Tyra Banks

Former Witch and Christian Author Featured on The Tyra Banks Show

2007-01-29 -- WDC Media News -- MEDIA ADVISORY -- /Christian Newswire/ -- Just a few hours after receiving an unexpected e-mail, Christian author Sarah Anne Sumpolec was in a car heading to the airport. A sudden cancellation left The Tyra Banks show searching for someone who could bring some “balance” to their upcoming show on “The Lives of Witches”. A producer for the show found an article about Sarah at CBN.com and asked her if she would be willing to come share her story.

“When I was in high school, I was a practicing witch. It wasn’t until college that I became a Christian and came out of that dark world.” Sumpolec said. “The Tyra producers thought my story of coming out of witchcraft, how it lead me to attempt suicide, and my current beliefs about it, was the right balance for their program.” That put Sarah on a plane that night and in L.A. for the taping the next day.

It was a whirlwind experience with limo rides and professional hair and make-up, something this stay at home mom of three doesn’t get very often, or ever. But Sumpolec says that the reason she said yes was not to have a fun weekend jaunt, but it was for the chance to show the Tyra Banks viewers that the world of witchcraft can be a very dangerous choice.

Sumpolec shares her testimony with young adults through an ongoing ministry that encompasses speaking and writing books for teens and twenty-somethings. Her young adult series, Becoming Beka, even features a character that is drawn into the world of witchcraft. She hopes to keep this new generation from the same darkness she found herself in, especially since teens are particularly susceptible to the false claims of witchcraft.

The Tyra Banks Show gave her a much wider audience to share her message since the show averages two million viewers per episode. On Monday, January 29th they’ll hear from six witches, two Satanists and a Christian author who has a different sort of story to tell. Sumpolec says, “It’s always a blessing when we get to share the truth. Even though I was one lone voice, at least those watching will hear about witchcraft from a different angle.”

Clips: Tyra Banks Talk WoW Addiction

Tyra Banks talks to a World of Warcraft addict. I love how very clueless they are about the game, not that you need to know about it. I mean if a guy walks out on his wife birthing his child to go level up he's a giant tool. I love that the guy says he plays World of Warcraft because he didn't want to get too attached to his daughter in case she dies of SIDS. Oh, come on. I mean, yeah it's scary to be a new dad, but CIDS? Hit the jump to watch the on air intervention. Brian Crecente

TYRA BANKS DENIES EATING; BLAMES WEIGHT GAIN ON FAT SUIT

Hollywood — Speaking out against critics who say she has gained too much weight since leaving the runway, Tyra Banks says she has been wearing a fat suit as part of an experiment for her syndicated talk show. Unflattering photos of Banks in a bathing suit have been posted on the Internet, but the former supermodel says she does not overeat and has been wearing the fat suit disguise for the last five months.

The photos of the heavier Banks have had captions like “America’s Next Top Waddle,” “Fat Tyra” and “Tyra Porkchop.” Web sites and tabloids have criticized her for gaining 30 to 40 pounds. “I know that I look like I’ve gained all that weight, but believe me, it’s just one of those fat suits,” explained Banks in an interview with People magazine. “I just want to see how different I’m treated when I’m heavier. So far, people have been brutal.” Banks actually wore a fat suit back in 2005 for a segment on her talk show, “The Tyra Banks Show.” As these new photos have surfaced, the former supermodel is adamant that she has been wearing the suit full time for the past few months. “Come on. Those Internet photos show Banks in an actual bathing suit, and there’s no way that is a fat suit,” said Dateline Hollywood gossip columnist Rip Price. “If you ask me, Tyra is simply trying to avoid the truth, which is that she became a fattie.” Other celebrities have been commenting on Banks’ weight. “She has really let herself go. She apparently has no self-discipline,” said actress Kirstie Alley. When asked if she was indeed overeating, Banks became emotional in her interview with People magazine. “I’ve been in the modeling business since 1991, and I’ve never read so many hateful words about me,” said Banks. “Don’t they realize my friends and family hear these awful rumors? I keep telling people I haven’t eaten more than one meal a day since I started modeling!” Supermodel agent Dino Mistello says the eating rumors could ruin her career.

Sylvester Stallone, Tyra Banks, Gisele...

How did 60-year-old Sylvester Stallone get through all the physical activity required for his latest film, "Rocky Balboa"? Stallone told MSNBC.com he gave up sex. "At 60 you don't have as much energy as you did back when you were 30, so you have to conserve every bit you can." Tyra Banks is flummoxed by tabloids and websites mocking her weight gain. Unflattering photos of the talk show host and former model have been posted and printed with captions such as "America's Next Top Waddle" and "Tyra Porkchop." Banks claims she's more "relatable" at her present weight (161 pounds, she told People magazine). The 5-foot-10 Banks says she is 30 pounds heavier than when she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue in 1997. "I still feel hot, but every day is different. It's when I put on the jeans that used to fit a year ago and don't fit now and give me the muffin top, that's when I say, 'Damn!"' Gisele Bundchen blames families, not the fashion industry's promotion of super-skinny models. The supermodel, who reportedly is dating New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, told Brazilian newspaper O Globo: "I never suffered from (anorexia) because I had a very strong family base. Parents are responsible, not the fashion industry." Bridget Moynahan, a former girlfriend of Brady's, has her friends worried. The New York Daily News reports friends are worried about the "Six Degrees" actress' health after recent weight loss. "We were worried about her before, but she's just gotten too thin. ... She's spending all of her free time at the gym," a pal told the News. Moynahan's reps said, "There has been no change in the actress' weight. She is happy and healthy." Richard Schiff, former co-star of "The West Wing," was quoted by contactmusic.com about a pole-dance fitness routine developed by his wife, Sheila Kelley. "I can manage the warm-up exercises, but I reap the benefit of my wife's expertise, particularly on Valentine's Day," Schiff said.

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