Jay Manuel

{{Short description|Canadian TV host, Creative Director, make-up artist, and author}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Jay Manuel

| image = Jay Manuel at Custo Barcelona - Front Row - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014.jpg

| caption = Jay Manuel at Custo Barcelona - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014

| imagesize =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|8|14|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Springfield, Illinois, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| occupation = TV Host, Entrepreneur, Creative Director

| website = {{URL|http://www.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.{{cite web |url= http://www.ctvnews.ca/jay-manuel-to-host-canada-s-next-top-model-1.240700 |title= Jay Manuel to host 'Canada's Next Top Model' |work= CTV News |date=2007-05-10 |access-date=2017-08-07}}

Manuel is the founder and CEO 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.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-04|title=Eva Marcille Just Gave a Shout-out to a Fellow America's Next Top Model Alum|url=https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/eva-marcille-on-jay-manuels-americas-next-top-model-novel|access-date=2020-10-31|website=Bravo TV Official Site|language=en-US}}

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 - also known as Coloured- descent.{{cite news|url= http://cgi1.usatoday.com/mchat/20041215006/tscript.htm|title= 'America's Next Top Model' chat|newspaper= USA Today|date= December 15, 2004|access-date= November 28, 2008}} He was raised by adoptive parents in Toronto{{cite web|author= Martin, Denise.|url= http://www.sltrib.com/healthscience/ci_11015437|title= TV: Looking 'Fabulous' with Mr. and Miss J|publisher= Los Angeles Times/The Salt Lake Tribune|date= November 18, 2008|access-date= November 28, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081211032243/http://www.sltrib.com/healthscience/ci_11015437|archive-date= December 11, 2008|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all}} where he attended Dr Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute{{cite news |last1=Morra |first1=Bernadette |title=He's raising eyebrows |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/05/24/hes_raising_eyebrows.html |access-date=28 July 2021 |publisher=Toronto Star |date=24 May 2007}} and York University.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} Before entering the fashion industry, Manuel was a pre-med student and also studied opera.

Career

He has worked in "the business of managing to aesthetic"{{cite web |url= http://www.beautynewsnyc.com/beauty/jay-manuel-in-control-with-manual-overrid |title= Jay Manuel: In control with manual override |work= Beauty News New York City |date=2006-11-01 |access-date=2017-08-07}} for seven years. He has worked as a makeup artist and stylist for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Victoria's Secret, Revlon, and CoverGirl. Manuel has also worked with noted fashion photographers such as Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, and Francesco Scavullo. He has been a makeup artist and stylist to celebrities such as Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Iman, Alicia Silverstone, Rebecca Romijn, Rupert Everett, Bridget Moynahan, Angela Bassett, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mýa, Kim Cattrall, Natalie Cole, Toni Braxton, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Vanessa Williams, Patti LaBelle, Rosario Dawson, Pink, David Bowie, and Jennifer Lopez.{{cite web |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/jay-manuel |title= Jay Manuel |work= Huffington Post |access-date=2017-08-07}}

