Mance and billionaire show off models

Web billionaire Andy Khawaja is moving into TV with a show that also marks the first original production for LA-based distributor Mance Media.

Khawaja founded internet payment company Allied Wallet in 2002 and has reportedly amassed a personal wealth of around US$18bn due to the e-commerce boom.

He’s now investing some of that money into the production of a globe-trotting new reality series called Model Turned Superstar (18×30′), which is in the can and ready for delivery.

The show is an international modelling competition “that challenges models to elevate themselves, change their lives and become Hollywood superstars,” according to the producers, who are offering a cool million dollars to the winner.

The show is hosted by April Scott (The Dukes of Hazzard, Entourage), Natalie Getz (The Bachelor) and Victoria’s Secret model Anastasia Kuznetsova. Episodes are shot in the Bahamas, Dubai, Hong Kong, Thailand, Bora Bora, Mexico and LA.

Mance, set up by CEO Matthew Mancinelli in 2012, is handling global sales for the show, including the US, while Mancinelli is producer. Khawaja is the executive producer and financed the entire production.

“We are currently in discussions with US broadcasters, VoD platforms and streaming services globally,” said Mancinelli, while Khawaja added: “This is just the beginning of Model Turned Superstar.”

Auditions for season two of Model Turned Superstar are already underway. Mancinelli said he’d be drawing on his experiences selling reality show Bikini Destinations when launching Mance’s first original production to the international market.