J. Alexander
Encyclopedia
J. Alexander known also as Miss J, is an American model
, television personality, and runway
coach known for his work as a runway coach and judge on America's Next Top Model
. He travels extensively for the fashion and modeling industries. Alexander currently lives in Paris
.
to Julius and Mary Jenkins and cites his mother as the first person to introduce him to fashion.
As a teenager he turned to modeling when he met the president of Elite Model Management
, Monique Pillard, Pillard was so impressed with his look that she signed him to her agency, and he walked for designer Jean Paul Gaultier in New York City. He is openly gay.
Alexander and Tyra Banks
have been friends since she was sixteen years old. Alexander and Banks met backstage at a runway show, and he began to give her walking lessons. Banks coined Alexander's title Queen of the Catwalk.
s Naomi Campbell
and Kimora Lee Simmons
. He has also worked with Nadja Auermann
, Claudia Mason and Julia Stegner
.
After a modeling stint in Tokyo, he eventually decided to settle in Paris and since 1991, has helped with casting and coaching models for well-known designers such as Hervé Léger, Bill Blass
, Valentino, John Galliano
, Chanel
, Alexander McQueen
, and Nina Ricci
.
Alexander travels globally for charity events and modeling competitions. His expertise is frequently sought after by journalists.
America's Next Top Model
as the runway coach to the contestants. He was made a judge starting with Cycle 5
. As of Cycle 14
of the show, Alexander was replaced as a permanent judge on the panel by Vogue
editor at large André Leon Talley
. He remains the show's runway coach and has appeared in many of the international versions of the show.
Alexander's nickname
"Miss J" came from Cycle 1
contestant Robin Manning, who often confused Alexander and Jay Manuel
and on several occasions referred to Alexander as "Miss J" by accident because of his flamboyant clothing (Alexander often dresses drag and usually wears a skirt and high heels during runway walking training) and personality. Accordingly, Jay Manuel is referred to as "Mr. Jay", and ANTM contestants often call them "The Jays" "The Two Jays" or "Mr. and Ms. Jay" when they appear together. In 2008 the Jays were cast in "Operation Fabulous", a show to make-over "plain Janes" similar to Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, also produced by Tyra Banks.
He has also appeared on international versions of Top Model, such as Canada's Next Top Model
, Holland's Next Top Model
and Scandinavia's Next Top Model
. Alexander appeared on the 4 May 2008 episode of Finland's
version of ANTM Suomen huippumalli haussa
. In 2009 and the 2011 final, Alexander appeared on Britain's Next Top Model
.
In 2010 he wrote Follow the Model: Miss J's Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power, which "shares his story and offers tips on how to be more confident".
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
, television personality, and runway
Runway (fashion)
Runway or catwalk describes a narrow, usually flat platform that runs into an auditorium, used by models to demonstrate clothing and accessories during a fashion show In fashion jargon, "what's on the catwalk" or similar phrasing can refer to whatever is new and popular in fashion.- Exclusive...
coach known for his work as a runway coach and judge on America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
. He travels extensively for the fashion and modeling industries. Alexander currently lives in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
Early life
Alexander was born in South BronxSouth Bronx
The South Bronx is an area of the New York City borough of The Bronx. The neighborhoods of Tremont, University Heights, Highbridge, Morrisania, Soundview, Hunts Point, and Castle Hill are sometimes considered part of the South Bronx....
to Julius and Mary Jenkins and cites his mother as the first person to introduce him to fashion.
As a teenager he turned to modeling when he met the president of Elite Model Management
Elite Model Management
Elite Model Management is a large modeling agency based in New York and Paris. It is a subsidiary of Elite World S.A.-History:Founded in France in 1972 by John Casablancas and Alain Kittler, it was rebought in 1990 by Nicholas Farrae. Elite World S.A. is the parent company of Elite Model...
, Monique Pillard, Pillard was so impressed with his look that she signed him to her agency, and he walked for designer Jean Paul Gaultier in New York City. He is openly gay.
Alexander and Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
have been friends since she was sixteen years old. Alexander and Banks met backstage at a runway show, and he began to give her walking lessons. Banks coined Alexander's title Queen of the Catwalk.
Career
Alexander's career as a runway coach began accidentally; he would coach models backstage and eventually became recognized for his skills as a coach. He has been coaching and casting since 1991. He rose to prominence in this field when he coached supermodelSupermodel
The term supermodel refers to a highly-paid fashion model who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in haute couture and commercial modeling. The term became prominent in the popular culture of the 1980s. Supermodels usually work for top fashion designers and labels...
s Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is a British model. Scouted at the age of 15, she established herself among the top three most recognisable and in-demand models of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and she was one of six models of her generation declared "supermodels" by the fashion world...
and Kimora Lee Simmons
Kimora Lee Simmons
Kimora Lee Simmons is an American fashion model, and former president and Creative Director for Phat Fashions.-Early life:...
. He has also worked with Nadja Auermann
Nadja Auermann
Nadja Auermann is a German model and actress. Fashion designer Valentino once commented on her physical resemblance to Marlene Dietrich. A New York Times fashion columnist, Guy Trebay, wrote of her "ice maiden visage and pole vaulter's legs".-Biography:Auermann arrived in Paris in 1990, signing...
, Claudia Mason and Julia Stegner
Julia Stegner
Julia Stegner is a German model.- Biography :Stegner, the daughter of Günter Stegner, the Director Central and Eastern Europe for LSI Corporation, and Erika Stegner, an accountant, was raised in an animal-loving household with many dogs alongside her older sister Jeanette, who currently works in...
.
