Cynthia Bailey is backing up her fellow modeling alum Tyra Banks despite a recent backlash against Banks for past “Top Model” critiques.

“I love Tyra,” the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star told Page Six. “We actually came up together and I’ve always had a lot of respect for her and still do. I think some of the things she said to the models could’ve been taken out of context, but one thing I know about Tyra is she’s definitely a pioneer in this industry,” she told Page Six.

Banks’ comments towards Season 6 winner Danielle Evans had her in the hot seat this past week. Referring to Evans’ unwillingness to close the gap in her front teeth, Banks said “Do you really think you can have a CoverGirl contract with a gap in your mouth? … It’s not marketable.”

Banks has since written on Twitter: “Looking back, those were some really off choices. Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs.”

Bailey, no stranger to the pressures of the modeling industry, understands both sides. “When I first started modeling I had buck teeth and I had a gap and I closed it,” she told us. “I’ve worked more when it was closed, I was fine with it. I had a boob job when I turned 40 … You have to do what you need to do to be successful.”