Law Roach is clearing up where he stands with Tyra Banks, but he is not watering down the confidence that helped turn their “Project Runway” exchanges into viral television.
Video
During the September 22 episode of “Outlaws with TS Madison,” Roach addressed the attention surrounding his interactions with Banks on the fashion competition series. The conversation gave him another opportunity to discuss the Tyra Banks clash while separating his respect for her television legacy from his opinion of his own expertise in fashion.Roach credited Banks with helping open the door for his television career through “America’s Next Top Model.” Records from the show support Roach’s history with the franchise. He joined the judging panel for Cycle 23 in 2016, when Banks remained an executive producer even though Rita Ora had taken over hosting duties. Banks later returned as host for Cycle 24, with Roach remaining on the panel.
Still, gratitude did not stop Roach from drawing a firm line around fashion expertise during his conversation with TS Madison.
“Outside of Nene, I am the fashion expert… if you’re not at the level of me, we going to go back and forth about it,” Roach said, seemingly making clear that disagreements on the judging panel are fair game when he believes the conversation falls within his professional lane.
Roach also revealed during the interview that he previously tried to style Banks, but she ultimately never hired him.
The comments arrive after the Tyra Banks clash became one of the most discussed dynamics of “Project Runway” Season 22. Banks joined the season as a recurring judge alongside Heidi Klum, Roach and Nina Garcia, while Christian Siriano returned as mentor.
Viewers quickly noticed Roach and Banks challenging each other during critiques. In one viral exchange, Banks compared part of a designer’s look to an airplane neck pillow before Roach responded by asking whether she still flew economy. Their differing reactions to designs helped fuel online speculation that there was genuine tension behind the scenes.
Roach previously pushed back on the idea that the Tyra Banks clash amounted to an actual feud. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the 2026 Emmys, he said, “There’s no Tyra situation at all,” explaining that he is simply comfortable disagreeing with fellow judges and has also clashed with Klum and Garcia.
His respect for Banks also predates their “Project Runway” reunion. In a 2017 interview with Windy City Times, Roach recalled speaking with Banks after joining “America’s Next Top Model” and said he thanked her while praising what she had accomplished throughout her career.
More than a decade into his television career, Roach appears comfortable holding both positions at once: Banks played an important role in his journey, but when the conversation turns to fashion, he has no problem defending his seat at the table.
