What Happened to Miss J Alexander from America's Next Top Model? Why They Couldn't Walk, Their Coma, and More

Few figures in fashion television are as instantly recognisable as Miss J Alexander. Known for his razor-sharp wit and unmatched runway expertise, the former America's Next Top Model judge became a cultural icon across nearly a decade on the show. But on 27 December 2022, his life took a dramatic turn when a stroke left him unable to walk or speak.

The runway coach, best known for his commanding presence on the show, has now spoken publicly about the medical emergency and its aftermath in the Netflix documentary Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model.

Miss J Alexander's Stroke

In 2022, Alexander suffered a stroke and was taken to hospital. He recalled, '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 stroke led to severe complications that affected his movement and speech, and he was in a coma following the medical emergency. During that period, he was unconscious and required hospital care. When he regained awareness, he faced significant physical challenges. Alexander explained the impact of the stroke in direct terms. 'I spent five weeks in a coma, and I couldn't walk. And I couldn't talk. And I thought to myself, what was I going to do? I couldn't walk; I couldn't speak,' he said in the documentary.

Facing the Aftermath

The stroke affected Alexander's ability to control his body and communicate. As he described, he was unable to walk or talk after regaining consciousness. 'It was emotional. I cried. I am not ashamed to say that I cried,' he said. His remarks outlined both the physical and mental strain that followed the stroke. The documentary shows how limited his movement was during his hospital stay, with former co-host Nigel Barker recalling that when they first visited him, he could 'hardly move, hardly talk'.

During his hospital stay, Alexander received visits from former co-stars. Barker described their reunion, saying, 'When he saw me, he was happy to see me and the two of us cried together and I held him.' He added that seeing Alexander in that state was 'such a terrible shock and really upsetting and horrifying and scary'.

Jay Manuel, another co-star present at the hospital visit, also reflected on the experience. He remembered how upset Alexander appeared and said, 'I can only imagine where he was in his mind.' Both men later reunited with him during filming for the documentary, with Barker noting the progress Alexander had made since those early days. 'When we first saw you in that hospital, you could hardly move, hardly talk. Now you're sitting up doing an interview, chatting, talking, rolling your eyes and making us laugh,' he said.

Alexander also addressed whether he had heard from Tyra Banks following his stroke. He confirmed that she sent a text message expressing a wish to visit him. However, when asked if she had done so, he replied, 'No, not yet.'

Where Miss J Alexander Is Now

Nearly four years after the stroke, Alexander continues to work towards regaining mobility. He spoke openly about missing his former career on the runway, 'I miss being the queen of the runway.' He added, 'The catwalks, of course. I'm the person who taught models how to walk. And now I can't walk...Not yet. I'm determined to walk. I'm sure you're gonna see me again, I'm sure. It's not over for me yet.'