Photo Credit:Getty Images
Supermodel and businesswoman Tyra Banks recently revealed her decision to relocate to Sydney, Australia with partner Louis Bélanger-Martin and 9-year-old son York Banks Asla. The 51-year-old opened up about this significant life change during her April 14 guest co-hosting appearance on "Today with Jenna & Friends."
"I have this ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream," Banks explained to host Jenna Bush Hager. "I've been going to Australia a lot because we were making our ice cream there in this big facility, doing our recipes." The entrepreneur shared how these business trips sparked an unexpected love affair with the country.
Her decision was cemented by a practical business consideration. "The three countries that eat the most ice cream: America, New Zealand and Australia," Banks noted. "I'm happy here and they love to eat some ice cream, so, are we going to do this family? And we did."
This Australian chapter represents a positive turn after recent hardship. During a January appearance on an Australian morning show, Banks tearfully revealed the loss of her Pacific Palisades home in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires that began January 7, 2025.
"I lost my house. I haven't really talked about it," Banks admitted on the program. "I just didn't want to pull a lot of attention to me. I feel like there's a lot of people that need that attention."
The model's Sydney move coincides with preparations to open a "3,000-square-foot flagship store" for SMiZE and Dream in March at Darling Harbour. The business venture holds special significance for Banks, who describes it as "a tribute to my mama Carolyn."
Banks offered viewers a glimpse into her Australian lifestyle, showcasing her morning routine and favorite Sydney locations. "This is Tumbalong Park. People come from all over Sydney to enjoy this park," she explained while touring the recreational area where she frequently brings her son.
Her Sydney tour highlighted the iconic Opera House, which has become part of her family's regular entertainment. "Being in Australia, I actually go see live shows at the Opera House. It's just like a normal thing for us to do," she shared.
The waterfront lifestyle appears central to Banks' Sydney experience. "Now the best parts of Sydney are the views, and we get to commute by ferry," she explained while cruising Sydney Harbour.
Despite the recent loss of her California home, Banks appears to be embracing this new chapter with optimism. "Australia has been a dream come true for me and my family," she concluded, reinforcing her May 2024 revelation to PEOPLE magazine that she had already been living and working in Australia with Bélanger-Martin for some time.