For some, signing up model/TV host/entrepreneur Tyra Banks for the 2022 Chick Lit Luncheon was a bit of a surprise. Perhaps they didn’t know that she had written an adult novel, “Modelland,” in 2011 with ghostwriter Michael Salort, and “Perfect Is Boring” with her mother Carolyn London in 2018. While she didn’t fit the mold of past Chick Lit speakers, like Academy Award-winning actress Goldie Hawn, she was still well known for being spontaneous and open — unlike past Chick Lit keynoters like Katie Holmes, whose responses were limited to one- and two-word answers, or Bethenny Frankel’s free-wheeling “R-rated” shout outs.
But getting to Tyra at the Community Partners of Dallas fundraiser on Friday, September 30, at the Hilton Anatole posed challenges starting as soon as the VIP and general admission receptions both got underway at 10:30 a.m. The first challenge was due to Wycliff Avenue’s being squeezed down to just one lane on the north side of Stemmons. Thanks to the reduction, traffic was backed up on both Wycliff and the Stemmons frontage road, as more than 1,000 guests played chicken with 18-wheelers that were also vying to squeeze into the single lane underneath the freeway.
Alas, it didn’t get much better once guests hit the Anatole property. Attendees in many cases had to opt for the self-parking lots, which were already crowded. Even VIP types flashing bright pink cards with shiny seals on their dashboards found themselves at the mercy of those who felt entitled to No. 1 status. When they vainly tried to explain the situation to the valets, still more delays ensued.
Organizers were notified of the situation and informed how years before, when construction had created similar problems, off-duty police had been hired to direct traffic around the hotel. The CPD staffers, who had arrived at 9:30, were shocked. They had indeed hired police, they said; were there no police directing traffic?! Alas, by that time it was too late to do anything about the situation.
A meet-and-greet photo opp with VIP types in the Wedgwood Room had been nixed by Tyra’s folks, due to her “Dancing With The Stars” COVID restrictions. So, it was decided that CPD President/CEO Paige McDaniel and Tyra would do a Q&A on a platform at one side of the Wedgwood. Across the way, a photo opp backdrop went pretty much unnoticed.
But, it wasn’t the only thing being ignored.
During Paige’s and Tyra’s chat, guests halfway back in the room seemed to be having their own gab-fests. At one point the din from the chatty guests was so obvious that Paige stood up and, over the PA, asked folks to simmer down so the onstage conversation could be heard. The chatter then stopped … briefly.
One late-arriving VIP, upon checking out the room from the raised steps, asked, “Is that Tyra Banks? It doesn’t look like her.”
So perhaps the glamorama promotional photos of the former “Sports Illustrated” model weren’t as current as today’s Tyra. But while the curves may have become more curvaceous, the personality and face remained showstoppers.
As the conversation ended, Paige told the crowd that they were to adjourn to the ballroom while Tyra exited with handlers thru a nearby door. That threw CPD Development and Communications VP Joanna Clarke for a loop. She had planned for a photo to be taken of Tyra standing with the multitude of guests in the background. Scrambling to save the massive selfie, organizers managed to bring Tyra back for a picture-perfect smile backed by hundreds of other happy faces held behind a rope barrier.
As soon as the photo was snapped, Tyra and entourage headed for the Peacock Room, where she would remain until her conversation with Kellie Rasberry took place an hour later in the Chantilly Ballroom.
Originally the luncheon had been scheduled to be held in the mammoth Trinity Ballroom, where it had been for chats with Andy Cohen in 2019 and Goldie Hawn via video last year. But just days before, organizers were told that the Chantilly Ballroom had become available, so they decided to accept the offer.
In the meantime, 1,300 guests started filling the Chantilly Ballroom and trading the latest news. Tucker Enthoven was just days away from a YPO vintage car tour through Tuscany. … Shonn Brown was being congratulated for being Texas Appleseed’s 2022 Good Apple Dinner honoree, along with her late husband Clarence Brown III. During SMU’s October homecoming festivities, she will also be recognized as one of this year’s SMU Distinguished Alumni for her leadership in philanthropy, business and civic involvement. …Dallas Mavs Corporate Communications SVP Erin Finegold White, who just a couple of weeks before had delivered baby #2, was already getting in shape for the basketball season. …Presenting Sponsor Lara and Bob Tafel were recalling recent challenges that included Lara’s bailing out water during September’s rainstorms and then having to take Bob to the emergency room resulting in his gall bladder being removed.
As guests took their places and Luncheon Co-Chairs Errika Flood-Moultrie and Renita Joyce Smith welcomed the group, it was noted that the ballroom’s chandeliers were having “issues” dimming, coming back up and then darkening again before returning to full-blown strength. When asked about the hiccuping lights, an organizer said that it was probably just someone leaning on a switch, but that she would report it. The report apparently did no good. The manic light show continued throughout the luncheon.
But most guests probably didn’t notice, especially when Errika and Renita announced that guests should check underneath their chairs for a surprise. At each table, one chair had a sheet rewarding the guest with a four-pack of Tyra’s Smize Ice Cream. As sheets were discovered, the sounds of success were heard throughout the ballroom.
As a video was shown honoring the 70th anniversary of Crystal Charity Ball, 2022 CCB Chair Susan Farris looked a bit mystified when she was directed to head to the base of the stage.
When approached about being honored by CPD this year, CCB explained its policy: CCB’s protocol is not to receive awards or any public recognition for its efforts to raise funds for Dallas County children.
However, the CCB-ers relented, in part by allowing CPD to create a brief video saluting CCB’s platinum year. But there was to be no award, no presentation.
As the video concluded showing photos from CCB’s various check presentations to CPD over the years, Paige reached behind a curtain for a bouquet of flowers. She then motioned for Susan to join her on stage for the presentation of flowers. This development came as a surprise, since Susan had been assured there would be no presentation of anything. But at that point, with all eyes watching, there was no turning back. As Susan accepted the flowers for a quick photo and returned to her table, relieved that at least she had been spared making remarks, Paige announced that to thank CCB for its support over the years, the CPD’s Rainbow Room’s shoe area would be named in honor of the fundraising organization.
A second, disturbing video was shown about two young sisters, Marisol and Isabel, who had suffered at the hands of an abusive father. Despite their traumatic childhood, Marisol overcame the ordeal and became a CPS caseworker protecting children from similar conditions.
Following the video, Paige conducted a call for cash and told the group that after the pandemic had forced the annual Chick Lit luncheon to be held in the fall, it would be returning to the spring with a date already scheduled for Friday, April 21, 2023.
She then invited Honorary Chair Cynt Marshall to the stage to introduce Tyra, who entered the room from a side door. Highlights of the conversation included:
- Tyra’s creative way of inventing words like “smizing,” which means smiling with the eyes. On the spot she announced her most current word was “chick-lit-ified” to describe the luncheon’s good-looking guests.
- Her mother’s encouragement for Tyra to overcome challenges.
- Bedrooms: As a child, she recalled how her mother’s taking an additional job had resulted in their moving from a one-bedroom apartment to a two-bedroom. The sign of success for the mother and daughter was getting a place with three bedrooms.
- How she had been rejected by dozens of modeling agencies before finally being signed for print work. That led to receiving assignments and eventually being picked for assignments in Europe.
- Before going to Europe, her mother made her learn about the area.
- Her regret was landing the plum European runway shows and being the most successful model of the season. She told her roommate about her amazing number of assignments, only to learn that some felt she should have been more considerate of the roommate’s not having great luck.
Despite the event’s ups and downs, guests left “smizing” thanks to a lunch with Tyra.