Tyra Banks celebrates birthday in NZ

BY FINBARR BUNTING

Last updated 10:28 06/12/2009

Reuters

BIRTHDAY GIRL: Tyra Banks celebrated her 36th birthday in New Zealand yesterday.

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The host of America's Next Top Model slipped quietly into the country on Friday to film the latest series of the hit TV show.

Banks "tweeted" her thanks for birthday messages yesterday. "Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes!!! Much luv to ya'll!," she wrote on Twitter.

It's unclear how she spent the day. Security around the TV star has been extremely tight since she flew in.

Photographers waiting for Banks at Auckland Airport were thwarted when a decoy, a scarf draped around her head and face, walked through the terminal.

Fans have been desperate for a glimpse of Banks since she revealed her Kiwi plans on her Twitter site six days ago. "Rumors are true & U R 1st to know," she tweeted. "Top Model is goin to NEW ZEALAND for cycle 14! Can't wait to get there. Are y'all excited for next cycle?"

In each series of the show, the would-be models are sent to an international destination where they are given challenges that feature a local designer or celebrity.

New Zealand locations include Rotorua, Queenstown and Auckland.

Fashion blogger Isaac Hindin Miller, who claims to be close to a show insider, said Banks would be joined here by new judge American Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley.

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