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\n Related: <\/span>Tyra Banks Breaks Silence on America’s Next Top Model\u2019s Offensive Challenges<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tNetflix\u2019s Reality Check: Inside America\u2019s Next Top Model called out the controversy, the behind-the-scenes drama and more \u2014 but what were some of the biggest revelations? The three-part docuseries, streaming now, features rare interviews with executive producers Tyra Banks and Ken Mok, former judges Jay Manuel, Miss J. Alexander and Nigel Barker as they broke [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
According to Manuel, producers wanted him back. At the same time, he had a \u201ccommitment\u201d with other networks as he pursued hosting and commentary gigs.<\/p>\n
Manuel claimed\u00a0that business affairs from the parent network stepped in to help him stay on the show.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey came back and said we would pretty much guarantee he would not work on any of our airwaves,\u201d Manuel claimed. \u201cThat, in essence, is blacklisting, the threat of, and when you\u2019re in your 30s and your career trajectory is here, it stuck the fear of God in me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manuel ultimately continued serving as a judge of America\u2019s Next Top Model<\/i> up until season 19. At that time, both Manuel, Nigel Barker<\/strong> and Miss J. Alexander<\/strong> did not have their contracts renewed.<\/p>\nWhile Manuel shares some of his experience in Netflix\u2019s new documentary Reality Check: Inside America\u2019s Next Top Model<\/i>, he\u2019s not done talking about his time on the reality show.<\/p>\n\n![\"Jay](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/jay-manuel-antm.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Andre Leon Talley, Tyra Banks, Nigel Barker, Jay Maneul<\/span> Martina Monica Tolot \/ The CW \/ Courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhen Manuel returned to set for cycle nine, he claims Banks, 52, was not friendly to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was not going to speak to me unless cameras were rolling and I just froze,\u201d he claimed on the \u201cLady Gang\u201d podcast. \u201cThat\u2019s how I knew to just play with her when the cameras rolled. When the cameras even shut off to change tape, her back was to me and she would not answer anything. I\u2019ve worked on so many shows and so many difficult environments like live event television. Those were just pressure environments. This environment was something completely different and unhealthy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manuel said the powers that be promised him a \u201csafe work environment.\u201d With time, he was able to improve his relationship with Banks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like she was trying and we did talk off camera, on camera and we were able to make things work,\u201d he claimed. \u201cBut it never went back to what it was well before that.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Reality Checked<\/i>, Banks addressed the moment<\/a> when Manuel, Barker, 53, and Alexander, 67, were let go from America\u2019s Next Top Model<\/i>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
While Manuel shares some of his experience in Netflix\u2019s new documentary Reality Check: Inside America\u2019s Next Top Model<\/i>, he\u2019s not done talking about his time on the reality show.<\/p>\n When Manuel returned to set for cycle nine, he claims Banks, 52, was not friendly to him.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was not going to speak to me unless cameras were rolling and I just froze,\u201d he claimed on the \u201cLady Gang\u201d podcast. \u201cThat\u2019s how I knew to just play with her when the cameras rolled. When the cameras even shut off to change tape, her back was to me and she would not answer anything. I\u2019ve worked on so many shows and so many difficult environments like live event television. Those were just pressure environments. This environment was something completely different and unhealthy.\u201d<\/p>\n Manuel said the powers that be promised him a \u201csafe work environment.\u201d With time, he was able to improve his relationship with Banks.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt like she was trying and we did talk off camera, on camera and we were able to make things work,\u201d he claimed. \u201cBut it never went back to what it was well before that.\u201d<\/p>\n In Reality Checked<\/i>, Banks addressed the moment<\/a> when Manuel, Barker, 53, and Alexander, 67, were let go from America\u2019s Next Top Model<\/i>.<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>
\n Andre Leon Talley, Tyra Banks, Nigel Barker, Jay Maneul<\/span> Martina Monica Tolot \/ The CW \/ Courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
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