Tyra Banks Reveals Why She Relocated to Sydney: ‘Australia Has Been a Dream Come True’

Internationally renowned supermodel and businesswoman Tyra Banks has recently opened up about her decision to leave the United States and establish a new life in Australia with her family. The 51-year-old entrepreneur shared heartfelt insights about her dramatic lifestyle change during a candid interview on “Today With Jenna & Friends.”

Banks, who previously called Inglewood, California her hometown, made the significant move to Sydney in late 2023 alongside her longtime partner Louis Bélanger-Martin and her 9-year-old son York. When asked about the motivation behind such a major life change, the answer was surprisingly simple.

“I’ve been going to Australia a lot because we were making a lot of our ice cream there in this big facility, doing our recipes,” Banks explained to host Jenna Bush Hager. “I just fell in love with it. Every time I went back, and went back…”

The “America’s Next Top Model” creator and host revealed that her growing affection for the country coincided perfectly with her business aspirations. Banks noted that Australia is among the “three countries that eat the most ice cream” globally, alongside the United States and New Zealand—making it an ideal market for her SMiZE & Dream ice cream brand.

“So I was like, ‘I’m happy here and they love to eat some ice cream. So, are we going to do this, family?’ And we did,” she elaborated, describing how the business opportunity aligned with her personal happiness in the country.

Prior to relocating Down Under, Banks had been residing in a $4.7 million oceanfront property in Malibu, California, which she purchased in 2021. Tragically, that home was destroyed in the devastating California wildfires earlier this year. During a January appearance on Australian morning show “Sunrise,” Banks revealed the heartbreaking news that she and her family were already in Sydney when they learned about the disaster.

“I lost my house,” she shared during the broadcast. “I haven’t really talked about it, but yeah, I have. I just didn’t want to pull a lot of attention to me. I feel that there’s a lot of people that need that attention, so I haven’t really talked about it, but I can’t sit here and not tell the truth, so yeah we lost our house.”

Banks has remained private about whether she plans to rebuild on the Malibu property or sell the land, especially now that she has committed to her new life abroad.

A Glimpse into Tyra’s Sydney Lifestyle

During her “Today” appearance, Banks offered viewers a behind-the-scenes look at her new Australian routine. “Rise and shine! Welcome to my home in Sydney, Australia. It’s 6:30 a.m. and that means it’s time to make my coffee,” she demonstrated while guiding cameras through her morning ritual.

Following her coffee, Banks typically heads to one of her favorite Sydney destinations, Tumbalong Park, which has become a regular destination for family outings with her son.

“People come from all over Sydney to enjoy this park,” she explained enthusiastically. “They have what we call a little mini water park. There’s swings and stuff for the kids, there’s this new place they’ve built for the bigger kids that you really can’t get your kid away from. So be careful when you come here!”

The entrepreneurial supermodel also highlighted Darling Harbour during her tour, where she plans to open an impressive 3,000-square-foot SMiZE & Dream flagship store.

“This is Darling Harbour. Look at the water, so amazing. And over there is where my future ice cream dream is going to come true,” she revealed, pointing to the location of her upcoming business venture.

Banks mentioned that creating her ice cream brand has fulfilled a “lifelong dream,” inspired by her mother, Carolyn.

Embracing Australian Culture

The iconic Sydney Opera House has become another regular destination for Banks and her family—representing a cultural shift from her previous American lifestyle.

“I just saw a show there,” she noted. “Do you know that being in Australia, I actually go see live shows at the Opera House? It’s just like a normal thing for us to do.”

Perhaps most telling about Banks’ appreciation for her new hometown is the joy she takes in the everyday experiences many Sydneysiders might take for granted.

“Now the best parts of Sydney are the views, and we get to commute by ferry. This is beautiful Sydney Harbour at night,” she shared, clearly enchanted by the scenic beauty that now surrounds her daily life.

Summing up her new chapter, Banks concluded with heartfelt sentiment: “Australia has been a dream come true for me and my family.”