There are two TV season premieres that straight women and gay men are looking forward to this summer: Sex and the City on June 22 and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on July 15. Five gay "cultural experts," aka "The Fab Five" will help straight guys understand more about fashion, culture, and living. It's a self-improvement show, along the lines of A Makeover Story or Fashion Emergency, but not as extreme as, well, Extreme Makeover. Finally, the Fab Five will give a "Queer Stamp of Approval."
Here are bios of the five cultural experts. Jen loves all five of these men very much, just based on their bios, so that means they are most certainly gay. ("He has a unique and innovative vision of classic simplicity!")
TED ALLEN - FOOD & WINE CONNOISSEUR
Chicago native Ted Allen has been a contributing editor to Esquire magazine where he is co-author of the Things a Man Should Know columnan irreverent guide for men on such items as fashion, sex, business etiquette, and cocktails, and co-authored four books that grew out of that series. Ted was finalist for a 2001 National Magazine Award for his June 2000 feature story on male breast cancer, and again in 2003 for his part of an Esquire food-and-travel package. Before joining Esquire Ted was a senior editor and restaurant critic with Chicago magazine where he wrote stories for the dining department. For Chicago and other publications he has interviewed such food luminaries as Mario Batali, Martha Stewart, Paul Bocuse, Trotter, Rick Tramonto, Gale Gand, and Rick Bayless. For three years he wrote a column on wine and spirits called "In the Spirit: The Intelligent Barfly" for the website Women.com.
KYAN DOUGLAS - GROOMING GURU
Kyan Douglas is a specialist in mens skin care has had extensive training and professional experience in the Hair, Spa and Retail industries. He received his certification in cosmetology from the Aveda Institute New York, and worked as a colorist at the upscale Arrojo Studio in Soho. He has worked as a colorist for television and magazine projects including TLCs What Not To Wear, While You Were Out and Child Magazine. Also a massage therapist, Kyan received his massage certification from the Blue Cliff School of Massage Therapy in New Orleans, Louisiana.
THOM FILICIA - DESIGN DOCTOR
Thom Filicia is the founder of his own interior design company, Thom Filicia Inc. where he has established a strong reputation as one of the top 100 American Designers. His firm has completed work in metropolitan New York, the Hamptons, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., Florida, California, Utah and Bermuda. Projects include both residential and commercial, with clients ranging from leaders of fashion and entertainment, to land development and finance. Thom holds a B.A. in Interior Design from Syracuse Universitys school of Art and Design in the college of Visual and Performing Arts. Early on Thom focused his creativity on high-end interiors working at the venerable firms of Parish Hadley Associates and Robert Metzger Interiors. Having established a strong classical foundation, he became a senior designer for Bilhuber Inc. where exercised his personal aesthetic, which is driven by a unique and innovative vision of classic simplicity.
CARSON KRESSLEY - FASHION SAVANT
Carson Kressley, began his career as an independent fashion stylist, which lead to a long tenure with Polo Ralph Lauren in New York City. At Ralph Lauren, Carson specialized in the design area of the mens sportswear division that included both domestic and European mens fashion shows. He also supervised fashion styling for the companys national retail advertising campaigns. Carson graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Gettysburg College with degrees in Finance and Fine Art. He is also an avid, nationally ranked equestrian and one-time member of the United States Olympic equestrian team.
JAI RODRIGUEZ - CULTURE VULTURE
Jai Rodriguez is a talented actor, singer and dancer who is currently starring in the lead role of Zanna in the off-Broadway musical hit Zanna , Dont. Jai joined Zanna, Dont! after a long-running turn on Broadway starring as Angel in Jonathan Larsons Tony Award-winning musical Rent. Jais other theater credits include Spinning Into Butter at Lincoln Center Theatre, Sad Hotel at the White Barn Theatre, and Rent in Canada. Jai is also a fixture among the hip NYC social set, regularly performing his solo act in the newest and hottest nightspots. On Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Jai uses all aspects of his professional training and skills as a performer plus his social charisma to coach straight subjects on everything from how to mix n mingle in a social setting, to conversation skills and even being at ease on the dance floor.
* From NBC/Bravo press release.
