Miss J Alexander still has hope that his long-time friendship with Tyra Banks can be repaired following the explosive Netflix documentary about “America’s Next Top Model,” where the former judge and runway coach revealed a devastating and debilitating stroke.
According to reports, Alexander wants to get back to a good place with the supermodel, who he has known since she was 17, even though the two have not spoken since his stroke in 2022.
Miss J Alexander Hopes To Repair Tyra Banks Friendship Despite Estrangement Following His Stroke Battle
Per TMZ, inside sources told the outlet that Miss J has “no ill will or animosity” towards Banks, and “remains hopeful they can reconcile.”
All he wants is for her to reach out to him in person or a phone call instead of the text message she sent him during his lengthy hospital stay due to his stroke that left him with limited mobility.
Miss J Previously Revealed Who Visited Him After His Stroke
While Miss J says Banks has yet to come check in on him, the beloved runway coach has not been without support from old “ANTM” colleagues.
Among those said to have visited him during the early days of his recovery are “ANTM” alumni Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker, who both reflected on the emotional toll of seeing their longtime friend hospitalized.
“It was just such a terrible shock, and really upsetting and horrifying and scary,” Barker said in the Netflix docuseries, “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.” “I don’t know whether he even wanted me to see him in that way.”
The Famed Runway Coach Detailed The Severity Of His Stroke And The Supermodel’s Absence In ‘ANTM’ Docuseries
Miss J’s misfortune began on December 27, 2022, when he suffered a stroke that rendered him unable to walk.
Speaking in the docuseries, he recalled the traumatic events. “I had a stroke,” he said. “I woke up, I didn’t know where I was, other than the hospital.”
Revealing the full gravity of the ordeal, Miss J explained that he spent more than a month in a coma.
“I spent five weeks in a coma. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t talk,” he recounted.
The former “ANTM” judge also addressed his relationship with Banks, noting that although she expressed interest in visiting, she has yet to do so.
“She just sent me a text that she wants to come and visit me,” said Miss J. “But no, not yet.”
Tyra Banks Found Support Following Online Backlash After ‘ANTM’ Doc Release
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Kelly Cutrone, who was a judge on “America’s Next Top Model” during cycles 18 through 22, spoke about what the future holds for supermodel and mogul Banks, as she faces backlash from the explosive documentary “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.”
“I feel confident that Tyra will prevail,” Cutrone told the outlet. “She’s done a lot for people, including the people who are out there trashing her right now, specifically the people who worked on the show.”
“I feel that she will prevail, and I think that she will get through this,” the famed fashion publicist said. “But I think that 80 percent of [the docuseries] is incredibly twisted. I believe that the facts and the truth will come forward.”
Sherri Shepherd also came to Banks’ defense during a segment on her daytime talk show on February 19.
She noted how different reality television was at the time “ANTM” was at the height of its popularity.
“But I also say, you have to understand the time this all happened was in 2003,” she said. “Reality TV was the wild, wild west back then. Every show was trying to outdo each other to stay on the air.”
“We’re woke now, we know so much more now than we did back then,” Shepherd continued her defense of Banks. “I hate that she’s getting so much flak. She does need to take accountability, I know that, but I also know the battles some people will never understand that are fought.”
Additionally, Cycle 3 winner Eva Marcille sang Banks’s praises for making her dreams come true.
During an appearance on “CBS Mornings,” per PEOPLE, Marcille said, “Thanks to ‘Top Model,’ though. What I will say is I will never fail to thank Tyra.”
“What Tyra set out to do in this business, I will always say — and especially for ‘Top Model,’ initially — she set out to change the world; to change what the modeling industry looked like, sound like, felt like and expected. And she did that for me,” she added.
Friend Who Created GoFundMe For Miss J’s Medical Expenses Defended The Fundraiser Amid Backlash
Steven Grossman, a talent manager and producer, shared a throwback photo on Instagram of himself with Alexander, Manuel, and Cutrone, paired with a lengthy caption about his health struggles before asking his followers to contribute to the GoFundMe.
“I started a @gofundme to help @miss_jalexander with the overwhelming financial burden of medical bills and long term care,” Grossman’s caption read in part. “So if Miss J ever made you smile or laugh – I hope you will consider donating or sharing with your community. Let’s all come together for someone who has inspired so much joy, confidence and individuality in all of us.”
In the comments of the post, an Instagram user asked Grossman why he was starting a GoFundMe if he was so close to Alexander, also alluding to his financial status as a Hollywood manager and producer, and Grossman offered a defense.
“Because he kept it private for years until the Netflix documentary came out and it wasn’t my news to share,” he wrote in response. “For clarity though I’ve never repped Miss J. He’s just a friend.”
Some criticism arose regarding the GoFundMe, specifically as it relates to recent Hollywood figures having fundraisers on the platform, such as late actors Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek.
To date, the GoFundMe has raised over $37,000 of its $50,000 goal.