Good friend Of ‘ANTM’s’ Miss J Alexander Defends Creating GoFundMe

Miss J Alexander shocked followers when it was revealed within the Netflix documentary about “America’s Subsequent High Mannequin,” that he suffered a debilitating stroke in 2022 that left him with restricted mobility and outrageous medical payments.

Following the discharge of the docuseries, a private good friend of Alexander created a GoFundMe to blended response, and now he has clarified his intentions behind the fundraiser.

Steven Grossman, a expertise supervisor and producer, shared a throwback picture on Instagram of himself with Miss J Alexander, Jay Manuel, and Kelly Cutrone, paired with a prolonged caption about his well being struggles earlier than asking his followers to contribute to the GoFundMe.

“I began a @gofundme to assist @miss_jalexander with the overwhelming monetary burden of medical payments and long run care,” Grossman’s caption learn partly. “So if Miss J ever made you smile or snigger – I hope you’ll contemplate donating or sharing together with your group. Let’s all come collectively for somebody who has impressed a lot pleasure, confidence and individuality in all of us.”

Within the feedback of the publish, an Instagram consumer requested Grossman why he was beginning a GoFundMe if he was so near Alexander, additionally alluding to his monetary standing as a Hollywood supervisor and producer, and Grossman provided a protection.

“As a result of he saved it non-public for years till the Netflix documentary got here out and it wasn’t my information to share,” he wrote in response. “For readability although I’ve by no means repped Miss J. He’s only a good friend.”

Some criticism arose concerning the GoFundMe, particularly because it pertains to current Hollywood figures having fundraisers on the platform, equivalent to late actors Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek.

Thus far, the GoFundMe has raised over $17,000 of its $50,000 purpose.

“Miss J. has been bravely preventing his method again and struggling to dwell independently,” the fundraiser reads, which has raised near $6,000 of its $100,000 purpose.

“We hope to safe full-time, round the clock care and assist with the on-going common bodily, speech, and occupational therapies. He’s presently confined to a wheelchair stemming from what we hope is simply momentary paralysis and his proper arm stays motionless,” the message continued.

The assertion then shared that the medical bills have put a monetary pressure on the previous runway coach.

“Whereas he has proven unbelievable power and resilience towards all odds, the monetary burden of ongoing remedy, specialised care, and day by day dwelling assist is past overwhelming,” the fundraiser learn.

“Your donation—regardless of the dimensions—will go towards rehabilitation providers, in-home care, medical payments, and important dwelling prices incurred on this lengthy street of restoration,” the message continued.

In “Actuality Verify: Inside America’s Subsequent High Mannequin,” Miss J mentioned his stroke and shared that Tyra Banks initially reached out through textual content message.

When requested if Banks was amongst those that visited him alongside fellow “ANTM” stars Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker, Miss J provided an replace. “She simply despatched me a textual content that she needs to come back and go to me, however no, not but.”

“Actuality Verify” director Daniel Sivan revealed in an interview with Netflix that conversations with Miss J previous to filming formed the way in which his story was informed within the docuseries.

“What was vital just isn’t framing Miss J as a survivor,” Sivan stated. “He isn’t his well being. Initially, he is a diva who simply shattered each single glass ceiling.”