She did it.  She really, actually did it.  Last year, Tyra Banks announced she was writing a fantasy novel about models, and I honestly thought it was kind of a joke.   But she evidently wrote the book, and found a publisher willing to make actual physical hard copies of it, and now she’s on the promotional trail.

Modelland follows the story of  Tookie De La Crème, an unlikely candidate in a modeling competition set in an alternate reality where the top models have special powers.   But I can’t do this incredible (and I do mean incredible as in “I can’t believe this pile of poop”) new novel justice.   You’ve got to read the plot summary yourself.  From Amazon:

No one gets in without being asked. And with her untamable hair, large forehead, and gawky body, Tookie De La Crème isn’t expecting an invitation. Modelland—the exclusive, mysterious place on top of the mountain—never dares to make an appearance in her dreams.

But someone has plans for Tookie. Before she can blink her mismatched eyes, Tookie finds herself in the very place every girl in the world obsesses about. And three unlikely girls have joined her.

Only seven extraordinary young women become Intoxibellas each year. Famous. Worshipped. Magical. What happens to those who don’t make it? Well, no one really speaks of that. Some things are better left unsaid.

Thrown into a world where she doesn’t seem to belong, Tookie glimpses a future that could be hers—if she survives the beastly Catwalk Corridor and terrifying Thigh-High Boot Camp. Or could it? Dark rumors like silken threads swirl around the question of why Tookie and her new friends were selected . . . and the shadows around Modelland hide sinister secrets.

When you’ve written a novel of this literary caliber, you’ve got to be excited about it.  And doesn’t Tyra look it?  More photos of her appearance at Barnes & Noble in New York City after the jump.

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Tyra Banks has announced plans to write a book.  A fantasy book.  About models.

I know… I’m sorry.  But it’s evidently true.  It’s called Modelland, which is where the action takes place.  A group of friends get mysteriously transported to Modelland, “where dreams come true and life can change in the blink of a smoky eye.”  There they meet the intoxibellas, “drop-dead beautiful, kick-butt fierce and, yeah, maybe they have some powers too.”

Why, Tyra, WHY?? (And what were you inhaling when you dreamed that up???!)

“As you might know, I step into a bookstore and I shake (really!) because I love books so much.”

No, I didn’t know, and I didn’t need to know.   So who’s going to read Modelland?

“…all the girls and guys who want a lot more fantasy in their lives… and some fierceness and magic, romance and mystery, crazy and wild adventures, and yeah, some danger too.”

OK then.  Can’t wait to see this literary masterpiece fly off the shelves!

TYRA BANKS IS THE HIGHEST PAID WOMAN ON PRIME TIME TV!

[ Images by Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com ]

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Wow.  I would have never ever guessed that!  According to Forbes , Tyra Banks is the highest paid female on prime time television!  The America’s Next Top Model judge AND creator raked in a lot of dough this past year.  Just how much you ask?  How about $30 million?! Yep. That is a ton on money for Miss Tyra.

Katherine Heigl came in 2nd place with just $18 million.  That’s a huge difference.  It looks like Tyra Banks has spanked her competition. Sharing you ‘real hair’ has it benefits I guess!

Do you think Tyra Banks is work $30 million a year? Sound off below…

[image by WENN.com]

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Tyra Banks and Kate Moss have been waxed.  Yes, there amazing likenesses have been unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London today (Sept 15th).

I like the whole setup with the two of them together.  But, I have to say that Kate doesn’t look half as real as Tyra.  Seriously, I would start talking to Tyra’s figure if you didn’t tell me it was wax.  It’ looks exactly like her!   Kate’s….not so much.

What do you think?  Who looks more real to you?

[images by WENN.com]

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Tyra Banks will be showing the world her REAL hair tomorrow (Sept 8th) as she has declared it, National Real Hair Day.  Tyra will come out with her natural, wet, unstyled hair on stage and then let everyone watch as it gets styled.

“This is fake hair,” Tyra explained to ET. “I’ve shown myself with no makeup, cellulite on my butt, untouched photos, but I haven’t shown my hair. It’s a mystery. People are, ‘Does she have any hair?’”

Tyra hopes to encourage many young women who constantly say they want to look like her. ”So, I want to show them what I really look like,” she says. “I think [my hair] looks like what they really look like. You know? My hair is not all down here and flowing. It’s just pretty normal.” She has worn weaves and wigs since she started modeling and her hair would always end up getting hacked off.

Yes folks, we will be seeing Tyra Banks in all of her ‘natural’ glory tomorrow on her show.  This is great hype to throw in the day before the premiere of America’s Next Top Model, isn’t it?  I am glad that she is showing us the real her.  I think it will help a lot of young ladies out their…..

