Jay Manuel is spilling some major tea about his former pal Tyra Banks.
In promoting his newly-released debut novel, “The Wig, The Bitch & The Meltdown”, the makeup artist has been discussing his time on “America’s Next Top Model” during his press tour.
In speaking to Justin Sylvester on “Just the Sip” last week, Mr Jay described the initial vibe on set as “bubble gum and roses”. When his contract ended after cycle 8, the TV personality wanted out and expressed his desire to pursue other opportunities instead. Tyra allegedly took it personally.
“I was free and clear to do whatever I wanted to do. And they wanted to renegotiate for more cycles, and I reached out to Tyra first because she always asked me to speak with her first. And I said, ‘Unfortunately, I can’t come back to the show…I feel like I’ve given all I can to the show and I’m going to work on other things’,” the 48-year-old was quoted as saying.
Mr Jay continued, “Tyra’s a businesswoman and I thought for sure she’d understand. I thought I was being very lovely and respectful…she just had two words for me: I’m disappointed. And that was it. That was the end of the discussion.”
Although the model mentor chose not to renew his contract, he returned for 1 more season while the ANTM team searched for a more permanent replacement. However, Tyra’s demeanour towards him apparently turned icy from that point on.
“The first time I see her is walking on to set, you know the panel we do in casting, and I just said, ‘Hey, I’m so glad you’re here early ’cause I just wanna…’” he remembered. “Walked right by, did not talk to me.” Oh snap!
After some time passed, the supermodel eventually owned up and said sorry. Jay added, “I got a message to come see her in her hotel room, and to be fair, she apologised. And said, ‘I wasn’t being professional. I am an executive producer, you are talent here, I should have been more professional’.”
Things got better after that, but according to Jay, their friendship “never really recovered”.
Source: Cosmo.
