"I've always felt it was my mission to expand the narrow perceptions of beauty," says Banks.  She tries  to "challenge industry and universal standards" by "celebrating non-traditional beauty" and stressing the importance of inner beauty.

The criteria?  Contestants must wear size 12 to 20, be between thirteen and nineteen, 5'9" or taller, oh, and American. 

That's OK, Canadian full figure women had their opportunity last year during Canada's Plus Size model search :), sponsored by Penningtons, Addition Elle & MXM along with Specs Model Agency & Lou Lou Magazine.  You've seen the finalists featured in our Fall advertising campaigns.

Tyra's finalists & the grand prize winner will be announced on her talk show early March. 

If done well, this search may help plus size teens uncover their inner beauty and encourage impressionable, curvy girls to realize that a fit, healthy size 16 is as stunning as a size 6.

We'll be watching....