Jay Manuel

Early Life and Education

Jay Manuel was born on August 14, 1972, in Springfield, Illinois. His biological mother was of Italian and Czech descent, while his father was a South African of mixed Cape Malay heritage. He was adopted and raised by his adoptive parents in Toronto, Ontario, where he spent his formative years. In Toronto, he attended Dr Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute for his secondary education before enrolling at York University. His initial academic pursuits were in the sciences, as he was a pre-medical student, and he also studied opera, reflecting an early interest in the performing arts before his pivot to the fashion and beauty industry.

Television Career and <em>America's Next Top Model</em>

Jay Manuel's career in television was defined by his central role on America's Next Top Model (ANTM). He joined the show at its inception in 2003, initially hired as Tyra Banks's personal makeup artist for the production. His role expanded dramatically after the first photo shoot of the inaugural cycle, when producers recognized the need for a dedicated creative lead to conceptualize and execute the show's elaborate photographic challenges. Manuel was subsequently appointed the show's Creative Director, a position he held for the first eighteen cycles, spanning nine years and helping to cement the program as a ratings success in the United States. He described his professional philosophy as being in "the business of managing to aesthetic," a mantra that guided his work on the series.

He chose to depart alongside them, and the original iteration of the series was cancelled three years later, though it was revived on VH1 in 2016. In 2026, Manuel participated in the Netflix documentary series Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, where he reflected on his experiences and the show's cultural impact. In the documentary and related interviews, he expressed a desire to focus on the contestants' truths and stated he was "so broken by the end of that cycle because of the mental torture of what was going on," though he emphasized he was not interested in promoting "takedown culture" regarding the show or Tyra Banks. His Canadian television work included serving as the host and lead judge for the second and third cycles of Canada's Next Top Model. He also made cameo appearances in other Canadian productions, playing himself in an episode of Being Erica and appearing in Degrassi Takes Manhattan. Beyond his on-camera roles, Manuel and his former ANTM colleague J. Alexander began a weekly Instagram Live series in May 2020, later syndicated to Facebook and YouTube, where they discussed their behind-the-scenes experiences on the program.

Jay Manuel Beauty and Business Ventures

Building on his profile from television, Jay Manuel launched his own beauty brand, Jay Manuel Beauty, in 2014. The cosmetics line was developed with a focus on a proprietary Filter Finish Collection technology, designed to create a high-definition, camera-ready look that mimicked the effect of social media filters. The brand launched with the support of supermodel and entrepreneur Iman, whose company, Impala Inc., handled distribution. Manuel had first met Iman in the 1990s when he was recommended to do her makeup for a cover shoot, and she became an early mentor and supporter. The business strategy for Jay Manuel Beauty initially bypassed traditional department store partnerships in favour of television shopping networks and dedicated retail experiences.

Key milestones in the brand's retail history include its launch on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) in March 2015 and its debut on the UK's QVC shopping channel in September 2016. The first physical "Jay Manuel Beauty Retail Experience" store opened at Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York, on November 16, 2017. Women's Wear Daily estimated the Roosevelt Field location had the potential to generate $1 million in revenue in its first year. However, the brand's physical retail expansion stalled, and no additional stores opened as once planned.

By 2019, the flagship store had closed, the brand's social media accounts became inactive, and its website redirected to a non-ecommerce site. The Jay Manuel Beauty brand is now considered inactive, with products available only through resale channels. Prior to his cosmetics line, Manuel had ventured into fashion with a women's clothing collection for Sears Canada called Attitude Jay Manuel, launched in 2011. This line was discontinued before Sears Canada filed for creditor protection and ceased operations in 2017.

Other Creative Works and Authorship

Beyond television and beauty, Jay Manuel has expanded his creative portfolio into writing. In 2020, he released his first book, a novel titled The Wig, The Bitch & The Meltdown . The book draws from his extensive experience in the fashion and reality television industries, offering a fictionalized behind-the-scenes look at a world he knows intimately. Before his television fame, he was involved in retouching for Revlon campaigns and working with a roster of celebrity clients, including Tyra Banks, Iman, and David Bowie.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Jay Manuel is actively involved in several charitable and advocacy organizations. He serves as a Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile, a nonprofit providing cleft palate surgery to children worldwide. He is also actively involved with Dress for Success, which promotes the economic independence of women. His support for LGBTQ rights is a consistent part of his public advocacy. In 2011, he created an "It Gets Better" video to empower LGBTQ youth. Manuel has lent his hosting talents to numerous charitable galas, including the GLAAD Media Awards, the Fashion Cares benefit in Toronto for AIDS research, and the American Image Awards, which supports the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Jay Manuel is actively involved in philanthropy and advocacy. He serves as a Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile. He is also actively involved with Dress for Success. Manuel has hosted the GLAAD Media Awards and Fashion Cares in Toronto, which benefits AIDS research. He hosted the American Image Awards, benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

• Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile.
• Active involvement with Dress for Success.
• Creator of an "It Gets Better" video for LGBTQ youth in 2011.
• Host of the GLAAD Media Awards.
• Host of the Fashion Cares benefit in Toronto for AIDS research.
• Host of the American Image Awards for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Public Persona and Personal Life

Jay Manuel is openly gay and, while somewhat private about his romantic life, is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and visibility. His public persona, honed over years on television, is often described as charming and affable. In recent years, particularly leading up to the 2026 Netflix documentary, he has expressed a desire to move past the more dramatic associations of reality TV and present a more authentic self. He has stated that audiences of America's Next Top Model never truly knew the real him, a perspective he explored in the documentary Reality Check. His career path from makeup artist to television personality to entrepreneur illustrates a varied and deliberate approach to the creative industries.

Key Career Milestones

Jay Manuel joined America's Next Top Model in its first cycle in 2003 as the Creative Director. He was the creative director on the show for its first eighteen seasons. He also founded the beauty line Jay Manuel Beauty, which launched in 2014. In 2017, he was one of the judges for Miss Universe 2017. In 2020, he released his first book, The Wig, The Bitch & The Meltdown.

• 2003: Joined America's Next Top Model as Creative Director for its first cycle.
• 2011: Launched the Attitude Jay Manuel clothing line for Sears Canada.
• 2014: Founded the cosmetics brand Jay Manuel Beauty.
• 2017: Served as a judge for the Miss Universe 2017 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• 2017: Opened the first Jay Manuel Beauty Retail Experience store at Roosevelt Field Mall.
• 2020: Published his first novel, The Wig, The Bitch & The Meltdown.
• 2026: Featured in the Netflix documentary Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model.

Questions about Jay Manuel

What is Jay Manuel doing now in 2026?

In 2026, Jay Manuel participated in the Netflix documentary series Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model. He remains a public figure through his social media presence. His beauty brand, Jay Manuel Beauty, is now inactive. He previously released a novel titled The Wig, The Bitch & The Meltdown in 2020.

Is Jay Manuel's makeup line still available?

Jay Manuel Beauty is no longer an active brand. The line, which launched in 2014, was once sold on HSN and QVC and had a physical store at Roosevelt Field Mall that opened in 2017. That store closed by 2019, the brand's social media became inactive, and its website no longer sells products. Items from the line are available only through resale channels.

What charities does Jay Manuel support?

Jay Manuel supports several charitable organizations. He is a Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile and is actively involved with Dress for Success. He has also hosted events for GLAAD, the Fashion Cares benefit for AIDS research in Toronto, and the American Image Awards for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He advocates for LGBTQ rights and created an "It Gets Better" video in 2011.

Why did Jay Manuel leave <em>America's Next Top Model</em>?

Jay Manuel left America's Next Top Model after the show's eighteenth cycle. His departure followed the announcement that the contracts of fellow judges Nigel Barker and J. Alexander were not renewed for the nineteenth cycle. After that announcement, Manuel decided to leave the show. The original series was cancelled three years later, though it was renewed on VH1 on December 12, 2016. In a 2026 interview, Manuel reflected on his difficult final cycle, stating he was 'so broken by the end of that cycle because of the mental torture of what was going on.'

What is Jay Manuel's connection to Canada?

Jay Manuel is a Canadian television host, creative director, make-up artist, and author. He was raised by adoptive parents in Toronto, where he attended Dr Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute and York University. Professionally, he served as the host and lead judge for the second and third cycles of Canada's Next Top Model. He has also participated in Canadian cultural events, such as hosting Fashion Cares in Toronto, which benefits AIDS research.

Sources and further reading

• Jay Manuel (Wikipedia)
• Jay Manuel on the Rise and Fall of "America's Next Top ... (interviewmagazine.com)

Checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-24.