Born on August 14, 1872 in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, Jay Manuel is of Italian, Czech and Indian descent. He was raised in Toronto, Canada, where he was educated at Dr. Normal Bethune Collegiate Institute and York University. Along with his friend, runway coach J. Alexander, he often appeared on E! Entertainment Television's Fashion Wrap with Debbie Matenopoulos. He also hosts his own show entitled Style Her Famous on the Style Network.
Manuel debuted on the first cycle of America's Next Top Model, serving as a make up artist and photo editor. Armed with his intense personality and colorful style, he helps transform the modelettes of the show from ordinary to extraordinary.
Manuel calls his job "the business of managing the aesthetic." He has renowned make up skills which are always in demand by established names such as Tyra Banks, Alicia Silverstone, Jennifer Lopez, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Mya, Kim Cattrall, Naomi Campbell, Iman, Vanessa L. Williams, Jada Pinkett Smith, Pink, Emily Watson, Bridget Moynahan, Angela Bassett, Natalie Cole, David Bowie, Rupert Everett, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, Rosario Dawson and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon.
Aside from painting on a canvas of people, Manuel also designs ad campaigns and provides conceptual direction for several fashion editorials. In fact, he also collaborates with equally talented photographers such as Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz and Francesco Scavullo. Manuel worked with these photographers to put life into the pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire and the Victoria's Secret catalogs.
Jay Manuel serves as creative director, producer of photo shoots and at times judge on Tyra Banks' America's Next Top Model.
(Photo courtesy of CW)