Jay Manuel

Jay Manuel
Jay Manuel at Custo Barcelona - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014
Born (1972-08-14) August 14, 1972
Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
Citizenship
  • Canada
  • United States
OccupationTelevision personality
Websitewww.jaymanuel.com

Jay Manuel (born August 14, 1972) is a Canadian TV host, creative director, make-up artist, and author. He is most recognizable as the creative director on the popular reality television show America's Next Top Model for the first eighteen seasons. Manuel also was featured as the host of Canada's Next Top Model.[1]

Manuel is the founder of the beauty line Jay Manuel Beauty. In 2017, the brand opened its first retail location at Roosevelt Field Mall. Later that year, he was one of the judges for Miss Universe 2017. In 2020, he released his first book, The Wig, The Bitch & The Meltdown.[2]

Early life

Manuel was born in Springfield, Illinois, to a mother of Italian and Czech descent and a South African father of mixed Cape Malay descent.[3] He was raised by adoptive parents in Toronto[3][4] where he attended Dr Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute[5] and York University. Before entering the fashion industry, Manuel was a pre-med student and also studied opera.[4]

Career

Manuel has described himself as being in "the business of managing to aesthetic".[6]

Manuel joined America's Next Top Model in its first cycle in 2003 as the Creative Director. For nine years, Manuel featured on every cycle of the show, becoming one of the biggest shows in the United States during this period.[7] After 18 seasons with the show, Nigel Barker and J. Alexander did not return for the 19th cycle as their contracts were not renewed.[8] Following the announcement, Manuel decided to leave the show. The show was cancelled three years later, being renewed on December 12, 2016, on VH1.[9][10]

Manuel was the host and lead judge of the second and third cycles of Canada's Next Top Model, a spin-off to ANTM. He also made a cameo appearance in Degrassi Takes Manhattan, as well as playing himself in an episode of the comedy-drama television series Being Erica.[11]

In 2014, Manuel launched Jay Manuel Beauty, a line of cosmetics based on a new Filter Finish Collection technology.[12] Manuel was announced as a judge for the Miss Universe 2017 beauty pageant in early 2017.[13] He was one of the six final judges who crowned Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters as Miss Universe 2017 at the event in Las Vegas, Nevada.[14][15]

In May 2020, Manuel and his America's Next Top Model colleague, Miss J. Alexander, began a weekly Instagram Live series, later syndicated to Facebook and YouTube, based on their experiences working on the show.

Personal life

Jay is openly gay.[16] Although he is somewhat private about his romantic life, he regularly advocates for LGBTQ rights.[16] In 2011, he created an "It Gets Better" video to empower LGBTQ youth.[16]

Beauty & clothing collections

In 2011, Manuel released a women's clothing line for Sears Canada,[17] called Attitude Jay Manuel.[18][19] The line was ultimately discontinued prior to Sears Canada filing for creditor protection and ceasing operations in 2017.[20]

Manuel's beauty range was launched with the support of supermodel-turned-entrepreneur Iman in 2015[21] and distributed by her company Impala Inc. According to an interview in Essence magazine, Manuel and Iman met during the 1990s when he was recommended to do Iman's makeup for a cover shoot.[22]

Jay Manuel Beauty launched in 2014 and the collection consists of a range of products aimed to create a high definition finish, aimed at the younger generation. In numerous interviews Manuel has stated that he wanted to introduce products that gave an Instagram filter finish, without the need for a filter. In March 2015 Jay Manuel beauty was launched on HSN.[23] In July 2016, it was announced that the beauty range would debut on the UK's QVC shopping channel in September of that year.[24]

Retail

The first location opened November 16, Garden City, NY, with more Simon-based locations to open during 2018. Women's Wear Daily estimated that the success of the brand could lead to revenues of $1 million from this store's first year.[25] The concept behind each of the stores was to improve the experience of the shopper. This would be done through a variety of techniques, including technology drives to improve customer experience.[25]

However, no additional stores opened as planned. By 2019, the Roosevelt Field Mall location had closed, the brand's Instagram account (@jaymanuelbeauty) posted its last content in March 2019, and jaymanuelbeauty.com began redirecting to jaymanuel.com (no longer selling products).[26][27][28] The brand is now inactive, with products available only via resale.[29]

Instead of going down the traditional makeup route of signing a partnership with a department store or a well-known retailer like Sephora, Jay Manuel Beauty would operate physical stores. They would be known as the "Jay Manuel Beauty Retail Experience." This was the first time the brand was available at a physical location. Previously all the Jay Manuel Beauty products had been available for purchase via the Home Shopping Network and QVC only.[25]

