WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Supermodel and TV personality Tyra Banks, 51, is no stranger to turning heads at Fashion Week, but this time, it wasn’t for the right reasons. Tyra attended the Balenciaga Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 show at Paris Fashion Week on March 9, 2025, and while she’s an industry icon, her makeup and hair missteps became the talk of social media. Tyra has built an entire career on flawless beauty, confidence, and style, so it was surprising to see her step out at one of the biggest fashion events of the year looking less than polished. Fans and fashion insiders were quick to critique her overdone, mismatched makeup, which appeared to be several shades too light for her skin tone. The harsh contrast washed her out under the bright lights and made her complexion look ashy and unnatural—a rare misstep for someone who has spent decades in the beauty industry. Adding to the controversy was her wig, which was poorly attached with a visible, lifting lace front, giving it an amateur and unblended appearance. Given her experience with high fashion and television, many were left wondering: How did this happen? As expected, Twitter and Instagram erupted with commentary on Tyra’s unexpected beauty blunder. While some fans came to her defense, others weren’t as forgiving: “Tyra Banks, the queen of ‘smizing,’ just gave us a lesson on how NOT to do makeup at Fashion Week. What happened, sis?” “I know Tyra didn’t have us watching ‘America’s Next Top Model’ all these years just to show up looking like this. The lace! The foundation! Noooo!” “Her wig is giving ‘buy one, get one free’ and her makeup artist must have been colorblind. We need answers.” Even though Tyra hasn’t responded to the backlash, the criticism raises questions about who was responsible for her glam team that night and why such an experienced fashion icon would appear so unprepared for a major industry event. To put this moment into perspective, it’s important to remember just how influential Tyra Banks has been in the world of fashion and entertainment. She made history as the first Black woman to grace the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, breaking barriers in the modeling industry. She later became a runway staple for Victoria’s Secret and major fashion houses before pivoting into television with her wildly successful show, America’s Next Top Model, where she taught aspiring models how to perfect their walk, their poses, and of course, their smize. Over the years, Tyra has built a beauty empire, launching makeup lines, hosting talk shows, and cementing herself as a multi-talented mogul. That’s exactly why this Paris Fashion Week misstep has caught people off guard—this is not the Tyra Banks fans are used to seeing. There are a few possible explanations for what led to this unexpected fashion fail. Some speculate it could have been: While Tyra has had iconic fashion moments for decades, this one will likely go down as one of her most talked-about misfires. The internet can be ruthless, but fashion is all about reinvention. Tyra has been a trailblazer for over three decades, and one bad beauty moment isn’t going to erase her legacy. If we know anything about Tyra, it’s that she’s a master of turning criticism into a teachable moment. Whether she laughs it off, addresses it with her signature humor, or steps out at her next event looking flawless, she’ll find a way to remind everyone why she’s still a legend in the game. One thing’s for sure—all eyes will be on her next fashion appearance, waiting for a major redemption moment. A Rare Beauty Blunder
Social Media Reacts—And It’s Not Pretty
Tyra Banks: A Fashion & Beauty Pioneer
What Went Wrong?
Can Tyra Bounce Back? Absolutely.
Tyra Banks, 51, Fashion Week Makeup Fail: Social Media Reacts
