Tyra Banks defends Olivia Jade and calls her 'brave' ahead of 'Dancing With the Stars' debut

• Tyra Banks said Olivia Jade is "so brave" ahead of the "Dancing With the Stars" premiere.
• She added that people "don't know" Giannulli, they "know what happened to her."
• Giannulli made headlines in 2019 when her parents were charged in the college admissions scandal.

Tyra Banks is defending Olivia Jade Giannulli ahead of the YouTuber's debut on season 30 of "Dancing With the Stars."

In an interview $4, the supermodel said that while Giannulli might not be a "celebrity" in the traditional sense of the term, she is famous because everyone is talking about her.

"I think Olivia is so brave. I think people don't know her, they know what happened to her," Banks said.

She continued that she trusts Giannulli when the "DWTS" contestant says that she didn't know "about what was going on," $4.

Banks added: "She has said that she did not know about what was going on and it's really sad, and it's very hurtful when something publicly happens but you had nothing to do with it."

Giannulli is $4 on September 20 to show off their dancing skills. Banks, who is hosting the show, said that by choosing to join the cast, Giannulli is going to "tell her story and show her vulnerability."

Giannulli $4 when her parents, actress Lori Loughlin and designer Massimo Giannulli, were charged in connection with paying Rick Singer $500,000 to get Giannulli and her older sister, Isabella, into the University of Southern California.

As a result, Massimo served $4, while Loughlin was released from prison in December 2020 after serving $4.

Prior to the college admissions scandal, Giannulli had a partnership with Sephora and was best known for her popular YouTube channel where she shared beauty and fashion tips.