Philanthropy

Manuel serves as a Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile and is actively involved with Dress for Success.[30][31]

He has hosted the GLAAD Media Awards and also hosted Fashion Cares in Toronto, which benefits AIDS research.[32] Manuel also hosted the American Image Awards, benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.[33]

Filmography

References

  1. ^ "Jay Manuel to host 'Canada's Next Top Model'". CTV News. May 10, 2007. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  2. ^ "Eva Marcille Just Gave a Shout-out to a Fellow America's Next Top Model Alum". Bravo TV Official Site. September 4, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "'America's Next Top Model' chat". USA Today. December 15, 2004. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
  4. ^ a b Martin, Denise. (November 18, 2008). "TV: Looking 'Fabulous' with Mr. and Miss J". Los Angeles Times/The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
  5. ^ Morra, Bernadette (May 24, 2007). "He's raising eyebrows". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  6. ^ "Jay Manuel: In control with manual override". Beauty News New York City. November 1, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  7. ^ Douglas, Ana (August 2, 2012). "WHERE ARE THEY NOW: The Most Memorable Winners & Losers From 'America's Next Top Model'". Business Insider.
  8. ^ "'America's Next Top Model': Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel, J. Alexander Fired From Series". Huffington Post. April 20, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  9. ^ Bellino, Damian (October 20, 2016). "The reinvented America's Next Top Model cycle 23 will premiere on December 12th". VH1. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  10. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (October 14, 2015). "'America's Next Top Model' to End After This Season". Variety.
  11. ^ "Being Erica recap, episode 10: wherein Erica neglects to wash her hands after peeing (and Jenny returns!)". Toronto Life. December 6, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  12. ^ "C&T.com". November 5, 2008.
  13. ^ "When is Miss Universe 2017". Hollywood Life. November 24, 2017. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  14. ^ "The Latest: Contestant from South Africa wins Miss Universe". Washington Post. November 27, 2017. Archived from the original on November 27, 2017.
  15. ^ Rajab, Tahar (November 27, 2017). "Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters wins title of Miss Universe". Evening Standard.
  16. ^ a b c "Is Jay Manuel Dating Anyone? Behind the Makeup Artist's Love Life". Distractify. May 15, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  17. ^ Harvie, Kate (November 2006). "Jay Manuel: In Control with Manual Override". Beauty News NYC.
  18. ^ "Gallery: 67 looks from Jay Manuel's Attitude by Sears spring/summer 2012 runway". Toronto Life. October 19, 2011. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  19. ^ Anderson, Tyler (March 31, 2011). "Jay Manuel's Attitude for Sears Collection". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  20. ^ "Sears Canada files for creditor protection, to close all stores". CBC News. October 10, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  21. ^ Boyd, Sarah (November 11, 2015). "Jay Manuel Makes Beauty A Breeze With His Namesake Cosmetic Line". Forbes.
  22. ^ "When Iman decided that she wanted to take on another beauty line she looked to none other than beauty and style expert, Jay Manuel". Essence Magazine. June 23, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  23. ^ Parks, Chanel (February 18, 2015). "Jay Manuel's New Makeup Line Will Make You Instagram Perfect, Without The Filter". Huffington Post.
  24. ^ "Jay Manuel Beauty to launch on QVC UK". Cosmetic Business. July 21, 2016.
  25. ^ a b c Thomas, Ellen (October 25, 2017). "Iman, Jay Manuel Beauty Team With Simon on Experiential Retail Concept". Women's Wear Daily.
  26. ^ "Jay Manuel Beauty (@jaymanuelbeauty) Instagram". Retrieved March 2, 2026. Last post circa March 2019; bio link defunct
  27. ^ "Jay Manuel Official". Retrieved March 2, 2026. Redirects from jaymanuelbeauty.com; no beauty products listed
  28. ^ "Roosevelt Field Stores Directory". Simon Property Group. Retrieved March 2, 2026. Jay Manuel Beauty not listed
  29. ^ "Jay Manuel Beauty Products for Sale". Poshmark. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  30. ^ "Johnson & Johnson Commits $25 Million to Operation Smile". Operation Smile. May 18, 2015. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  31. ^ "Jay Manuel Talks Style, 'ANTM,' Makeup Line, New Movie And More At Dress For Success Gala: Exclusive Interview". Fashion & Style magazine. April 17, 2015. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  32. ^ Balser, Erin (April 27, 2008). "Jay Manuel at GLAAD Media Awards". Alloy.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  33. ^ "Jay Manuel". Huffington Post.

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