Miss J Alexander, the flamboyant runway coach and iconic face of America’s Next Top Model, has faced the fight of his life.
A stroke in December 2022 left him in a coma for five weeks and temporarily deprived him of speech and mobility a cruel irony for the man who taught the world to strut with confidence.
Now, in Netflix’s Reality Check Inside America’s Next Top Model, Alexander shares his journey of recovery, resilience, and determination.
The 67-year-old, born Alexander Jenkins, reveals the shock of waking up in a hospital, unsure of his surroundings, and confronting a body that refused to respond. “I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t talk. I thought to myself, what am I going to do?” he recalls. The stroke brought his illustrious career shaping aspiring models and defining the runway to an abrupt halt.
Alexander’s influence on ANTM began with the very first cycle in 2003, when Tyra Banks invited him after he had coached her runway walk as a teenager.
He quickly became the show’s standout personality, serving as the primary runway coach and later as a judge, alongside Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker. His sharp critiques, guidance, and charisma helped define the identity of the show for nearly a decade.
Even after being let go in 2012, Alexander continued mentoring models internationally and teaching at the Savannah College of Art and Design for 15 years. His career, however, was abruptly interrupted by the stroke, forcing him into an arduous recovery process spanning over a year.
In Reality Check, Alexander openly discusses the emotional toll of his condition. He credits former colleagues Manuel and Barker for visiting him during recovery, providing vital support and encouragement.
While Tyra Banks has yet to visit, she sent a message expressing her intention to do so. Alexander reflects on the reunion with his former co-judges as an emotional moment, bringing back memories of their shared journey.
Despite the setbacks, Alexander’s determination remains unshaken. “I taught models how to walk, and now I can’t walk yet. But I am determined. It’s not over for me,” he says. His courage and candid storytelling highlight a man whose legacy extends beyond fashion, serving as a testament to resilience, self-expression, and the refusal to be defined by adversity.
Netflix’s documentary not only revisits the legacy of ANTM but also shines a light on Alexander’s unwavering spirit. Through this intimate portrait, viewers witness a performance artist, mentor, and survivor who continues to inspire, proving that even life-altering challenges cannot diminish the brilliance of Miss J Alexander.
