Tyra Banks Gets Sleep On 'Gossip Girl' Set

A former runway model turned TV host and executive producer, Tyra Banks wears many fashionable hats as she hosts "The Tyra Show" and "America's Next Top Model."

This time, she dons an actress' costume as she makes an appearance Monday night as a guest star in the CW's "Gossip Girl".

On tonight's episode, Banks will be playing Ursula Nyquist, an award-winning actress looking to offset some recent bad press with her dazzling performance as Josephine Baker in an Oscar-worthy film about the French Resistance.

The fate of Nyquist's (Banks') career ends up in the hands of Serena van der Woodsen (played by Blake Lively), who finds herself in over her head when she lands her first job.

Nyquist (Banks) co-stars in Olivia Burke's movie (played by recurring guest star Hillary Duff).

Banks, who isn't used to the rigorous hours of shooting, admitted that she got some well-needed shut-eye while on set.

"I now can honestly say, 'I've fallen asleep on the job.' It was the second day of shooting with the 'Gossip Girl' cast - and first, you have to understand my bedtime is usually around 10 p.m. When I'm shooting 'The Tyra Show' and 'Top Model' my days start at 6 a.m., and I'm not out partying on the weekends, so I'm used to getting to bed early," Banks explained.

At 2 a.m. and into the 15th hour of shooting, Banks fell asleep, but the crew didn't waste any time while she was sleeping.

"I was in the green room in between scenes, and the second I sat down to rest my feet, I was out cold. As they say, 'the show must go on.' As I slept seated upright, the 'Gossip Girl' seamstress sewed up a hem on my dress, and the 'Gossip Girl' makeup artist was touching up my makeup. Luckily, they got me up just in time for my scene with Hilary Duff."

"Gossip Girl," which takes place in New York City, is based on hip, Upper East Siders. They were in school when the show started but now they are all grown up and graduated.

"Gossip Girl" airs on the CW on Mondays at 9/8 Central.