Yaya DaCosta is opening up about her relationship with Tyra Banks.

The 42-year-old mannequin and actress was a contestant on America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin cycle three, ending second place, with Tyra as host.

Not too long ago, Tyra addressed among the controversies across the present through the years, and even owned as much as some whereas talking on the ESSENCE Black Ladies in Hollywood Awards in late February.

Now, Yaya is sharing her ideas on what Tyra mentioned and the place she stands with Tyra to at the present time, revealing they reunited and shared a second on the occasion.

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“Lots was mentioned and so much was not mentioned. I really feel compelled to talk,” Yaya shared in an Instagram video under.

“I haven’t had an actual interplay with this lady since 2004. The story I’d been telling for therefore lengthy was a narrative of trauma,” she continued.

She continued mentioning among the adverse issues from the present, like “manipulative modifying, and weaponization of women’ weaknesses. From catalyzing physique dysmorphia to consuming issues. From anti-Blackness to blackface picture shoots. Like, sure, there was actual trauma, and it wasn’t by chance, however by design. The objective was leisure over real-world modeling preparation, and particularly over psychological well being.”

Recalling her interplay with Tyra on the ESSENCE Black Ladies in Hollywood Awards, Yaya mentioned it was a heat reunion and she or he “lastly got here to this place of freedom.”

“After I noticed her, I used to be genuinely excited, and I walked over and we had a fantastic dialog,” she shared. “No, there was no express apology, however you can see in that [speech] she’s sick of individuals each on occasion citing these controversial clips from the present.”

“All of us evolve. We’re all doing one of the best we are able to always with the sources that we’ve. It doesn’t imply that we settle for abuse, however we all know that everybody is simply making an attempt to get their human wants met. After I hear this speech, what I hear is braveness. It takes braveness to rise up in entrance of individuals and at last say what’s been on her thoughts and coronary heart for therefore a few years and demand on recognition for the optimistic, and never simply the adverse.”

Earlier than their encounter ended, Tyra‘s mother got here within the room on the occasion as nicely and greeted her.

“Then it was time for them to go,” Yaya mentioned. “Earlier than they went, I simply took her into an embrace. There’s a hug you give acquaintances and strangers, and there’s a hug you give when phrases don’t suffice. Y’all, I held that lady. When it was time for the hug to be over, I held some extra. I took a deep breath as a result of I wished her to really feel what it looks like to completely be forgiven, appreciated, and liked.”

“One thing so magical occurs while you simply make the selection to let one thing go,” she concluded. “After which it’s gone, and also you’re like, ‘Oh my God, I’m free.’ As a result of I’m free, I need y’all to be free.”

You’ll be able to watch the complete video proper right here…