The tea round America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin remains to be piping sizzling, and because of Netflix’s newest docuseries, it’s spilling in methods followers didn’t count on.
Actuality Test: Inside America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin has reopened previous wounds and now it’s shedding mild on a deeply private and painful chapter within the lifetime of one of many franchise’s most beloved figures: Miss J Alexander.
As we reported earlier, Miss J lately revealed that Tyra Banks, the face and pressure behind ANTM, has not visited him since he suffered a life-threatening stroke in 2022. Sure, she did “attain out,” however in response to Miss J, that outreach by no means become an precise go to. The information got here straight from the supply whereas Miss J stared into the digicam on Sherri Shepherd’s daytime speak present, letting the silence converse louder than phrases.
Miss J shared that when the stroke first occurred, Tyra informed him she was “in L.A.” and expressed concern, however she by no means got here by. In the meantime, different business heavyweights confirmed up in actual life. Miss J confirmed that Angela Bassett, Alfre Woodard, George Lopez, and extra pals made the trouble to see him as he continues his restoration journey. “Ty didn’t,” he mentioned plainly.
As if witnessing Miss J’s well being battle wasn’t heartbreaking sufficient, information quickly adopted that he now wants public assist to assist cowl the price of restoration. His shut buddy and expertise supervisor, Steven Grossman, has launched a GoFundMe to help with ongoing therapy, specialised care, rehabilitation companies, and day by day residing assist. The purpose is $100,000.
To place issues into perspective, Miss J suffered a stroke in 2022 that left him in a coma for 5 months. When he awakened, he couldn’t stroll or converse. He then spent almost a yr and a half in a rehabilitation middle, enduring further mini-strokes, seizures, and 4 extra hospitalizations alongside the way in which.
Staying on the subject of cash, Miss J lately informed PEOPLE that one among his greatest regrets from his time on America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin (the place he coached from 2003 to 2012) is just not asking for “extra money.” The runway coach was on the present for 18 cycles. He coached the fashions on perfecting their runway walks and supplied sometimes-biting critiques on their efficiency. After serving to mould generations of fashions and changing into a cultural icon within the course of, that realization hits particularly arduous now.
Although his supply and critique might really feel powerful by at the moment’s requirements and viewers, J famous that his suggestions was all the time supposed “with love.”
As of late, Miss J says he’s “therapeutic and dealing.” His routine contains bodily and occupational remedy twice per week, watching TV, doing phrase searches, and streaming previous and new vogue exhibits on-line.
With the ANTM docuseries peeling again layers and Miss J’s story now entrance and middle, one factor is obvious: the legacy of America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin is difficult, and the human value behind the style is lastly getting the eye it deserves.
Actuality Test: Inside America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin is streaming now on Netflix.