After a modeling stint in Tokyo, he eventually decided to settle in Paris and since 1991, has helped with casting and coaching models for well-known designers such as Hervé Léger, Bill Blass
Bill Blass
William Ralph "Bill" Blass was an American fashion designer, born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is known for his tailoring and his innovative combinations of textures and patterns...
, Valentino, John Galliano
John Galliano
John Charles Galliano CBE, RDI is a Gibraltan-born British fashion designer who was best known as head designer of French haute couture houses Givenchy and Christian Dior , and his own self titled fashion house.-Family:He was born in Gibraltar to a Gibraltarian father, Juan Galliano, and a...
, Chanel
Chanel
Chanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
, Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen
Lee Alexander McQueen, CBE was a British fashion designer and couturier best known for his in-depth knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, his tendency to juxtapose strength with fragility in his collections, as well as the emotional power and raw energy of his provocative fashion shows...
, and Nina Ricci
Nina Ricci (brand)
Nina Ricci is a fashion house founded by Maria "Nina" Ricci and her son Robert in Paris in 1932, and owned by the Spanish beauty and fashion group Puig since 1998. Nina Ricci designed gowns while Robert managed the business and finances. She worked with the fabrics directly on the mannequin to...
.
Alexander travels globally for charity events and modeling competitions. His expertise is frequently sought after by journalists.
America's Next Top Model
Alexander appeared on every cycle of the popular television programTelevision program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
as the runway coach to the contestants. He was made a judge starting with Cycle 5
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 5
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 5 was the fifth cycle of America's Next Top Model. The judging panel ensemble was altered - Janice Dickinson was replaced by one of the most recognizable models of the 1960s, Twiggy, and Nolé Marin was replaced by runway coach J. Alexander...
. As of Cycle 14
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 14
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 14 is the fourteenth cycle of America's Next Top Model and the eighth season to be aired on The CW network. The original premiere date was March 3, 2010, but had been postponed to March 10. This cycle's catch phrase is "Work It Out"...
of the show, Alexander was replaced as a permanent judge on the panel by Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
editor at large André Leon Talley
André Leon Talley
André Leon Talley is the former American editor-at-large for Vogue magazine, listed as Contributing Editor in the April 2010 masthead. Talley has been a front-row regular at fashion shows in New York, Paris, London and Milan for more than 25 years...
. He remains the show's runway coach and has appeared in many of the international versions of the show.
Alexander's nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
"Miss J" came from Cycle 1
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 1
America's Next Top Model was a reality show hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks that aimed to find someone who could be the next top fashion model. The cycle's catch-phrase was: "One Girl has what it takes."This was the only season to feature a cast of only 10 contestants...
contestant Robin Manning, who often confused Alexander and Jay Manuel
Jay Manuel
Jay Manuel is a Canadian make-up artist, fashion photographer, and model. He is most recognizable as the director of photo shoots on the popular reality television show America's Next Top Model...
and on several occasions referred to Alexander as "Miss J" by accident because of his flamboyant clothing (Alexander often dresses drag and usually wears a skirt and high heels during runway walking training) and personality. Accordingly, Jay Manuel is referred to as "Mr. Jay", and ANTM contestants often call them "The Jays" "The Two Jays" or "Mr. and Ms. Jay" when they appear together. In 2008 the Jays were cast in "Operation Fabulous", a show to make-over "plain Janes" similar to Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, also produced by Tyra Banks.
He has also appeared on international versions of Top Model, such as Canada's Next Top Model
Canada's Next Top Model
Canada's Next Top Model is a Canadian reality show in which female contestants compete for the title "Canada's Next Top Model" and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry...
, Holland's Next Top Model
Holland's Next Top Model
Holland's Next Top Model is a Dutch reality television show hosted by writer and former model Daphne Deckers, who also serves as the lead judge...
and Scandinavia's Next Top Model
Scandinavia's Next Top Model
Scandinavia's Next Top Model was a Scandinavian reality television show, based on the original concept from America's Next Top Model. It is broadcast on TV3 in Denmark, Norway and Sweden by Viasat....
. Alexander appeared on the 4 May 2008 episode of Finland's
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
version of ANTM Suomen huippumalli haussa
Suomen huippumalli haussa
Suomen huippumalli haussa is a Finnish television reality show based on America's Next Top Model. The show first aired on Sunday, 6 April 2008 from 20.00 to 21.00 on the Finnish channel Nelonen. The show is produced by FremantleMedia...
. In 2009 and the 2011 final, Alexander appeared on Britain's Next Top Model
Britain's Next Top Model
Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model is a British reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of Britain's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modelling industry...
.
Designer
Alexander is also interested in designing and has handmade all his clothes on America’s Next Top Model with the exception of the nurse’s outfit, "I did make the hat and the bag." "All the dresses that you see me wear at the challenges, I actually sit down with a needle and thread, not even with a sewing machine, and make them all by hand. I made the ruffles and everything."Personal life
Alexander has stated on Tyra Banks' talk show that he has a son named Boris. Both Alexander and his ex-boyfriend donated sperm to a French lesbian who wanted a child, and his ex is the biological father. Alexander has said that he has a "very active role" in Boris' life. He has even joked that his "fashion genes" must have worn off on Boris..In 2010 he wrote Follow the Model: Miss J's Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power, which "shares his story and offers tips on how to be more confident".
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Teen Choice Awards Teen Choice Awards The Teen Choice Awards, are an annual awards show that air on the Fox cable channel, that honor the year's biggest biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, voted by teen viewers aged 14 through 17. Winners receive an authentic full size surfboard designed with... |
Choice Fab-u-lous | |
Publications
- Follow the Model: Miss J's Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power (Simon & Schuster, 2010), 1439150516, 9781439150511.
External links
- J. Alexander profile via America's Next Top Model