For over three decades, Tyra Banks has been a permanent fixture in the global cultural zeitgeist.
Whether she was shattering barriers as the first Black woman on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue or revolutionizing reality television with America’s Next Top Model, Banks has always been a master of the “pivot.”
However, as of today, the supermodel-turned-mogul has embarked on her most surprising chapter yet: a quiet, high-society life in Sydney, Australia, where she has traded the catwalk for the world of gourmet confectionery.
The Great Migration: What Has Happened to Tyra Banks?
Fans who have been wondering where the “Queen of Smize” has disappeared to need look no further than the Southern Hemisphere.
Following the 2025 Palisades Fire, which tragically decimated her longtime Los Angeles residence, Tyra made the bold decision to relocate permanently to Sydney, Australia.
Far from retiring into obscurity, Banks is currently at the helm of her global business empire, specifically her boutique ice cream brand, SMiZE & DREAM.
Since opening her flagship parlor in Sydney, she has become a viral sensation in the local business world—not for modeling, but for pioneering “hot ice cream,” a warm, sippable dessert that has sparked intense debate among food critics.
Between her “internship” at major Australian media outlets and her guest appearances on Today with Jenna & Friends, Tyra is currently redefining what it means to be a “business mogul”.
The Joy of Motherhood: Does Tyra Banks Have a Child?
Beyond the flashing bulbs of the paparazzi, Tyra’s most cherished role is that of a mother. Yes, Tyra Banks has one child, a son named York Banks Asla, born in January 2016.
York’s arrival was the culmination of a deeply personal and emotional journey.
After being candid about her struggles with fertility and undergoing several traumatic rounds of IVF, Tyra and her former partner, Norwegian photographer Erik Asla, welcomed York via gestational surrogate.
Now 10 years old, York is reportedly a multilingual “mini-me” who speaks English, Spanish, Norwegian, and French.
While Tyra keeps him largely out of the spotlight to protect his privacy, she recently shared that he is finally starting to understand his mother’s legendary status, even playfully asking her, “Mommy, is this a model face?”.
A Private Romance: Is Tyra Banks in a Relationship Now?
While her professional life is often loud and vibrant, Tyra has mastered the art of “quiet luxury” in her romantic life. Currently, Tyra Banks remains in a long-term relationship with Louis Bélanger-Martin.
The couple, who have been an item since 2019, are currently living together in Australia.
Bélanger-Martin, a high-level Canadian businessman and entrepreneur, has been a supportive fixture in her life, even holding a strategic position within her ice cream company.
Despite engagement rumors that occasionally swirl in the tabloids, the pair prefers to keep their bond private, focusing on their shared life in Sydney rather than red-carpet appearances.
Tyra has famously described him as her “best goldfish,” a reference to her dating philosophy of “throwing the net” to find the perfect partner.
The Original Retirement: Why Did Tyra Banks Quit Modeling?
To understand Tyra’s current business focus, one must look back at her original departure from the runway.
Tyra famously “quit” professional modeling in 2005 at the age of 32, while she was still at the absolute pinnacle of her career.
Her decision was both strategic and symbolic. She revealed in various retrospectives, including the 2026 Netflix docuseries Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, that she wanted to “go out on top” rather than wait for the industry to phase her out. More importantly, she felt a calling to empower other women through media.
By retiring from the runway, she was able to launch The Tyra Banks Show and America’s Next Top Model, effectively transitioning from a “face” to a “voice”. This move set the blueprint for the “model-turned-mogul” career path that she continues to walk today.