoman shared details about Modelland.

February 24, 2020, 9:37 AM

It has been 20 years since supermodel, television personality, producer and mom Tyra Banks created "America's Next Top Model," and she said her son has already perfected her signature "smize."

"Oh he knows how to smize," she told "Good Morning America" about her 4-year-old son York Banks Asla.

The outspoken advocate for body-positivity explained that her son also already knows how to celebrate the full spectrum of body shapes and sizes.

"I'm teaching my son to love all body types," she said, adding that one of her slogans, "X out booty standards," has even become a part of his regular vocabulary.

"He's like, 'Mommy x out booty standards, mommy your booty is bigger and it's OK,'" Banks said.

The businesswoman also shared details about the new experiential attraction ModelLand, a venture that she said will help "bust open the door" for everyone to have an opportunity to feel beautiful.

"'America's Next Top Model' is in 180 countries, it is one of the longest running reality shows in history, but I feel like I've only given so many people that opportunity," she explained of the show that has given new exposure and growth to hundreds of male and female models. "It's time to bust open that door and give everyone that opportunity to feel beautiful and push so much self-love into their spirit."

"I created ModelLand as a place you can come and live the ultimate modeling fantasy," she explained.

Banks said the attraction, located in Santa Monica, California, was 12 years in the making and is set to open this spring.

"You can do the fanta-scene, which is like the fanciest spa you've ever gone to, except instead of a massage you get couture hair, makeup, styling, photos to take home -- everybody who comes gets a look book," Banks said.

Her goal is to give everyone who walks into ModelLand the full supermodel experience from fashion shows and photo shoots to shopping and more.