• Banks kept the news private to avoid causing attention to herself and others.
• Banks realized the extent of the damage when she asked her partner.
• The wildfires have killed at least 27 people and destroyed over 15,000 structures.

Tyra Banks, former host of “Dancing with the Stars”, recently revealed that devastating wildfires in Los Angeles destroyed her home. Speaking on Australia’s morning show “Sunrise”, Banks admitted, “I lost my house. I haven’t talked about it, but, yeah, I have.”

The America’s Next Top Model creator explained why she kept the news private for so long. “I didn’t want to pull a lot of attention to me,” Banks said.

“There’s a lot of people that need that attention, so I haven’t talked about it. But I can’t sit here and not tell the truth that, yeah, we lost our house.”

Tyra Banks learned about the wildfires while she was in Australia. She recalled staying with friends and actively trying to get updates on the situation in Los Angeles.

“I kept checking my phone, not for my house, but for friends and family, making sure they were evacuating and everything,” she said.

She described the moment she realized the extent of the damage. “I asked my partner, ‘I’m seeing something here, what do you think?’ and he [nodded],” Banks said.

Despite receiving the shocking news, she maintained her composure. She explained that she held herself together and chose not to say anything to her friends. Later, they went home, cried, and allowed themselves to process the moment.

Banks, who divides her time between Australia and New York City, revealed that some sentimental items were still in her L.A. home. She noted that many mementos are kept in New York, saying, “I didn’t lose that, thank goodness. But there were some mementos that we lost. It’s tough.”

The L.A. wildfires have wreaked havoc, killing at least 27 people and destroying over 15,000 structures. Firefighters continue working tirelessly to contain the flames, bringing the Palisades Fire to over 60% containment and the Eaton Fire close to 90% containment.