Netflix just dropped a new docuseries diving into America’s Next Top Model, and everyone is lining up to spill tea about Tyra Banks. In the three-part series, creative director Jay Manuel opened up about his exit from the show. He says it was grossly mishandled by the production team. In the aftermath, his relationship with Tyra was forever changed.
Where do ANTM’s Tyra Banks and Jay Manuel stand today?
A bunch of ANTM insiders opened up in Netflix’s docuseries, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model. However, Jay added even more context in a follow-up interview with People. He made it very clear that his relationship with Tyra has never improved.
He left the show in 2012, along with Miss J Alexander and Nigel Barker. Supposedly, a production “leak” told media outlets that the three had been “fired.” The news broke just moments after they found out.
Jay felt frustrated by how the news got out—especially because he had previously told Tyra he was ready to move on from the show. He said that Tyra felt “disappointed” that he wanted to leave. She gave him the silent treatment on set before his exit.
In the documentary, Tyra declined to comment on what went down between her and Jay, but she admitted that she “should call” him and deal with it personally. They filmed the documentary about a year ago, and Jay said that phone call still hasn’t come.
“I never got that phone call,” Jay said. “I don’t think I’m getting a phone call. She’s got my number.”
The last time Jay saw Tyra, they were at BeautyCon 2017. It had been five years since his ANTM exit, and he said they had a “really nice conversation.” Other than that, there’s been “no communication” between the two of them. It’s a huge contrast to how they used to be.
“Tyra and I were close, and when we were in New York shooting, or even in L.A. shooting, she’d be at my house, or I’d be at her house, and we would really download,” Jay recalled.
“But at the same time, and she knows this to be true, the things that are those really, really trusted important things that she has said to me, I will never repeat. I will forever honor my relationship with her in the past,” he added.
If Tyra wants to call him, he’s “very open” to picking up the phone. Either way, it doesn’t sound like he’s losing any sleep over it.
“I’m in a healed place,” he said. “I wish her no ill will.”
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is streaming on Netflix.
TELL US – DOES IT SURPRISE YOU THAT JAY AND TYRA HAVEN’T SPOKEN? DO YOU THINK SHE WILL EVER REACH OUT TO HIM?
