Tyra Banks transformed a cherished childhood memory into the ultimate surprise for her mother. The iconic supermodel secretly brought 76-year-old Carolyn London to the grand opening of her flagship Smize & Dream ice cream shop in Sydney, Australia. The emotional reveal, captured on Instagram, left both mother and daughter in tears.
The 51-year-old America’s Next Top Model host kept the surprise completely secret from her mom. “She had no idea. I kept it a secret from my mom. Then I surprised her with her first look at the @SMiZEandDREAM flagship in Sydney,” Banks wrote on social media. London’s reaction was immediate and overwhelming as she broke down seeing her daughter’s dream realized.
Mother’s Emotional Reaction: From Single Mom Struggles to Success Story
London’s tears stemmed from memories of their humble beginnings when Banks was growing up. “Oh my God, it’s beautiful,” London said as they approached the ice cream shop entrance. Her emotional response reflected years of sacrifice and hard work as a single mother raising a future supermodel.
The proud mother recalled working multiple jobs to support young Tyra. “Years and years ago, when I was working so hard as a single mom, I worked more than one job. I worked two jobs. I worked three jobs,” London shared. Despite financial struggles, she always found ways to celebrate small victories with her daughter.
Those weekly celebrations became the foundation for Banks’ current success. London explained how they would mark each completed work week with special ice cream trips to Hollywood. These simple moments created lasting bonds that would eventually inspire Banks’ business venture decades later.
Weekly Ice Cream Traditions: Building Dreams One Scoop at a Time
The ice cream shop visits held deep significance beyond just sweet treats for the Banks family. “We would sit in the car and talk about what we wanted out of life and where we wanted to go,” London remembered. These conversations became planning sessions for Tyra’s future dreams and aspirations.
London used these moments to inspire focus and determination in her daughter. They discussed how they wanted to live and encouraged each other to pursue their goals. “That ice cream was so special for us,” London reflected, highlighting how these simple traditions created powerful motivation.
These childhood conversations clearly paid off as Banks became one of the world’s most iconic Black supermodels. The weekly ice cream trips transformed from survival celebrations into dream-building sessions. Now, Banks has turned those memories into a successful business venture that honors their special tradition.
Smize & Dream Flagship Store: Turning Childhood Dreams into Business Reality
The Sydney flagship store represents more than just a business expansion for Banks. “It’s crazy, mom, because when I look at everything, I can’t believe this is real,” she told London during the surprise visit. The store embodies the dreams they discussed during those weekly ice cream trips years ago.
Banks acknowledged that the reality exceeded even her childhood dreams. “Yeah, it’s my dream, but it’s more than what I dreamed,” she reflected while standing in her new store. The flagship location serves as tangible proof that their conversations in Hollywood parking lots created lasting impact.
Furthermore, the store opening demonstrates how childhood experiences can inspire entrepreneurial success. Banks took a simple family tradition and transformed it into a business concept that honors her mother’s sacrifices. The Smize & Dream brand now represents both professional achievement and personal tribute.
Mother-Daughter Bond: Collaborating Through Success and Challenges
Banks and London have maintained their close relationship throughout Tyra’s career journey. They previously collaborated on writing “Perfect Is Boring,” a book published in 2018 that shared their experiences together. This literary partnership demonstrated their continued teamwork beyond the modeling world.
London also frequently appeared on America’s Next Top Model, where she encouraged contestants with wisdom gained from raising a successful daughter. Her presence on the show highlighted the supportive role she played in Banks’ career development. These appearances allowed viewers to witness their special bond firsthand.
The ice cream shop surprise represents the latest chapter in their ongoing collaboration story. “Mama, this is dedicated to you,” Banks told London at the store opening. This dedication acknowledges not only her mother’s sacrifices but also her ongoing influence in Banks’ life and career decisions.
