If you’ve spent any time watching America’s Next Top Model, you know Tyra Banks isn’t exactly a "low-key" person. She’s the queen of the smize, the architect of the "booty tooch," and a woman who basically invented a new way to speak. But when it comes to her personal life—specifically the reality of being a mother—she’s actually much more private than you’d expect.
There’s a lot of chatter out there about Tyra Banks child. People wonder why they don’t see him on every red carpet or why she isn't posting 50 TikToks a day with him. Honestly? It’s because she fought way too hard to get him to let him become just another "influencer kid."
His name is York Banks Asla. He’s ten years old now, born in January 2016. And if you think his life is all high-fashion shoots and runway walks, you’re kinda off the mark.
The "Miracle" Journey Most People Forget
Tyra didn’t just wake up one day and decide to have a baby at 42. It was a long, brutal process. She spent years telling herself, "I'll do it in three years." She said that at 24. She said it at 27. She said it at 35.
Suddenly, she was 40, and the biological clock wasn't just ticking—it was screaming.
She’s been very open about the fact that she went through seven failed rounds of IVF. Imagine the physical and emotional toll of that. Her mother, Carolyn London, actually shared a story about how Tyra had already set up a nursery. She even put a tile in the bathroom floor that said, "Mommy Already Loves You." Then the IVF failed. Again.
It’s the kind of heartbreak that breaks most people. But Tyra eventually turned to gestational surrogacy. When York finally arrived, she called him her "miracle baby."
Who is the Father?
York’s dad is Erik Asla, a Norwegian photographer. They met on the set of Norway’s Next Top Model around 2013 and were together for about five years. They aren't together anymore—they split when York was still a toddler—but by all accounts, they’re crushing the co-parenting game.
York is basically a genetic lottery winner. Tyra says he’s got her "big eyes and fingers" and Erik’s "mouth and chin."
Plus, the kid is a polyglot. By the time he was two, he was already speaking English, Spanish, and Norwegian. Think about that for a second. Most of us are struggling to remember our high school French, and this toddler was navigating three languages while probably still wearing pull-ups.
A Glimpse into York’s Life in 2026
Fast forward to today. York is ten. He’s growing up mostly out of the paparazzi’s reach, which is intentional. Tyra once admitted she only posted his first public photo because she wanted to beat the paparazzi to the punch. She didn't want them making money off his face.
She’s mentioned lately that he’s starting to show a real business brain. He’s not just looking at ads; he’s critiquing them. Apparently, they’ll be driving in Australia (where she’s been spending time for her ice cream brand, Smize & Dream), and he’ll point at a bus and tell her if a tagline is clever or if the marketing is off.
It makes sense. When your mom is a Harvard Business School alum (alright, she did the executive program, but still) and your dad is a high-end photographer, you’re going to have some opinions on aesthetics.
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Does He Model?
Short answer: Not really.
Long answer: Tyra is sorta conflicted about it.
She’s said she wouldn’t love for him to model professionally, but she also knows that if she tells him "no," he’ll probably want to do it more. For now, he’s just a kid who likes chocolate ice cream (specifically the smoked brownie flavor from her shop) and rapping about lettuce wraps. Yes, there’s a video of that. It’s adorable.
The Reality of Being "One and Done"
Tyra used to say she wanted a "litter" of kids. She wanted the big, chaotic family. But life had other plans. She’s admitted that she’s likely "one and done," not necessarily by choice, but because of the physical and age-related hurdles.
She doesn't seem bitter about it, though. If anything, it’s made her more obsessed with being present. She’s talked about "work-life integration" instead of balance. That means if she’s on a high-stakes Zoom call with CEOs, York might be crawling on her back or sitting in her lap. She stopped being embarrassed about it years ago.
Key Takeaways for Navigating Modern Motherhood
If there’s anything to learn from Tyra’s experience with York, it’s these three things:
- Privacy is a Choice: You don’t owe the world your child’s face. Tyra proved you can be a global superstar and still keep your kid’s daily life relatively "normal."
- Fertility Struggles are Real: Even with all the money in the world, IVF isn't a guarantee. If you're struggling, know that there are multiple paths to parenthood, including surrogacy and adoption.
- Integration over Balance: Stop trying to keep work and kids in separate boxes. Sometimes they bleed into each other, and that’s actually okay.
To stay updated on how celebrities are navigating the complexities of modern parenting and surrogacy, you should follow the latest reports from reproductive health advocates or specialized entertainment outlets that focus on family dynamics rather than just tabloid gossip.