The Internet Is Obsessed With Tyra Banks's Dystopian Novel From 15 Years Ago, And The Jokes Are So Good

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Tyra Banks is known for many things. Besides being one of the most famous models in the world and the host of the infamous America's Next Top Model, she's gone on to have a lot of other business ventures.

Whether it's for her "hot ice cream" business...

...or her MLM makeup line Tyra Beauty.

But did you know once wrote a book?

Yes, Tyra Banks once released a dystopian novel called Modelland. Fans found out more after coming across this tweet talking about the song she released to promote the book, and the jokes just write themselves.

Before proceeding, you can listen to the song here.

As someone eloquently put it, "this is what I assume the inside of Tyra’s head sounds like."

"I can't stop listening to this it's so demonic."

"This sounds like a spider made it."

Soon enough, curiosity got the better of the internet, and people began digging into the book behind the song, and it did not disappoint. The novel follows protagonist "Tookie De La Crème" (yes, you read that right), who gets into the prestigious academy "Modelland," which makes the best models in the world. There she meets and befriends plus-size girl Dylan, 4"7' Shiraz, and albino girl Piper (I promise you, you're reading this right).

As readers dug into the book, they found a lot of wild details, whether it was the names of characters like "BayJingle" and "Zarpessa Zarionneaux" or the fact that all the doctors have skates for feet.

Modelland also had an extensive run of promo material, including a book trailer narrated by Tyra, which is still on her YouTube channel.

modelland trailer pic.twitter.com/MoDVpzLt9h
— addison rae chewing gum returns (@horsebjork) June 11, 2026

Tyra Banks / Via x.com

Tyra also promoted the book during America's Next Top Model, because, of course she did. During Cycle 17, episode 12, titled "Tyler Beckford," the girls had to pose in a motion editorial based on key moments from the book. At the end of the challenge, the girls would face the camera with Tookie's one green eye, say their names, then state, "I'm Tookie." For some reason, Tyra was also in this shoot.

Tyra Banks even showed up to BET's 106 & Park with the infamous "four chicks in green" mentioned in the Modelland theme song. At least we know who they are now!

But unsurprisingly, with Tyra, things get wilder. It turns out that not only did Tyra write a book, but she also wanted to open up her very own Modelland amusement park in 2019. The 21,000-square-foot destination that would allow fans to live out the "ultimate modelling fantasy." But due to COVID, its opening was delayed indefinitely...

...until it opened in 2022! That's right, the park (although more like a pop-up) actually opened in Santa Monica, where visitors could pay to live the life of a model. It was described by one YouTuber as "the academy come to life." The park was an interactive experience featuring actors who would teach visitors all about modeling. It included rooms like a "Posing Party Experience," where guests could pose in fashionable clothes, and a "Wig Room," where they could learn to shake out and try on a wig.

Unfortunately, though, it looks like the Modelland franchise is no more. The book was the first in a planned trilogy, but we've since heard nothing about the next two books. At the same time, the Modelland amusement park is also no more. However, Tyra herself has said, "Sadly, the pandemic crushed that IRL dream. But stay tuned."

Did you know about Tyra Banks's dystopian novel Modelland? Have you read it??? If you have, share what you thought of it in the comments below!

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