@edgemedianetwork

Nolan Gould grew up before America's eyes playing Luke Dunphy on "Modern Family" for eleven years. But today he's a hunky, 22-year-old who, the New York Post reports, "shocked fans with a raunchy pole dancing video proving he is no child actor anymore." "Tragic Mike," he jokes in his post. "Might delete this immediately but had to share the results of my first pole dancing class. Always wanted to try it. Thanks @alyssadventures for an amazing class and my supportive friends for helping make it happen. I am uncoordinated and inflexible as hell. My body is basically made of Lego bricks." If his body is made of Lego bricks, it is certainly a well-constructed one. Over the pandemic Gould has worked with a personal trainer and changed to a healthier diet. "I've been working out an hour and a half everyday with my friend Michael who is a personal trainer," he told People magazine last February. "We have a really cool socially-distant setup that has allowed me to get fit while also being safe. It's been nice. Especially being unemployed in quarantine, having a reason to get up and stay motivated. It's been something that's been very healthy and positive for me in quarantine. It's really changed my outlook." He also told People he's been on a "pretty crazy diet," which consists of lots of lean protein and vegetables, and no more "teenage boy/bachelor"-type meal plans where you skip meals and then end up eating "four pizzas at once." He continued: "I'm eating so much healthier, even though there's less of it," he says. "What I get is actually really healthy food for you: lean protein, eating as many vegetables as you want and staying away from things like soda." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ???? (?: Nolan Gould / Instagram)

Nolan Gould grew up before America's eyes playing Luke Dunphy on "Modern Family" for eleven years. But today he's a hunky, 22-year-old who, the New York Post reports, "shocked fans with a raunchy pole dancing video proving he is no child actor anymore." "Tragic Mike," he jokes in his post. "Might delete this immediately but had to share the results of my first pole dancing class. Always wanted to try it. Thanks @alyssadventures for an amazing class and my supportive friends for helping make it happen. I am uncoordinated and inflexible as hell. My body is basically made of Lego bricks." If his body is made of Lego bricks, it is certainly a well-constructed one. Over the pandemic Gould has worked with a personal trainer and changed to a healthier diet. "I've been working out an hour and a half everyday with my friend Michael who is a personal trainer," he told People magazine last February. "We have a really cool socially-distant setup that has allowed me to get fit while also being safe. It's been nice. Especially being unemployed in quarantine, having a reason to get up and stay motivated. It's been something that's been very healthy and positive for me in quarantine. It's really changed my outlook." He also told People he's been on a "pretty crazy diet," which consists of lots of lean protein and vegetables, and no more "teenage boy/bachelor"-type meal plans where you skip meals and then end up eating "four pizzas at once." He continued: "I'm eating so much healthier, even though there's less of it," he says. "What I get is actually really healthy food for you: lean protein, eating as many vegetables as you want and staying away from things like soda." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ???? (?: Nolan Gould / Instagram)

@edgemedianetwork Aug 21

Most of us know Andrew Levitt as drag queen Nina West, who's been named "the most googled drag queen in the world" with more than 7.8 billion unique searches. But that's just the beginning as Levitt gives West a rest for a few months and prepares to traverse the country in a highly-anticipated revival of the Tony Award-winning musical, "Hairspray." Levitt joined EDGE editor Matthew Wexler for an intimate conversation about his drag career and what led to the defining moment when Broadway icon Jerry Mitchell called to offer him the role. Originally slated to begin pre-pandemic, the tour is finally scheduled to hit the road, kicking off in Yakima, Washington, and playing cities across the country. Levitt also discusses his early exposure to the arts, love for musical theater, drag mother Virginia West, and the importance of his philanthropic work with The Nina West Foundation, which has raised more than $4 million for charitable causes. Levitt proves that kindness is queen! Tap link in bio to watch the interview on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍??? (?️: Matthew Wexler / @wexlerwrites / ?: Nina West / Instagram / @ninawest / @jeremydanielphoto / ? @patryq65 @troymeeks / ? @bobbiepinzdotcom )

