Miss J Alexander's Emotional Revelation About Stroke Aftermath
In a deeply moving segment from Netflix's new documentary series Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, television personality Miss J Alexander fought back tears while discussing the devastating impact of his 2022 stroke. The 67-year-old runway expert, born Alexander Jenkins, revealed the profound physical limitations he now faces following the medical emergency.
The Heartbreaking Confession
"I miss being the queen of the runway, the queen of the catwalk, of course," Alexander emotionally confessed during the documentary interview. "I'm the person who taught models how to walk. I taught models how to walk, and now I can't walk."
Despite the emotional weight of his admission, Alexander demonstrated remarkable resilience, declaring: "I'm determined to walk. I'm sure you're going to see me again. I'm sure. It's not over for me yet."
Notable Absences During Recovery
When questioned about whether America's Next Top Model host Tyra Banks had visited him during his recovery, Alexander responded with noticeable disappointment: "No, not yet. She sent me a text that she wants to come and visit me, but no. Not yet." The camera captured his pointed expression following this revelation.
In contrast, fellow former judges Nigel Barker and Jay Manuel did visit Alexander during his hospitalization. Barker described the experience as "such a terrible shock and really upsetting and horrifying and scary," while Manuel noted he could "feel how upset he was, for sure."
The Stroke Experience and Recovery Journey
Alexander detailed the traumatic experience of his stroke, explaining: "I woke up, I didn't know where I was, other than the hospital. I spent five weeks in a coma. I couldn't walk, I couldn't talk." He openly acknowledged the emotional toll, stating: "It was emotional. I cried. I'm not ashamed to say I cried."
The documentary captures a heartwarming reunion between Alexander, Barker, and Manuel as they take their first selfie together since 2019, highlighting the genuine connections formed during their time on the reality competition series.
America's Next Top Model Legacy and Controversies
Miss J Alexander first joined America's Next Top Model during its inaugural season in 2003, serving as the show's runway coach who taught contestants how to perfect their model walks. He became a judge in season 5 and continued through season 13 before being replaced by Andre Leon Talley in season 14, though he maintained his runway coaching role throughout.
The Netflix documentary series addresses numerous controversies that have surrounded the long-running reality competition, including:
- A problematic "blackface" photoshoot that saw white models made over with dark makeup
- Multiple allegations of sexual harassment on set
- Former contestants describing being "grabbed and touched" without consent
- Reports of body-shaming and harsh criticism from judges
- Questionable runway challenges and photoshoots that prioritized shock value
Former Contestants Share Their Experiences
The documentary features interviews with several former contestants who share troubling experiences from their time on the show. Giselle Samson, a contestant from the first series, opens up about receiving "shocking" insults from judges behind the scenes. Series two star Ebony Haith reveals experiencing "racist" comments about her skin tone.
Perhaps most disturbing is the account from Shandi Sullivan, another series two contestant, who addresses the controversy surrounding footage of her sleeping with an Italian man despite having a boyfriend. Sullivan describes "blacking out" before the incident, with "nobody doing anything to stop it" and instead "filming it" for broadcast.
Tyra Banks' Response to Criticism
Host Tyra Banks has addressed much of the criticism surrounding America's Next Top Model in recent years. At the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, Banks admitted the show "didn't always get things right," stating: "Hell no. I said some dumb s---," while also defending her original intent to increase diversity on television.
The documentary series features interviews with Banks, TV producer Ken Mok, and several former judges and contestants, providing a comprehensive look at both the groundbreaking aspects and problematic elements of the influential reality competition.
Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers unprecedented insight into one of television's most iconic and controversial reality series.
