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Tyra Banks is brushing off speculation that her on-air disagreement with Law Roach on Project Runway created a lasting feud between the two fashion personalities.
The supermodel appeared as a recurring guest judge during Season 22 of the Freeform fashion competition. However, her run on the show came under scrutiny after she did not return following a heated exchange with Roach during the fifth episode.
The disagreement began when Banks challenged Roach's approach to judging. "That's not the challenge," Banks told Roach. "But you're overstepping," he replied.
Banks pushed back, saying, "No, you're overstepping... and you're talking over everybody."
The tension continued into the following episode, when Roach acknowledged a judging decision by saying, "As much as I hate to, I agree with Tyra." Banks did not appear on the panel again, prompting viewers to speculate that the confrontation had something to do with her departure.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, however, Banks laughed off the idea that the exchange represented a serious conflict. "That is so crazy," she said, suggesting that viewers had made far more of the moment than she had.
Asked about her current relationship with Roach, Banks appeared amused by the ongoing speculation. "I don't know if I should just let the lore live? Just enjoy the Banks-Law, Law-Banks [narrative]," she said. "I'm so confused. I'm like, what? We're beefing? Okay, we're beefing. It's just weird for me."
Banks also addressed questions over why she appeared in five episodes when some fans believed she was expected to participate in 10.
"They're like, 'Oh, she did five episodes and then she left? She's supposed to do 10!' Y'all don't know what my contract stated. But, you know, what? Continue to enjoy!" she said.
When asked whether she would return to the series, Banks said, "I don't know," before reflecting on how speculation can take on a life of its own. "People start making things [into something] and it becomes the truth, and sometimes you say, 'Whatever,'" she said.