Most of us know Andrew Levitt as drag queen Nina West, who's been named "the most googled drag queen in the world" with more than 7.8 billion unique searches. But that's just the beginning as Levitt gives West a rest for a few months and prepares to traverse the country in a highly-anticipated revival of the Tony Award-winning musical, "Hairspray." Levitt joined EDGE editor Matthew Wexler for an intimate conversation about his drag career and what led to the defining moment when Broadway icon Jerry Mitchell called to offer him the role. Originally slated to begin pre-pandemic, the tour is finally scheduled to hit the road, kicking off in Yakima, Washington, and playing cities across the country. Levitt also discusses his early exposure to the arts, love for musical theater, drag mother Virginia West, and the importance of his philanthropic work with The Nina West Foundation, which has raised more than $4 million for charitable causes. Levitt proves that kindness is queen! Tap link in bio to watch the interview on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍??? (?️: Matthew Wexler / @wexlerwrites / ?: Nina West / Instagram / @ninawest / @jeremydanielphoto / ? @patryq65 @troymeeks / ? @bobbiepinzdotcom )

@edgemedianetwork Aug 20

"Parenthood" and "Good Girls" alum and current co-star of Disney's fantasy series "The Owl House" Mae Whitman came out as pansexual in a social media post in which she declared herself "proud" to be the voice of "Owl House" lesbian character Amity Blight. "Being pansexual myself, I wish I had such incredible characters like Amity and Luz in my life when I was growing up," Whitman, 33, said in an Aug. 16 tweet, Us magazine reported. Luz, the show's hero (voiced by Sarah-Nicole Robles), is an ordinary human girl who accidentally ends up in a magical land. She begins attending a school for witches where she meets a number of new friends, including Amity. Luz herself is depicted as being bisexual — a first for a Disney cartoon, and still a rarity for the company's entertainment offerings overall. Amity, likewise, is the "first major animated Disney character to be a confirmed lesbian," Wikipedia notes. "Queer representation is sososo important," Whitman's tweet added. "keep it up world! #TOH." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?❤️ (?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi / ?: Mae Whitman / Instagram)

"Parenthood" and "Good Girls" alum and current co-star of Disney's fantasy series "The Owl House" Mae Whitman came out as pansexual in a social media post in which she declared herself "proud" to be the voice of "Owl House" lesbian character Amity Blight. "Being pansexual myself, I wish I had such incredible characters like Amity and Luz in my life when I was growing up," Whitman, 33, said in an Aug. 16 tweet, Us magazine reported. Luz, the show's hero (voiced by Sarah-Nicole Robles), is an ordinary human girl who accidentally ends up in a magical land. She begins attending a school for witches where she meets a number of new friends, including Amity. Luz herself is depicted as being bisexual — a first for a Disney cartoon, and still a rarity for the company's entertainment offerings overall. Amity, likewise, is the "first major animated Disney character to be a confirmed lesbian," Wikipedia notes. "Queer representation is sososo important," Whitman's tweet added. "keep it up world! #TOH." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?❤️ (?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi / ?: Mae Whitman / Instagram)

@edgemedianetwork Aug 19

Out bisexual Irish Olympian Jack Woolley "was left drenched in blood and will require facial reconstructive surgery after a dozen people battered him in Dublin, Ireland," writes Pink News. "Irish Olympic hero Jack Woolley has shared a series of disturbing videos and pictures of the aftermath of a horrific attack he endured in Dublin last night," reports the Irish newspaper reported the Independent in an Aug. 14 article. "The Dubliner, who touched the heart of the nation when he broke down in tears during a TV interview following his Tokyo 2021 elimination, uploaded the pictures from St James's Hospital, where he was treated for his wounds." The 22-year-old shared photographs from inside an ambulance and a hospital bed, showing blood-soaked clothing and lacerations across his face. Woolley was Ireland's first Olympic representative in taekwondo. He was eliminated in the first round of the 58kg division at the Olympic Games last month. Woolley was walking along the boardwalk by the River Liffey after dinner with friends on Friday night, August 14, when "out of the blue" he was attacked. "Heading back along the River Liffey a gang of roughy 8-12 men and women in their 20s began violently attacking people along the boardwalk," he explained. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?❤️ (?: Jack Woolley / Instagram / @jack_woolley_tkd)

