Impossibly attractive people searching for love on reality TV is nothing new. From The Bachelor to Love Is Blind, we’ve been addicted to many juicy variations on the same compelling format. But it’s decidedly unusual when the hottest man on the planet admits even he needs a little help in the romance department.
Six-foot-two modeling legend Tyson Beckford, who shot to fame in the early 1990s with smoldering ad campaigns for Ralph Lauren, has dated models, actresses and socialites. Laser-focused on his career, which branched out to include successes on the runway and in acting and hosting, he’s still single at 54. (Let’s all agree, though, that he looks the same as he did at 24!) So he’s putting himself out there on Bravo’s Kings Court (Sundays, 9 p.m., and streaming next day on Peacock) alongside two other eligible bachelors, NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer and the WWE’s Thaddeus “Titus O’Neil” Bullard.
Hey, it’s a strategy once endorsed by Travis Kelce: He was set up with 50 women, one from each state, when he headlined E!’s Catching Kelce in 2016… although we know how that ultimately turned out. For Beckford, this wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, but so far, it’s shaping up to be a good one.
Naturally, the diverse cast of gorgeous, intelligent, sassy women all think Beckford is hot, but will any of their flirtations blossom into lasting love? After his cover shoot at NYC’s Elsie Rooftop and Penthouse, Us sat down with Beckford to find out how past heartbreak, misconceptions about who he is and a burning desire to be a dad again (son Jordan, with ex April Roomet, is 26) brought him here.
People are pretty surprised to see you on Kings Court! How did you finally agree to it?
I walked away four times. I said, “No, I don’t want to do that.” But then somebody inside me — my second Tyson in me! — said, “Look, you’re just scared to cry on TV and let people know how you’ve been hurt.” And I was like, Maybe this is the therapy I need? Maybe I do need to get back out there? So I said to myself, “Let’s do it!” And then I went in and decided not to hold back. We’re just going to be our genuine self — that person who is emotional, the mama’s boy. We’re going to show that side.
Why is it so hard for you — widely considered to be the most beautiful man in the world — to find love?
Well, I don’t have a hard time dating. Let’s be clear about that. That comes easy — the supermarket, laundromat, anywhere! But it’s finding love. That’s not an easy thing for anyone in the limelight to do. I’ve been around gorgeous models my whole life. So for me, finding somebody in that pack has never been easy. I went in with a clean slate. I’ve tried other things — except for dating apps, I refuse to do that. But apparently there are a lot of guys on these dating apps pretending to be me!
OK, so that was not you who slid into our DMs. Good to know. What are some other misconceptions about you?
Well, I’m not gay. I think being a male in fashion, and being told you’re good-looking, means that sometimes the first thing that comes to mind is that you’re gay, but I’m not. I have friends who are gay, and I do love them and protect them. I just don’t think that was something I ever gave off. And secretly, I was always dating somebody. I was always in a relationship, but I never let it get into the press.
It’s definitely true that you take care of yourself! How do you stay looking so young?
I’m a picky eater. I love to work out. I’m adventurous. If I’m home in Miami, I’m either out on my motorcycle or at the beach or planning with my friends to go skydiving or something. We’re always doing something that requires core strength! I don’t drink. I don’t eat red meat. I love to eat veggies. I love to snack on carrots and anything healthy. I eat dinner between the hours of 6 and 7:30, and I don’t eat anything processed. I take good care of my skin. I drink a lot of water. I go outside. If I’m going to the beach, I’ll wear SPF 50. I’m constantly taking care of myself!
Women will very much want to know what you’re looking for. How would you describe your queen?
She’s got to be like me — she can’t take herself too seriously. You’ve got to be able to poke fun at yourself, to joke and be funny. I think in the Kings Court house, I’m the funniest one out of all the guys. And she has to be ready to be on the go, because 10 months out of the year, I’m traveling. But she definitely has to have a sense of humor because I’m a practical joker. I’m probably going to get a picture of her sleeping some way and post it on Instagram, and she can’t be mad. If she’s wearing her mask, I definitely got to get a picture of that.
What else?
