Tyra Banks is currently caught up in a heated legal battle over her Ice Cream company, alleging that a landlord is engaging in what she calls a “celebrity shakedown.” In court documents, Tyra is seeking over $50,000 in sanctions from the landlord who initiated the lawsuit against her.
The dispute stems from a scrapped plan to open an ice cream shop in Washington D.C. Tyra, who now resides in Australia, argues that the landlord should have been aware of her relocation, as it was well-publicized. Despite this, the landlord proceeded with the lawsuit, prompting Tyra to defend herself and seek compensation for the ordeal.
The saga began in October 2025 when the building owner, Christopher Powell, filed a lawsuit against Tyra and her business partner, Louis Bélanger-Martin. Powell claims that they had signed a 10-year lease for a location in Washington, D.C. to open Tyra’s ice cream company, Smize & Dream. He alleges that Tyra promised the location would serve as the flagship store and benefit underserved youth in the area.
However, Powell asserts that Tyra went behind his back and opened a separate location in Sydney, Australia, causing him to lose money after turning down other potential tenants. The lawsuit further claims that Tyra and her partner abandoned the D.C. location in June 2024, refusing to pay rent and leaving Powell with significant damages.
Tyra vehemently denies the allegations and maintains that she terminated the lease for valid reasons. She characterizes the landlord’s demands for $2.9 million as a “celebrity shakedown” and asserts that she was unfairly targeted due to her status.
Despite the landlord voluntarily dismissing the case in December, Tyra is now seeking sanctions for the ordeal she had to endure. She hopes that the judge will send a strong message to the landlord and deter similar actions in the future.
The legal battle between Tyra Banks and the landlord continues to unfold, with Tyra determined to defend her reputation and business interests against what she perceives as unjust accusations. The outcome of this ongoing dispute remains to be seen, but Tyra remains steadfast in her fight for justice.
