In the Hulu docuseries In Vogue: The 90s, model Tyson Beckford shares a poignant journey from the streets of the Bronx to the glamorous world of fashion, revealing how a tragic loss redirected his life’s trajectory.
At 53, Beckford recounts how modeling felt like an unattainable “fantasy” during his youth. Vogue editor Tonne Goodman highlights the connection between Beckford and renowned designer Ralph Lauren, who recognized Beckford’s potential by making him the face of Polo. Goodman notes, “What a lot of people don’t know about Ralph is that he actually grew up in a regular, working-class family. He grew up in the Bronx.”
Beckford admits that he initially had no interest in modeling and was heading down a dangerous path. However, everything changed when an opportunity arose. He credits his late brother, Patrick, for encouraging him to pursue a more promising future. “I got into modeling because of my late brother Patrick. I had done a photoshoot with The Source hip-hop magazine. I remember showing him, and he was so excited for me,” Beckford shares in the series.
Patrick’s encouraging words were vital. “He basically told me to stop being in the street and go be an actor, go be a model, go be whatever you want to be,” Beckford recalls. Tragically, this would be their last conversation.
After receiving the devastating news of his brother’s murder in the early hours of the morning, Beckford found himself contemplating revenge. “I’m on the subway to go murder the guys that murdered him. I’m loading my gun, and I remember his words as if he was standing next to me,” he reflects. In that moment of despair, Beckford realized that a life of violence was not what he truly desired. “It just dawned on me that this isn’t the life that I want, no. And it basically changed my life,” he states, pivoting from a path of crime to one filled with auditions and casting calls.
Beckford’s relationship with Patrick deeply influenced his perspective. “He was the eldest of the family, so for me, he was like my inspiration, my teacher. He was the real gangster of the family, so anything I know, I know from him. He just was like, ‘These streets ain’t for you, man. You’ve got a talent. You can memorize lines,'” Beckford recalls.
His brother’s encouragement marked a turning point in Beckford’s life, urging him to abandon the streets for a more fruitful career. As he pursued modeling and acting, his star began to rise throughout the ’90s.
In a memorable moment from the series, Beckford reflects on his first audition for Ralph Lauren, a pivotal event that would change his life forever. “One day we got a call for a Ralph Lauren audition. I try not to be too excited, but they have me take some Polaroids without my shirt on,” he remembers. Just moments before the casting, he received a call from his agent: “Oh my God, you got it.”
Beckford was in disbelief. “After the Polo ads came out and suddenly I’m the face of the brand? That day, that instant, my life changed. People started looking at me very differently that day.”
Tyson Beckford’s story is a powerful reminder of how pivotal moments and the influence of loved ones can shape one’s destiny, steering them toward success against all odds.
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