Tyra Banks will receive the "International Model of the Year" award at the Bollywood Fashion Awards and will also get recognition for her charitable work. The ceremonies will be held at Trump Taj Mahal Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey on 2 and 3 May respectively.

Tyra is now the creator and executive producer of a new reality show called America's Next Top Model. The show begins 20 May 2003 on UPN.

Banks has a strong connection with the medium of film and television. Her sojourn into Hollywood connected her both comically and dramatically with America's audiences as the "girl next door." She appeared opposite Will Smith in the hit television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and dramatically portrayed a college track star in John Singleton's critically acclaimed Higher Learning.

Tyra also starred in ABC's Wonderful world of Disney movie - Life Size. The movie garnered huge ratings for ABC and Daily Variety raved about Tyra's comedic performance calling it "hilarious". She immediately moved from the small screen to the silver screen with a role in Jerry Bruckheimer's film, Coyote Ugly.

In addition, at the personal request of Oprah, Tyra inked a deal for two seasons with The Oprah Winfrey Show to appear in a series of shows with Oprah.

Already known as an international fashion icon, Bank's groundbreaking influence on fashion can be seen worldwide, says a press release. It adds that her cross-cultural appeal and wholesome persona.

Early in her career, Tyra became the first woman from her community and the first model to be featured on the cover of GQ Magazine, a feat repeated when she was named their "Woman of the Year 2000."

With back-to-back appearances on the cover of Sports Illustrated's famed swimsuit, Banks broke more new ground becoming the first model from her community to grace its coveted cover. Tyra also received the prestigious Michael Award presented to the "Supermodel of the year."

Having become the first model from her community ever to be featured on the cover of the Victoria's Secret Catalog, she subsequently went on to sign a lucrative and exclusive contract with the company. In recent years, Tyra extended her relationship with Victoria's Secret, signing an exclusive cosmetics contract with them.

In addition to Victoria's Secret, Tyra has been contracted by Swatch and Cover Girl and has appeared in ad campaigns for Nike, Pepsi, McDonald's, the Milk Advisory Board, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana, Sony and a responsible drinking campaign for Coors.

Sonia Dandona, founder of the Bollywood Fashion Awards, was quoted as saying "Tyra Banks was one of the first black supermodels to gain widespread acceptance and fame, and thereby paved the way for women of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds to enter the modeling world."

"Tyra is one of fashion's muses with a modeling career that has enveloped the globe and therefore, is most deserving of the International Model of the Year Award. She is at the pinnacle of the modeling world and we are thrilled that she is going to be a part of the Bollywood Fashion Awards," Dandona added.

Unlike any fashion awards of its kind, the Bollywood Fashion Awards will bring together the top international designers, most ravishing models, and the hottest celebrities together to honour the colliding worlds of fashion and entertainment.

Similarly, the Bollywood Movie Awards, an event of international stature, will honor the outstanding achievements of Indian moviemakers and artists during the prior year.

"Tyra is an inspiration to girls around the world," said Bollywood group of companies chairman and CEO Kamal Dandona, "and we hope she motivates women in India, in particular, to change the perception of women.