By Beverly Lockhart
American media tycoon Tyra Banks and her entourage swept into Queenstown today, but no-one really cared.
The host of America's Next Top Model was surrounded by fierce umbrella-waving minders – there to protect her from a couple of cameras and a handful of fans.
The first of the hit reality show's famous faces to step out was stylist Jay Manuel, followed by runway coach Miss J Alexander – looking pleased to be here, and draped in a pink scarf – a woman looking remarkably like Tyra Banks trying to go incognito, followed by a gaggle of similarly attired wanna-be models.
The 36-year-old former supermodel and media-tycoon kept a low profile during her first week in New Zealand, but yesterday her minders released some pictures and she was spotted last night dining on Auckland's Ponsonby Rd.
She and an extensive international crew are filming the 14th cycle of America's Next Top Model, having chosen our shores as this season's secret international destination.
Outside their hotel were signs they had not yet cottoned on to the relaxed Queenstown vibe, with the show's assistants doing everything they could to obstruct cameras.
"I'd die for my job man," said one minder.
Their bravado leaving celebrity-wise Queenstown locals unimpressed
“I think it's ridiculous, nobody really cares, I wouldn't really recognise her if she walked down the street probably,” said one local.
“Queenstown's pretty chilled out, it seems to be a destination that a lot of celebrities end up choosing, and a lot of people are chilled out when coming here, so maybe she just needs to chill out a little bit,” said another.
Less than an hour after arriving in Queenstown, it was straight to work.
Their destination believed to be a stunning and remote station, Paradise Trust, near Glenorchy, where it is understood they will spend this evening filming a sunset modelling shoot.
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