By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Did Tyra Banks really tell Benny Medina "You're Fired"?
Maybe. The two have parted ways.
We all know who Tyra is, but do you know who Medina is?
Well, he's the sharply dressed former record company executive who helped shepherd major career moves for Will Smith, Diddy, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Brandy, Star Jones Reynolds, Kanye West and Mariah Carey.
He and Banks seemed like a good fit with her wildly popular foray into television with hit shows such as 'America's Next Top Model' and 'The Tyra Banks Show.'
And the East Los Angeles ghetto native (who is also referred to as Benny McDiva) didn't only act as Banks' manager, he also served as producer of the two franchises.
Not sure how that's going to shake out from here on out.
It seems as though Banks' new move to The Big Apple may have put her in a New York State of Mind.
And Medina isn't a part of her thinking anymore.
New York Daily News gossip columnists George Rush & Joanna Malloy said the two tried to stamp a happy face on their breakup via a joint statement, where Medina said, "Tyra Banks is a highly regarded artist, entrepreneur and producer, and I respect her vision for developing her own bankable brand."
The statement added, "Tyra and Handprint Entertainment look forward to the opportunity to work together on existing or new ventures. This is a great thing for everyone involved."
Several sources contended that Banks cut Medina loose because of his own high maintenance.
"His perk list is bigger than hers," the source told the daily tabloid. "Everything from private jets and votive candles that the staff has to light before he gets to the set. He forgot who the star was."
Whoa.
The almost 50-year-old Medina, who is reporedly consulting Usher , had a fierce legal breakup with Lopez stemming from her allegations that he acted improperly as her agent. The two severed ties in 2003.
An official rep for TelePictures -- who produces 'The Tyra Banks Show' -- confirmed that Medina will continue as an executive consultant on the talk show.
Comments: (18)
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By: Cherjuana on 8/23/2007 10:41PM
It was clear that when she introduced Benny Medina to the girls on the last season of ANTM, that he was a good person to have in your corner. However, people change and heads blow up. There certainly isn't room for 2 Divas in her world! I say "Do You Ty Ty!"
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By: Dayum on 8/24/2007 1:19AM
And we should care because.........?
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By: MP on 8/24/2007 8:58AM
EVERY one he has ever been associated with,once they understand what he is all about, dumps him. But as the person above said...who cares?
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By: Mssylady on 8/24/2007 6:34PM
Sometimes dealing with a Mr. Diva is more bothersome than a Ms. Diva. Candles before he arrives...how divaish...lol!
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By: Cheryl on 9/01/2007 10:16AM
Candles?...He sounds like a fagget, not to mention he looks like somone who like bananas in the butt...
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By: Hal on 9/01/2007 11:24AM
Darm Cheryl your such a fucken Lady. But i agree which what you say.....
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By: dumaine on 9/01/2007 12:21PM
Tyra needed to go back to new york and give up that dumb talk show-she gets a big head. she thought she was oprah and she sounded more like harpo from color purple. CW owned by Warner Bros sent has azz back to N.Y. cuz that talk show wasnt bringing in no money like Top Model so lets see how many pretty black girls she will send home in the first week or who didnt even get pick. Ya know she like those ugly azz white and dark nappy headed dark girls-so Tyra can always be the only one out there. she like p-diddy-she dosent want to bring in another black girl who is commercial and cross over appeal like Beyonce-or like she was when Sports Illustrated made her a model in a white dominated model pool
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By: KEISHA on 9/01/2007 12:26PM
AND WE REALLY SHOULD GIVE A DAMN WHY,THERE FAR MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES GOING ON IN THE WORLD THAN THE LITTLE HISSY FITS OF MR AND MS MCDIVA.
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By: Anonymous K on 9/01/2007 12:47PM
YOU KNOW WHUT......FUCK ALL YALL! INSTEAD OF CUSSIN OUT TYRA, YOU SHOULD BE CUSSIN OUT SUPERHEAD AND HOW SHE THINKS SHE A ROLE MODEL FOR YOUNG WOMEN........SUCKIN DICK ISN'T A GREAT CAUSE FOR SOCIETY...
I LUV YOU TYRA!
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By: Melanie on 9/01/2007 4:42PM
Tyra is the best. She's a smart business woman and she's doing her thing. If she felt she had to drop that Divo then that's just what she had to do. The business relationship was good while it lasted but it's time to move on. Go Tyra!
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