Beloved ‘ANTM’ Star Unable To Walk Amid Devastating Stroke
America’s Next Top Model was an unexpected hit. The reality show ran for fifteen years. However, it came under fire in recent years after it became a popular binge show during the pandemic. Fans have spent the last few years calling out Tyra Banks, demanding accountability. Netflix dropped a docuseries about ANTM this week. It ended with a shocking disclosure: A beloved star is unable to walk amid a devastating stroke. Keep reading for all the details.
Netflix Docuseries Exposes Dark Side Of Popular Reality Show
Tyra Banks not only hosted and judged ANTM, she also created the show. She wanted to upend the modeling industry’s lack of diversity in both ethnicity and size. The former Sports Illustrated cover model pitched the show to multiple networks before UPN picked it up. America’s Next Top Model debuted in 2003 to monster ratings.
However, many of the photoshoots and feedback from the judges haven’t aged well in hindsight. One shocking photoshoot saw the contestants use blackface to change ethnicity. In another jaw-dropping moment, Tyra Banks screamed at a contestant after they were eliminated for refusing to get their gap tooth fixed.
Cycle 2 contestant Shandi Sullivan recounted a harrowing incident in which she was allegedly sexually assaulted on camera. Footage of the incident aired on television, but was portrayed as her cheating on her boyfriend. Tyra Banks and the others interviewed for the docuseries shockingly brushed the incident off as part of reality TV.
Another shocking secret came out during the Netflix doc.
Beloved ANTM Star Unable To Walk Amid Devastating Stroke
During its heyday, ANTM featured three prominent figures: Creative director Jay Manuel, mentor Miss J Alexander, and photographer Nigel Barker. All three were fired after Cycle 18 in 2012. They all took part in the Netflix docuseries, along with Tyra Banks and several former contestants.
Jay Manuel opened up about a falling out with Tyra Banks years ago when he tried to leave the show. He claimed that she would only talk to him on-camera after his attempt to exit, though he stayed for several more seasons.
Miss J Alexander, who helped the contestants with their runway walks, revealed a shocking secret in the third part of the docuseries: He had a devastating stroke several years ago and is still unable to walk.
“On December 27th of 2022, I had a stroke. I woke up. I didn’t know where I was other than in the hospital,” the 67-year-old said. He added, “I spent five weeks in a coma, and I couldn’t walk. And I couldn’t talk.” Miss J has since regained the ability to talk, but is still in a wheelchair.
However, he’s determined to walk again. “I miss being the queen of the runway. The catwalks, of course. I’m the person who taught models how to walk. I taught models how to walk,” he said.
He received visits from Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker while in the hospital. When asked if Tyra Banks visited him, he revealed that she hadn’t. However, Miss J said he received a text from his former prodigy that she wanted to visit him. Miss J Alexander has known Tyra Banks since she was a teenager and helped her master her famous runway walk.
Tyra Banks revealed during the docuseries that America’s Next Top Model is returning for Cycle 25. Stay tuned for more details.
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