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.{{cite web|last1=Douglas|first1=Ana|title=WHERE ARE THEY NOW: The Most Memorable Winners & Losers From 'America's Next Top Model'|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/where-are-they-now-the-most-memorable-from-americas-next-top-model-2012-5?IR=T|website=Business Insider|date=August 2, 2012}} After 18 seasons with the show, Nigel Barker and J. Alexander didn't return for the 19th cycle as their contracts were not renewed.{{cite news|author=04/20/2012 9:04 am Updated: 04/20/2012 9:14 am |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/americas-next-top-model-nigel-barker-fired_n_1440002.html |title='America's Next Top Model': Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel, J. Alexander Fired From Series |work=Huffington Post |date=2012-04-20 |access-date=2013-03-05}} Following the announcement, Manuel decided to leave the show. The controversial move by Tyra Banks led to a media frenzy around Manuel and the show.{{cite news|url=http://www.tmz.com/2012/04/20/nigel-barker-americas-next-top-model-fired/ |title=Fired 'Top Model' Judge Nigel Barker - Good Luck Replacing Me |work=TMZ |date=2012-04-20 |access-date=2013-03-05}} The radical personnel change didn't work and the show was cancelled three years later, being renewed on December 12, 2016, on VH1.{{cite news|last=Bellino|first=Damian|date=October 20, 2016|title=The reinvented America's Next Top Model cycle 23 will premiere on December 12th|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/hx83cc/americas-next-top-model-cycle-23-premiere-december-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629092739/https://www.vh1.com/news/hx83cc/americas-next-top-model-cycle-23-premiere-december-12|url-status=live|archive-date=June 29, 2022|work=VH1|access-date=October 20, 2016}}{{cite magazine|last1=Friedlander|first1=Whitney|title='America's Next Top Model' to End After This Season|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/americas-next-top-model-cancelled-cw-antm-cancelled-tyra-banks-1201618037/|magazine=Variety|date=October 14, 2015}}

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.{{cite web |url= https://torontolife.com/culture/being-erica-recap-episode-10-2011/ |title= Being Erica recap, episode 10: wherein Erica neglects to wash her hands after peeing (and Jenny returns!) |work= Toronto Life |date= 2011-12-06 |access-date=2017-08-07}}

In 2011, Manuel released a clothing line for Sears Canada by the name of Attitude.{{cite web|url=http://www.fashionmagazine.com/blogs/fashion/2011/09/21/jay-manuel-showed-some-attitude-yesterday-in-toronto-view-the-photos/ |title=Jay Manuel showed some Attitude yesterday in Toronto. View the photos! |work=Fashionmagazine.com |date=2011-09-21 |access-date=2013-03-05}} In 2014, Manuel launched Jay Manuel Beauty, a prestige line of cosmetics based on a new Filter Finish Collection technology.{{cite web|url= http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/news/3738901.html|title= C&T.com|date= 5 November 2008}} Manuel was announced as a judge for the Miss Universe 2017 beauty pageant in early 2017.{{cite web|title=When is Miss Universe 2017|url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2017/11/24/when-is-miss-universe-2017-pageant-what-channel-watch/|publisher=Hollywood Life|date=November 24, 2017|access-date=December 12, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213090533/http://hollywoodlife.com/2017/11/24/when-is-miss-universe-2017-pageant-what-channel-watch/|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|title=The Latest: Contestant from South Africa wins Miss Universe|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-latest-2017-miss-universe-show-kicks-off-in-las-vegas/2017/11/26/2f748562-d308-11e7-9ad9-ca0619edfa05_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127024227/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-latest-2017-miss-universe-show-kicks-off-in-las-vegas/2017/11/26/2f748562-d308-11e7-9ad9-ca0619edfa05_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 27, 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|date=November 27, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Rajab|first1=Tahar|title=Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters wins title of Miss Universe|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/miss-south-africa-demileigh-nelpeters-wins-title-of-miss-universe-a3702261.html|newspaper=Evening Standard|date=November 27, 2017}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Is Jay Manuel Dating Anyone? Behind the Makeup Artist's Love Life|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/jay-manuel-partner|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Distractify|date=15 May 2020 |language=en}} Although he is somewhat private about his romantic life, he regularly advocates for LGBTQ rights. In 2011, he created an "It Gets Better" video to empower LGBTQ youth.

Beauty & clothing collections

In 2011, Manuel released a women's clothing line for Sears Canada,{{cite web|last1=Harvie|first1=Kate|title=Jay Manuel: In Control with Manual Override|url=http://www.beautynewsnyc.com/beauty/jay-manuel-in-control-with-manual-override/|publisher=Beauty News NYC|date=November 2006}} called Attitude Jay Manuel.{{cite magazine|title=Gallery: 67 looks from Jay Manuel's Attitude by Sears spring/summer 2012 runway|url=https://torontolife.com/style/fashion/gallery-jay-manuel-sears-attitude-spring-summer-2012/|magazine=Toronto Life|date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Tyler|title=Jay Manuel's Attitude for Sears Collection|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/television/tv-listings/Photos+Manuel+Attitude+Sears+Collection/4537891/story.html|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|date=March 31, 2011|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-date=August 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811183803/http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/television/tv-listings/Photos+Manuel+Attitude+Sears+Collection/4537891/story.html|url-status=dead}}

