One of the most beloved stars of America’s Next Top Model, Miss J Alexander, has revealed that he suffered a stroke in December 2022 which has left him unable to walk.
The 67-year-old television personality – born Alexander Jenkins – got candid about the debilitating medical emergency on Netflix’s Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model as they also revealed that host Tyra Banks still has yet to visit.
The judge of the reality competition show got emotional as he said: ‘I miss being the queen of the runway, the queen of the catwalk, of course. I’m the person who taught models how to walk. I taught models how to walk, and now I can’t walk.
‘Not yet. 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.’
At one point, he is asked if the 52-year-old host Banks has come to see him after his debilitating stroke.
Alexander replied: ‘No, not yet. She sent me a text that she wants to come and visit me, but no. Not yet.’
One of the most beloved stars of America’s Next Top Model, Miss J Alexander, has revealed that he suffered a stroke in December 2022 which has left him unable to walk
The 67-year-old television personality revealed that host Tyra Banks still has yet to visit; the two are seen together in September 2006)
He then shot a very pointed look toward the camera.
Daily Mail has reached out to Banks’ representatives for comment and has yet to hear back.
The runway coach on the series described their experience in the aftermath of the medical emergency.
Alexander said: ‘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.
‘It was emotional. I cried. I’m not ashamed to say I cried.’
Despite Banks still having yet to visit, fellow judges Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker did stop by while he was hospitalized.
Barker said: ‘I don’t know if he wanted me to see him in that way, but I was going to see him. That was such a terrible shock and really upsetting and horrifying and scary.’
Manuel added: ‘I could feel how upset he was, for sure. I can’t even imagine where he was in his mind.’
The judge of the reality competition show got emotional on Netflix’s Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model
He was asked if Banks has visited and before shooting a pointed look at the camera said: ‘No, not yet. She sent me a text that she wants to come and visit me, but no. Not yet’
Alexander (pictured in January 2009) has appeared on every cycle of America’s Next Top Model from 2003 to 2018 as the runway coach to contestants
Alexander was obviously touched by his former fellow judges taking time to see him during his medical crisis.
‘I thought back to when we used to do shows together,’ he said. ‘I just missed them so much.’
On the Netflix docuseries, the trio share a cute moment as they take a selfie together for the first time since 2019.
Alexander has appeared on every cycle of America’s Next Top Model from 2003 to 2018 as the runway coach to contestants. He has also appeared in international versions of the show.
He then was made judge starting with Cycle 5 and did so through Cycle 13 as he was replaced by Andre Leon Talley in Cycle 14.
The reality competition series has been at the heart of a number of controversies over the years, from its dangerous runway challenges, to problematic photoshoots and disastrous makeovers.
These are addressed in the new Netflix docuseries including a ‘blackface’ photoshoot, and sexual harassment allegations.
Featuring interviews with show host Banks, TV producer Ken Mok and the aforementioned former judges, the series hears from former contestants and winners including Whitney Thompson, Giselle Samson and Shandi Sullivan.
Alexander and Banks are seen in Burbank back in April 2015
Despite Banks still having yet to visit, fellow judges Nigel Barker (left) and Jay Manuel (right) did stop by while he was hospitalized
On the Netflix docuseries, the trio share a cute moment as they take a selfie together for the first time since 2019
In the series, Giselle, who was a contestant on the first series, opens up on being the victim of ‘shocking’ insults from the judges behind-the-scenes, and series two star Ebony Haith reveals ‘racist’ comments about her skin.
Elsewhere, Shandi, who also appeared on series two, addresses the controversy over her being filmed sleeping with an Italian man, despite having a boyfriend, in one shocking episode filmed in Europe.
The model speaks openly about ‘blacking out’ before the act, with ‘nobody doing anything to stop it’ and instead ‘filming it’ to be aired on the series.
While other former contestants also open up on their thoughts about a ethnicity-swapping photo shoot that saw white models made over in ‘blackface’ make-up.
A number of stars also complain of being fat shamed, and harassed by male models, including being ‘grabbed and touched’ without consent on set.
The reality competition series has been at the heart of a number of controversies over the years, from its dangerous runway challenges, to problematic photoshoots and disastrous makeovers (Alexander is seen on the series back in June 2005)
When old clips began resurfacing online in 2020, viewers reignited debates about the show’s treatment of contestants and the way producers pushed boundaries.
Many called out judges, including Banks, for body‑shaming, harsh comments and humiliating challenges that seemed more designed for shock value than genuine modelling critique.
Banks herself has addressed much of this criticism in recent years.
At the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, she admitted ANTM didn’t always get things right, saying: ‘Hell no. I said some dumb s—,’ while also defending her intent to broaden diversity on television.
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is available to stream on Netflix.
‘
Read the full article here
