Tyra Banks Wants to Turn 'Modelland' Novel Into Movie

Tyra Banks made her debut as an author with Modelland, the first of a three-book young adult series that centers on an awkward teen who gets invited to attend an elite modeling academy.

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Now she's hoping that the book -- which recently hit stores -- might one day make it to the big screen.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Banks said she was approached by a successful film producer (whom she didn't identify) not long after she announced plans to publish the book.

"I would love to open up the Modelland casting to the world," she told the AP. "I'm looking for an Everygirl to possibly play one of the characters in the story."

Banks, who got her start as a model and has dabbled in acting and singing, now hosts America's Next Top Model, which she also executive produces; the CW reality show is in its 17th cycle. She's also enrolled at Harvard Business School.

But the multihyphenate is hoping to expand her resume to include that of film producer.

"That's what I was going to go to college for," she said. "I've done the TV thing and will continue to do so, but the idea of films is pretty amazing."

As for Modelland, Banks said she took ideas from topics discussed on her daytime talker, The Tyra Banks Show, which ended its five-season run last year. She also used events from her own life when writing the book.

"It's inspired by my life and experiences in fashion and modeling," she said. "My successes as well as a lot of pain I had to go through."