TYRA IN HARPER’S BAZAAR AS MICHELLE OBAMA
Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Supermodel and talk-show hostess Tyra Banks portrays Michelle Obama in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
In the issue, available Aug. 19, Banks recalls her reaction to Sen. Barack Obama winning the Democratic presidential nomination.
“When Barack won the nomination, I just started bawling. So what gives me tears is if Barack Obama wins, kids are going to say that a black man can be president too. I think it will give so many people — black, Latin, Asian, even white people that feel forgotten — hope. I did not think I would see it in my lifetime, and I’m only 34.
With Barack Obama, his becoming president is them becoming president because Michelle was there from the beginning,” Banks continues. “Without Michelle, he wouldn’t be there.”
Read more at Harper’s Bazaar and check out the behind the scenes video of the cover shoot.








101 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: [1] 2 » Show All
1.
LdyK
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
good for tyra to dream…but mrs. obama is never this paparazzi friendly!
2.
BUBU
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
must be nice!!!
3.
LdyK
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
First Bitches….
I think Michelle would be at a lost for words…NOT in a good way.
4.
benny
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
tyra is dumb as hell she be gettin on my nerves nd dhat guy dnt even look lke barack
5.
Dame(I Put On)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Can we please stop the madness that is Tyra.
6.
8baller
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
I get what they were going for but I have never seen Michelle that damn jolly in front of press.
And they could have found an older guy to be Obama.
7.
GreatestLoveOfAll
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Um riiiiiiiiiiiight I appreciate the message behind this photoshoot but jeez how high was she or the whoever it was to even conceive this?? I admire Tyra’s hard work and drive, but she can be a real oddball sometimes. Honestly I find this whole thing pretty funny, in a weird way.
8.
Nic
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
My best friend is so innovative
I love Tyra
I love Michelle
And I love this photoshoot
So haters can FALL BACK =]
9.
SHANNONNNON
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
wow
10.
Tonia
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Tyra has enough star quality to “brand” herself for her own accomplishments and not the accomplishments of others. I think people are starting to get tired of her because she is trying too hard to be “EVERY BLACK WOMAN” when she really needs to just be herself.
11.
bassackwards
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
I like it
12.
KIIDSWiiPER
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
lol aww
13.
BASS MAN
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Lawd hammersy.
14.
Benjamin
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
There goes Tyra, looking white as ever, just as usual. Especially compared to those children in the photograph-no corellation to them what-so-ever. This is nothing Michelle Obama-esqe, in my opinion. It’s just tyra trying to prove she still got it.
15.
Emerald
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
What a nice way for Tyra to Support Michelle and Barack Obama
but I must admit i when i first saw i thought it was alittle Weird
But still very nice for her to do!
16.
OyVey!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
I-N-T-E-R-E-S-T-I-N-G…!
17.
Toot
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
This doesn’t make any sense to me. They should’ve dressed Tyra as John McCain — Make her earn her Top Model Chops since she makes the contestants on her show do all that crazy shat (dressing like men, mermaids, etc.).
18.
DIVA 3.0
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Umm. This is just plain silly to me. What was the point of this? Folks are getting way ahead of themselves too. The election is still going on!
19.
Shana
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Tyra needs to just stop!
20.
GreatestLoveOfAll
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Well she’s original, I’ll give her that. Matter of fact she sort of breaks away from the whole ‘dumb model’ myth, as shes definitely got personality and charisma.
21.
ReBeL
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
I thought she retired modeling?
Anyway the pics came out nice… And I think Michelle is a very beautiful woman… No matter what everyone else says.
22.
PEEPLPAYATTENSHUN
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
THIS CHICK IS SO EXTRA…WIG GAME NOT PROPER!
LOOKS LIKE AN INTERESTING SPREAD
& LUV THE USE OF THEM DAAARK BABIES!!!
23.
bcc
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Michelle looks better in the purple dress!
24.
Ummm
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Cute
25.
Ummm
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
And @ 17, she retired runway, not modeling
26.
Greg_Arious
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
EPIC FAIL!!!
27.
tee tee
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
This is a bit WEIRD!… WHY couldn’t they just get Michele herself to do this??…
AND OMG they coulda got some better kids too
28.
hmm...
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
I dont know if these pics will help, after the first pic the pics went sour. Dont know if the kid should be under the desk… it really suggest things but im not going to further that thought. trya should have waited after the final election for this some may see this image of black kids in the white house and cringe since the thought is already overwhelming for them. this pic may cause damage!
29.
taynae
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
FINALLY!!! tyra is doing something that makes sense. glad to see her get this one right!! i hated to see her coming for a while becuz she was sooooo annoying!
