Miss J (J. Alexander) is still alive, but in recent years he’s been dealing with serious health issues after suffering a stroke in 2022, and as of early 2026 he is using a wheelchair and working on his recovery.

Quick Scoop: What Happened to Miss J?

Miss J Alexander, the iconic runway coach from America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), revealed in a new Netflix documentary that he had a stroke on December 27, 2022. He spent about five weeks in a coma and woke up unable to walk or talk, which is why he has been much less visible publicly over the last few years.

Over time, he regained his speech, but he is still relearning how to walk and currently relies on a wheelchair as of February 2026. In the documentary, he talks about how surreal it is that the runway coach who taught models to walk is now fighting to walk again himself, but he repeatedly says he’s determined to recover and return to the spotlight.

Why He Left ANTM

Miss J was a fixture on ANTM as the main runway coach and later a judge until around 2012, after Cycle 18. At that point, his and fellow panelists Jay Manuel’s and Nigel Barker’s contracts were not renewed, which many fans read as them being “fired,” even though it was framed more as the show changing direction and the existing deals expiring.

After leaving the main U.S. version, he stayed in the fashion and TV world by appearing on international editions of Top Model and working as a mentor and runway coach elsewhere. He also spent years teaching at the Savannah College of Art and Design, helping new generations of models and designers understand high-fashion runway presentation.

His Life and Health Now

Today, Miss J is in rehabilitation, focusing on physical therapy and continuing to improve his mobility. He has said he misses being “the queen of the runway” and the energy of live catwalks, but insists that “it’s not over yet” and that people will see him again.

The documentary shows that friends from ANTM, like Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker, visited him after his stroke, offering emotional support during his recovery. There’s also attention on his complicated, more distant relationship with Tyra Banks in recent years, which fans are actively discussing on social media and forums.

Why Everyone Is Talking About Him Again

The renewed wave of “what happened to Miss J from ANTM” searches comes from the Netflix documentary Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model , released in February 2026. In it, Miss J shares his stroke story publicly for the first time, which has shocked a lot of fans who only noticed that he’d gone quiet online without knowing why.

Alongside his health revelations, the doc dives into behind-the-scenes drama, including how ANTM handled contestants, controversial moments that resurfaced on social media, and how Miss J, Jay Manuel, and others felt about decisions made on the show. That mix of nostalgia, criticism, and concern for his health is what’s making him a trending topic again in 2026.

Is He Okay?

Emotionally, he comes across as resilient and still very sharp, with the same dry wit that made fans love him on ANTM. Physically, he’s facing a long road: he can speak again but is still working toward walking independently, and he’s very open about how challenging that is.

He emphasizes hope and determination, saying he believes people will see him back in some capacity—whether as a mentor, personality, or perhaps in fashion- focused media again. Fans and former contestants have been leaving messages of support, calling him a bright presence and a huge influence on their careers.

“I taught models how to walk… and now I can’t walk — not yet. I’m determined to walk. I’m sure it’s not over for me yet.”

TL;DR

  • He did not disappear completely; he left ANTM in 2012 when his contract wasn’t renewed and kept working in fashion and TV internationally.
  • In December 2022, he suffered a stroke, was in a coma for weeks, and lost the ability to walk and talk.
  • As of early 2026, he has regained his speech, uses a wheelchair, and is undergoing rehab, determined to walk again and return to the public eye.
  • The Netflix doc Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is what brought his story and health update into the current spotlight.

Is there a particular angle you’re most curious about—his health journey, his relationship with Tyra/ANTM, or what he’s planning career-wise next?