Mr. Gay Goes Reality TV

The competition heats up with auditions for a new reality series

Michael Billy and Jarl Haugedal (courtesy of Mr. Gay)

On Jan. 21, gay men (18 and older) from around the country are being invited to audition in New York to be a finalist for the Mr. Gay USA competition. Twenty top finalists will be selected, and will compete in the first round of competitions, with a mere half of them making it to a cut-throat five-day competition. And the whole experience is being transformed into a new reality television series.

Jonathan D. Lovitz of 1 Girl, 5 Gays is hosting the show. Mr. Gay USA’s founder Jarl Haugedal and Michael Billy, a producer and TV personality who’s hosted PBS’s In the Life, are also involved with the new project.

“It’s an honor to be involved with this competition that represents a cause very dear to me,” says Billy, who wants to turn the competition into a showcase that uses “gay for good.”

The series will follow the finalists as they are put to the test during runway events, cooking contests and, yes, even political debates, to prove that Mr. Gay’s more than just a pretty face.

Think you have what it takes to be one of 20 smart, hot guys vying for the title? You could eventually head to South Africa in April to represent the country in Mr. Gay World – and you could also become the next darling of reality TV.

The first round of auditions take place on Jan. 21 at NYCasting Studio (243 W. 30th St., Third Fl.). Interested? Click here to RSVP for an audition time.