30.
SHANNONNNON
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
i was waiting for the comments to roll in to see what everyone else has to think about this, but its been almost an hour and theres nothing to be said
maybe tyra finnaly made evry one speechless with her awkward stupidity
31.
BR0NZE B0MBSHELL
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
hmmm
32.
alittleextra
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
uhmmm this is pure f**ckery. tyra needs to try again. i dig michelle and i think whatever tyra was attempting to convey in these shoots, fell short. wayyy short
33.
~*aShLeY*~
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
….why?
34.
Theworldwillendin2012
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Daaaaaaaaaaammmmmmn! In that 2nd pic, Barack is soo sexy.
35.
KIM
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
I wonder what Michelle Obama has to say about this,,
36.
NAME HERE
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
I feel VERY uneasy by all of this.
37.
Jazz
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
SHE LOOKS NOTHING LIKE HER, BUT WHATEVER.
38.
Jazz
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
@ 27, THAT’S NOT HIM
39.
twintron4
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Tell me why they couldn’t get the REAL Obama’s to do this spread??? :S
Also, to the person that was thinking of the Monica Lewinsky scandal/under the desk thing, that pose was inspired by the photos taken of John F. Kennedy’s children while he was in office. It was a REAL photo taken by the White House photographer that seemed to capture the “real life” side of a president that was so formal all of the time.
40.
Pondering this
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Two Words:
*Weird* ~ Arkwardness
41.
GladItsNight.com
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
im not sure what to think of these photos!
42.
Toons
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
Tyra is so self absorbed. She makes EVERYTHING about her. Whether its on her show or on Top Model, its always about her. She should really get over herself.
This is yet another publicity ploy to get the attention she seeks.
43.
Knuck
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
yeah, if there is no story told with this it can be very weird.. but I really like it. I think its very supportive and I know Michelle would be flattered that Tyra portrayed her in a positive light. A lot of media portrays Michelle as this fashion/style icon, so y not Tyra?
I think people are just very closed-minded.
44.
why?
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
ok….i’m gonna be the asshole that points this out….how did two lightskinned parents produce chocolate babies? hmm
45.
Carlos
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
What is Tyra looking at over her right shoulder in all of those pics? E-mail me when somebody figures it out… i’m sure it means something. clos1104@hotmail.com
46.
Ms*Shine
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
tyra looks like a mannequin. but obama is FIIIIIIINNNNEEEE
47.
AnDrea
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
lol that is NOT president Obama in that 2nd picture. But IF it was….ooooh lllaaawwwddd…Heellooo Mr. Presssiddeennt.
48.
BRIANA
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
lol..why couldn’t find a wig that looked similar to michelle’s hair?
49.
confused
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 /
i’m not really understanding this….how does this show support? what’s the point
50.
marquita
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
What is that on her head?
51.
Beau T. Full
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
WEIRD…if not for the props & captions, I would not have known who Tyra was suppose to be.
Tyra Banks is NOT Michelle Obama & Michelle is not Tyra by any stretch of imagination!! Ewww!
52.
awaiting moderation
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
wheres the fierce-ness tyra!?
53.
Jenn
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
Am I the only one weirded out by this? It’s like one of those movies where someone who’s obsessed with you is trying to take over your life, LOL. Love Tyra but this is a wee bit bizarre…
54.
frank
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
She does know he’s not the prez?!
55.
predictable
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
seeing how she wanted to jump his bone when he was on her show.
56.
Prissyniki
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
I know Tyra does a lot of good for people but if she makes one more comment about being proud to be a black woman while her hair keeps on getting blonder and blonder and her makeup lighter and lighter I’m gonna gag….she means well but she’s a bit extra and phony at times
57.
Kena-smilez all day
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
well clearly TYRA has no time…I mean I can’t knock her huslte she started the modeling show and now everyone INCLUDING that rude ass tyson beckford followed her steps that she made her own, but this right here tyra….REALLY?!
1: really tyra hot butter milk biscuits, Your hair. and just whoeva did that wig should be addressed to SERIOUSLY, because MICHELLE OBAMA is gorgeous( don’t care what others think)
2: MUST we have taken these flicks…. I don’t mind the children or even the obama model, but really I mean we have the REAL one’s, but I know their schedule is fulL as hell
3: Tyra do u, as much as u have me turning my head like HUH?! I swear she just a LIL off at times, and tellin to many blk folks secrets, that’s her that’s how we keep talkin about her…..she has her own style that makes us all cock our heads to the side in amazement of the things that come out of her mouth….. but you can’t lie she’s a good rolemodel, she just ….SHE JUST TYRA lol
welp that’s all wit my novel
GO OBAMA AND FAM AND TYRA(scary but w/e floats ur boat kid)
58.
