F-I-E-R-C-E... there is NO other way to describe him. Bold, Vibrant, Confident, and never shocking, he is the one and only Jason Alexander aka Miss J. This "Queen of the Catwalk" is always showing us that confidence is our best accessory, and we should learn how to use it well! MSMPR24Seven is honored to have the opportunity to bring this interview to all of you! Be sure to go out and purchase his new book, "Follow The Model"... Everyone is talking about it!
MSM: So, I have to ask about your recent announcement on the Tyra Banks Show- you're a Dad?! So exciting! I know you were a donor- Can you please explain how that came to be.
JA: I was asked by my ex boyfriend’s co-worker to be a sperm donor.. and that’s where and how it all started.
MSM: You are considered a huge role model for a lot of gays/lesbians out there, especially for those who are struggling with coming out of the closet. We know you were never in! But, what are some words of advice for any people out there who are having trouble coming out?
JA: Take your time to choose the person that you come out too…. They need to understand your reasons for doing so when the time is right. Remember you need to be as honest as you can with yourself to free yourself (at least I think) and you need ALL the support you can get from the person you choose to tell, even if your family may not.
MSM: You and Tyra met when your were 16, and I heard you gave her walking lessons. And she gave you the title "Queen of the Catwalk"-is that true? How would you describe your relationship with Tyra? Do you consider her one of your best friends?
JA: I met Tyra when she was 15 or 16, I had given her a little backstage catwalk advice. AND yes… she did give me the name “Queen of the Catwalk” because she knew I would take the title from her. My relationship with Tyra now is a working relationship with a dash of old friendship. We never forget each others birthdays and we always exchange gifts to celebrate our special days.
MSM: You have cited your mother as being the first person who introduced you to fashion. How did she influence your fashion sense, and what was the most important thing she taught you about style?
JA: Yes, my mother was a HUGE influence in my fashion sense as well as my common sense. She taught me a valuable lesson when spending money, “Get clothes that last more than a fashion season!!!”
MSM: How did you go from Bronx boy to "Catwalk Queen"? I heard you started out making couture knockoffs with your Grandmother's sewing machine- Can you talk about that experience? And maybe a bit about how you almost made the transition to Accounting, but came to your senses?!
JA: I started making what I could not afford to but. I took my inspiration from the clothing I saw in stores and then the transition was easy. A taffeta ball gown sounded better swooshing on the body than the noise of a key punch or a calculator.
MSM: When did you know that you belonged in the world of high-fashion? What was that "ahah!" moment for you?
JA: The AH HA...! moment was working at Bergdorf Goodman looking at the all of the stunning clothing and paying attention to who made them and of course who bought them.
MSM: Tell me about your first runway walk with John Paul Gaultier. How did you land that job?
JA: I heard through a my friend at Giorgio Armani named Kathyll Carnegie that Bergdorf was casting a fashion show for Jean Paul Gaultier and I went and got booked 3 days later. Once I hit the catwalk, the walk was FABULOUS!
MSM: How did you get started as a runway walk coach for models, and who do you love most about coaching?
JA: The most fun is probably seeing some of the most horrible walks ever to hit the runway, making fun of them a little, and then correcting them to be AMAZING!
MSM: You've worked with some pretty big names, supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, etc...Out of all the major models you've worked with, or any celebs, who was the biggest diva?
JA: Out of all the girls I have coached and given advice to, the biggest diva of all is… ME!!!
MSM: Let's talk about America's Next Top Model: What was your favorite moment out of all your years on ANTM?
JA: My favorite moments are of course seeing myself judging the show in some of my favorite outfits that I created and made myself.
MSM: Congrats on winning Teen Choice Awards 2009 Choice Fab-u-lous! What do you believe defines "fabulous" or what it means/takes to truly be "fabulous"?
JA: I believe being “fabulous” is loving ones self in spite of what people say and write about you. These days with the Internet, people move even faster, and they write about things they really have no idea about. So just LOVE… LOVE… LOVE… LOVE YOURSELF AND IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF "I DON'T CARE" WITH YOUR MORNING BREAKFAST AND YOU WILL BE OK!!!!
