In an exclusive interview with People Magazine, Tyra Banks opens up about the pain she's experienced from reading tabloids that say she's fat. Tyra is one of the world's most recognizable models and with a new hit talk show and 7 successful seasons of "America's Next Top Model" under her belt, she's doing better than ever before. The 33 year old "Victoria's Secret" supermodel is finally speaking out about her weight and the negative influence of the media.

"I get so much mail from young girls who say, 'I look up to you, you're not as skinny as everyone else, I think you're beautiful,'" Tyra begins, "So when they (the tabloids) say that my body ugly and disgusting, what to does that make those girls feel like?" she finishes. Tyra is constantly trying to be the best role model for teens struggling with all types of issues. Her talk show covers everything from weight issues to fashion to depression.

So what finally made Tyra speak out? Tabloids like the one recently that showed Tyra in a bathing suit with the words "America's Next Top Waddle" and "Tyra Porkchop" beside the picture. Even at her highest weight Tyra still only weighed 162 pounds. According to Inch-AWeigh.com, the average American woman is 5 foot 4 and 140 pounds. Tyra is considerably taller (5 foot 10) and 22 pounds more on her worst day. I would hardly call her obese and even if she is, who are these tabloids to comment on her weight?

One of the reasons Tyra has been so successful in the past 5-10 years is because of her personality. Women can relate to her. She's had weight problems but what woman hasn't? In fact, Tyra is more popular now (with the extra pounds) than she was when she was modeling for Victoria's Secret and weighing in at a mere 130 pounds.

For the complete story on Tyra's exclusive interview, check out the new, "You Call This Fat?", issue of People Magazine, on stands tomorrow.