I try to be everyone’s friend in the house — I want somebody as friendly as I am. If we go to a party, I want to know she’s good over there, she’s entertaining everyone. And if I hear big laughter and she’s in the center of it, I know that I picked the right woman.
You’ve been quite open about how your relationship with Victoria’s Secret model Shanina Shaik damaged you. What can you tell us about that?
It turned into something like a soap opera. And no one really wanted to hear my side. I was madly in love, and I seriously never got my heart broken like that before.
You dated for a long time, 2008 to 2015. Did you think she was The One?
I was like, I’m getting married! One month before we broke up, I met the vice president of Cartier, and I told him I had this amazing lady I wanted to marry and I knew the ring. So I had these great plans, and [the breakup] was a crushing blow. Honestly, it took me three, four years to get over it and really start to get back out in the dating pool. I went into a defense mode of wanting to be in my shell, not wanting to go anywhere, not hanging out, not even being seen for a while.
Is it true that Naomi Campbell helped you through it?
She told me: “You are an icon, and you just need to get back out there.” And for me, it was time. I think time is the best healer of all wounds. I don’t have anything against [Shaik]. I still love her from a distance, but I’ve never been in the same room since we broke up. I don’t get teary-eyed or choked up now, but I feel a little something.
It seems like you’re a more sensitive guy than we all imagined…
I had a friend tell me, “Don’t let me catch you crying again!” That was tough. And that’s when I realized I can’t be so emotional. The world sees you as this Mr. Loverman, Mr. Playboy, and it’s so crazy that I’m really not that person. I like long walks on the beach. I like sunsets; sunrises are beautiful. So I know now I’m not this big, tough macho guy everyone makes me out to be. I’m a sweet, loving guy. And on the show, that helps me get in touch with the women’s vulnerability and their presence and sweetness as well.
Let’s talk about some of the other famous women you’ve been linked to in the past. Did you date Foxy Brown?
I did not. She was always a friend, but she had a boyfriend, Baby Cham, a big reggae artist who was a friend of mine, so that [rumor] was kind of weird.
What about Carmen Electra?
She actually was dating my friend Dennis Rodman, so no, me and Carmen were always friends.
Kim Kardashian?
Yeah, it was three days. It was Paris Hilton who introduced us. She was like, “I got this friend. She got a big ol’ booty!” [Kim] was just breaking up with Ray J at the time. She seems to not remember it, but OK. I guess I am forgettable?
We don’t think so! Coming from the fashion world, is it important to you that you date someone stylish?
Well, I had had one ex say I was controlling, because I would be like, “Girl, don’t wear that. Wear the shorter one!” I’m that guy who’s like, “You’re going out with the girls? Oh, don’t wear that. You look like Grandma. Put this on. This is sexy. Go on out there!”
What are your other non-negotiables?
I’d want to make sure they’re not into surgeries of any kind, Brazilian butt lifts, stuff like that. And then I told
the producers that I don’t want anyone with lips bigger than fish or mine, because mine are natural. I just wanted a natural, genuine, hard-working woman. And they came back with so many, it was abundant.
Are you a good partner?
I can’t say I’m perfect, but I’m working to be the best I can be. One day I want to be somebody’s husband.
You’re really looking to settle down?
I would love to get married. My life plan was to be married before 30, four or five kids before 35, and it didn’t work out that way. I think I put too much emphasis on being great at my job. I had a heart-to-heart talk with my son the other day and said there were a lot of things I missed because I was at work, and if I had to do over, [I would].
He’s all grown up now. Do you want more kids?
I want to push baby strollers and change diapers. I feel like I’ve got baby fever again. That doesn’t mean I’m running around — I’m not Nick Cannon! I just want to be in a solid relationship with somebody I really care about. I don’t care if they’re in the industry or not, but it’d be kind of good if they’re in the industry so they get it.
Has doing the show taught you anything new about relationships?
One of the things I’ve learned is around being sensitive to how a woman feels. When she gets home, you’ve got to get her some flowers, ask about her day, rub her feet, have that glass of wine ready. Those are the things we need
to do as men, and I think sometimes we fall short — we’re at home playing video games on the couch. No. Greet her. Hug her, kiss her, squeeze her. Appreciate her.
Sounds good to Us!
