Tyra Banks on hunt for plus-sized models

Tyra has taken it upon herself to fight the existing bias against curvy women.

Los Angeles: Tyra Banks has taken it upon herself to fight the existing bias against curvy women in the fashion industry by announcing her first-ever plus-sized modelling competition for teenagers. Dubbed `Tyra`s Fiercely Real Teen Model Search`, the contest will hunt for curvy catwalk contenders aged between 13 and 19 years, reported People magazine.

"I`ve always felt it was my mission to expand the narrow perceptions of beauty. I challenge industry and universal standards by featuring and celebrating non-traditional beauty, and stressing that true beauty is both inside and out," the creator of shows like `America`s Next Top Model` and `Tyra`s Show` explained. "Plus-sized tends to have a negative connotation and I want young girls to realise that what`s considered plus-sized is the average American woman. That woman is healthy, fit and beautiful. Adolescence is such an impressionable time in a young woman`s life, and I hope this contest helps teen girls discover their own beauty from the inside out," said Banks. The former `Sports Illustrated` and `Victoria`s Secret` model had been ridiculed by tabloids earlier for gaining weight and had spoken out about it on camera. PTI