J. Alexander | |
|---|---|
 Alexander hosting the It Gets Better Project Holiday Show 2014. | |
| Born | Alexander Jenkins April 12, 1958 |
| Other names | Miss J |
| Occupation(s) | Runway coach, consultant |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Known for | Television personality and runway coaching |
| Children | 1 |
Alexander Jenkins (born April 12, 1958 [1] [2] ), known as J. Alexander or Miss J, is an American reality television personality and runway coach best known for his work on America's Next Top Model . [3] [4] [5]
Alexander was born in the South Bronx, New York City to Julius and Mary Jenkins and cites his mother as the first person to introduce him to fashion.
As a teenager, he turned to modeling when he met the president of Elite Model Management, Monique Pillard. Pillard was so impressed with his look that she signed him to her agency, and he walked for designer Jean Paul Gaultier in New York City. [3] Alexander is gay. [6] [7] Alexander met Tyra Banks backstage at a runway show, and he began to give Banks walking lessons. Banks coined Alexander's title "Queen of the Catwalk".
Alexander's career as a runway coach began accidentally; he would coach models backstage and eventually became recognized for his skills as a coach. [6] He has been coaching and casting since 1991. [8] He rose to prominence in this field when he coached supermodel Naomi Campbell and model Kimora Lee Simmons. He has also worked with models Nadja Auermann, Claudia Mason and Julia Stegner. [6]
After a modeling stint in Tokyo, he eventually decided to settle in Paris and since 1991, has helped with casting and coaching models for well-known designers such as Hervé Léger, Lars Nilsson, Bill Blass, Valentino, John Galliano, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, and Nina Ricci. [3] [8]
Alexander travels globally for charity events and modeling competitions. [8] His expertise is frequently sought after by journalists. [3] [8]
Alexander appeared on every cycle of the television program America's Next Top Model as the runway coach to the contestants. He was made a judge starting with Cycle 5. As of Cycle 14 of the show, Alexander was replaced as a permanent judge on the panel by Vogue editor at large André Leon Talley. [9] Alexander stayed on as the show's runway coach and has appeared in many of the international versions of the show. [10]
Alexander's nickname "Miss J" (or "Siss' J" after the word sister) came from Cycle 1 contestant Robin Manning, who often confused Alexander and Jay Manuel and on several occasions referred to Alexander as "Miss J" by accident because of his flamboyant clothing (Alexander often dresses in drag and usually wears a skirt and high heels during runway walking training) and personality. Accordingly, Jay Manuel is referred to as "Mr. Jay", and ANTM contestants often call them "The Jays", "The Two Jays" or "Mr. and Miss. Jay" when they appear together. [11] In 2008, the Jays were cast in Operation Fabulous, a show to make over "plain Janes" similar to Queer Eye For The Straight Guy , also produced by Tyra Banks. [11] [12]
He has also appeared on international versions of Top Model , such as Canada's Next Top Model , Holland's Next Top Model , Korea's Next Top Model , Estonia's Next Top Model and Scandinavia's Next Top Model . Alexander appeared on the 4 May 2008 episode of Finland's version of ANTM Suomen huippumalli haussa . [13] In 2009 and the 2011 final, Alexander appeared on Britain's Next Top Model .[ citation needed ]
On April 20, 2012, Alexander's contract with America's Next Top Model expired alongside photographer turned director Nigel Barker and Jay Manuel.
In May 2020, Alexander and Manuel began a weekly Instagram Live series, later syndicated to Facebook and YouTube, based on their experiences working on the show.
Alexander is also interested in designing and has handmade all his clothes on America’s Next Top Model with the exception of the nurse’s outfit: "I did make the hat and the bag." [3] "All the dresses that you see me wear at the challenges, I actually sit down with a needle and thread, not even with a sewing machine, and make them all by hand. I made the ruffles and everything." [3]
Alexander has stated on The Tyra Banks Show that he has a son named Boris. Both Alexander and his ex-boyfriend donated sperm to a French lesbian who wanted a child, and Alexander's ex is the biological father. [14] [15] [16] Alexander has said that he has a "very active role" in Boris' life. He has even joked that his "fashion genes" must have rubbed off on Boris. [17]
In 2010, Alexander wrote Follow the Model: Miss J's Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power, which "shares his story and offers tips on how to be more confident". [18]
Alexander was featured in the track Jay Walk (feat. Miss Jay Alexander) on Leikeli47's album Shape Up (2022).
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Fab-u-lous | Won [19] |
America's Next Top Model is an American reality television series and interactive competition in which a number of aspiring models compete for the title of "America's Next Top Model" and a chance to begin their career in the modeling industry. Created by Tyra Banks, who also serves as an executive producer, and developed by Ken Mok and Kenya Barris, the series premiered in May 2003, and aired semiannually until 2012, then annually from 2013. The first six seasons aired on UPN, before UPN merged with The WB to create The CW in 2006. The following sixteen cycles aired on The CW until the series was first cancelled in October 2015. The series was revived in 2016 and has been airing on VH1 ever since. The series was among the highest-rated programs on UPN and was the highest-rated show on The CW from 2007 to 2010. Advertisers paid $61,315 per 30-second slot during the 2011–12 television season, the highest of any series on The CW. The first 22 cycles of the series and cycle 24 were presented by Banks, while cycle 23 was presented by Rita Ora. The series also employs a panel of two or three additional judges, a creative director and a runway coach.