Out bisexual Irish Olympian Jack Woolley "was left drenched in blood and will require facial reconstructive surgery after a dozen people battered him in Dublin, Ireland," writes Pink News. "Irish Olympic hero Jack Woolley has shared a series of disturbing videos and pictures of the aftermath of a horrific attack he endured in Dublin last night," reports the Irish newspaper reported the Independent in an Aug. 14 article. "The Dubliner, who touched the heart of the nation when he broke down in tears during a TV interview following his Tokyo 2021 elimination, uploaded the pictures from St James's Hospital, where he was treated for his wounds." The 22-year-old shared photographs from inside an ambulance and a hospital bed, showing blood-soaked clothing and lacerations across his face. Woolley was Ireland's first Olympic representative in taekwondo. He was eliminated in the first round of the 58kg division at the Olympic Games last month. Woolley was walking along the boardwalk by the River Liffey after dinner with friends on Friday night, August 14, when "out of the blue" he was attacked. "Heading back along the River Liffey a gang of roughy 8-12 men and women in their 20s began violently attacking people along the boardwalk," he explained. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?❤️ (?: Jack Woolley / Instagram / @jack_woolley_tkd)

@edgemedianetwork Aug 17

Model Marvin Cortes came out as bisexual on Instagram and launches an OnlyFans page. Cortes was the runner-up on the 20th season of Tyra Banks' modeling competition "America's Next Top Model" that ran on the CW in 2013. He has since been seen in numerous fashion magazines, done photo shoots for such brands as Hugo Boss, Givenchy, Coca-Cola, Sears, and Samsung and developed his own male beauty line, according to a press release. On Aug. 1, he posted a tweet that said, "Being my authentic self. Proud to be a part of the LGBT community." It had a link to his Instagram page that had an 11-minute video. "I want to let you know that I'm coming out as openly bisexual. I've been in love with both men and women," Cortes said in a heartfelt, 11-minute coming-out video he posted to Instagram TV in early August. "I've been proud to be a part of the gay community in my personal life, and I just want to share it now publicly online." He continued: "I've never been happier, and I look forward to living more of an authentic life and sharing that with you. This is who I am, and who I want to be," he wrote in the caption of his video. "I love you all, and am proud to be part of this community." In a press release, he reflected on how his experience on "ANTM" informed his life. "I learned that a strong work ethic is the only thing that will ensure you to succeed in life, I saw how hard Tyra (Banks) and her producers worked, the attention to detail they paid in every big and little issue they encountered. The show taught me to approach my projects in a similar manner." ???? (?: Marvin Cortes / Instagram / @marvincortes1)

Model Marvin Cortes came out as bisexual on Instagram and launches an OnlyFans page. Cortes was the runner-up on the 20th season of Tyra Banks' modeling competition "America's Next Top Model" that ran on the CW in 2013. He has since been seen in numerous fashion magazines, done photo shoots for such brands as Hugo Boss, Givenchy, Coca-Cola, Sears, and Samsung and developed his own male beauty line, according to a press release. On Aug. 1, he posted a tweet that said, "Being my authentic self. Proud to be a part of the LGBT community." It had a link to his Instagram page that had an 11-minute video. "I want to let you know that I'm coming out as openly bisexual. I've been in love with both men and women," Cortes said in a heartfelt, 11-minute coming-out video he posted to Instagram TV in early August. "I've been proud to be a part of the gay community in my personal life, and I just want to share it now publicly online." He continued: "I've never been happier, and I look forward to living more of an authentic life and sharing that with you. This is who I am, and who I want to be," he wrote in the caption of his video. "I love you all, and am proud to be part of this community." In a press release, he reflected on how his experience on "ANTM" informed his life. "I learned that a strong work ethic is the only thing that will ensure you to succeed in life, I saw how hard Tyra (Banks) and her producers worked, the attention to detail they paid in every big and little issue they encountered. The show taught me to approach my projects in a similar manner." ???? (?: Marvin Cortes / Instagram / @marvincortes1)