Kena-smilez all day
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
IS THAT ALSO WHY IT’S CALLED HARPERS BAZAAR?
59.
CJSprings
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
On Tyra I’m gonna have to plead the fifth - one, two, three, four, FIIIIF!!!!
60.
TAL
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
I really like it.
61.
Danielle
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
@ 23
the pic with the kid under the desk is a recreation of a similar one with JFK, he was working and his son was playing under the desk, I believe.
As for this shoot…I don’t see the point. Wouldn’t a simple endorsement suffice, Tyra?
62.
Christianana
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
OT Have yall heard Mary j blige’s version of “Supernatural”? search on youtube, I have to say that even Im suprised that Ciara “sang it better” and Im a hardcore cici fan.
63.
DIANNE
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
not necessary and utterly tasteless.
what a publicity stunt, smacks of desperation.
might have been more appropriate when and if they win the election.
64.
Mena
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
An excerpt from the interview on people.com:
When it comes to a modern first lady, Banks, who’s staked her career on female empowerment, has some advice to offer. “I want her to not take herself too seriously,” she says. “She’d need to know how to take a fierce picture but at the same time be able to eat fried chicken, have grease on her fingers, and be okay with getting photographed like that, too.”
Is she serious!!? I absolutely loathe Tyra and ashy wigs!
65.
jolie
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
wow. tyra crazy. I find this idea VERY ridiculous. What if Obama don”t win? Couldn’t she wait after election? What the hell? I feel uneasy.
66.
Wa_Me_Say
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
Tyra “wishes” she were in Michelle Obama’s shoes. Wake up boo ~ it’s just a fantasy.
67.
Shelby
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
the guy that pretends to be Obama is mad sexy……..when I first heard this on MSNBC I thought this is weird but know that I can clearly see the picture it looks nice and I think that she had good intentions…..Michelle Obama needs to start doing her hair like Tyra’s pic
68.
Shelby
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
oh and another thing….those kids look like the obama’s kids AT ALL…..they are darker skin wise….are you telling me that they couldn’t got any medium brown skinned kids….shoot Tyra could of borrowed her BF’s kids (Kimora Lee Simmons) mainly the younger one
69.
Shelby
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
correction: DON’T look like
70.
CMUGYRL09
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
I think that this picture is great!
There is nothing better than a magazine as such to portray an African American family as the Obamas’. At the end of the day I think that these pictures showcase black power and family in a positive way and it is inspiring to look at the pictures….to know that anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
Good Look:)
71.
jscene
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
TYRA IS SO FAKE AND PHONEY, I SWEAR I CAN’T STAND THIS CONTRIVED SMILING BROAD.
MICHELLE HAS CLASS, I WISH TYRA WOULD STOP TRYING TO PLAY PEOPLE SHE WOULD NEVER BE PERCEIVED AS. MICHELLE HAS MORE CLASS IN HER BABY TOE, THAN THIS HOE GOT IN HER WHOLE BODY. EVERY TIME SHE OPENS HER MOUTH TO SPEAK, SHE SOUNDS LIKE AN IDIOT. SHE SAYS THE CRAZIEST THINGS.
SHE’S SO PATHETIC AND SICKENING TO ME. AND TO THINK, I USE TO THINK SHE WAS GENUINE….TYRA IS SO FAKE, CORNY, WACK, HYPOCRITICAL, LIAR, POOR SELF ESTEEM, OVERLY EMOTIONAL, CRY AT THE DROP OF A HAT, AWKWARD, NERDY, ATTENTION DEFICIT TRAMP.
72.
Mizz sunSHINE
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
This is highly problematic…….and I hope Michelle Obama is offended…hell I’m offended for her….
Plus I had a friend who worked at a news station that Tyra came to on business. He said she has like 5 gay male assistants (probably because she thinks ALL women are HATERS)….and these assistants instructed the new station staff that they were to talk through them and NOT directly to Tyra!….ahahah
Tragic.
73.
remyjones
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
these photos are photoshopped because tyra isn’t this skinny…but anyways i thought her modeling career is over.
74.
complexndope
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
—–> Umm WOW. I appreciate the effort Tyra, but it just looks corny & played.
—–> They could’ve used a better wig to rep Michelle. Mrs. Obama oozes class.
—–> Wish I could say the same for Tyrant
75.
shellyann
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 /
tyra wanted to be beyonce now michelle obama WTF !! –tyra fall back, she is so annoying..
COMMENT PAGES: [1] 2 » Show All