While the Netflix America’s Next Top Model documentary covered a lot from the controversial show, a major focus was the judges’ relationships with host/executive producer Tyra Banks. Since Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model premiered, ANTM fans have been reeling from the shocking revelations and left with a lot of lingering questions. Some of those questions involve ANTM judges Jay Manuel (aka “Mr. Jay”), Miss J Alexander, and Nigel Barker. And not, it’s not just “how does Jay Manuel look the same as he did twenty years ago?”
The ANTM doc’s third episode recalls the decision to fire the Jays and Nigel. Tyra insists it was demanded by The CW’s new boss. While they initially planned to release a PR statement, someone leaked the news to the press, ending any pretense of staying cordial. Alas, firing the three didn’t revitalize ANTM as hoped. Just a few cycles later, Tyra herself was let go.
Now, America’s Next Top Model fans are wondering where the Jays and Nigel stand with Tyra today. Could the ANTM Netflix doc heal old wounds, or did it just make their relationships worse? Read on to find out more.
What has Jay Manuel said about Tyra Banks following the ANTM Netflix documentary?
In the ANTM Netflix documentary, Jay Manuel recalls his close friendship with Tyra Banks during the early years of Top Model. She would confide in him and stay at his apartment instead of hotels. Also, Jay stood up for Tyra and would fight back with Janice Dickinson. But even during their friendship, Jay claims he clashed with some of Tyra’s ideas. Most notably, the infamous race-swapping photoshoot.
Jay and Tyra’s friendship took a turn when he asked to leave ANTM after Cycle 8. Tyra sent a cold email in response and refused, though his role was downsized. That’s why Jay called his firing “a slap in the face and then getting slapped again.” He still was nicer to Tyra in their post-firing TV interview. But … he also wrote a Devil Wears Prada inspired novel inspired by their working relationship. In the documentary, Tyra refuses to talk about their friendship ending, saying she should call Jay instead.
In a post-documentary interview with ET, Jay said he still hasn’t received any call. He doesn’t think he ever will. “If I never spoke to Tyra again in this lifetime, I’m okay with that,” he added. A far cry from how close they once were! When asked if he misses his friendship with Tyra, Jay bluntly said, “I don’t.”
How about Miss J’s relationship with Tyra?
Of all the ANTM judges, runway legend Miss J Alexander knew Tyra the longest. They initially met when Tyra was only 17 years old. Tyra recalled that, in the early years of ANTM, she got pushback from ignorant people about Miss J. “Suck my d*ck,” Miss J said to the haters.
Like the other judges, Miss J could recall the details around the firing perfectly. On his birthday, Tyra send a bouquet of flowers. Five days later, he was fired.
But it’s the aftermath that really shocked Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model viewers. In 2021, Miss J suffered a stroke. Nigel and Mr. Jay both visited him in the hospital. At the end of the documentary, the three judges meet up again, and both are proud of how far Miss J has come. The love and friendship between the three is still evident.
However, Tyra never visited Miss J in the hospital. She sent him a text that she wants to see him. But she still hasn’t. Not seeing Miss J, after their long relationship, is one of the biggest reasons Tyra is getting more backlash than ever in response to the ANTM Netflix doc.
Nigel Barker spoke of Tyra’s accountability on America’s Next Top Model
ANTM’s “noted fashion photographer” Nigel Barker spoke about Tyra on The Viall Files. Nigel said he actually is “still friendly” with Tyra despite his firing. “I don’t speak to her often,” he said, “I normally speak to her once or twice a year … it’s always been very cordial.” When they see each other, they avoid rehashing the past. Especially his feelings about getting fired. He explained, “She doesn’t like that kind of confrontation, as for what I’ve experienced.”
But while their relationship is mostly cordial, Nigel still has some issues with Tyra. In an interview with ET, the photographer rolled his eyes when asked about Tyra taking accountability after the Netflix doc. “If you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong, you’re not going to say sorry, are you?” he responded. He said he can’t speak to the things she did, but “I’m sure if you ask her, she’ll have her reasons.” Nigel added that Tyra had a responsibility, because “when you say something on television, and you’re considered an expert, then people will start to believe you.”
He focused on Tyra’s comments on Keenyah Hill’s weight, which got a lot of attention in the doc. “If you say this girl is overweight, or she’s fat, even if she’s not, people think that she is, and she might. And frankly, it’s just purely cruel too.” We’ll see if Nigel and Tyra continue to be on decent terms after that criticism!
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is available to stream on Netflix.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED BY WHERE EVERYBODY STANDS WITH TYRA BANKS AFTER REALITY CHECK: INSIDE AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE ANTM DOCUMENTARY?
