Long before Tyra Banks became the host of the wildly popular America’s Next Top Model, she was earning her stripes on runways across the world. But behind the glitz and glamour, Banks says she had a hard time working alongside fellow supermodel Naomi Campbell. During a sit down on the Norwegian-Swedish talk show Skavlan, Banks discusses her apprehension towards Campbell and partially blames the fashion industry for pitting them against one another.
“The industry was saying, ‘Oh, look out, Naomi Campbell, here comes Tyra Banks! So Naomi Campbell, sit your butt down. This younger one is coming to take your place, ” Banks said.
Banks, 42, says she understands why Campbell reacted the way she did, and noted that when Kate Moss appeared on the fashion scene, fashion houses didn’t put her against Christy Turlington. Yet, despite understanding Campbell’s position, the new mom says she’s still “very scared” of the English model.
“It wasn’t fair to Naomi,” Banks said. “To this day, I’m very scared of her. I don’t want to go too deep into the past, but it was very difficult-like some of the lowest times in my life — dealing with that. I don’t condone her actions and her response, but I understand where it comes from because the world is saying, ‘You’re not going to have your spot. We’re going to take your money, we’re going to take your fame. Go sit down, there’s somebody else.'”