Tyra Banks Breaks Silence On Mom's Bizarre Sex-Ed Style Involving A Train Ride

Tyra Banks is no stranger to bold moments, and it turns out, neither is her mom.

The supermodel opened up about the wildly unconventional way her mother, Carolyn London, decided to give her the "birds and the bees" talk about sex.

Carolyn London, who raised Tyra Banks and her older brother as a single mother after her divorce, has always been a steady presence in her daughter's life, not just as a parent, but also as her manager. 

Banks shared that her mom did not wait for what many will classify as 'the right moment' to talk about sex; she created it. When Banks was just 11, her mom took her on a two-hour train ride specifically to talk.

Now 76, London never shied away from uncomfortable topics. Banks explained that growing up, no question, even about sex or drugs, was off-limits in their home.

During a joint appearance on "The Kyle & Jackie O Show" in Australia on Friday, the 51-year-old shared how her mom took a direct approach. In her words:

"She put me on a train. It was a two-hour train from Los Angeles to San Diego, like, a two-hour drive. I knew [the] 'Where did I come from?' talk, but she gave me the talk about what a guy will whisper in your ear and how your body will feel and the things that your body will be experiencing. You know … when I was still a virgin, and she put me on a train so that I couldn't run away." 

London added that she did not stop with the conversation. She also took Banks to a bookstore to pick out educational books that could help her understand her body and everything that comes with growing up.

Banks learned early on that her mom did not believe in sugarcoating real life. The star revealed that London's blunt honesty helped her navigate her first relationships and avoid trouble before it started.

Reflecting on her childhood in the interview, Banks shared that her mother's talk about what to expect from boys turned out to be right.

"My first little makeout, serious makeout session, the boy whispered a little something, something in my ear, and I jumped off the couch, and I was like, 'My mama said you would say that!'" Banks recalled. 

But it was not just dating her mom covered. Banks said she was also free to ask about drugs, and the answers were just as direct. "She would be like, 'Well, this one does take you up. This one takes you down sideways. This one takes you 'round and 'round,'" she shared.

Banks was raised to find a way in, even if the front door was closed. That mindset came straight from her mother, who has been her biggest supporter and toughest coach from the very beginning.

In a 2021 interview with Today, London opened up about the advice she gave the model while raising her and her older brother, Devin. "Look to the other side. It's not about where you are now, but where you want to go. Envision yourself there," she said. 

When Banks was bullied in school and called names like "giraffe" and "ugly duck," London refused to let it shape her daughter's identity. Instead of focusing on her appearance, she poured her energy into developing her character and interests.

Honesty was always at the core of their relationship, and London believes that is what made the difference. In her words, "Be truthful and honest with your children, to create a relationship where they feel comfortable enough to come to you for anything."

From day one to now, the mother-daughter duo has always had each other's backs. So when Banks hit the red carpet at ESSENCE's Black Women in Hollywood Awards in February, it made perfect sense that her date was none other than her biggest supporter, her mom.

Banks was honored as the first-ever Luminary Spotlight recipient, and the award highlighted more than just her legacy in fashion. From movies to reality TV, and now a celebrated entrepreneur, her impact in entertainment runs deep. But she has never forgotten who has been in her corner through it all.

During her Essence cover interview for the March/April issue, Banks opened up about just how much her mom still shapes her most significant decisions, including her viral return to the Victoria's Secret runway last fall.

"My mama said, 'You're not just walking for you this time. You're 50. You're walking for so many people. You're walking for Black women. You're walking for older women,'" Banks shared.

That push from her mother was the final nudge the mother-of-one needed to step back into the spotlight, and the internet could not stop talking about it.

After her viral comeback moment, Banks is once again tapping into her supermodel energy. In April, she made a bold appearance at the Daily Front Row's Ninth Annual Fashion L.A. Awards. 

The Blast reported that Banks sported fuller brows, shimmering silver eyeshadow, rosy blush, and a soft pink matte lip. Her makeup was a major shift from her usual style, and it worked.

She wore a dark brown coat dress, belted at the waist and draped off one shoulder, creating a powerful silhouette. Banks kept things sleek with minimal accessories and styled her hair in soft waves down the middle, letting the outfit do all the talking.

There were no flashy earrings or statement necklaces, just Banks commanding attention with her signature poise. 

For Tyra Banks, those early talks stuck, and they helped shape the way she saw herself, her relationships, and the choices she made along the way.