I will add her ‘before’ pictures after the show tomorrow…..

[images by WENN.com]

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She may be smokin’ hot, but Kim Kardashian knows nothing about the modeling industry. Oh well, that won’t stop Tyra Banks from exploiting her popularity by bringing her on America’s Next Top Model as a guest judge.

Here’s what Kim had to say about her time filming the show:

Recently I was a guest judge on America’s Next Top Model for an episode that will air next season! Wow, this cycle is pretty amazing! It’s definitely my favorite so far! Can’t give away any details but you guys have to tune in for sure! It was such an honor to be a guest judge! I have watched this show for years and am such a huge Tyra Banks fan! She is such a smart business woman and such a role model! Love ya Tyra!

I guess this is her favorite season because it’s for short girls of all shapes and sizes. Kind of gives normal American women hope… but then it smashes it when we realize you can’t make it in the modeling world if you’re short and curvy. Sorry.

[image: wenn.com]

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Tyra Banks thinks way too highly of herself. From her self-serving America’s Next Top Model program, to her low class talk show, she pretty much thinks the world revolves around her. And when another judge started stepping on her territory at ANTM, she fired back, literally. While she blames budget cuts for the release of Paulina Porizkova, everyone knows that her ego was being hurt having someone more beautiful, intelligent and talented than she was on the panel.

“The current state of the economy has forced shows to make major budget cuts industry wide,” said Banks and Mok in a joint statement obtained by People. “America’s Next Top Model is not immune to these financially challenging times. We’ve had to make significant cuts in every area of the production and, unfortunately, Paulina was a casualty of these cuts.”

Riiiight. There are other places to make cuts… How about cutting back on some of the exotic shoots, or expensive outfits, or high-end living quarters? Or why not get rid of “Miss Jay” who is more of a joke than a judge? Paulina actually gave that show a hint of credibility, but I guess that was too much for Tyra.

I am so not a fan. Can you tell?

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She may have a ridiculously cheesy talk show and be the creative force behind the completely illegitimate America’s Next Top Model, but washed up former model Tyra Banks still has a crazy stalker in Brady Green. Yesterday she testified against him in court after an incident that left her fearing for her safety. Here’s what the fashionista had to say:

The staff wouldn’t allow Banks to exit her dressing room. “‘Stop! No! You can’t leave,’” she claimed they said. “I know I have fans, but I’ve never in my entire career had my staff act in this way.”

Prosecutors say Brady Green even threatened to slash a Tyra Banks employee’s throat when the person refused to give up the studio address. “I don’t fear for my life – I fear the safety of my staff,” Banks explained. “I fear the safety of my family. I fear the safety of people in my vicinity.”

She admitted that since Green’s phone calls, love notes and appearance, she has heightened her security, even when she goes for a run.

The maximum time Green can serve is 90 days. Not much of a punishment or a deterrent, but I do hope he pays for his crime. Crazy people scare me… But at least he’s not as weird as Shawn Johnson‘s lunatic stalker!

[image: WENN[

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Totally fierce Tyra Banks received the Excellence In Media award at the GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday night.

GLAAD is, of course, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.  The award was presented to her by the totally not so fierce Clay Aiken.  The Excellence in Media award is

presented to individuals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community in the media.

Also honored Saturday night were Keith Olberman and Suze Orman.

Tyra is such a tranny, it makes total sense to me that she got an award from GLAAD!  Just kidding!  Well, I do think she looks like a tranny, but brava to her for doing good for the gay community.

[ Images by WENN ]

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Though she’s looking more like a tranny and less like a model these days, Tyra Banks is still producing new seasons of America’s Next Top Model. And after the New York audition chaos, new casting call rules have been announced.

Auditioners will only be allowed to begin lining up at the Dallas site at 6AM, and instead of remaining in line all day until their audition turn arrives, the casting call organizers will hand out color-coded wristbands beginning at 7AM.  After receiving their wristband, the auditioners will be encouraged to leave the casting call site, with the color of the wristband they receive indicating the specific time that they should return for their audition opportunity.  The wristband procedure will also be utilized at the show’s other remaining casting calls in Chicago and Los Angeles.

In addition, the network also plans to restrict who will be allowed to wait in line during the casting calls. Only women applying for the show will be permitted to wait in line unless the auditioner is under 18 years of age, in which case a single guardian will be allowed to stand with her.

These rules would have probably been good to implement in the first place, but at least they finally got wise. Just sucks for those injured during that model stampede!

[image: WENN]

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