Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss

by Tyra Banks, Carolyn London

Just in time for Mother's Day, an inspiring book by the incredibly sassy and wise mother-daughter duo Tyra Banks and Carolyn London.

In this inspiring book, Tyra Banks and her mother Carolyn share the lessons Carolyn has taught Tyra - and continues to teach her! - that have inspired Tyra to become the strong, mega-successful woman that she is. In alternating voices, mother and daughter speak candidly about how their unbreakable bond has helped them both overcome challenges and obstacles in the hopes of helping moms and daughters everywhere learn from their experiences. Designed around these often funny, but always wise "lessons," including Your Mom is Your Friend, but Not Your Best Friend, Learning From Your Mistakes, Don't Miss Work For a Man, and Having Big, Fierce, Outrageous Goals, this is a must-read for mothers and daughters alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Biography, Self Help, Autobiography, Biography Memoir

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 3, 2018

About the author

Tyra Lynne Banks is an American supermodel, television personality, talk show host, actress, businessperson and singer. She became famous first as a model in Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, and New York, but television appearances made her even more so. She is known best as hostess/judge of the reality television show America's Next Top Model since its 2003 debut, and is currently hosting her own Daytime Emmy Award-nominated talk show, The Tyra Banks Show. Banks is one of four African Americans and seven women to have repeatedly ranked among the world's most influential people by Time magazine.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

When you step Out of Your Comfort Zone, it is important to stop stepping before you get into the Uncomfy Zone.

Let's all give a standing ovation to the team of writers, editors, etc behind her book.

Because I'm reading Modelland and those two are on COMPLETELY different levels.

Like this one is in the ballpark of being tolerable and Modelland is on a different equator. Possibly the moon.

So, this book literally goes through ten things that Tyra's mom taught here.

The overall vibe of this book is that it's another catchy, upbeat celebrity book all about loving yourself for who you are, embracing your womanhood and never letting society put you down.

There's period parties, loving your curves and adoring your flaws - no matter what.

But, (and this is a big but, so let me do it again, but in all caps)...BUT...this book feels like a PR statement.

It's really like a super-long, well-crafted politically correct manifesto for why Tyra is actually the best human being on this planet.

Okay, so I know I sound HUGELY cynical but I've literally just watched 22 cycles of America's Next Top Model and have been addictively looking up all the controversies from that show on reddit...and let me tell you...the person who she is on the show is completely different than the person in this book.

On the show - she's constantly giving backhanded compliments and putting models in bad situations (remember the one that was groped, or the woman was paired up with the male model who hated black women and they told to play it off like no big deal? Like really?).

She just does so many uncomfortable things to these girls who she is claiming to bring up and mentor. One of the models finds out her friend just died and that week's photoshoot put her in an open grave and being told to look dead.

Another model was belittled for seeming too African, and then there was the literal blackface photoshoot campaign?

Multiple girls experience panic attacks and are told to power through it. One gets hypothermia and is then belittled for not letting the photographer know her limits.

One year, she picks at a contestant until she agrees to fill in her gap-tooth, then a few years later she shaves a gap tooth into another model.

I've seen literal hours of her picking at contestants until they come apart on television.

To put it frankly, show-Tyra is problematic at best and horrifying at worst.

But, I picked up this book - interested in her take on life and curious as to what she has to say.

And the answer? It's all a misunderstanding.

She truly is America's golden-hearted sweetheart.

Just don't pay attention to the makeup pyramid scheme or the hysterical girl in the corner (she's just ungrateful!).

Part of me wants to give her the benefit of the doubt, for there ARE moments where she does seem to shine on television.

But when literally dozens of models have confirmed the show-Tyra is the real version...I find myself not particularly convinced about the book she wrote about herself focusing on how great she is...

Especially when the book not-so-subtly goes through each and every controversy and presents it as a situation where Tyra took the high road, the path of kindness and enlightenment.

I mean, what are the odds that so many situations are reframed just so and she comes across as the only level-headed woman in the room? Always?

There was a bit about her childhood and a smidge about her career but I was disappointed that it was so sparsely covered.

I was more curious about her life off-screen than rehashing the "I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU" moment for the umpteenth time (and, spoiler, according to the book = Tyra did it out of love and compassion, despite video evidence to the contrary).

I did like it when she talked about the swimsuit debacle and that was probably one of the only moments that felt genuine (well...that and the period party...but I think I'd rather just scrub that one from my memory).

All in all, this was a light read. It doesn't really go into anything new regarding the controversies other than to explain them away but if you are a HUGE Tyra fan, then this book will align with you pretty well.

