TYRA BANKS, supermodel-turned-TV star, yesterday bravely faced down the man who tormented her — allegedly following the superstar clear across the country.
In crisp, camera-ready diction, the “Top Model” stunner told a Manhattan judge, “I don’t fear, like, for my life. I fear my safety.”
All the while, staring like a lovesick puppy at the girl of his fantasies, the loser charged with stalking and harassing the gorgeous Banks could not help but sweat.
Tyra sashayed into the Manhattan courtroom yesterday aboard 5-inch stilettos and in an off-white, size-2 dress. The “fat ass” that she once sassily pinched on television — an asset that lured her alleged stalker to meet her — was a distant memory.
Bradley Green gazed at his love object, who tried repeatedly to avoid his eyes. Green had gone to great lengths to set up this face-to-face meeting, the first time he’d ever managed to meet the object of his desire.
It didn’t go nearly as he’d planned.
Looking nervous and slightly annoyed, Banks, 35, testified about the way her life was upended by this drifter and one-time homeless vagrant who had had nothing better to do with his day than worship a woman he knew from TV. He sent her flowers, a note that said, “When I see you, I love you,” and allegedly threatened to slit a producer’s throat if he didn’t give up Tyra’s whereabouts.
“I fear the safety of my staffers . . . I fear the safety of my family. I fear the safety of people in my vicinity,” Banks said.
Green was arrested in March 2008 at the Manhattan studio in which her daily talk show, “The Tyra Banks Show,” is taped. Banks, who also hosts the reality show “America’s Next Top Model,” said she told arresting cops, “I was scared. I didn’t know what to do.
“I asked them for advice on how to live my life.”
Tyra said she’s never lived “that kind of sheltered, protected life.” But since Green’s arrest, she’s hired a car and driver and beefed up security. Jogging, which she loved, is definitely out. “I have a trainer now.”
What Green refused to understand is that Tyra does not speak directly to him. She is a performer. She does not exist to make him happy.
“I’ve had a passion for television since I was 9 years old,” she testified, without a hint of weirdness. Tyra also said she does not read her fan mail, she hires people to do that. And she does not come up with ideas for her TV show.
In his cheap brown suit, Green took the stand in the afternoon and testified that on March 16, he’d taken a two-day bus ride from Los Angeles, arriving on the 18th, then hopping the subway directly to Banks’ studio. There, staff recognized the creep as the pest who was listed on the show’s “Do Not Admit” list.
“I wanted her to know how much she inspired me,” he told the judge. “And let her know how much I appreciated her work.”
He denied threatening Tyra’s producer: “No, sir.”
Green isn’t the first creature deluded into believing the people on TV want him. But he faces just 90 days in jail, if convicted, on misdemeanor charges. And that is just wrong.
Green enjoyed his day with Tyra.
He’s created enough new fantasies to last a lifetime. He’s won.