ANTM alum alleges 'dismissive' Jay Manuel snubbed her at awards show: 'Looked at me like, ugh' (e...

Ambreal Williams also exclusively tells EW about her experience with Manuel on &34;ANTM&34; cycle 9: &34;You could tell from the first episode that he did not l

Ambreal Williams also exclusively tells EW about her experience with Manuel on "ANTM" cycle 9: "You could tell from the first episode that he did not like me."

*ANTM *alum alleges 'dismissive' Jay Manuel snubbed her at awards show: 'Looked at me like, ugh' (exclusive)

Ambreal Williams also exclusively tells EW about her experience with Manuel on "ANTM" cycle 9: "You could tell from the first episode that he did not like me."

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Published on August 3, 2025 11:45AM EDT

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Ambreal Williams and Jay Manuel on 'America's Next Top Model' cycle 9. Credit:

The CW Network/Prime (2)

- Ambreal Williams claims creative director Jay Manuel "did not like" her on cycle 9.

- Williams alleges that Manuel purposely ignored her backstage at an awards show.

- Cycle 9 star Sarah Hartshorne previously said in her book that Manuel was "hostile" to Williams.**

After *America's Next Top Model* cycle 9 alum Sarah Hartshorne alleged in her new memoir that *ANTM* creative director Jay Manuel was "hostile" on set toward fellow model Ambreal Williams, Williams exclusively tells * *about her experience with the Canadian fashion figure while filming Tyra Banks' modeling competition.

"You could tell from the first episode that he did not like me," Williams tells EW, reflecting on the 2007 production that saw her meet Manuel and Banks aboard a cruise ship, where casting was held.

While she hesitates to classify Manuel's subsequent treatment of her the same way Hartshorne did, Williams says that she detected "microaggressions" on Manuel's part, particularly as he gave her posing feedback while the pair collaborated on the cycle's photo challenges.

Ambreal Williams and Jay Manuel on 'America's Next Top Model' cycle 9.

The CW Network/Prime

"He was very dismissive toward me. He'd never try to help. You're just giving me negative feedback," Williams recalls, pointing out a particular instance where she remembers Manuel growing distracted during an episode 9 shoot involving a burning car in the desert.

"I understand how Sarah could observe it [as hostile], because when I was eliminated, out in the desert, he was on his iPhone, which had just come out," Williams says. "It was his first iPhone, so he'd [say to someone beside him] 'Oh my God, do you see this? This is the new feature,'" before turning back to her in a disinterested fashion, she says.

In the final edit of the show that made it to air, other contestants are shown discussing Manuel's alleged disinterest in Williams, with Bianca Golden telling her peer that "he's like your arch enemy," with Williams responding, "He don't like me!"

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That energy, Williams says, carried over after the show. She remembers attending a red carpet event that involved *ANTM* alums modeling red carpet fashions for Manuel, who she recalls was hosting a style segment for E! at the time.

"They invited some *Top Model *girls, who were super cool. We were showing what red carpet looks could be. We came out doing those red carpet looks," Williams says. "He came into our dressing room and saw the other girls, [saying], 'Oh my God! Hey, good to see you!' And he looked at me like, *ugh*," Williams remembers. "And then he was giving hugs [to the other girls]. My ass, because I'm a little petty, I made sure I was in every [press] picture they took of us, standing next to him."

Ambreal Williams poses with a burning car on 'ANTM' cycle 9.

The CW Network/Prime

EW has attempted to reach Manuel for comment on both Hartshorne's memoir and Williams' alleged interactions with him.

Though Williams ultimately finished *ANTM* cycle 9 in seventh place, she says she booked consistent modeling work afterward only when she stopped telling potential clients that she appeared on the reality competition.

"I'm frustrated with the show, because you thought you would go in and flourish from it, but, no, they thought it was a joke in the industry," observes Williams. "There was no credit to the show."

She specifically remembers losing a Wrangler's campaign and a modeling gig on *Project Runway* after she says she told those involved in the bookings that she competed on *ANTM*.

'ANTM' cycle 9 model Ambreal Williams in 2025.

Still, Williams says she would return to *Top Model* if asked to do an all-stars edition, mostly "because I'm petty," she says with a laugh.

"They probably would say the same [critiques] because, if the originals come back, they didn't like me," Williams finishes.

***Sign up for **'s free daily newsletter* *to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.***

In her interview, Williams also reveals that, when she was eliminated, she performed a secret hand gesture meant as a coded a "f--- you" to Banks and members of production, and recalls a brief pause in filming after contestant Ebony Morgan quit the competition, prompting Banks to allegedly run off set and consult with producer Ken Mok. (EW reached out to representatives for Banks and Mok for comment.)

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