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[Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 Stars

Tyra Banks will always be my favorite supermodel. I loved her talk show, I love how she uplifts women...I just love her! This book is definitely about learning how to be yourself and most of all how to love yourself.

I really enjoyed the back and forth narration from Tyra and her mom Carolyn. It was hard to keep up with at times because of all the chatter and the excessive, over the top moments in the book. The topics were all over the place but the common ground was learning to be you in a cruel, judgmental world. This book is perfect for young girls who are struggling to find themselves.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a soft 3 starred review.

Now, I absolutely love Tyra Banks! I love everything she stands for. I love her covers. I love America's Next Top Model. I loved both of her talk shows.

What I love most about her is that she lifts people, especially younger girls, up. As someone who suffers from low self-esteem, having a supermodel teach you tools on how to live yourself is awesome.

When I heard about Perfect Is Boring Tyra and Her Mama: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss coming out, I was so excited. Then, I read it and I became less excited.

Holy Quip Alert, Batman!

Perfect Is Boring was a difficult read because of all the quips I had to endure while reading it. I felt that both Banks and her mother, Carolyn London were always on. They were trying to be hip and funny and it was just exhausting to even finish a chapter! It was the gift of gab out of control.

It's a shame because underneath the rampant Gilmore Girls style quipping is a really good book tackling serious issues about self-esteem. When Banks got a bit more serious during the chapter's conclusion, there were great nuggets of truth.

Perhaps I should listen to the audiobook of Perfect Is Boring. Honestly, I feel that I would be just as exhausted.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As America's Next Top Model has long been a guilty pleasure of mine, I was psyched to check out Tyra's new book, especially when I saw that she and her mom narrated the audio version. If you're not used to Tyra's over the top style, this might be a bit jarring at first, but I would HIGHLY recommend listening rather than reading this one, even if audiobooks aren't normally your thing. Tyra is a born performer and public speaker, and you'll be missing out on a lot of the delivery if you take this in only through the written word. This book was funny and uplifting and empowering, and gave me some neat behind the scenes looks at some of the most iconic ANTM moments I remember from over the years. I learned new things about Tyra which made me appreciate and respect her more as a role model for young women. She and her mom joke often about leaving certain stories for book 2, and if they ever come out with another, I will be sure to get a copy!

[Sunshine Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I grew up watching the Disney movie Life Size..my favorite movie is Coyote Ugly...and my guilty pleasure TV show is Top Model...so I felt I needed (and wanted) to read this book! I love how the conversation went back and forth between Tyra and her mom. I don't really read too many books with that style! To be critical....I didn't care for the cussing and that there was a chapter on girl's periods and TMI sex talks. But I understand WHY it was in the book, because this was a "Tyra-is-your-BFF-and-she's-going-to-talk-to-you-about-everything" kind of text. And overall, I found it to be a refreshing, funny and motivational read. I loved hearing behind the scenes stories of the movies and shows she's been in, as well as her modeling career, but I also loved learning about her failures because it motivates me to keep going even when I "hit a concrete wall." I found out so much about you Tyra, probably more than I needed to know, but when I thought you were really cool before...I found you an inspiration now! Thanks for a great read sharing a great heart! (And my book was an autographed copy! Had to brag!)

[Burtnicole91 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book. THIS BOOK. It had me feeling ALL the feels. I teared up so many times listening because I had really felt some of the things Tyra and her Mama were talking about. I really enjoyed it although I found at the end I became a bit tired of her way of speaking. Overall , very good read about self empowerment and Tyra’s story. I enjoyed hearing the behind the scenes of America’s Next Top Model, and all the other things that I could recall as she was speaking on them. I thought “ ahhh ok. So that’s what was happening.” Good read.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was really fun at first and then it got boring and I skimmed it and Tyra is real obsessed with herself. Damn.

[Tiina Pärtel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One remarkably strong and adorable mother-daughter friendship story for sure!
Positively impressed by hearing how much effort and hours Tyra put consciously into studying everything there is about model industry, designers and exactly which type of models they look for etc.
Also loved the audio version, cause their voices give so much more attitude to the book.
Although somewhere along the deep advice about periods, boyfriends and dating etc, started wondering, what exactly is the point of this book again..

