The Tyra Banks Show

Monday's Show: Teens Pressed for Perfection

2009-11-20T22:48:21Z

How far will these teens go for perfection? Tyra speaks to several teens who are feeling intense pressure to reach impossible goals of perfection. One young woman takes hours to get ready every morning because of a fear of...

It's Getting Hairy on the Tyra Show

2009-11-20T21:59:49Z

There's been no shortage of strands this season! The Tyra Show has been talking hair all season and we want to keep on going. Only now, you've heard from us and we want to hear from you! You tell...

Friday's Show: Tyra's "Fake Hair Academy"! Plus, Social Networking Safety Tips

2009-11-20T19:40:05Z

Just because Tyra is keeping it real this season doesn't mean we can't have fun with the fake! Admitted "fake hair" user Meghan McCain pays a visit as Tyra dishes about all things weave. Later, get an important lesson...

Mystery Date: Tales from a Dating Diva in Disguise

2009-11-20T19:26:33Z

Once upon a time, I was in love and was the world's greatest girlfriend to the biggest chump on the face of the planet.

Of course, I couldn't see this at first as my brain had turned to mush and my judgment was impaired, however, it all became apparent to me when I was trying to move out of my dad's apartment to start a life with said chump.

I had gotten my first "grown-up" job and was looking to get a one-bedroom apartment with chump in Manhattan. Unfortunately (or fortunately), he wasn't down to become an adult with me... and all the horrible things about him surfaced.

He was lazy, immature, mean, inconsiderate, insecure and every other in- and un- in the book.

The red glasses I wear -- that have become my signature specs -- were no longer rose-tinted, and I was able to clearly see that this guy was a complete waste of my time, energy, money and heartache. The breaking point came one night after a huge blowout over the phone.

With the support of my family and friends, I was able to walk away from this parasite with a penis. It wasn't easy, but I knew it was for the best. I deserved better, etc. I tried reassuring myself with all those break-up clichés and focused on the future. When I was ready, I got back into the dating jungle and dealt with some failures and reveled in my triumphs.

Which brings me here, to you dears, with a mission -- one that might bring you back from the brink of dating insanity, or might just give you another imperfect (because aren't we all) shoulder to cry on. I'm the mystery blogger known as "The Girl with the Red Glasses," and I'm here to help you see things a bit more clearly.

After meeting certain guys and finding myself in the most awkward situations, I actually wondered if I were living in a "Candid Camera"/"Truman Show" type of existence where this was all a big joke and my life was simply for everyone's viewing pleasure.

So I decided to write about it.

I want to express my cynical single self, while staying in touch with the dreamy romance seeker part of me. I need to laugh off the catastrophes and not completely lose faith in the male gender as a whole. Now that others may be reading my blog, it brings me joy to spread my words of semi-wisdom and share my misadventures with my fellow single gals.

Love is such a pain in the ass, and it broke me, but it's something I live for and still believe is out there waiting for me.

See you out there,
The Girl in the Red Glasses

Our Perfect Pick for the Holidays -- Luxury Chenille!

2009-11-20T19:25:16Z

It's that time of year again... holiday shopping is upon us! We'll soon find ourselves in a never ending sea of shopping lists, wrapping paper and tinsel - oh, the tinsel! Even though all your loved ones will inevitably...

FREE STUFF: Bryna Nicole Clutch

2009-11-20T19:13:33Z

Tyra Staff

Are You a Secret Spiller?

2009-11-19T22:34:16Z

Tyra Staff

What If They Had a Secret Past...

2009-11-19T22:32:59Z

What if you were dating someone for awhile, things were going great... when something suddenly changed? What if they revealed something about their past that entirely flipped the script? What if they had a big secret? Take a look...

Al B: Facing Fear

2009-11-19T22:31:53Z

"When I dare to be powerful -- to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid."

Recently a friend of mine tweeted that quote by Audre Lorde and it struck me immediately. It reminded me of breakthrough moments in my professional life and when I competed in sports when -- I achieved more than I originally thought possible.

If there is one thing that competing in and coaching sports has taught me it is that we are sometimes far more capable than we allow ourselves to think; that there are times when we accomplish more because we are pushed by some outside force -- coaches, competition, or circumstance - and we recognize the myth of our own limits.

So what is it that blocks us -- that keeps us from realizing all that we have within?

Fear.

It's fear that grips us, controls us, keeps us in our safe yet ever so restrictive confines. What then provokes our fears and prevents us from pushing ourselves?

Failure? Yes, many of us are afraid of falling on our faces, being ridiculed and embarrassed if we come up short -- so much so, that many times we don't even enter the race, take the test or apply for the position.

Success? As crazy as it may seem to some, people can often be afraid of success. The increased pressure, expectations and overall demands become so intimidating we resort to half-hearted efforts that thinly cloak self-sabotage in order to maintain mediocrity.

We do just enough to get by, keep our heads down and say we are happy in the no-man's-land of the mundane.

Whether it's failure, success or maybe time (or the lack thereof...) it's really just a fear of the unknown. So we push it to the limit, but rarely past it, afraid of what awaits us. Who puts those limits there? Who says that there has to be limits in the first place? It does not matter if they have been put in place by others or ourselves -- they are merely artificial barriers that can be easily removed when we use our "strength in the service of (our) vision."

To me, that is what's so great about Ms. Lorde's quote. It's not that she removes fear, but she moves forward in spite of it. And the more she focuses her energy on her vision, on her purpose -- the more her fear fails to matter and while ever-present, it does not predominate and is, therefore, conquered.

This is not just about fear in your career, but also about what's burning inside you, seeking to break free in order to shine on the world. Do you know your vision, your purpose, your calling? What is/are your fear(s)? How have they held you back? Will you, today "dare to be powerful?"

In hopes that you will accept the challenge, I leave you with a quote by Marianne Williamson (Our Deepest Fear) used in the fantastic film Akeelah and the Bee:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others..."

Can You Keep a Secret?

2009-11-19T20:47:36Z

Can they learn to keep their lips zipped?! Tyra investigates why over 50% of women claim to have a hard time keeping secrets. First, we'll meet a group of besties who all point the finger at one friend for...

FREE STUFF! Pallie Bags Marie Clutch

2009-11-19T19:08:50Z

Tyra Staff

One More Shortie Gets a Shout-Out!

2009-11-18T20:34:57Z

Who doesn't love a little Sundai?!

Miss Sundai made it so close to the top, and even though she didn't make it to the final four, we still love her. We'd like to give a shout-out to the shortest shortie of Cycle 13, so check out a little more with Sundai!

It's Time to Pick Your 'ANTM' Cycle 13 Fan Favorite!

2009-11-18T19:32:36Z

Let's hear it for the shorties! This season on "America's Next Top Model," Tyra broke down even more barriers by casting only models 5'7" and under. But first, Tyra addresses the controversial photo shoot that has everyone talking --...

The Outlook's Good for HauteLook!

2009-11-18T18:09:32Z

Shoppers, start your engines. HauteLook is THE spot for getting killer clothes on the cheapy cheap. And we're teaming up to bring you one wicked win. Click here to enter to win a $1,000 shopping spree and get ready...