Tyra Banks Transforms into a fierce Tigress for PAPER Magazine

She made 'fierce' a household phrase while hosting her hit America's Next Top Model.

And Tyra Banks looked sexy and strong as she transformed into a smoldering tiger for a sizzling new shoot with PAPER magazine's Break The Internet Issue, released on Tuesday.

The statuesque beauty, 43, looked almost unrecognizable as she slipped into an ultra-sheer leotard, while painting her face and body with wildcat stripes.

The model turned TV presenter went all out for the look, even adding a prosthetic nose to make her look as feline as possible in the shots snapped by photographer Vijat Mohindra. Ty-gra, as she was calling her inner animal, let a long, blonde mane from from her crown while wearing a solid gold collar around her neck.

Tyra's hair was done by Kim Kimble, while her make-up look came from Valente Frazier and her manicure was perfected by Yoko Sakurakura.

In the accompanying interview, Tyra discussed leaving her role on America's Next Top Model and subsequently returning.

She said: 'I stepped away, but social media was calling my name in my sleep, screaming they were p****d off at me that I deserted [the show].

'I needed to bring my butt back, so I did. One thing I know is from studying business, they say your brand is not what you say it is, it's what they say it is.

'I thought Top Model would be fine without me hosting, but the social media sphere let me know that was not the case.'