Jack Mackenroth: The Face Of HIV Today.

I have always wanted to interview Jack Mackenroth. From the first moment I saw him on “Project Runway,” I thought HOTTIE and I was hooked ever since. Not only was he super talented and creative but he made an impact on the show and now he is making an impact on people’s lives.

I recently had the chance to interview Jack after mutual “Twitter appreciation.” I asked and he answered and I have to say that this has been my favourite interview I have done. Jack’s answers are inspiring but not in that annoying “everything is perfect” kind of way. He is real and he has had some shit in his life like we all have but has turned it around to something simply… amazing. Enjoy the interview!

Aamyko: What were you like as a teen? Were you an outcast? A jock? Part of the popular crowd? Did you know from then on, exactly what you wanted to do or did you have various interests and eventually end up picking your favourite one?

Jack: WOW–I swam competitively since I was 6 and started training 4 hours a day when I was 12 so I was a skinny bean pole. I was VERY androgynous and effeminate. I was made fun of constantly and called “fag” and punched daily at high school. Not fun. SO, yes I was an outcast–so I adopted an “alternative” look. I wore all black and wore trench coats with “Depeche Mode” and “The Cure” scribbled all over them. I bleached and teased my hair (see photo). I started making club clothes at a very early age and I was always very artistic so I think that was the beginning of my design career.

Before design school I went to U.C. Berkeley to be a doctor. I was premed for 2 years before I realized “Hell no!!” and I switched to an art major.

A: When did you come out and can you tell us a bit about that?

J: I came out in my freshman year of college. I knew in high school but I went to a very small private school and it wouldn’t have been received well. Berkeley was perfect for individuality plus it is so close to San Francisco–the gay Mecca. I came back from school to my mom’s house in the summer and I started going out to gay bars. Guys would call my house and if my mom answered they would hang up–remember this was 1988–so she confronted me because I was acting so secretive. She thought I was a drug dealer. I just came out and said I was not a drug dealer but I was gay. Surprisingly she was shocked. I was like really? I used to twirl a baton? But we had a good cry and then she was super cool. Now she loves it. She walks in the Seattle gay parade when I’m not even there. I’m like, “Mom–please dial it back a notch.”

A: What was the force that drove you to reach your goals and was there a period in your life where you felt a bit lost?

J: I”m the oldest child of 3 and my mom always stressed education over everything else so that laid a great foundation. With swimming I was always very goal orientated as a child. It just continued into my adult life. I like to overachieve. I’m always working on about 15 projects at once. I work 7 days a week. Even when I was struggling with my sexuality or when I found out I wan HIV+ in 1989 I was still getting straight A’s and preparing for my career. That never stopped. I would be unhappy if I didn’t feel I was reaching my potential. Of course we all have moments where we feel lost. I’ve dealt with depression and low periods in my life. But I have great friends and family and I just ride it out and have confidence that it will get better. Plus I put on high heels and a tiara when I’m depressed. Sparkle always makes you feel better.

A: How did finding out you were HIV positive change your life in the beginning? Was that a period in your life you consider to be difficult or a period of growth?

J: Well I found out when I was only 20. I was a junior in college and it was 1989 so there were really no treatments. I assumed I would be dead in about 5 more years. All my friends were dying. Strangely I freaked out for a bit and then I got a good doctor and just went on with life. Even then I didn’t let it define me. I told a few friends and I took care of myself as well as I could. As the treatments got better I got better. Now, it’s been over 22 years and I’ve never been healthier. Statistically I should be dead. I know I’m one of the lucky ones. Reflecting on your mortality is always a period of spiritual and emotional growth. You learn the most about yourself when you have to cope with seemingly insurmountable issues. Now I look back st HIV as a good thing in my life. It has made me a better person. I take batter care of myself and I’m able to do amazing work that has changed people’s lives. Not many people get to say that. I’m grateful.

A: When you decided to do “Project Runway” and then left were you ever afraid that if you didn’t win that America would see you as “the one that left cos of health issues…” and then forget about you?

J: Well I went onto the show with a healthy, realistic attitude. I knew it wasn’t “real” and I knew all I could control was my behavior and my designs. I was more focused on enjoying the once in a lifetime experience than winning. Honestly. I would have loved to win but as you can see with past winners–winning the show doesn’t mean much. It’s more about if you are memorable. In a strange way I was memorable because I left early and because I was the first reality ‘star’ to be open about my HIV status since Pedro Zamora who passed away from AIDS in 1994. And people do forget about you. How many former Project Runway designers can you name? 10? Maybe 15? Well there are over 160 of us now. So that shows you that most of us are forgotten. Luckily I do a lot of other things besides my short stint on a reality show.  I don’t care so much about the fame or recognition–it’s more about the opportunities that come along with mass exposure.

