‘Top Model’ Producer: Paulina Porizkova Fired Over Money, Not Ego

The state of the economy – not a clash with host Tyra Banks – led to Paulina Porizkova being fired from “America’s Next Top Model,” the show’s executive producer told Access Hollywood.

In a previous interview with Access, Porizkova said she was dismissed from the reality show due having “a little bit of an issue with Tyra being late for every judging.”

However, on Monday, “Top Model” co-executive producer Ken Mok said a difference in work ethic between the supermodels had nothing to do with the decision.

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

Although the two supermodels did not get along on the set, according to Porizkova, there was no difference of opinion off-camera – because there were no conversations, period.

“I wouldn’t know [what kind of person Tyra is] because all I know of her is literally when we are on set talking to each other in front of the cameras,” Porizkova added. “That is the only time she would speak to me.”

Yet, in his statement to Access, Mok said Tyra and the rest of the “Top Model” family were sad to see Porizkova go.

“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,” Mok’s statement continued. We really enjoyed working with Paulina, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”