AceShowbiz - Tyra Banks reflected on her decision to leave modelling industry while cohosting the April 15 episode of "Today with Jenna & Friends." In a candid conversation, she admitted she regretted quitting her runway career.

"I was a model and I decided to walk away from the runway and magazines on my terms," she explained. "And it wasn't just about empowerment, it was fear."

Detailing the harsh realities of the modeling industry during her time, she noted, "Because in the modeling industry back in the day, they would kick you out at a certain stage. It was like, 'Goodbye.' "

Banks revealed that she had been offered a three-year contract with Victoria's Secret after a successful ten-year run with the brand. "They weren't age sensitive. They were loving the age and all of that, but I walked away because I was like, 'But y'all gonna kick me out in three years.' "

This fear, Banks acknowledged, prevented her from fully embracing a broader career potential.

The dialogue shifted to the broader issue of women's versatility in their careers. "Because really, I think, what you are saying is that women can do a million different things," Jenna Bush Hager highlighted, a point Banks wholeheartedly agreed with, but admitted she had struggled to grasp at the time.

Banks emphasized the importance of defying expectations and taking leaps of faith. "Just leap and keep going and defy what people are telling you. Now I am," she said.

Despite her stepping away from modeling in 2005, Banks' career did not stagnate; she went on to host and executive produce "America's Next Top Model" from 2003 to 2018, a show that sparked numerous controversies but also aimed to break new ground in the industry.

In a stunning return, Banks graced the runway at the 2024 Victoria's Secret fashion show, showcasing not just her modeling prowess but also her enduring influence in the fashion world.

Reflecting on her legacy at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, Banks said, "Did we get it right? Hell no. I said some dumb s***." However, she emphasized her pride in the show's impact, "But I refuse to have my legacy be about some stuff linked together on the Internet when there were 24 cycles of changing the world."

Tyra Banks continues to inspire by owning her journey, missteps, and all, while encouraging others to push past their fears and explore all their potentials.