Sure, the now-playing adaptation of Lisi Harrison's teen book series "The Clique" is Tyra Banks' debut in an executive producer role, but as fans of "America's Next Top Model" are well aware, Banks is no stranger to presiding over auditions. And Elizabeth McLaughlin and Ellen Marlow , the stars of "Clique," -- which hit DVD store shelves this week -- told MTV News' Kim Stolz they learned that the hard way.
"It was scary," laughed Marlow, who said the sight of Banks behind a desk when she entered the audition room was intimidating, to say the least. "I was like, 'Please don't make me take a picture!'"
And Banks said the comparison between the film's audition process and that of "Top Model" wasn't lost on her, either.
"I realize that there is that intimidating factor, and it's not because I'm Steven Spielberg or Oliver Stone," said Banks. "It's because they think I'm going to have one picture in my hands and I'm going to flip it, and it's not going to Ellen or Elizabeth."
"I was really concerned that I would make the girls nervous," added Banks. "I really didn't want them to feel like how the girls felt on 'Top Model.'"
While rejection is a recurring theme in both "The Clique" and "Top Model," Banks and her teenage stars are hoping audiences make "The Clique" part of the in-crowd now that it's on shelves. The film was released straight-to-DVD November 11, and the trio told MTV they hope that this will be the first in a series of big-screen adaptations of the popular teen series.
"She may be a little intimidating, but she really helped us," said McLaughlin of her time under Banks' tutelage. "Not only is she gorgeous, but she is such a nice person on top of it all."
Are you fan of "The Clique" books? Have you picked up the film yet? Let us know what you think!
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