Supermodel Tyra Banks may be a celebrity in her own right but no one can deny that she became a household byword when her name was linked to golfer Tiger Woods. The 34-year old actress and model recently made it to the tabloids after she was criticized for her alleged weight gain, a far cry from the body which became the star of the Elite Modeling agency. However, Banks said she does not encourage women to become slaves to the perfect look. Despite her not-so-perfect body Banks still made it to the People Magazine’s list of the World’s 100 Most Beautiful Women. Way back in 2006, she was named by TIME Magazine one of the world’s most influential people. Banks, who currently hosts “America’s Next Top Model”, has modeled for Dolce & Gabbana, Cover Girl, Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Hilfiger and Anna Sui.

Professional swimmer Estella Warren made it to Hollywood consciousness when she got linked to Diehard man Bruce Willis. However, Warren is enjoying life after Willis through a budding modelling career. She was featured in the Swimsuit Edition of Sports Illustrated. Warren may just make it to the top of the modelling world considering her guts and shamelessness especially when it comes to posing naked. She has made it to the covers of the various editions of Marie Claire, Elle, GQ and even Yahoo Internet Life. She also appeared in different advertisement campaigns for Chanel, Samsung notebooks, Volvo, Cacharel, Perry Ellis, Andrew Marc and the catalogue of Victoria’s Secret. She has also appeared in the movie “Planet of the Apes”.

Czech supermodel Karolina Isela Kurkova has been in the headlines lately for her seemingly ballooning figure. This may however sound exaggerated because the sexiest woman in the world, at least as of November 2008, looks sexier than ever. Kurkova is one of the more popular models for the famous lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret. She started modelling in Milan at the age of 15 until she was discovered by Prada designer Miuccia Prada and became associated with the world-famous brand. Kurkova is now facing weight problems no thanks to a thyroid disorder known as hyperthyroidism which is causing havoc to her metabolism. It was during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week last June when the Brazilian media noticed Kurkova’s fuller figure and they even castigated her for her love handles and cellulite. Kurkova’s regular diet consist of vegetables and fruits but she even went on a drastic diet in preparation for the Victoria’s Secret fashion show last November but no matter how she tried the pounds just keep on adding up.