MEL SULLIVAN
| 8.20.2008
DOG GURU JONATHAN DAVID was already a star stylist before he signed on for Animal Planet’s canine competition, "Groomer Has It." He’s primped the pooches of A-listers like Ralph Lauren, Kevin Kline, and Ivana Trump.
But the series, where he came in as runner up, put the sexy New Yorker on the map. It also helped him get his message out.
A firm believer that a dog’s health and grooming go hand in hand, Jonathan David has become a champion for canine healthcare, nutrition and general fabulousness.
David: Congratulations on being first runner up on 'Groomer Has It!'
Jonathan David: Thank you! It’s been quite a journey.
What made you decide to do a show like this?
Well, the first thing was obviously the $50,000 prize money. The second, I’m a huge reality TV fan. When I saw there was a show being done about my profession, I jumped at the chance.
A friend of mine saw a posting on an internet site. When I read it, I immediately sent an e-mail. I got a response the very next morning and we started the audition process.
Let’s talk about how gay men are presented on television. Is there a glass ceiling confining gay men to certain stereotypes on TV?
I’d have to say, I think so. Gay culture has slowly made its way into the mainstream, but only within a context that the general population feels comfortable with like hairstylists and designers.
It’s almost as if the message is that it’s OK to be gay if you fit the stereotype, but if you’re a gay person that doesn’t scream “homosexual” on the outside, then that’s where it gets uncomfortable for some... because they can’t see it.
You’ve been called the "Omarosa" of the show. Were you just being yourself, or was it a put-on for TV?
I’m a New Yorker, plain and simple. We have attitude; that’s no secret.
Also, I tend to say out loud what most people are thinking but might be too PC to actually say. I can be a bit catty, but it’s all in jest. Life is way too short to be serious all the time. I try to find humor in everything.
How did the contestants get along? Who was the best sport? Worst?
For the most part, we all got along pretty well. There were a few tense moments, but we kept it cute.
The best sport was probably Jasper; he was very non-confrontational. The worst was Will; he seemed to throw a fit about everything.
Was everyone portrayed the way they are in real life?
Editing is a tricky thing. Obviously if you hear it, it was said, but not always in the context it seems. Basically, don’t judge reality contestants by what you see.
Is it possible that by encouraging our pooches to be fabulous, we may mess with their heads? Should we just let dogs be dogs?
There is always room for being fabulous, even if you’re a dog!
Being fabulous doesn’t screw up anyone’s ego — it was screwy to begin with — they just dress better.
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