Tyra Banks faces a USD 2.8 million breach of contract lawsuit filed by Washington, D.C., landlord Christopher Powell. The Tyra Banks landlord dispute centres on her ice cream business, Smize & Dream, and allegations of abandoned lease agreements. Powell claims Banks signed a 10-year commercial lease in April 2024 for what was meant to be the flagship location of her ice cream venture.
Figure 1: Tyra Banks holding ice cream.
The Tyra Banks business lawsuit has captured headlines as the former supermodel’s ambitious entrepreneurial dream encounters serious legal turbulence. Court documents obtained by Entertainment Weekly reveal Powell’s allegations that Banks abruptly terminated the lease in summer 2024. The defendants, including Banks, her nonprofit School of SMiZE, and partner Louis Martin, now refuse to pay rent, according to the complaint filed on 9 Oct 2025.
Tyra Banks Landlord Dispute Over Alleged Flagship Store Lease Breach
Powell first met with the defendants in March 2024 and agreed to lease the building as-is one month later. He learned Banks was building the shop in honour of her mother, Carolyn London. The venture promised more than just an ice cream business, according to court filings.
Banks described Smize & Dream as a concept that extended beyond retail, framing it as a programme designed to offer young people in Washington access to training in areas such as science, sales, and hospitality. Banks told Powell the D.C. location would be the flagship for what she envisioned as a global chain serving communities worldwide. The Tyra Banks financial news surrounding this dispute has shocked industry observers who watched her entrepreneurial pivot.
Sydney Location Opens Whilst D.C. Deal Collapses
After collaborating with the defendants on the project, Powell claims he saw Banks showcasing designs for a Smize & Dream shop opening in Sydney, Australia, instead. Banks and Martin then abruptly abandoned the Washington premises in June 2024 and refused to pay rent, according to the suit. The timing raised serious questions about the defendants’ intentions.
According to the complaint, Powell believed the project was moving forward, as Banks and Martin consistently expressed their commitment to launching Smize & Dream from his property. The complaint notes Powell scrambled to address legal and financial fallout, whilst Banks and Martin launched their alternative venture elsewhere. Tensions escalated further after Banks hosted a Smize & Dream pop-up event nearby only weeks after withdrawing from the leased premises, the lawsuit claims.
Tyra Banks Business Lawsuit Faces Motion to Dismiss
A docket for the case reveals Banks and Martin’s lawyer, Steven Willner, filed a motion to dismiss the suit for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The motion, filed on 11 Nov 2025, also claims failure to state a claim. Powell and his lawyer, Arziki Adamu, received an extension to file their response from Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
Figure 2: A display of ice cream flavours at a Smize & Dream store.
The plaintiff must file its response to the defendants’ motion to dismiss by 16 December 2025 for the case to proceed. This deadline marks a critical juncture in the Tyra Banks business lawsuit. Banks and Martin stated in their September communication that even if Powell secured a ruling against them, they would not pay any judgment.
Landlord Claims Financial Losses in Tyra Banks
Banks reportedly won Powell over with her touching story about opening an ice cream shop. She brought ice cream to sweeten the deal and praised Powell on his success, saying she felt proud of him. The model shared her dream of opening a shop that would serve dual purposes, including giving back to the community.
After signing the lease, Powell met with architects and designers and received various machines and supplies. He allegedly spent thousands of dollars to meet Banks’ demands. When defendants suddenly backed out, he refused to accept termination as he assumed they would uphold the lease and sublet the building.
Dispute Over Building Condition Allegations
Powell attempted to reach an amicable resolution with the defendants initially. However, he received a letter from Martin and Banks in September 2024 that lodged numerous false accusations against Powell, his building, and the lease. The communication made claims of property deficiency that Powell characterises as both untrue and irrelevant.
Figure 3: Tyra Banks promotes a Smize & Dream ice cream product during a marketing appearance.
The defendants threatened to publicise their accusations if Powell filed a lawsuit against them, according to court documents. Banks and Martin claimed Powell promised them the entire building, which he disputes with evidence against their claims. The Tyra Banks financial news reveals that defendants claimed the landlord was trying to extort them in their November motion to dismiss.
Multiple Defendants Named in Legal Action
The lawsuit names Banks, Louis Martin, the School of SMiZE nonprofit, and Smize & Dream business entities as defendants. Martin and Banks ultimately opened Smize & Dream in Australia, where they have since relocated. The couple moved to Sydney in late 2023 with Banks’ nine-year-old son, York Banks Asla.
Banks told Today show host Jenna Bush Hager in an April 2025 episode that she fell in love with Sydney after visiting repeatedly. The three countries that eat the most ice cream are America, New Zealand, and Australia, which influenced her decision. The defendants’ international relocation complicates enforcement proceedings for Powell.
Figure 4: A symbolic image representing legal proceedings and contractual disputes.
Viral Santa SMiZE Promotion Draws Scrutiny
Banks made headlines recently with bizarre promotional antics for Smize & Dream. She took the stage at a Sydney pub dressed in a skintight black dress and yellow Santa hat. The viral clip shows her delivering a monologue about Santa Claus that left audiences confused and concerned.
Banks told audiences Santa isn’t the wholesome cookie-and-milk icon he pretends to be, at least not when it comes to her ice cream. She explained to Daily Mail that she was playing her alter ego, Santa SMiZE, who has an unapologetic nature. The promotional campaign coincided with the launch of her hot ice cream product in December 2025.
Powell Seeks Over USD 2.8 Million in Damages
Under the lease terms included in the complaint, Powell asks for no less than USD 2,831,331 in addition to late fees. The demand also includes accrued interest, additional rent, lawyers’ fees, and reletting expenses. The total amount reflects the 10-year lease commitment defendants signed.
Powell’s attorney, Arziki Adamu, said his client has a history of successful partnerships with prominent tenants and is addressing the matter publicly only to defend his professional standing. Powell remains open to resolving the matter in good faith, but defendants prefer dragging him through litigation despite knowing they’re in flagrant breach. The Tyra Banks landlord dispute exemplifies the legal risks of commercial lease agreements with celebrity entrepreneurs.
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FAQs
Q1: What is the amount Christopher Powell is seeking in his lawsuit against Tyra Banks?
Christopher Powell seeks no less than USD 2,831,331 plus late fees, accrued interest, additional rent, lawyers’ fees, and reletting expenses.
Q2: When did Tyra Banks sign the lease agreement for the Washington, D.C., property?
Banks signed the 10-year commercial lease in April 2024, according to court documents filed by Powell.
Q3: Where did Tyra Banks ultimately open her Smize & Dream ice cream shop?
Banks opened the flagship Smize & Dream store in Sydney, Australia, at Darling Harbour in 2024.
Q4: What is the status of the lawsuit as of December 2025?
Banks and Martin’s lawyer filed a motion to dismiss on 11 Nov 2025, with Powell’s response due by 16 Dec 2025.
