Tyra Banks Gets Emotional as Modelland Finds Viral Success 15 Years Later

Tyra Banks says she became emotional after her 2011 novel Modelland found new life on social media 15 years after its release.

In an Instagram post, Banks said the book did not succeed when it first came out, despite her hopes that readers would embrace its fantasy world. She said her "phone started blowing up" after the promotional song for Modelland, especially the line about the "four chicks in green," went viral online.

Banks said seeing fans remix, quote, debate and celebrate the book brought her to tears. She also announced that her SMiZE & DREAM ice cream store in Sydney will release new products inspired by characters from the novel.

Modelland follows Tookie De La Crème, a teenage girl who is invited to attend a magical modeling academy. The book shares its name with a planned Modelland theme park that was never opened.

Banks, best known for America's Next Top Model, is also involved in a lawsuit over the Netflix docuseries Reality Check, alleging her interview was edited in a misleading way.