MSM: Are you on Twitter? And if not, will you ever join?!! We're all about Twitter at MSMPR
JA: No Twitter as of yet, I hear it’s the new drug of choice…. And I don’t do drugs… at the moment.
MSM: Where does your "tough-love" coaching style come from? You can be brutal… you tell it like it is!
JA: From an honest place! Being direct and forward to most people can be brutal, mean, and bitchy… I AM NEITHER, well only when needed!
MSM: So, why this book, and why now in your career/life to come out with it?
JA: IT WAS TIMING!!! And of course… SIMON & SCHUSTER AGREED!!!
MSM: What are you trying to tell readers in your book-what's the main message you want them to take away from reading it?
JA: I am trying to tell the reader to take home a good honest story from my book. You should love yourself no matter what people say or do, and it took nickels and dimes to get across the water to make future dollars. It’s ok not to be rich or beautiful because to create style you need confidence and personality! I think it is better not to have material things to hide behind, therefore you are forced to communicate and socialize and ask what you want, not depending on money or good looks to get you there.
MSM: What are your top 5 or so tips for living "the J way"??: fully and fabulously (as it says in your book)
JA: MY 5 TIPS –
1.BE HONEST AS POSSIBLE
2. SAY YOUR SORRY ( SOMETIMES IT'S HARD )
3. LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES ( SOMETIMES YOU DON'T SEE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING)
4. WHEN YOU COMMIT "COMMIT"
5. SAY THANK YOU..( WE MAY FORGET SOMETIMES BUT WHEN SAID IT GOES A LONG WAY..)MSM: Your book aims to help teach women how to build confidence and reach their dreams. What's your best advice for how to get started on that path to "walking proud in your highest shoes"- how did you do it?
JA: My advice to put on your highest heels that you cant walk in to walk around your house or walk the dog around the block (if you have one) is get you to get comfortable in them. Remember a new shoe is a foreign object to the foot, and as a result you should walk in them wearing a smile, not bearing any looks of pain!
MSM: If you were going on a trip and could only take one item with you, what would you take-what couldn't you live without?
JA: I would take my soul because I like it… and I CANT live WITHOUT water!
MSM: What's your favorite trend/style in fashion for this fall season, and what trend do you predict will be hot for spring?
JA: I don’t usually follow the trends no matter what season: spring, summer, fall or winter.
MSM: What's next for Miss J?
JA: After shooting cycle 14, and promoting my book “Follow The Model” sleep is what is next for me!
MSM: I heard you made almost all your outfits on ANTM…
JA: Yes, I did make mostly everything I wore even a few runway dresses including the red dress with red and gold mask on Cycle 7, and the blue taffeta dress in the gymnasium on Cycle
MSM: One last thing- Is there anything else you want readers to know about you, or your book that they don't know already?
JA: BUY "FOLLOW THE MODEL" IT MAY ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS...
Since 1895 Henri Bendel has been blessing us with fabulous accessories. Jewelry, handbags, fragrances, and more fill up the shelves at the famous Bendel. Shopping at Bendels during the Holiday season is by far the best shopping experience ever! The store is visually stunning, along with the special holiday treats (accessories) that sparkle and shine. It is one of Manhattan's chicest shopping environments! You can't leave the store empty handed...it just wouldn't be right. Any young, stylish fashionista would go crazy over everything in the store. Check out the site for all the goodies this holiday season, and get to the nearest Bendel before it's too late!
MSMPR has been very vocal about the benefits a business can incur with the use of Twitter, and now it seems Twitter has caught on. The popular site that was created to become the next social networking site has evolved into a great business tool. Twitter is now planning to take advantage of its millions of business related accounts and update the site and have business pay in order to be members. Twitter realizes that it's going to be difficult to get people to pay for the service but they promise that the service will have features that will make every penny spent worth it. With features that can show statistics of how Twitter is benefiting the business it will be hard to argue with having to pay for the service.
