Friend Of ‘ANTM’s’ Miss J Alexander Defends Creating GoFundMe

Miss J Alexander shocked fans when it was revealed in the Netflix documentary about “America’s Next Top Model,” that he suffered a debilitating stroke in 2022 that left him with limited mobility and outrageous medical bills.

Following the release of the docuseries, a personal friend of Alexander created a GoFundMe to mixed reaction, and now he has clarified his intentions behind the fundraiser.

Steven Grossman, a talent manager and producer, shared a throwback photo on Instagram of himself with Miss J Alexander, Jay Manuel, and Kelly 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 $17,000 of its $50,000 goal.

“Miss J. has been bravely fighting his way back and struggling to live independently,” the fundraiser reads, which has raised close to $6,000 of its $100,000 goal.

“We are hoping to secure full-time, round-the-clock care and help with the on-going regular physical, speech, and occupational therapies. He is currently confined to a wheelchair stemming from what we hope is only temporary paralysis and his right arm remains immobile,” the message continued.

The statement then shared that the medical expenses have put a financial strain on the former runway coach.

“While he has shown incredible strength and resilience against all odds, the financial burden of ongoing treatment, specialized care, and daily living support is beyond overwhelming,” the fundraiser read.

“Your donation—no matter the size—will go toward rehabilitation services, in-home care, medical bills, and essential living costs incurred on this long road of recovery,” the message continued.

In “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” Miss J discussed his stroke and shared that Tyra Banks initially reached out via text message.

When asked if Banks was among those who visited him alongside fellow “ANTM” stars Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker, Miss J offered an update. “She just sent me a text that she wants to come and visit me, but no, not yet.”

“Reality Check” director Daniel Sivan revealed in an interview with Netflix that conversations with Miss J prior to filming shaped the way his story was told in the docuseries.

“What was important is not framing Miss J as a survivor,” Sivan said. “He is not his health. First and foremost, he’s a diva who just shattered every single glass ceiling.”

“I spent five weeks in a coma … I couldn’t walk, and I couldn’t talk, and I thought to myself, ‘What was I going to do?’ After spending five weeks in a coma and one year, five months in the hospital, I’m alive to tell it as I lived it, and no dreams of the afterlife, not one,” he said.

Despite still being unable to walk, the famed former runway coach is determined to get back to his roots.

“I miss being the queen of the runway, the queen of the catwalk, of course,” the former “America’s Next Top Model” judge said. “I’m the person who taught models how to walk. I taught models how to walk, and now I can’t walk. I’m determined to walk. I’m sure you’re going to see me again. I’m sure. It’s not over for me yet.”