@edgemedianetwork Aug 15

An iconic LGBTQ fantasy series is getting the small-screen treatment. Deadline confirmed Tuesday that Ted Field's Radar Pictures (Jumanji) recently scooped up the television rights to Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar novels. The series, which has run for more than 30 years across nearly 60 novels, is famous for its revolutionary and unflinching depiction of LGBTQ+ characters in the world of literature," writes writes SyFy Wire. The first season will be adapted from the "Last Herald-Mage" trilogy, comprising of "Magic's Pawn," which was first published in 1989, "Magic's Price' and "Magic's Promise." "The company, founded by Interscope Records co-founder Ted Field, who is an exec producer on Amazon's 'The Wheel of Time' series, has acquired the small screen rights to the books, which number 58 over more than 30 years," wrote Deadline. Kit Williamson, who created Netflix's LGBTQ comedy series "EastSiders," is adapting with author Brittany Cavallaro, who wrote the "Charlotte Holmes" series of books. The pair bonded over the books in school and will now write and produce the TV adaptation. "I have hoped for decades that 'The Last Herald-Mage' would be adapted for television," Lackey said in a statement to Deadline. "Now that Radar has optioned the trilogy, I am nearly breathless with excitement. I could not have chosen a better organization to take my work in hand, and Kit and Bri, the producers, absolutely know both their stuff and the material. I love the fact that this is going to be a long-form series: episodic TV gives the story all the room it needs. I hope our fans will be as thrilled to see their favorite characters come to life as I am." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ???? (?: Kit Williamson / Instagram)

An iconic LGBTQ fantasy series is getting the small-screen treatment. Deadline confirmed Tuesday that Ted Field's Radar Pictures (Jumanji) recently scooped up the television rights to Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar novels. The series, which has run for more than 30 years across nearly 60 novels, is famous for its revolutionary and unflinching depiction of LGBTQ+ characters in the world of literature," writes writes SyFy Wire. The first season will be adapted from the "Last Herald-Mage" trilogy, comprising of "Magic's Pawn," which was first published in 1989, "Magic's Price' and "Magic's Promise." "The company, founded by Interscope Records co-founder Ted Field, who is an exec producer on Amazon's 'The Wheel of Time' series, has acquired the small screen rights to the books, which number 58 over more than 30 years," wrote Deadline. Kit Williamson, who created Netflix's LGBTQ comedy series "EastSiders," is adapting with author Brittany Cavallaro, who wrote the "Charlotte Holmes" series of books. The pair bonded over the books in school and will now write and produce the TV adaptation. "I have hoped for decades that 'The Last Herald-Mage' would be adapted for television," Lackey said in a statement to Deadline. "Now that Radar has optioned the trilogy, I am nearly breathless with excitement. I could not have chosen a better organization to take my work in hand, and Kit and Bri, the producers, absolutely know both their stuff and the material. I love the fact that this is going to be a long-form series: episodic TV gives the story all the room it needs. I hope our fans will be as thrilled to see their favorite characters come to life as I am." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ???? (?: Kit Williamson / Instagram)

@edgemedianetwork Aug 14

Three men have been charged with hate crimes after being accused of using a paintball gun to shoot at a transgender woman in Puerto Rico who was later found dead, federal authorities said Friday. The U.S. Justice Department said the men recognized the victim from social media posts that identified her as a man who allegedly entered a women's bathroom at a restaurant in February 2020. Police have identified her as Alexa Negrón Luciano. Authorities said the men verbally harassed her and later drove to get a paintball gun and paintballs that they fired at her. The federal charges are the first ones filed in the case, with two of the suspects also facing obstruction of justice charges. "At last, justice is starting to be served for Alexa," said the Broad Committee for the Pursuit of Equity, a local human rights group. "The assassins killed Alexa, but a lot of people contributed by pointing her out, persecuting her and executing her." No one has been charged in the killing of Negrón, whose body was found in the northern town of Toa Baja. She was one of six transgender people killed in the U.S. territory last year. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ??❤️ (?: Getty)

Three men have been charged with hate crimes after being accused of using a paintball gun to shoot at a transgender woman in Puerto Rico who was later found dead, federal authorities said Friday. The U.S. Justice Department said the men recognized the victim from social media posts that identified her as a man who allegedly entered a women's bathroom at a restaurant in February 2020. Police have identified her as Alexa Negrón Luciano. Authorities said the men verbally harassed her and later drove to get a paintball gun and paintballs that they fired at her. The federal charges are the first ones filed in the case, with two of the suspects also facing obstruction of justice charges. "At last, justice is starting to be served for Alexa," said the Broad Committee for the Pursuit of Equity, a local human rights group. "The assassins killed Alexa, but a lot of people contributed by pointing her out, persecuting her and executing her." No one has been charged in the killing of Negrón, whose body was found in the northern town of Toa Baja. She was one of six transgender people killed in the U.S. territory last year. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ??❤️ (?: Getty)

