Nothing Could Prepare Tyra Banks for Her Mom's Reaction to Her Ice Cream Shop: 'I'll Never Forget It'
Tyra Banks just gave her mom the sweetest surprise.
On June 24, the supermodel shared an emotional Instagram video capturing the moment her mom, Carolyn London, saw Banks’ new ice cream shop, Smize & Dream, for the first time.
In the clip, London turns from Banks to see her daughter's new flagship storefront in Sydney, Australia. Upon seeing it for the first time, the proud mom immediately burst into happy tears.
“Oh my God, it’s huge! I thought it was going to be a little ice cream store,” she said between sobs.
Banks then led her mom inside of the shop and shared its special meaning.
“And Mama, you know, this is dedicated to you,” Banks said. “It’s dedicated to you, Mama.”
Tyra Banks shows her mom the interior of her new ice cream shop. (@tyrabanks via Instagram)
Banks previously shared that her mom was the inspiration behind Smize & Dream, an "immersive" experience where everyone employed will either be a working or aspiring actor playing different characters.
“They’ll be embodying their dream, because it’s Smize & Dream — all about dreams, inspired by my mom who inspired me to dream,” Banks told TODAY.com in April. “So, every actor will be playing the role of their dream.”
In the Instagram clip, London opened up about how ice cream played an important role in the pair’s relationship. Growing up, ice cream was one of Banks’ favorite treats.
"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, I did whatever I could ... and the way we would celebrate each week that I got through is I would take her for ice cream in Hollywood," London tearfully explained while holding onto Banks.
“And we would sit in the car and talk about what we wanted out of life and where we wanted to go and how we wanted to live and her dreams and trying to inspire her to be focused,” she added. “That ice cream was so special for us.”
Tyra Banks and her mother share a long embrace. (@tyrabanks via Instagram)
As the mother-daughter duo explored the gold interior of the shop, they shared a long embrace, soaking up the unforgettable moment.
“I’m so happy, so happy for you,” London said through tears.
Banks then grabbed her mom in another hug.
“For us, Mama,” she said in response.
The cherry on top of the emotional moment was the love and support viewers shared in the video’s comments section.
“Soooo sweet!! Love you both! ❤️❤️❤️” one user wrote.
“The love in this video is so deep. I cried with mom. We are all proud of you. But the proudest is mama,” a second added.
