On today’s edition of “Tamron Hall,” model and actress Eva Marcille joined the show to discuss her incredible career including winning cycle three of “America’s Next Top Model” and starring in the hit BET+ series “All the Queen’s Men,” as well as being a mother. Marcille reminisced about her time on the hit competition show and shared the life changing words of wisdom Banks shared with her following her win.

Marcille also opened up about her recent divorce, setting the record straight and hitting back at Instagram trolls who commented on her slimmer appearance. Later, Tamron kicked off the show’s first-ever series highlighting up-and-coming hair and fashion stylists, showcasing Atlanta stylist Ryan Christopher on yesterday’s episode. See more inside and a video clip..

Eva Marcille on the priceless life advice Tyra Banks gave her 20 years ago:

“I remember that night. I’d won and we had washed up all of our makeup and I was just on a high. I just was through the roof. And I remember asking Tyra, ‘All these beautiful girls. Why me? I’m a regular girl from South Central Los Angeles that was supposed to be – not this. So why me?’ And she looked me square in my eyes and said, ‘Why not?’ And every time I ask myself, ‘Why me?’ from a blessing or something that God gives me, I always remember, I hear Tyra’s saying, ‘Why not?,’ reminding me. And she planted a seed in me so young, I don’t think she realized what she did, or maybe she did, but she planted a seed to remind me that I’m good enough.”

Eva Marcille opens up about what led to her unintentional weight loss and how she dealt with the comments on social media:

“Oh absolutely [I saw the comments before deactivating]. But where do you put them [the comments] right? Where do you put the negative feelings, things that are not good? Where do you put them? You try to bury them down in your person and all that ends up doing is –.” Tamron steps in to ask, “Did you expect those[negative comments]? When you saw the picture of yourself, did you think I look slimmer than I normally look?” Marcille answers, “No! I thought I looked cute! Now Tamron, look I came here to be transparent, like honest. I went through a divorce last year. Anyone that’s ever been through a divorce knows that divorce is hard. It’s like a stomach flu, like you will be skinny afterward. You are a 200 pound person – you’re gonna drop at least 30 pounds. So for me, I lost weight just naturally going through life and I found myself depressed. Before my divorce, through my divorce just trying to just navigate and rediscover ‘Who am I?’ I’m not the wife anymore. I’m not someone’s someone. I’m someone’s mom but if I took the mom away, if I took Madam away, if I took ‘Top Model’ away like who’s Eva? Who am I? And making sure that I prioritize knowing that character and building that character.”