Tyra Banks Hit W/ $2.8 Million Lawsuit Over Failed Flagship D.C. Location For ‘Hot Ice Cream’ Shop

Tyra Banks Hit W/ $2.8 Million Lawsuit Over Failed Flagship D.C. Location For ‘Hot Ice Cream’ Shop

#TyraBanks is facing a $2.8 million lawsuit from Washington, D.C., entrepreneur and landlord Christopher Powell, who claims a deal for a flagship Smize & Dream location fell apart.

Powell is suing the supermodel and TV personality, her company School of Smize LLC, and associate Louis Martin, alleging breach of contract and related claims tied to the dessert brand known for its viral “hot ice cream.” While Smize & Dream currently operates out of Sydney, #Australia, Powell says that wasn’t the original plan.

According to the lawsuit, the dispute stems from a March 2024 meeting in which Banks allegedly expressed interest in opening a Smize & Dream nonprofit in D.C., positioning it as the flagship for a global chain. Powell claims that after multiple site visits, Banks and Martin agreed to lease the property as-is. On April 17, 2024, Martin, on behalf of Smize & Dream, and Powell allegedly signed a 10-year commercial lease for the lower floors of Powell’s Eastern Market building.

Banks and Martin deny the allegations, saying they backed out after not receiving access to the full space they believed was included. They also contend they gave Powell notice several months before the lease was set to begin, allowing time to find another tenant. Both have filed a motion to dismiss the case.