Toccara Elaine Jones is an American television personality, fashion model, occasional actress and singer. Jones was a contestant on the third season of the UPN series America's Next Top Model, where she was the eighth eliminated.
Nicole Linkletter Nathanson is an American fashion model and the winner of Cycle 5 of America's Next Top Model. Her prizes were a contract with Ford Models, a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl, and her photo appearing in a Ford Fusion (Americas) national advert. She is the first of two America's Next Top Model winners from North Dakota, the second being CariDee English, winner of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 7.
Jay Manuel is a Canadian TV host, creative director, make-up artist, and author. He is most recognizable as the creative director on the popular reality television show America's Next Top Model for the first eighteen seasons. Manuel also was featured as the host of Canada's Next Top Model.
America's Next Top Model, cycle 1 was the first cycle of America's Next Top Model. It originally aired on UPN from May to July 2003, and was hosted by Tyra Banks, who additionally served as its executive producer and presenter. The judging panel consisted of Banks, Janice Dickinson, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Beau Quillian. The cycle's catchphrase was "One girl has what it takes."
The second cycle of America's Next Top Model, premiered on January 13, 2004, and was hosted by model Tyra Banks. The show aimed to find the next top fashion model. The cycle's catchphrase was "They are all gorgeous, but only one has what it takes."
The third cycle of America's Next Top Model debuted on September 22, 2004, and was hosted by model Tyra Banks. It was the first cycle to gain partnership with cosmetics magnate CoverGirl and ran weekly commercials during the show named Beauty Tip of the Week with Jay Manuel and Elsa Benítez as well as the CoverGirl of the Week contest. The cast was increased to 14 contestants, and the season's catchphrase was, "Beauty In Progress."
The fourth season of America's Next Top Model aired in spring 2005, with the shooting location being moved from New York City to Los Angeles. The catchphrase of the season was "Dive In."
America's Next Top Model was the fifth season of the popular reality TV competition America's Next Top Model. This cycle introduced Twiggy and J. Alexander as new judges. The prizes included a contract with Ford Models, a cover and spread in Elle Girl magazine, and a $100,000 USD contract with CoverGirl cosmetics.
The ninth cycle of America's Next Top Model was the third season of the series to be aired on The CW network. This cycle's promotional tagline was "The Future has arrived." The promotional song was "Shut Up and Drive" by Rihanna.
Heather Kuzmich is an American fashion model. She was a contestant on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9, in which she was one of the top five competitors. During the show, it was revealed that Kuzmich has Asperger syndrome.
The tenth cycle of America's Next Top Model was the fourth season of the series to be aired on The CW network. The promotional catchphrase of the cycle is "New Faces, New Attitude, New York". The promotional song was "Feedback" by Janet Jackson.
The eleventh cycle of America's Next Top Model premiered on September 3, 2008, and was the fifth season to be aired on The CW network. The promotional catchphrase of the cycle was "Feel The Love."
Isis King is an American model, actress, and fashion designer. King is most widely known for her role on both the eleventh cycle and the seventeenth cycle of the reality television show America's Next Top Model. She was the first openly trans woman to compete on the show, and became one of the most visible transgender people on television. King has been starring as Sol Perez on the Amazon Prime Video romantic comedy series With Love since 2021.
Allison Harvard Burke is an American model, artist, actress, and Internet celebrity, best known as the runner-up of both America's Next Top Model Cycles 12 and 17: All-Stars. Harvard has appeared on a number of magazine covers, such as Harper's Bazaar, L'Officiel, ONE, WeTheUrban, and one of the Philippines' leading fashion magazines, Mega. She also featured as the brand endorser of the Belo Medical Group and covered their special edition magazine.
Laura Sioux Kirkpatrick is an American model and fashion designer, best known as the runner-up of cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model. She was voted fan favorite in a poll the show held after the conclusion of the series, which won her a six-month, rent-free apartment in New York City.
America's Next Top Model's fourteenth cycle debuted on March 10, 2010, marking the eighth season on The CW. The first three seasons of America's Next Top Model, as well as seasons 10 and 12, were filmed in New York City; however, the series did not return to New York until cycle 23. The catchphrase for Cycle 14 is "Work It Out." The promo songs are "Watch Me Move" by Fefe Dobson and "Go Getta" by Stella Mwangi.
The seventeenth cycle of America's Next Top Model premiered on September 14, 2011, on The CW. It featured fourteen returning models from previous cycles.
The sixteenth cycle of America's Next Top Model premiered on February 23, 2011, and was the tenth cycle to be aired on The CW. The catch-phrase for this cycle is "Rainy Day Women."
Drew Elliott is the Global Creative Director of MAC Cosmetics and a Creative Consultant on the reality television show America's Next Top Model. Elliott was the Chief Creative Officer at Paper. He studied pop culture and English at New York University prior to his job at Paper.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
