Tyra Banks Opening New Ice Cream Flagship in Australia
90s supermodel, “Smize” expert, and former talk show host Tyra Banks is anticipating the upcoming launch of her flagship ice cream brand down under. The America’s Next Top Model host has turned over a new leaf by opening of her first Smize and Dream parlor.
Banks founded Smize and Dream in 2021 during the height of the pandemic. The inspiration came from watching her mother work hard to provide for her and her siblings. On the company’s official website, she wrote, “During Mama’s hard-working years, every Friday night after homework and dinner, we’d have girls’ night at the Häagen Dazs ice cream shop in Hollywood.”
She continued, “Launching a business ain’t easy, especially one that started during the pandemic. We’re still overcoming some of those setbacks, as well as obstacles and challenges that arise daily. But I rise and I Smize every day, because even though it’s hard as hell, things are looking bright (and tasting phenomenal!) I am living my biggest creative dream!”
Launching the ice cream business in Australia was part of a larger move for Banks, who moved herself, her husband, and her son down under. Before the move, Banks lost her home to the California fires earlier this year. She commented in an interview, “I’ve been going to Australia a lot because we were making a lot of our ice cream there in this big facility, doing our recipes. I just fell in love with it. Every time I went back, and went back.”
Australia is one of the top three countries that also consume the frozen dessert. The shop now operates in two locations in Sydney and will open a third soon. Banks organized a popup for the brand in 2024 in Washington, D.C. That shop featured ten core flavors and some experimental ones. Each cone and cup featured a “Smize surprise,” such as cream or cookie dough.
The popup was successful and followed other popups in various cities, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the star’s hometown, Los Angeles.
The flagship, which will open in Darling Harbor later this year, will include what she’s teased in interviews as “immersive theater” because everyone working in the shop will be an aspiring or working actress and actor. Banks acknowledged that this was a conscious decision. “They’ll be embodying their dream because it’s Smize & Dream. All about dreams, inspired by my mom, who inspired me to dream.”
She finished, “So, every actor will be playing the role of their dream.”
While the star has yet to reveal the grand opening date, you can shop Smize and Dream products on their website.
