(Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage & Photo by Manny Carabel/Getty Images)
Whew! Looks like theres still some unfinished business between Jay Manuel and Tyra Banks. After that eyebrow-raising moment in the ‘Americas Next Top Model’ documentary, fans were left wondering where the former creative partners really stand. And now, Jay is clearing the air.
Following the release of ‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next top Model,’ Jay Manuel sat down with Entertainment Tonight and addressed the current state of his relationship with Tyra Banks. In the documentary, Tyra was asked about what happened between them and suggested she should probably call Jay instead of discussing it on camera. But according to Jay, that call never came. He shared that his number hasnt changed and he still hasnt heard from heradding that he doesnt expect to.
Jay also made it clear that their dynamic was always complicated. Reflecting on their history, he said, You dont leave Tyra, Tyra leaves you, hinting at a pattern in how relationships around her tend to end. And when asked whether he would be okay if they never spoke again, Jay didnt hesitatesaying hes completely at peace with that reality and doesnt feel like he needs closure. When the interviewer asked if he missed their friendship, Jay kept it short and blunt: I dont.
Fans wasted no time running to Entertainment Tonights TikTok comment section to air it all out. Some shared their own strong opinions about Tyra. Meanwhile, others said you can clearly tell the tension between her and Jay still runs deep. And of course, a few folks admitted theyre still shook by that documentary. Because babyyyy, it definitely had people looking at ‘ANTM’ a little different.
One TikTok user @Charity Cates Said, “All this documentary did was make me dislike Tyra Banks even more“
This TikTok user @sass_1224 added, “He doesnt miss the friendship because he realized she really wasnt a friend in the end“
And, TikTok user @user4378153580430 commented, “‘I dont’ no hesitation ATE”
Meanwhile, TikTok user @Starr wrote, “They shouldve called this documentary, ‘Surviving Tyra’ atp“
While TikTok user @ChiZada26 shared, “If she never visited Ms Jay she definitely wont pick up a phone.“
Finally, TikTok user @BlakeBrown said, “Theyre both so PR trained that they come off gracious, but you can tell they hate each other irl“
And thats not all Jay Manuel had to say. While reflecting on the Netflix release, he shared that the real Tyra Banks was noticeably absent from the documentary. According to Jay, viewers only saw prepared television Tyra, adding that he personally knows a very different side of her. He also hinted at the struggles she faced behind the scenes in the industry.
During an appearance on ‘Sherri’ alongside fellow former judges Nigel Barker and Miss J Alexander, Jay opened up about how things really shifted between him and Tyra. The trios sit-down marked their first joint interview since the doc dropped, and it didnt shy away from the estrangement that followed their once-close friendships with the supermodel-turned-entrepreneur. Despite working alongside Tyra from the shows 2003 debut through 2012, Jay says he was ultimately shut outleaving fans to piece together how one of reality TVs most iconic partnerships unraveled behind the scenes.