[Preeti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book in audiobook form, and Tyra and her mother definitely have the sort of camaraderie worth appreciating. It was interesting to hear about how Tyra got into modelling and her future avenues from there, and how her mom was with her 100% percent throughout the process. What I liked about this book, is that she talks about her failures as much as she talks about her successes. I also found her outlook on plastic surgery (or not), well said, even though it is not the most popular opinion. They do a great job at removing the shame from talking about a period or body shaming and everything on those lines. It is possible I had gotten bored of listening to autobiographical books on audio, which may have led to some boredom. I also think some things were repeated again and again, that got me a little bored. I wonder if it would have been faster had I read it instead of listened to it. Either way, some chapters are amazing and some are so so, but I think it is definitely not bad for a one time read.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the confidence boost. I needed it. Tyra Banks is the best cheerleader and role model! She worked hard for everything and was 100% her!!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's a little bonkers but I love her body positivity message. I love the relationship she has with her mother. The audio was fantastic, with her and her mom narrating.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and fun read with some nuggets of wisdom - I recommend the audiobook version, since it's read by Tyra and her mom.

[Becky - Pug and Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me about Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss by Tyra Banks

Star Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5 stars

Format: library eaudiobook

Summary: Tyra reflects on her journey to becoming a supermodel with her mother. They play off each other and show how Tyra's strong relationship with her mother created the woman she is.

Review: I like Tyra, a lot. I loved her talk show and used to watch America's Next Top Model religiously. Also Life Size is one of my favorite movies from childhood (I still sing the song from that movie). I haven't followed her recently but when I saw she wrote a book with her mom I knew that I wanted to read it.

The book is so much fun, Tyra and her mother play off each other really well. They talk about Tyra's childhood, her start as a model and her career. There are a lot of heart warming moments within the book. Tyra's mother has been such a big part of her life, I was pleased they chose to write this together.

I liked how they talked about the issue of weight gain. When Tyra gained too much weight for the designers to want to work with her then she and her mother came up with a list of designers she could work with, like Victoria's Secret. They wrote about how so many models feel pressured to lose weight and end up with an eating disorder, because if hey don't then a lot of designers won't work with them.

I liked reading about how they had such an open relationship even from a very young age. There's not much else I feel I can say, I liked it a lot and I don't really have any critiques. It was engaging throughout the whole book, nothing I really would have changed.

Recommendation: If you like Tyra, I think there's a good chance you'll enjoy this book. If you're not really a fan of her then I don't think you'll get much, if any enjoyment out of this book.

[Sara Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok...
so, the book was good. But I find it to be somewhat contradicting.
I have been a Tyra fan for a long time. I watched every season of ANTM and have seen her talk show. I've seen her music videos etc.

Some of the stuff her and her mom write about in here contradicts things said in the past. I know people change but some of it just doesn't sit right with me.
ANTM for one... Tyra talk about self love and embracing your flaws in this book. Says she was raised to love herself and her flaws (hence the title Perfect is Boring). That's all well and good but where was this energy when she was tearing apart girls on ANTM for being 'fat' or having "snaggle teeth" etc? I didn't see her promoting the whole "love your flaws" thing there.

Also- it's small.. but Tyra says more than once she DOES NOT like chocolate in this book. BUT- her instagram has several photos of her eating chocolate ice cream and talking about licking chocolate from her fingers.

This book was a fun read- it just doesn't align with things she has said in the past. She also comes off a little big headed (and I don't mean because she and her mom both talk multiple times about the size of her forehead). She just talks about how great she is so many times and it's giving self absorbed, not confident.

The book mentions all these WOW OMG moments- but it's basically just I was great at this and the best at that. I booked more photoshoots than any other girl and I did my makeup better than the makeup artist could and he is the reason I did not get this job. There really weren't any OMG moments. Not in my opinion. It's fine for a one time read but nothing I'd recommend to anyone.

[Mary Sisney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Tyra's ambitious, sassy ("kiss my fat ass") personality so much that her show survived my anti-Trump reality TV boycott. In fact, at one point during the 2016 campaign, I decided that Tyra and her humorous sidekicks should pick the party nominees and the President based on the candidates' weekly photographs, their runway walks, and their ability to make an entertaining commercial or music video. The ANTM judges certainly could have done a better job than the American voters, especially the white folks, and the electoral college. This book, written with her mama, is entertaining and smart. Since I'm the same age as her mama, I don't need the wise advice offered, but I appreciate it. I especially liked the point that women shouldn't see themselves as victims and should determine their own fates. Unfortunately, Tyra, like some other strong women, has been brainwashed by the METOO witch hunters (I blame Oprah). While I generally enjoyed the book's conversational style and have always appreciated Tyra's ability to create new words, such as "smize" (smiling with one's eyes) and "booty tooch" (figure it out), some of the "too cool for school" dialect--"tryna," "cray cray"--got on my nerves. Grow up, Ty Ty and Mama Carolyn! You ladies aren't rappers; you're wise, very grown black women.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and found it entertaining. Tyra and and her mom are theatrical and have some quirky/awkward moments of banter. I feel like most people reading this like Tyra and are fans of ANTM. If this is the case, then this really shouldn’t come as a surprise, seeing is Tyra is theatrical and quirky in that.

