This post is part of our Money Face-Offs feature. Let us know who you think comes out ahead in this head-to-head match-up, and check out our other Money Face-Off posts.
As executive producers and hostesses of America's Next Top Model and Project Runway, respectively, Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum have proven that they are much more than just the pretty faces that catapulted them both to fame and fortune on the runway and in the pages of fashion magazines. On the former show, contestants long to hear their mentor, "Miss Tyra," tell them they are "still in the running to become America's Next Top Model." Runway contestants are informed that "You're either in ... or you're out" and cringe if they hear German-born Heidi eulogize: "I'm sorry, you're out ... auf wiedersehen."
The 33-year-old Banks -- featured on Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people in 2006 and 2007 -- certainly keeps busy, hosting her own syndicated daytime eponymous talk show in addition to her efforts on Model, an addictive primetime competitive reality show that airs on The CW network -- a collaboration between CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) and Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) Warner Brothers Entertainment Unit.
Klum, 34, raises three children with Seal, her pop-star husband, and still manages to man the helm at Project Runway. The reality competition between would-be fashion designers airs on Bravo, a channel operated by General Electric's (NYSE: GE) NBC Universal division. Unlike Banks, who took her final stroll down the Victoria's Secret runway in 2005, Klum continues to work as a model as well, recently inking a new contract with Victoria's Secret. Earlier this year, Forbes ranked Klum third on their list of the world's top-earning models.
While Ms. Banks may have a lengthier resume, including acting turns on television and in the movies, the critics are in Ms. Klum's corner with regard to the ladies' current high-profile projects. Tyra has earned just one Daytime Emmy nomination, for "Outstanding Talk Show Host of The Tyra Banks Show." She also accepted a Teen Choice Award in 2007 for her work on Model. But as producer of Project Runway, Klum has thrice nabbed an Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Reality-Competition Program," while Model has been shut out of the running in each of its eight "cycles."
In one corner, we have a successful hostess of two popular programs who earns commendation in the pages of Time magazine and garners respect for her "So What!" campaign for healthy body images among women. In the other, we have Klum, who has repeatedly earned nods from the Emmy board and continues her modeling career, even after delivering three children (the last of whom was born last November). Making things even more complicated, Klum and Banks collaborate as co-producers on Germany's Next Top Model, of which Heidi acts as the hostess.
I'd call this one basically a wash, with a slight advantage toward Ms. Klum. But I suspect that's only because I really like Seal's "Kiss from a Rose" song.
Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.
Vote in our poll for Heidi Klum or Tyra Banks, and let us know in the comments why your choice has the financial edge in this match-up. Also be sure to check out our other Money Face-Offs.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-20-2007 @ 12:47PM
Crystal said...
Tyra is way better than Heidi. You barely hear of Heidi but everyday you here somthing new dats good about Tyra Banks
9-29-2007 @ 10:46AM
jim said...
I predict in the next five years the Billionaires like Oprah and Bill Gates will have completely new billionaires to compete with and they will be coming from one of the fastest growing vehicles on earth.
They are still known pioneers and we still will keep admiring and thanking them. The new crop and competition will be low key and unknown. its businesses like www.jpadinternational.com and www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/jimdickey that will help the future economy. See you at the top!
Jim,