TYRA BANKS PREMIERES HER DIRECTORIAL DEBUT WITH A MOTION EDITORIAL SHOOT OF THE "TOP MODEL" HOPEFULS TONIGHT ON THE CW

November 17, 2010 (Burbank, California) - Tyra Banks steps behind the camera to film her directorial debut during this week's AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL photo challenge, airing TONIGHT (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) on The CW.

In the episode, Banks informs the final four contestants that they will not only be posing for her camera but will bring their poses to life with movement and emotion for the show's first-ever motional editorial shoot. Shot on location in Milan, Italy, the completed two-minute film, titled "Modelli Folli," will premiere at the end Wednesday night's episode.

"To be honest, I was really nervous about directing the girls in motion for the first time. I have photographed the girls in past cycles as their photographer, but shooting a motion editorial was a completely different ballgame. When we wrapped, I fell to ground because I was exhausted, but excited at the same time! I have to tell you that I have a whole new respect for directors through this process! It looks easy, but it ain't. I wanted to give the Top Model fans something different and visually appealing for the new high fashion cycle, so I hope they like it. If they do, maybe I'll do something bigger in the future... (fingers crossed!)," says Banks.

During the judging panel this week, two girls are eliminated and Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, is the guest judge. The winner of cycle 15 will receive the ultimate career-launching prize package: a contract with IMG Models, one of the top international modeling management companies in the world; fashion spread in Vogue Italia and an additional spread and cover of Beauty in Vogue; and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics.

The cycle 15 winner will be announced, with special guest judge/designer Roberto Cavalli, on Wednesday, December 1 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET).