When Miss J Alexander, the effervescent runway coach and judge who helped define America’s Next Top Model opened up about the devastating stroke that changed his life, fans around the world were moved to act. In the wake of revelations from Netflix’s Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, close friends launched a GoFundMe campaign aimed at raising $100,000 to support his long and costly road to recovery.
The fashion industry icon suffered his stroke on December 27, 2022, and was found unresponsive in his home, later spending five weeks in a coma before beginning the grueling process of rehabilitation. Today, at 67, he is confined to a wheelchair and continues to work hard in physical, occupational and speech therapies while friends cover around-the-clock care and mounting medical bills.
Steven Grossman, Miss J’s longtime talent manager and friend, set up the fundraiser to help bridge the gap between what insurance covers and what true care demands. Organizers stress that every contribution, “no matter the size” will go toward essential therapies, in-home care, medical costs and daily living expenses as the beloved coach fights to regain more independence.
Though his journey remains difficult, there are moments of hope. Former ANTM colleague Jay Manuel shared that Miss J has managed to stand and take steps, milestones that have galvanized supporters online and off. Celebrities including Angela Bassett, Alfre Woodard, Niecy Nash and George Lopez have visited, lifting spirits and underscoring the deep respect this figure holds in entertainment and fashion spheres.
