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Tyra Banks Explains Why Paulina Porizkova Was Fired From America’s Next Top Model

Just when you think you have Tyra Banks figured out, she stops talking. For five whole days. Paulina Porizkova went on the Late Late Show one week ago to say she was fired from America’s Next Top Model and that producers told her she had a big ego. Then she went on Access Hollywood to paint Tyra as an inhumane diva-bot who cares only for herself (and possibly at least one of her gay sidekicks). But Tyra didn’t issue a statement on the fiasco until yesterday afternoon:

“The current state of the economy has forced shows to make major budget cuts industry wide. America’s Next Top Model is not immune to these financially challenging times. We’ve had to make significant cuts in every area of the production and, unfortunately, Paulina was a casualty of these cuts.”

Just when you think you have Tyra Banks figured out, she stops talking. For five whole days. Paulina Porizkova went on the Late Late Show one week ago to say she was fired from America’s Next Top Model and that producers told her she had a big ego. Then she went on Access Hollywood to paint Tyra as an inhumane diva-bot who cares only for herself (and possibly at least one of her gay sidekicks). But Tyra didn’t issue a statement on the fiasco until yesterday afternoon:

“Tyra, who pursued Paulina to join the show as a judge multiple times, was incredibly saddened by the decision the show was forced to make. We really enjoyed working with Paulina, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”


The perfunctory response is a departure for Tyra. Shouldn’t she carve out space on her talk show for a (one-sided) heart-to-heart with Paulina? It is her way, after all. Tyra hasn’t announced if anyone will fill Paulina’s seat, or if they’ll open it up to a new guest judge each week. Who knows what other budget cuts are in the works for ANTM? But if Jay Manuel’s roots start showing, the girls get the budget weaves, and they start taking fabulous trips to destinations within the lower 48 — or worse, the tri-state area — we are walking away.

Tyra Banks: Paulina Was an Economic Casualty [E! Online]
Earlier: Paulina Porizkova Explains How Tyra Banks Is a Diva
Paulina Porizkova Fired From America’s Next Top Model

Tyra Banks Explains Why Paulina Porizkova Was Fired From America’s Next Top Model