Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably have the "Be a Star" lyrics permanently etched into your brain. It’s unavoidable. The Tyra Banks movie Life-Size wasn't just another TV movie; it was a cultural reset for every kid who ever wondered if their toys were watching them.
Released on March 5, 2000, as part of The Wonderful World of Disney, the film paired a peak-fame Tyra Banks with a pre-teen Lindsay Lohan. Looking back, it's wild to see those two together. One was the biggest supermodel on the planet, and the other was the industry’s most promising child star fresh off The Parent Trap.
But here’s the thing people forget: this movie is actually pretty dark.
The Grief Behind the Glitter
Most people remember Eve—the doll—trying to eat salad with her hands or failing to use a telephone. They forget that the whole plot is kicked off by a child’s desperate grief. Lindsay Lohan’s character, Casey Stuart, isn’t just playing around with a "Book of Awakenings." She is trying to resurrect her dead mother.
That is heavy.
When Casey accidentally brings her Eve doll to life instead, the movie shifts from a potential horror story into a campy, fish-out-of-water comedy. But that underlying sadness never really goes away. Tyra Banks plays Eve with this infectious, plastic optimism that eventually forces Casey to stop living in the past. It’s a weirdly effective metaphor for healing.
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Tyra Banks and the "Not-Barbie" Aesthetic
We have to talk about the doll itself.
Eve was essentially Disney’s way of having a Barbie movie without paying Mattel for the rights. She came from "Sunnyvale," she had a million careers, and she had a wardrobe that would make a drag queen weep.
Why Tyra Was Perfect for Eve
- The Physicality: Tyra used her modeling background to move with this stiff, segmented precision. She actually looked like a jointed plastic figurine.
- The Unhinged Energy: Long before America’s Next Top Model gave us "we were all rooting for you," we had Eve. She was intense. She was loud. She was genuinely bizarre.
- The Wardrobe: Every single outfit was a statement. The pink power suits? The feathered hats? It was peak 2000s maximalism.
Back then, seeing a Black woman as the "standard" of doll-like perfection was a huge deal. It was subtle, but it mattered. For a lot of kids, Tyra's Eve was the first time the "perfect doll" didn't have blonde hair and blue eyes.
The Cult of "Be a Star"
You can't discuss the Tyra Banks movie Life-Size without the soundtrack. "Be a Star" is the ultimate earworm. It’s the scene where Eve performs at a business party, and it is objectively ridiculous.
The choreography is dated. The lyrics are basic. Yet, it works.
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It works because Tyra commits 100%. There is no irony in her performance. She isn't "winking" at the camera; she truly believes she is a doll discovering her inner light. That level of commitment is why the movie transitioned from a "disposable TV flick" to a cult classic that people still tweet about in 2026.
What Happened with Life-Size 2?
Fast forward to 2018. The nostalgia cycle finally caught up with Eve. Freeform released Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve, but it wasn't exactly what fans expected.
First off, Lindsay Lohan wasn't in it. That was a blow.
The sequel starred Francia Raisa as Grace, the "hot mess" CEO of Marathon Toys. It was much "edgier" than the original—think jokes about hangovers and accidental one-night stands. While Tyra was as vibrant as ever, the movie felt caught between two worlds. It wanted to be a grown-up comedy for the original fans, but it also kept some of the saccharine "Disney" magic.
It was weird. It was campy. It even featured "Woke Eve" and a trap remix of "Be a Star." Some loved the chaos; others felt it lost the heart of the 2000 original.
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Is Life-Size 3 Actually Happening?
The rumors won't die.
In late 2024 and throughout 2025, Tyra Banks has been very vocal about wanting a third installment. The biggest news? She wants Lindsay Lohan back.
Tyra actually pitched a concept on The Drew Barrymore Show where the roles are reversed. In her vision, Lindsay’s character would magically turn into a doll, and Eve would have to teach her how to navigate the plastic world. Honestly? That’s kind of a genius pivot.
As of January 2026, there’s no official greenlight, but the two stars were recently spotted together at the Freakier Friday premiere, sparking a total frenzy online.
Actionable Takeaways for the Super-Fan
If you’re looking to revisit the magic or keep the Eve spirit alive, here is how you do it in 2026:
- Watch on Disney+: After years of being stuck on DVD and VHS, the original is finally available on most streaming platforms.
- Look for the Easter Eggs: Rewatch the 2018 sequel specifically for the ANTM references. Tyra sneaks in a few of her iconic catchphrases that only true fans will catch.
- The "Eve" Wardrobe Trend: 2000s fashion (Y2K) is still huge. Eve's monochromatic suits and accessories are unironically back in style.
- Follow Tyra on Socials: She is the primary source for any Life-Size 3 updates. She usually drops hints on Instagram before the trades get hold of them.
The Tyra Banks movie Life-Size reminds us that sometimes, a movie doesn't have to be "critically acclaimed" to be important. It just has to have heart, a bit of magic, and a really catchy theme song. Shine bright, shine far.