There’s been more good news for former America’s Next Top Model runway coach and judge Miss J Alexander.
Days after former ‘ANTM’ castmate Jay Manuel shared that Miss J had been able to take steps following a 2022 stroke, friends of Miss J, including talent manager Steven Grossman, launched a GoFundMe this morning to raise money for his ongoing recovery.
“For years, the incomparable Miss J. Alexander brought grace, humor, and unforgettable style into our homes as a beloved coach and judge on ‘America’s Next Top Model,’” the appeal begins. “Known for their warmth, wit, and dedication to uplifting others, Miss J. has been a guiding light to models and fans around the world.”
The GoFundMe page then shared details on Miss J’s stroke more than three years ago, a health emergency first brought to the attention of many fans by the new documentary Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.
“As the public now knows, on December 27, 2022, Miss J. suffered a debilitating stroke and was found unresponsive in his apartment by his niece,” the page reads. “After spending five weeks in a coma, Miss J. was left unable to walk or speak. He spent almost a year and a half in a rehabilitation center without much use of his body or his voice. This time span included additional mini-strokes, seizures, and four additional hospitalizations.
“For the past three years, Miss J. has been bravely fighting his way back and struggling to live independently,” the appeal continued. “We are hoping to secure full-time, round-the-clock care and help with the on-going regular physical, speech and occupational therapies.
“He is currently confined to a wheelchair stemming from what we hope is only temporary paralysis and his right arm remains immobile.”
In the documentary, which debuted earlier this week on Netflix, Miss J talked about the long-term impacts of the stroke.
“… I’m the person who taught models how to walk,” he said. “I taught models how to walk, and now I can’t walk.”
That prognosis has somewhat improved, as Jay shared with Entertainment Weekly a few days ago.
“[Miss] J is getting stronger every day,” he said. “He does physical therapy every day. He can get out of that [wheel]chair. That’s what people don’t know. At the time of the documentary, he couldn’t. He can [now]. He can take steps.”
Jay linked the fundraiser in his Instagram Stories and is so far the only ‘ANTM’ person to do so.
The progress Miss J has made has taken intensive, and costly care, as the GoFundMe expressed.
“While he has shown incredible strength and resilience against all odds, the financial burden of ongoing treatment, specialized care, and daily living support is beyond overwhelming,” the fundraiser page reads.
At press time, $9,372 was raised of the campaign’s $100,000 goal, a total that included a $1,500 donation from model-actress Lydia Hearst Shaw.
(Photos: Instagram)
3 Responses
George Santos donated $250…. I have a lot of questions….
Tyra will most definitely not donate even though she has the money and did Miss Jay dirty
Tyra hasn’t even visited him since he had the stroke! I finally watched the documentary and she’s so full of it in it. I hope her plans for season 25 fall through. Dear Lord, we don’t need anymore of this.