@edgemedianetwork Aug 10

Out boxer Nesthy Petecio of the Philippines is a winner and a proud member of the LGBTQ community. This week, the women's featherweight boxer won a silver Olympic medal and tearfully chose to share the moment with her community, as reported by NBC News. "This win is for the LGBTQ community. Let's go, fight!" she said, according to a translation from ESPN, NBC reports. Petecio is reportedly the first woman from the Philippines to win a boxing medal and the first Filipino boxer to win a medal at the Olympics in nearly 25 years. Petecio's teammate and fellow out boxer Irish Magno became the first Filipino women to compete in boxing at the Olympics, and Magno was the first Filipino woman to qualify for the Games, according to Quartz. "Boxing is one of the most popular sports in the Philippines alongside basketball, The Los Angeles Times reported. Half of the 12 Olympic medals the country has ever won have come in boxing, and it's expected to win two more in boxing before the Tokyo Games end," NBC reports. Petecio says that fellow Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao has been her greatest inspiration. "I compare my life to his," she said, according to a translation from the Olympic Channel. "We both came from hardships, we both started from nothing. We couldn't eat without debt." She continued, "He really is my idol. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ????️‍? (?️: Emell D. Adolphus / @goodnightdetroit / ?: Nesthy Petecio / Instagram / @neshpetecio / AP)

Out boxer Nesthy Petecio of the Philippines is a winner and a proud member of the LGBTQ community. This week, the women's featherweight boxer won a silver Olympic medal and tearfully chose to share the moment with her community, as reported by NBC News. "This win is for the LGBTQ community. Let's go, fight!" she said, according to a translation from ESPN, NBC reports. Petecio is reportedly the first woman from the Philippines to win a boxing medal and the first Filipino boxer to win a medal at the Olympics in nearly 25 years. Petecio's teammate and fellow out boxer Irish Magno became the first Filipino women to compete in boxing at the Olympics, and Magno was the first Filipino woman to qualify for the Games, according to Quartz. "Boxing is one of the most popular sports in the Philippines alongside basketball, The Los Angeles Times reported. Half of the 12 Olympic medals the country has ever won have come in boxing, and it's expected to win two more in boxing before the Tokyo Games end," NBC reports. Petecio says that fellow Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao has been her greatest inspiration. "I compare my life to his," she said, according to a translation from the Olympic Channel. "We both came from hardships, we both started from nothing. We couldn't eat without debt." She continued, "He really is my idol. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ????️‍? (?️: Emell D. Adolphus / @goodnightdetroit / ?: Nesthy Petecio / Instagram / @neshpetecio / AP)

@edgemedianetwork Aug 8

After a highly competitive bidding war, Amazon Studios has landed the next great comedic creation from Billy Eichner in the form of the film, "Ex-Husbands." As reported by Deadline, Eichner wrote the film with Paul Rudnick and will also reportedly star in what is described as a "gay divorce comedy." "The concept of a big, gay divorce comedy has been kicking around in my head for years and I cannot think of better collaborators than groundbreaking producers Greg and Sarah, and a true icon whose work I have craved and admired since I was a young gay boy lusting after show business, the brilliant Paul Rudnick who really paved the way for me and many others," Deadline reports Eichner said about the news that Amazon is picking up the film for development. "And we now have the perfect partners in Amazon, who have already shown enormous passion for this project. This is a dream team. Now, LET'S GET DIVORCED!!!" Matching Eichner's enthusiasm, Rudnick shared: "As a longtime fan of Billy Eichner, I was thrilled when he called me about this project. And when Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schecter became involved, I knew we were in the best possible hands. Ex-Husbands has the potential to be wildly funny, emotional and altogether delightful." "Ex-Husbands" will reportedly center on characters Daniel and Connor, a gay couple once madly in love, and on of the first to be legally married, who must now contend with an epic divorce. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍? (?️: Emell D. Adolphus / @goodnightdetroit / ?: Billy Eichner / Instagram)

