Former America’s Next Top Model star Jay Manuel isn’t exactly “smizing” about Tyra Banks’ refusal to discuss their friendship fallout in the new Netflix docuseries, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model; however, the makeup artist claims he’s also moved on from the idea of ever mending things with the supermodel.
“Seeing Tyra’s reaction to being asked is she ready to speak about what happened between her and myself … my phone number is the same, she knows it,” Jay said of his former boss/friend in a new interview with Entertainment Tonight. “I have not gotten a phone call, but I don’t think I will get that phone call to be honest with you. And I’m not expecting it.”
As you may know, it’s mentioned in ‘Reality Check’ that Jay, J. Alexander (aka Miss J) and Nigel Barker’s contracts expired in 2012 and the three were not brought back to ‘ANTM’ following Season 18, despite being the core of the judging panel for nearly a decade. At the time, it was explained that the trio received pink slips due to a “production decision,” as there were “major changes planned for [Cycle] 19.”
Jay revealed in the new docuseries that he actually attempted to quit the competition series long before receiving the boot from Tyra, only to receive an email response from her that read, “I am disappointed.” (It’s also revealed in the docuseries that Tyra failed to contact Miss J after he suffered a debilitating stroke in 2022 that left him temporarily unable to speak and paralyzed. Meanwhile, both Jay and Nigel visited Miss Jay in the hospital, with the three remaining friends to this day.)
While Jay ultimately stayed on ‘ANTM’ for many cycles after his attempted resignation, his friendship with Tyra never fully recovered and only worsened after his contract wasn’t renewed in 2012. When asked by a producer to address what exactly went down between her and her now-former friend Jay in ‘Reality Check,’ Tyra declines, noting that she “should call Jay,” as she doesn’t want to discuss the topic on-camera.
Meanwhile, Jay has candidly spoken about his fractured friendship with Tyra on multiple occasions, even revealing to ET this week that he’s completely fine with the idea of never speaking to the smizing supermodel again.
“In Tyra’s world– and this can speak to everyone in Tyra’s world– you don’t leave Tyra, Tyra leaves you,” he said. “If I never spoke with Tyra again in this lifetime, I’m okay with that. I’m really okay with it, I don’t need it … .”
Jay was then asked if he missed his friendship with Tyra, to which he responded with a concise, “I don’t.”
Weeks before ‘Reality Check’ premiered on Netflix, Jay posted a throwback photo on Instagram of himself and Tyra that was taken before they began filming Cycle 1 of ‘ANTM.’ Jay explained to followers that the snapshot was, “a reminder of how things were with Tyra.”
“ … Years before this photo was taken, I admired Tyra for being a superstar model and for the barriers she shattered in the fashion industry,” he wrote. “When we first met in 1999 and worked together, a professional relationship began, one that eventually evolved into a friendship.
“ … It feels fitting to share this image today, two weeks before the Netflix documentary ‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model’ premieres,” Jay continued. “This three-part series offers an in-depth look at many perspectives and many truths. Everyone involved with ‘ANTM’ had their own journey with this show–and their own truth. We need to honor everyone’s truth.”
Jay concluded his statement with, “Life is a journey. I’m grateful that ‘ANTM’ is a part of mine.”
‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model’ is currently streaming on Netflix.
Watch a clip from Jay’s ET interview below.
RELATED STORY: Nigel Barker & Jay Manuel Give Update on Miss J Alexander’s Paralysis from 2022 Stroke: “He Can Take Steps!”
(Photos: Netflix; Instagram)
One Response
Well.. good that no one is hanging on for Tyra.
Ok it’s done, so let’s be done.
Jay Jay and Nigel all have great futures ahead without Tyra, and they should go forward.