‘Culture shock’: Tyra Banks explains Aussie act that baffles her

Having called Australia home since last year, Tyra Banks explains the one culture shock she can’t quite get her head around.

There’s no denying the recent surge in massive Hollywood names calling Australia home – from the likes of Matt Damon, Zac Efron, Freddie Prinze Jnr and Michelle Gellar, it’s clear there’s something enticing about our beautiful ‘sunburnt country’.

Is it our pristine beaches? Our incredible cafe culture and world class coffee? Or maybe it’s our likeable, larrikin nature we’re so fondly known for? According to our newest import, Tyra Banks, there’s one part of our Aussie culture that is simply unmatched and she can’t make any sense of it.

Having lived here since last year, Tyra said it was our “vacation time” that she simply couldn’t wrap her head around. Aussies “vacation forever, what the hell is going on?! … Child that is balance, balance, balance and a little work.”

There’s many things Tyra Banks loves about living in Australia, but one big part of our lifestyle has taken some adjusting to. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.

“You know what, it used to frustrate me but now I just lean into it and now I have more balance.

“So at first it was a culture shock for me, and it still is sometimes. But at the same time I’m like ‘Oh this is a weekend? You’re not supposed to work on that?’.”

And while she’s doing her best to lean into our unique work / life balance, her Aussie slang still needs a bit of work.

When quizzed about what it means to ‘Chuck A U-ey’, Tyra responded “[that] sounds like an Adidas Chucks, from the UE? The fancy Chucks?!”.

While she might not have known what ‘chucking a U-ey’ is, Tyra is well versed on what it means to be a ‘bogan’ and a ‘derro’. Photo: Rich Fury/Getty Images.

The American model and TV presenter is currently calling Australia home while she launches her new ice cream brand, Smize and Dream. Positioned as a “mix of ice cream, entertainment and dreams on a global scale”.

So why ice cream? Tyra explains the brand is a “love letter to my Mama” who used to take her to Haagan-Dasz every Friday afternoon and talk about their dreams in the future.

If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the international model, Sydney-siders won’t have to search too far. According to Tyra she spends her weekends either at Clovelly beach, shopping at Bondi Junction or walking around the “dreamy” walls of the QVB in Town Hall.