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- Why she refuses to revisit the Palisades property
- New life in Sydney and family details
- Her holiday single and musical ambitions
- How she connects the song to her TV legacy
- Past controversies: legacy of America’s Next Top Model
- Smize & Dream: an ice cream shop and viral recipe
- Upcoming appearances and seasonal plans
Tyra Banks has not returned to the site of the home she lost in the Palisades wildfire. The actress, model and TV creator says the place still exists in her mind, even though the house is gone. She now splits her time between Sydney and public life, where she is promoting a new holiday single and running a small business.
Why she refuses to revisit the Palisades property
Banks confirmed the destruction of her Los Angeles property nearly a year after the blazes. The estimated value of the home was roughly $7 million. She says she has not been able to confront the physical loss.
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She describes the site as preserved in memory, not in reality. Barriers, permits and emotions have kept her away.
When the fires struck, Banks was overseas. She and her family were in Australia. They learned of the damage from afar. At the time, she said the moment felt surreal and painful.
New life in Sydney and family details
Banks relocated to Australia in 2023. She moved with her partner, Louis Bélanger‑Martin, and her son, York.
- York is nine and from Banks’ prior relationship with photographer Erik Asla.
- Banks has made Sydney home for work and family life.
- She balances moments of grief with new projects and community ties.
Her holiday single and musical ambitions
Banks released a Christmas track titled “Santa SMiZE, Santa SMiZE.” The song is available on major streaming platforms.
She has playfully positioned the record as a festive follow-up to pop standards. Banks praised Mariah Carey as the reigning holiday icon and said her own song hopes to live on in listeners’ ears.
She called her tune upbeat and true to her personality. Banks also framed the title as a nod to a signature catchphrase from her tenure on America’s Next Top Model.
How she connects the song to her TV legacy
The word “smize” grew from Banks’ coaching on camera presence. It has become part of her public persona.
She now ties that image to seasonal fun, blending nostalgia with pop sensibility. The music video and live moments are planned to boost the single.
Past controversies: legacy of America’s Next Top Model
As Gen Z rewatchers reassess older episodes, questions about the show’s choices have resurfaced. One widely discussed scene involved contestants having darker makeup applied for a themed shoot.
Critics have also raised concerns about comments made to contestants. Banks acknowledges contemporary viewers may judge past actions differently than audiences once did.
She suggests that cultural standards evolve and that some decisions of the past reflected a different moment in time. Social media, she says, magnifies those reassessments.
Her response to criticism in public
- She points out context matters when evaluating older TV moments.
- She accepts that mistakes can be part of growth.
- She remains open to conversation about how the industry must change.
Smize & Dream: an ice cream shop and viral recipe
In June, Banks opened Smize & Dream in Sydney. The shop honors family memories and her youthful days in Hollywood.
One item drew viral attention: a so‑called hot ice cream. The custard-like treat sparked TikTok curiosity with fans asking how it works.
Banks plans to share that recipe during appearances in New York this month. She will bring the treat and her music to an immersive arts space in Manhattan.
Upcoming appearances and seasonal plans
Banks has scheduled several promotional events tied to her new single and culinary novelty.
- Premiere of the music video and hot‑ice cream demo at an arts venue in Chelsea Market on Dec. 10.
- A live performance during SantaCon on Dec. 13 at a downtown Manhattan venue.
- Ongoing promotion across streaming platforms and social channels.
She intends to blend performance, food and fan interaction during the holiday run. These appearances aim to reconnect her with both longtime supporters and new audiences.
