Tyra Banks Claims She Remained Completely Alcohol-Free Until The Big 5-0!

While most wait until they turn 21 to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, supermodel Tyra Banks took it a step further. She said in a new interview that she had her first sip of alcohol in honor of her milestone 50th birthday last year.

Banks Says Alcohol 'Wasn't Worth It'

In a new interview with People, Banks talks about turning 50 back in December in Australia, where lives.

“‘My mom and my best friend surprised me there, and it was so magical. We took a seaplane, had a meal in the middle of nowhere. I even had an alcoholic drink for the first time! It wasn’t worth it. I was like, ‘This is nasty!’,’” she told the magazine.

Banks Has Been Openly Sober For Years

Banks has been open about her sobriety, often landing on lists of celebrities who choose not to drink. In 2011, Marie Claire quoted her as saying, “‘I feel like I've been very lucky because I don't really have an addictive personality. I've never had any drugs, and I had a little taste of alcohol when I was 12 years old, but that's about it.’"

Banks Says Aging Is 'Rite Of Passage'

Banks told People she was excited about turning 50, describing it as a “rite of passage.”

“‘I could not wait to be 50. I felt it was a rite of passage to be my true self. I like to challenge misconceptions about aging by saying, ‘Child, I’m 50!’’”

Banks has been reportedly living in Australia with her boyfriend, Louis Bélanger-Martin, and her 8-year-old son, York Banks Asla, whom she shares with her ex, Erik Asla.

Banks Embraces Aging

The "Life-Size" actress has taken a refreshing approach to aging, especially in an industry where most are trying to hide the natural process.

“‘I’m a momma and an entrepreneur. I do Zoom meetings with no makeup and throw my wig on… 50 feels good,” she told People.

“‘When I was younger, in elementary school, I thought 50 was like great granny. I thought I would have little glasses and just have a quilt on my lap and watch soap operas all day. I was wrong. What my life is like now is totally different than what I thought. I'm poppin'. I am not insecure about myself. It feels real good.’”

Banks Launched Ice Cream Brand

The entrepreneur launched her own ice cream line, SMiZE & Dream, inspired by the phrase, “smizing,” which Banks coined during her run as a host and judge on “America’s Next Top Model.” To “smize” means to smile with your eyes.

According to the website for the ice cream, “SMiZE & DREAM is an inspirational, theatrical, dream-fulfilling company where entertainment and ice cream collide on a global scale.

Founded by Tyra Banks, SMiZE & Dream’s ice cream has a hidden truffle surprise in every cup, called the SMiZE PRiZE. Strategically located at the bottom of every luxurious serving, the SMiZE PRiZE is a tasty reward after some serious digging - a fun & delicious discovery that appeals to the kid in all of us. It also symbolizes what our company stands for: empowering our worldwide community to dig deep and help each other reach for their dreams via our SMiZE & Dreams mentorship programs.”

Banks Goes Makeup-Free For 50th Birthday

Back in December, Banks took to social media to celebrate her big birthday with a series of makeup-free photos of herself posing before her ice cream birthday cake, which she admitted in her caption was photoshopped.

“50. I can’t believe I’ve been on this earth that many years,” Banks began in the long caption.

“So many fear getting older. That’s understandable. Things just aren’t the same anymore. Our bodies. Our energy. Our minds. But I gotta say, my mind is FIERCER THAN EVER. Wise, baby. But still… I think we have to look at aging and these big milestone years like, “I GET to be that age.” A Blessing. If you’re younger than me, I HOPE you get to reach my age and BEYOND. Because it feels damn good,” she told her 7 million followers.