Manuel's beauty range was launched with the support of supermodel-turned-entrepreneur, Iman, in 2015{{cite magazine|last1=Boyd|first1=Sarah|title=Jay Manuel Makes Beauty A Breeze With His Namesake Cosmetic Line|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sboyd/2015/11/11/jay-manuel-makes-beauty-a-breeze-with-his-namesake-cosmetic-line/2/#6db392217c74|magazine=Forbes|date=November 11, 2015}} 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.{{cite web |url= http://www.essence.com/2015/06/23/iman-teams-jay-manuel-beauty-line |title= When Iman decided that she wanted to take on another beauty line she looked to none other than beauty and style expert, Jay Manuel. |work= Essence Magazine |date= 2013-06-23 |access-date=2017-08-07}}

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.{{cite news|last1=Parks|first1=Chanel|title=Jay Manuel's New Makeup Line Will Make You Instagram Perfect, Without The Filter|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/18/jay-manuel-beauty-makeup_n_6707624.html|work=Huffington Post|date=February 18, 2015}} In July 2016, it was announced that the beauty range would debut on the UK's QVC shopping channel in September of that year.{{cite web|title=Jay Manuel Beauty to launch on QVC UK|url=https://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/news/article_page/Jay_Manuel_Beauty_to_launch_on_QVC_UK/119789|publisher=Cosmetic Business|date=July 21, 2016}}

=Retail=

In 2017, Manuel announced that he was moving into the retail sector with a range of beauty stores. The move was announced along with an exclusive partnership with Simon and its shopping centers. Manuel stated in an interview that they were to open their first brick and mortar location at Roosevelt Field Mall.{{cite magazine|last1=Thomas|first1=Ellen|title=Iman, Jay Manuel Beauty Team With Simon on Experiential Retail Concept|url=http://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/beauty-features/jay-manuel-beauty-simon-retail-11034785/|magazine=Women's Wear Daily|date=October 25, 2017}}

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.

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. 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.

Philanthropy

Manuel serves as a Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile and is actively involved with Dress for Success.{{cite web|title=Johnson & Johnson Commits $25 Million to Operation Smile|url=http://www.operationsmile.org/content/johnson-johnson-commits-25-million-operation-smile|publisher=Operation Smile|date=May 18, 2015|access-date=August 11, 2017|archive-date=August 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811183241/http://www.operationsmile.org/content/johnson-johnson-commits-25-million-operation-smile|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Jay Manuel Talks Style, 'ANTM,' Makeup Line, New Movie And More At Dress For Success Gala: Exclusive Interview|url=http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/57331/20150417/jay-manuel-interview-style-antm-makeup-line-new-movie-dress-for-success-gala-exclusive.htm|publisher=Fashion & Style magazine|date=April 17, 2015|access-date=August 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811183016/http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/57331/20150417/jay-manuel-interview-style-antm-makeup-line-new-movie-dress-for-success-gala-exclusive.htm|archive-date=August 11, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

He has hosted the GLAAD Media Awards and also hosted Fashion Cares in Toronto, which benefits AIDS research.{{cite web|last1=Balser|first1=Erin|title=Jay Manuel at GLAAD Media Awards|url=http://www.alloy.com/entertainment/jay-manuel-at-glaad-media-awards/|publisher=Alloy.com|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=August 11, 2017|archive-date=August 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811182904/http://www.alloy.com/entertainment/jay-manuel-at-glaad-media-awards/|url-status=dead}} Manuel also hosted the American Image Awards, benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.{{cite news|title=Jay Manuel|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/jay-manuel|work=Huffington Post}}