Tyra Banks Is Opening A Theme Park In Santa Monica
Tyra Banks is moving on up, or something. Ever since the model/mogul/actress/living doll/smizer announced she was leaving America’s Got Talent as its host, we have been waiting with breath that is baited, wondering what this tall bag of crazy would deliver us next. Well we can stop guessing, because Women’s Wear Daily is reporting that Tyra’s next challenge is: Modelland, the theme park.
I know what you’re thinking: what the shit is Modelland? One long endless runway where gays gather in their tightest short-shorts and color-coordinated sneakers to take their new Grindr profile pictures? Maybe!
First of all, you may recognize Modelland as the name of Tyra’s young adult novel. Looks like Tyra wasn’t satisfied with just a book to commemorate her dreams, so she has decided to make a full on theme-park in the Santa Monica Place shopping mall in CA. The ticketed attraction will open in 2019, and will be a 21,000-square-foot “fantasy version of the modelling world” and will let visitors “be the dream version of themselves.”
Tyra told WWD that there will be interactive entertainment, curated retail, and user-generated content that can be shared:
“It’s my calling to bring modelling to the masses… I created Top Model to expand the definition of beauty based on my own pain of being told ‘no’ that I couldn’t do something because I’m curvy or I’m black. My empathy for women in general increased through the experience. And now with Modelland, I’m taking it 10 steps forward, giving people the opportunity to engage with the elusive world by opening it up to everyone. Men, women, families, all generations can come and enter this model world for a day, have a fun shopping experience, and an eventful meal. This will be the first of many.”
Tyra also made sure to mention that this is not a pop-up and will be a permanent attraction in the mall:
“It’s a permanent attraction anchoring the mall. I’m inspired by Disneyland, a place I went to a lot as a child. There is a storyline I have been working on for a year. Anybody can enter and feel like a model.”
Tyra says that huge models like Gigi and Bella Hadid may be involved in events from time to time but she emphasized that the experience is “fantasy-based” and has tapped Hollywood costume designers and stylists to create the clothing for the audience to wear. Can’t wait for people to start stealing the costumes from Modelland. While Modelland will be a multilevel ticketed situation, all guests will be able to come and shop for Modelland merchandise and other brands as well, because is a theme-park a theme-park without too many places to spend way too much money?
Tyra is really all about Modelland and has been working on it for 10 years, with funding coming from the Santa Monica Place shopping center owner/operator Macerich and some other investors. Tyra said:
“This is bursting the door open and redefining what a model is. It’s all about inclusiveness.”
I can’t wait for all the shenanigans Modelland will bring to the masses. It will be like living a day in America’s Next Top Model firing on all of it’s insanely intense cylinders. I just hope they provide free eyedrops to all those workers who are going to be walking around the theme park smizing and getting dry eyes.
Pic: Wenn.com