Tyra Banks Slams Modelling Industry On Instagram

"I'm sending love and hugs to all." Tyra Banks has taken to Instagram this week to slam the modelling industry for putting too much pressure on models. The America's Next Top Model host shared a throwback picture of herself alongside a post about how much the industry has changed since she first started out. Tyra hit out at the industry for heaping pressure on models to be “slimmer than slim, skinner than skinny” and compete with celebrities from other industries.

Models have so much pressure today. They have to look good on AND off the set. They have to arrive backstage at fashion shows looking and dressed as if they are already ON a runway. They have to be slimmer than slim. Skinnier than skinny. They have to compete with actresses, recording artists and reality stars for magazine covers and ad campaigns. They have to have tons of followers on social media to book top notch jobs. And they have to do selfies that make them look relatable, but not TOO relatable, because then people may comment that they don't understand, "Why the heck is THAT girl a friggin' model??!!!!" When I was a young model, yeah, we had to think about our weight, but not like today. I think I was size 6, not a size 0. And backstage at fashion shows, I looked like this photo you're looking at. Yep, that's teenaged me right before a YSL show was about to start in sneakers, plaid flannel and bad jeans. Mr. Yves Saint Laurent could care how I looked when I arrived to his show. But when I hit his stage, he expected excellence. And I made sure I delivered that every time I was chosen to walk his amazing runway. I'm sending love and hugs to all working, aspiring and super models worldwide. You all have lots to live up to. And I'm here cheering for you every single day. Stay strong girls. #throwbackthursday #throwbackTyTy

A photo posted by Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) on Jun 25, 2015 at 10:23am PDT

“They have to have tons of followers on social media to book top notch jobs,” she wrote. “And they have to do selfies that make them look relatable, but not TOO relatable, because then people may comment that they don’t understand, ‘Why the heck is THAT girl friggin’ model??!!! [sic]." She made the comments on Instagram. "I'm sending love and hugs to all working, aspiring and super models worldwide," she added. "You all have lots to live up to. “And I’m here cheering for you every single day. Stay strong girls.”