A: How has your HIV speaking and education helped others in dealing with HIV and how has it helped you personally?

J: I speak all over the country at least twice a month and I get at least 2 or 3 Facebook messages a day from people with questions about HIV or expressing thanks for what I do. I respond to every single one. It hasn’t really effected me in terms of dealing with my own status because I have been HIV+ for so long and am totally cool with it thanks to years of therapy. I know it really helps a lot of people to see someone who is open about their status and doing well in their life and career. People are really touched by hearing my personal story. I’m glad I can help if they need someone to relate to. That is the most gratifying part of this whole journey. How do you you express the feeling you get when someone writes you a letter telling you they were planning on killing them-self until they read about me on the Internet. That is staggering.

A: Do you think gay guys have a preconceived notion about you before they meet you? Has it worked in your favour to get more dates?

J: Oh god no–just the opposite. I thought after I went on the show I would have star fuckers coming out of the woodwork. But just the opposite has happened. I do think people have a preconception about me. They think I have some magical fabulous life. I’m just a normal guy who works really hard. I do think people are intimidated by me. I’m a big boy physically and I work out and train a lot. Add the TV exposure on top of that and I think it’s too much for people to deal with. I’ve had to be much more of the aggressor. People rarely talk to me first. I don’t think it helps that I don’t have time to go out anymore. Whatever. I’m still getting laid. It could be worse. I could be Ann Coulter.

A: Did you ever consider doing porn at one point in your life?

J: No. Never. I have a lot of friends in porn–Corey Jay, Mike Dreyden, CJ madison, Matthew Rush–on and on, so no judgements at all. Two of my best friends are Chi Chi LaRue and John Rutherford who owns COLT. I love porn but I would never do it because my mom would literally kill me. She’s mildly perturbed I do nudie photo shoots.

A: I have heard that you’re currently writing a memoir. With all of your many pursuits how do you find time to write? What has been the hardest part of writing the book for you?

J: Haha!! I ask myself the same question. It’s called “Making Lemonaids” and it’s a snarky, sarcastic tell-all about my life. It’s meant to be funny but it also addresses living with HIV for 22 years and how I used optimism and humor to cope. I really don’t have much time to write. Most of it is finished but I’m taking a month off at the end of the year to complete it. And it’s only 28 pages. More of a pamphlet really. With lots of pictures. Kidding.

A: Your tweets have gotten so much attention, so  why do you think they are so popular and do you make them up yourself? Or do you collaborate with others to come up with them?

J: HEEEHEEE!! No I write them all myself. Sometimes I have an idea an it takes a day or two to write the best format or make it funnier.  I have a wack sense of humor. I only tweet jokes and stupid crap that happens to me during the day. Sometimes they are based in truth and sometimes they are totally fictional. But if you follow me on twitter @jackmackenroth I promise you will get a giggle.

A: Have you chosen to keep you private life out of public view or are you open when it comes to talking about your relationships?

J: I’m single but I don’t think I would be very public about my relationship if I had a boyfriend.

A: Finally, what is the best and worst thing that has come about of you being a public figure?

J: The best thing is the really cool, interesting opportunities and people I have met and the impact I’ve had with my HIV advocacy work. The worst thing is the time management. I work constantly. I need an assistant but I can’t afford one and I like to personalize everything. Sometimes it’s overwhelming.

So there you have it! I just can’t thank Jack enough! Part 2 of my interview will focus on his brand new “2012 Calendar For a Cure” and will be featured on the Gaydemon blog. You can pick up a copy of his sexy calendar and ALL, 100% of the proceeds will go to The American Foundation for AIDS Research (AMFAR) Just click on the image to buy! Being that Jack is way too hot for just 12 months this sexy hunk has given us 15 months of HOTNESS! Hello! That alone is reason enough to buy it!

 

Jack Mackenroth: The Face Of HIV Today., 10.0 out of 10 based on 11 ratings

Posted on Friday, November 25th, 2011 at 5:00 pm. Filed under: Men, The Hot Seat Tags: Hot Gay, The Hot Seat RSS 2.0 feed.