'Hot Mama': inside Tyra Banks' bizarre new 'hot ice cream' that's breaking the internet

Tyra Banks has always been a bit on the weird side, and that’s saying it with love.

We’ve seen her go from smizing on "America’s Next Top Model" to delivering some of the most chaotic TV moments ever.

Remember when she pretended to faint to teach contestants about acting? Or when she made a model wear a fat suit to “experience life as an overweight person”? Or the infamous makeover episodes where girls cried, and Tyra just said, “We were all rooting for you!”

The internet hasn’t forgotten.

Now, the supermodel-turned-businesswoman, 51, has confused followers this time with her latest obsession, "hot ice cream".

In a series of frenzied TikToks, Tyra revealed her dreams of serving “ice cream you can drink” at her Australian shop, SMiZE & Dream.

“I feel like I’m going crazy,” she said, explaining that it’s not a latte or hot chocolate, it’s something entirely new. Though honestly, it sounds suspiciously like a warm milkshake.

Apparently, it took “over a year to get right,” she explained before unveiling her first flavour, Hot Mama, a toasted pecan and caramel butter concoction that looks like a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and nuts.

The drink was available in Sydney for just a week, from September 26 to October 3, but she hinted at more hot ice cream flavours coming soon… if society allows it or Sydney at least.

Of course, the internet had thoughts. “Celebrities have too much time on their hands lol,” one TikTok user wrote. Another added, “Being rich and famous is trippy.” 

This whole “hot ice cream” saga feels like another case of rich people inventing things nobody asked for.

But here’s the bigger picture: rich celebrities have realised they don’t actually need to invent things people need. They just need to invent things that their obsessed fans will buy.

Fans get so obsessed that they feel like they personally know these stars, which explains why people will buy anything they put their name on, no matter how weird.

Experts suggest that celebrities are acutely aware of this dynamic. By launching unique products, they not only cater to their fanbase's desires but also set trends that can dominate markets.

It’s a clever, if sometimes absurd, business model. Create a bizarre, exclusive product, let the hype build, and watch the money roll in.

From Gwyneth Paltrow selling candles that smell like body parts to Sydney Sweeney reportedly monetising her bathwater, the line between innovation and absurdity is getting thinner by the day.

Tyra's hot ice cream confused viewers.

@✨Audrey✨ commented: "One thing about Tyra, she’s going to confuse the hell out of you."

While @Envymeto commented, "I love how she kept emphasising 'hot ice cream' but never actually explained it."

Still, if anyone can sell a hot milkshake as a luxury experience, it’s Tyra Banks.

After all, she convinced the world to smize for nearly two decades. Maybe she’ll pull this off, too, but until then, we’ll just keep our ice cream cold, thanks.