Tyra Banks to open Modelland, a theme park in Santa Monica

Supermodel turned media tycoon Tyra Banks is launching a theme park inspired by her modelling years. Set to open in late 2019 at Santa Monica Place, the open-air shopping mall next to Santa Monica beach, the park will be called “Modelland” -- the same title as the 2010 novel Banks wrote based on her own life.

Spanning across 21,000 square feet, the space will offer a “fantasy version of the modelling world” with interactive entertainment, curated retail, dining and special events. Companies from the beauty, fashion, entertainment, food, and technology sectors will be invited to collaborate on the theme park’s experiences.

The goal, according to Banks, is to open up the modelling world for everybody, helping visitors to celebrate their own unique beauty. “Modelland has been 10 intense years in the making”, she said in a statement. “It will awaken your childlike glee by entertaining and educating in unexpected ways that will make learning about oneself fierce and fun. I want to make people feel seen and validated”.

One of the most successful models of the 1990s and early 2000s, Tyra Banks is the creator, executive producer and host of America’s Next Top Model, one of the longest-running reality shows in American television. The show, which ran for 24 seasons, airs in 180 other countries and has generated 25 international versions. She also hosted a talk show called The Tyra Banks Show from 2005, the year she retired from modelling, through 2010.

Photo: courtesy of The Tyra Banks Company