The book itself is Tyra’s ode to owning your own beauty and strengths and weaknesses. She and her mom do this through stories of Tyra’s life. Her modeling and how that became a success, her struggles with body image growing up, her first period, her boyfriends of the past, her attempt at a singing career. She puts it all out there and while theatrical I found her story to be raw and a great showcase of how to become a woman who owns her power.

This was a four star read for me until about halfway through. The chapters seemed to become less stream lined and thought provoking, and I wasn’t as much interested in the section about her singing career. I understand it was to show failure is okay, and to recognize your strengths, but it was a bit long winded.

Still, an enjoyable read! (Or listen, I don’t know if I would have appreciated the banter as much if I had read it.)

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was SO! So! Good! I went in with low expectations, but fond memories of ANTM, only to discover so many more sides to Tyra than I had ever given her credit for. Her mother is also a delight and I found the pep talks, words of wisdom, and anecdotes in the book to be sincere, yet hilarious. The only reason I'm detracting a star is hard to put into words... I feel like there was a lot of pressure being applied to every line in the book to sound hip and in-style, and because of that some jokes just ended up sounding manufactured. Anyway, I left the last page smiling, inspired, and more accepting of my physical and emotional imperfections... which is exactly what I can tell Tyra and her mother wanted to do with this. :-)

[Kaitlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never followed Top Model or Tyra but I thought the audio book looked fun and I absolutely LOVED it!! Tyra and her Mama were fabulous!! They have lots of fun light hearted moments as well as getting serious (and Mama even tears up talking about body image and what she saw some models doing to themselves)! The big take away from this book (or audio book in my case) is to love yourself for who you are and embrace what makes you different because perfect is boring after all!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! I actually laughed out loud. Where it was funny it was also eye opening and serious but it was great! There was a lot of good advice and hilarious stories and I'm really glad to have read this story.

It was real and raw and genuine. It just seemed to flow. Nothing felt forced.

It was natural which led to an easy and fun read. Totally recommend especially if you're a fan of ANTM!!

[Sunflowergurl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Tyra for her over-the-top personality and you can see that in this book. What's different in this book is that she co-wrote this with her mom. It's really nice to see someone with Tyra's celeb status who embraces their flaws and womanhood. You can also see that she's pretty genuine about connecting with people. It would be awesome if she was one of my girlfriends IRL! I would also love to have had the relationship she has with her mom. I hope to have that kind of relationship with my daughter where we're open with each other.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was infinitely more entertaining than I thought it would be. The fashion world is not something I follow - and not anything I know too much about. The only reason I know about America's Next Top Model because a cycle winner went to my college and they'd do interviews on campus and stuff. But, this was incredibly entertaining and contained some very valuable advice with a smattering of humor through out. As always I highly recommend the audio because it just amplifies everything.

[Gtee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Tyra’s mom is a wonderful lady who I think was a a great mother. Tyra is also pretty darn funny and a pretty savvy business lady. I also liked that she didn’t name “names” but yet got her message across. I don’t watch ATM or her talk show but I was curious about her work and thought it was interesting to read about.

[mikaela (spinebreaker) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so good after reading this. Fierce, strong, and confident that Tyra and Carolyn genuinely want me to be my best self. So grounded and honest- like reading a letter from a friend. Highly recommend.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute read, although I stopped at 77%. By the last two chapters, the advice was redundant. I enjoyed the banter between mother and daughter - that’s the biggest takeaway from the book. A fun read overall but if you actually finish it, you’re better than me.

[Britt Blythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s everything you expect from Tyra. Inspirational, funny, real, and slightly corny. I think it’s definitely aimed at all ages but you can definitely tell chapters geared towards younger girls vs. new adults. Now I just want to binge ANTM.

[Victoria Zieger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seriously love Tyra Banks. I’m definitely an ANTM addict and loved this book about loving yourself and having a strong support system. I love that Tyra is not just beautiful, but incredibly smart and one woman who is just an awesome role model. Ready for the next book!!

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

So positive and uplifting!

[Brandy Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will always love you and your mama TyTy! 😘😘😘

[Sophia Carmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

[Bonnie G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s really 3.5 star book- the audiobook is super fun ready by Tyra and her mom. It’s a very personal memoir so if you’re looking for or how the model or talk show was developed, you won’t find much here. It delves more into adolescence, insecurity, sex, family, and inspiration. It was a great listen and I’m glad I took a chance on it!