Robert Sepúlveda Jr. Explained

Robert Sepúlveda Jr.
Nationality:	American
Occupation:	Interior Designer Founder and President of the Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks Creative Director LGBTQ Activist

Robert Sepúlveda Jr. is a Puerto Rican former fashion model, interior designer and creative director.

Early life and education

He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He grew up in Lake City, Florida where he attended Columbia High School. He received his degree in interior design from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, graduating summa cum laude. During his college years Sepúlveda Jr. worked as an escort to pay his way through college and to pay his rent.^{[1] [2]} He also appeared on (and won) an episode of the MTV dating show Room Raiders.

Career

Sepúlveda began his career at Valley Forge Fabrics, a supplier of decorative upholstery fabrics for the hospitality industry. There, he created and executed interior design schemes for hoteliers. In 2008 Sepúlveda moved to New York City where he began working with fashion houses Polo Ralph Lauren, Rugby Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, and Kenneth Cole, eventually assuming the role of acting Global Visual Manager of the Calvin Klein Home Collection. Sepúlveda has since founded RSJdesign, LLC,^[3] his interior design firm specializing in luxury residential and commercial spaces.

Finding Prince Charming

In September 2016, Sepúlveda Jr. starred on the dating show Finding Prince Charming, which airs on the network Logo. The series depicted Sepúlveda Jr. getting to know thirteen gay men and each week he has to eliminate 1 in a ceremony.^{[4] [5] [6]} The show shares the similar format to The Bachelor, however it is the first all gay-cast dating show.^[7] Prior to the series airing, controversy arose surrounding Sepúlveda Jr with his past work as an escort being revealed and his personal videos were released by an ex-partner.^{[8] [9]} Logo has spoken out on that matter claiming they were fully aware of his history and explained that the series is reality and consists of many discussions such as "first time love to coming to terms with one’s past, fear of commitment and even HIV."^{[10] [11]}

Activism

In 2015, Sepúlveda worked with the city of Atlanta with a proposal to launch the Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Brekke. Kira. 'The Gay Bachelor' Robert Sepulveda Jr. Opens Up About His Past. The Huffington Post. September 17, 2016. August 31, 2016.
2. Web site: Broverman. Neal. Jude. Angela. Gay Bachelor Talks Candidly About Escort Past, X-Rated Videos. Advocate. September 17, 2016. September 9, 2016.
3. Web site: Robert Sepulveda Jr. designs. www.robertsepulvedajr.com. 2016-06-24.
4. Web site: Logo Greenlights New Dating Competition Series "Finding Prince Charming". The Futon Critic. September 17, 2016. July 12, 2016.
5. Web site: Shows A-Z - Finding Prince Charming, on Logo. The Futon Critic. September 17, 2016.
6. Web site: US network making first all-gay dating show. New.com. September 17, 2016. July 13, 2016.
7. Web site: The First Finding Prince Charming: Remembering Bravo's Boy Meets Boy. advocate.com. 8 September 2016 .
8. Web site: Hod. Itay. Logo's 'Gay Bachelor' Reality Show Scrambles Over Reveal of Star's Sex Worker Past. The Wrap. September 17, 2016. September 17, 2016.
9. Web site: Gomez. Patrick. Finding Prince Charming's Bachelor Reveals Why He Became an Escort. People. People TV Watch. September 17, 2016.
10. Web site: Cooper. Mariah. LOGO 'blindsided' by 'Finding Prince Charming' bachelor's escort past. The Washington Blade. September 17, 2016. September 2, 2016.
11. Web site: Hod. Itay. Logo's 'Gay Bachelor' Robert Sepulveda on Escort Past: 'Now I Can Talk About It Openly. The Wrap. September 17, 2016. September 8, 2016.
12. Web site: Rainbow crosswalks project underway in Midtown Atlanta. FOX. en-US. 2016-06-24.