Baby Got Phat

Tyra Banks has still got it...and then some.  As the first black supermodel to appear solo on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition ten years ago, Tyra caused a stir by posing in a teensy red polka dot bikini.  Now, ten years later, Tyra is recreating that image for Sports Illustrated, but in a slightly expanded number. 

Amid the recent flap over the twenty to thirty pounds the talk show host has gained since she gave up professional modeling, Tyra is baring almost all to celebrate the milestone that she achieved back in 1997.  The beauty says that she’s still a healthy weight, hitting the scales at 161 pounds (we guess that the model’s habit of always knowing your weight to the exact pound is hard to lose). 

Tyra admits that when she first put on her old swimsuit, it didn’t quite fit the way it used to.  She says, “They covered the sides of my chest so that it wasn't so much hangin' out. And they put some extenders on the sides of the bikini bottom so it fit.” 

Just last month, however, Tyra wasn’t looking quite so sexy in her swimwear.  Unflattering pics popped up on the internet showing the America’s Next Top Model host sporting a one-piece number that made her look more like Miss J than Miss Tyra.

We love the cover girl at any size, though, and applaud her for having the nerve to wear an itsy bitsy polka dot bikini, no matter what had to be done to it.