It’s not often that we see Tyra Banks in the headlines these days, but that’s exactly what’s happened thanks to a now-viral video. And believe us when we tell you, it’s equal parts bizarre and concerning.
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You see, over the weekend, Banks hosted a “Santa SMiZE Posing Party” pop-up in Sydney in an effort to promote her new song “Santa SMiZE, Santa SMiZE” and her “SMiZE Cream” ice cream brand. If the news of Banks having an ice cream brand is coming out of left field, let us assure you that it isn’t. The “America’s Next Top Model” host teased the new venture all the way back in 2019 and has been making moves to get it out in front of the masses ever since.
Now, it looks like she’s doing just that and is looking to expand the brand’s reach by hosting a Christmas themed event in Australia. And while that in and of itself sounds all fine and dandy, where she had folks messed up at was during her performance of her new song and the “ad-libs” and antics she portrayed while doing so.
Donning a yellow wig and matching Santa Claus hat, Banks went on to sing her new song while tying in themes and storytelling related to Santa stealing cookies and her ice cream. But the ordeal was just…weird. And unfortunately for Banks, it left both folks in the crowd and viewers who watched the clip after the fact screaming “ho-ho-hold up” and curious as to whether or not she was OK.
“You know when Santa Claus tell you, that he gon come down yo chimney and he want you to leave some cookies and cream all on that thang for him to eat? Do you know what he doing? Chile, he ain’t biting that cookie! Santa SMiZE, Santa SMiZE,” she can be heard saying in part while drag queens, a DJ, and onlookers stared in confusion.
In another clip, Banks could be heard freestyling about Santa Claus and joking that there was a “gay man” trapped inside her and that she was a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
As you might expect, the comments section let her have it.
“We need Wendy Williams ASAP,” wrote one user on TikTok.
“me at the work christmas party 5 drinks in,” joked another.
“Is she cosplaying drag queens?” another user questioned.
“She going broke or something? What’s happening?” one other person asked.
Over on X/Twitter, the sentiments were more of the same.
“I think Tyra banks is losing it bc what even was that…..”one person asked.
“The HELL she got going on???” said one user.
Added another: “Why is she talking like a 1930 mammy.”
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