After a highly competitive bidding war, Amazon Studios has landed the next great comedic creation from Billy Eichner in the form of the film, "Ex-Husbands." As reported by Deadline, Eichner wrote the film with Paul Rudnick and will also reportedly star in what is described as a "gay divorce comedy." "The concept of a big, gay divorce comedy has been kicking around in my head for years and I cannot think of better collaborators than groundbreaking producers Greg and Sarah, and a true icon whose work I have craved and admired since I was a young gay boy lusting after show business, the brilliant Paul Rudnick who really paved the way for me and many others," Deadline reports Eichner said about the news that Amazon is picking up the film for development. "And we now have the perfect partners in Amazon, who have already shown enormous passion for this project. This is a dream team. Now, LET'S GET DIVORCED!!!" Matching Eichner's enthusiasm, Rudnick shared: "As a longtime fan of Billy Eichner, I was thrilled when he called me about this project. And when Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schecter became involved, I knew we were in the best possible hands. Ex-Husbands has the potential to be wildly funny, emotional and altogether delightful." "Ex-Husbands" will reportedly center on characters Daniel and Connor, a gay couple once madly in love, and on of the first to be legally married, who must now contend with an epic divorce. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍? (?️: Emell D. Adolphus / @goodnightdetroit / ?: Billy Eichner / Instagram)

@edgemedianetwork Aug 5

One of the cultural highlights of the summer is happening in the heart of the #HudsonValley. The #UpstateArtWeekend in #DutchessCounty provides artists and art-lovers alike the opportunity to celebrate the artistic vibrancy of New York. Make a point of visiting #TheBarnsArtCenter for #TastingMenu, an exploration of the connection between the culinary and cultural arts. Tap link in bio to learn more! #ILoveNY #Arts #Festivals #DutchessAtoZ #sponsored @dutchesstourism

One of the cultural highlights of the summer is happening in the heart of the #HudsonValley. The #UpstateArtWeekend in #DutchessCounty provides artists and art-lovers alike the opportunity to celebrate the artistic vibrancy of New York. Make a point of visiting #TheBarnsArtCenter for #TastingMenu, an exploration of the connection between the culinary and cultural arts. Tap link in bio to learn more! #ILoveNY #Arts #Festivals #DutchessAtoZ #sponsored @dutchesstourism

@edgemedianetwork Aug 5

Want to join the EDGE team? We're seeking a part time morning copy editor from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (EST). Tap link in bio to apply!⁠

@edgemedianetwork Aug 5

American-born Filipino TV host, columnist, entrepreneur and actor Mond Gutierrez has come out as gay in the August 2021 cover story for Mega Entertainment magazine. In his IG post, he wrote: "I was never not out. I never denied who I was. I just never shared my story publicly until now. Growing up, it took a while for me to face my true identity, and figuring it out wasn't easy. I went through a long period of time hating myself because society taught me that being different wasn't the right path, especially for someone growing up in the public eye. I went through a dark phase of self destruction - creating unhealthy habits to have some sort of escape so I didn't have to face my reality. I kept things to myself because I was scared to bring shame to my family, and didn't know how others would treat me. I'm thankful to those close to me - my friends and family for giving me the confidence to embrace myself fully without judgment. I consider myself lucky because some people don't have a support system they can run to. Which is exactly why I'm sharing my story now. Because if there's one thing I learned this past year and a half is that life is fleeting. I want to encourage those who feel alone that it's never too late to love yourself, acknowledge those feelings and face your fears —- because it feels damn good to be on the other side." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍? (?: Mond Gutierrez / Instagram / @mond)

American-born Filipino TV host, columnist, entrepreneur and actor Mond Gutierrez has come out as gay in the August 2021 cover story for Mega Entertainment magazine. In his IG post, he wrote: "I was never not out. I never denied who I was. I just never shared my story publicly until now. Growing up, it took a while for me to face my true identity, and figuring it out wasn't easy. I went through a long period of time hating myself because society taught me that being different wasn't the right path, especially for someone growing up in the public eye. I went through a dark phase of self destruction - creating unhealthy habits to have some sort of escape so I didn't have to face my reality. I kept things to myself because I was scared to bring shame to my family, and didn't know how others would treat me. I'm thankful to those close to me - my friends and family for giving me the confidence to embrace myself fully without judgment. I consider myself lucky because some people don't have a support system they can run to. Which is exactly why I'm sharing my story now. Because if there's one thing I learned this past year and a half is that life is fleeting. I want to encourage those who feel alone that it's never too late to love yourself, acknowledge those feelings and face your fears —- because it feels damn good to be on the other side." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍? (?: Mond Gutierrez / Instagram / @mond)

@edgemedianetwork Aug 4

@edgemedianetwork

Want to join the EDGE team? We're seeking a part time morning copy editor from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (EST). Tap link in bio to apply!⁠

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