Miss J Alexander

Alexander Jenkins, known professionally as J. Alexander or Miss J, was born on April 12, 1958, in the South Bronx, New York, USA. His initial introduction to fashion came from his mother. As a teenager, Alexander entered the modeling world after being signed by Monique Pillard, then president of Elite Model Management. This opportunity led him to walk for designer Jean Paul Gaultier in New York City. His early career also included a modeling stint in Tokyo before he settled in Paris, where he further developed his skills and reputation within the fashion industry.

Alexander’s career as a runway coach began by providing guidance to models backstage. This eventually led to formal recognition for his coaching abilities starting in 1991. He became known for his work with supermodels such as Naomi Campbell and Kimora Lee Simmons, as well as Nadja Auermann, Claudia Mason, and Julia Stegner. Since 1991, he has also been involved in casting and coaching for various high-profile designers including Hervé Léger, Lars Nilsson, Bill Blass, Valentino, John Galliano, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, and Nina Ricci, solidifying his status as an respected figure in fashion.

His role on *America’s Next Top Model* brought him wider recognition, where he served as the runway coach on every cycle of the program. He was promoted to a permanent judge starting with Cycle 5 and maintained a continuous presence as a runway coach even after his judging role was altered for Cycle 14. His distinctive personality and fashion sense led to the nickname “Miss J” from a Cycle 1 contestant. Alexander has extended his expertise to international versions of *Top Model* and released a book, *Follow the Model: Miss J’s Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power*, in 2010.