Career
Jay Manuel was born in Chanda and attended Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute and York University as pre-med student. Manuel started studying opera and eventually became a makeup artist. He has had numerous famous clients such as Tyra Banks,Jennifer Lopez, Iman, Rebecca Romijn, Pink, Kim Cattrall, Alicia Silverstone, David Bowie, Rupert Everett, and Rosario Dawson. He has worked with photographers Herb Ritts, Annie Leibovitz and Richard Avedon.

Jay Manuel is a fashion correspondent for the E! Network and hosts the show Style Her Famous on E!. He has served as host for E!'s Style Rocks The Red Carpet and is a co-host with Debbie Matenopoulos on Fashion Police also on E! Network.

In 2006 Manuel launched Manual Override, his own line of cosmetics which are meant to enhance makeup. He has also hosted Fashion Career 2007 which benefits AIDS research and American Image Awards 2007 which benefits the Boys and Girls Club.

America's Next Top Model
Jay Manuel has been a make-up artist and photo director on America's Next Top Model since the first cycle. He has also been the host and executive producer of Canada's Next Top Model since its second cycle.

Quotes
"I am a big fan of fashion...To dress the same way each day is boring. You can be in shorts and a T-shirt one day, and then why not wear a kilt the next? It changes my mood, and I have fun with it."

"The faces I photograph come in as a blank canvas, I make them into what I think they are meant to be."