Sunday, August 17, 2014

Out Spotlight

Today's Out spotlight is a former Disney illustrator, American designer and television personality. In 2006, he became the winner of the debut season of HGTV reality competition Design Star, earning his own program on the network. Today's Out Spotlight is David Bromstad.

David Reed Bromstad was born August 17, 1973. the youngest of four children to Diane Marlys Krueger and Richard Harold Bromstad in Cokato, Minnesota.

Always interested in art and design, while attending Wayzata High School Bromstad made a decision to pursue a career as a Disney animator. He attended the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, a school known as a starting point for careers with Disney. After graduating, he launched his career in art and design at Walt Disney World in Orlando – a dream come true.

Bomstad has conceived and executed major installations for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. His installations are a focal point at many of the world’s top amusement parks and seen by millions of visitors every year.

After being laid off as a Disney illustrator, he started his own company, Bromstad Studio, designing fantasy bedrooms for children. Barely making end meet and the at the urging of a friend, Bromstad moved to Miami Beach and tried out for HGTV's Design Star, a reality show competition to pick a host for a new show on the HGTV cable network.

On Design Star, he competed against nine other potential designers, winning the grand prize – a car, and the chance to host his own show on HGTV. In Color Splash's 23rd episode, Bromstad noted that HGTV opted for a second set of 26 episodes.

Bromstad was a guest on the second season of HGTV Design Star, appearing as a guest-judge in the first episode and to provide moral support to the finalists in "Challenge 7: Island Dreams".

Competing on the HGTV show, Bromstad was very open about his sexuality despite his boyfriend's advice who advised me against it. But as he said, "I figured the gays would see right through me so I was just myself. HGTV has been amazing to me and I was the first openly gay man on the network."

He is the first ever HGTV personality to be named to the OUT Magazine 100 List, alongside international superstar Ricky Martin and Oscar-nominated actress Julianne Moore.

Bromstad produced his first exhibition of art and custom furniture for Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2011, which is the country’s top visual arts event. In 2011, many of David’s signature paintings were made available to the public for the very first time through a partnership with Penny Lane Publishing.

He has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Nate Berkus Show, The Wendy Williams Show and Paula Deen. His design advice has also been featured in USA Today, People and Better Homes & Gardens.

A recipient of the Human Rights Campaign's Visibility Award for being out and proud in the public eye, Bromstad has been active in the fight against AIDS, lending his talent to the 2011 "Know Yourself: Get HIV Tested" initiative by creating a mural to bring to life the importance of HIV testing.

Bromstad and his boyfriend for over a decade, currently reside in Miami, Florida, where he has a design studio.

12 comments:

the real m said...

Good spotlihgt. David Bromstad's show was one of my favorites on HGTV. Very talented man and its good to learn his background. I always thought his assitant on the show was his boyfirend.

Good point re the troll. if the story held no water, it would get no attention at all. The marketing budget for his new flick is probably a lot higher than ususual given the producers. Weird that they had a wrap party but are still announcing new cast members.

Seaweed said...

Handsome David Reed Bromstad, with his own very interesting story. Thanks once again Special.

I'll be watching closely for details of Jake heading to Toronto International Film Festival. Would be nice to catch some candids of our boys from the sidelines somewhere.

Hope everyone enjoys a great week.

the real m said...

Hey all. Saw the news about Queen Latifah, though some sites are saying not sure if she came out or not since she did not make a statement. But kissing your girlfriend in public is a statement, is it not? Just a very casual one.

prairiegirl said...

I remember when David B. won that contest on HGTV; it was in the waning days of my watching that channel. HGTV has changed so much now and I miss the shows and personalities they used to have. I didn't realize he was open so that's great.





prairiegirl said...
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prairiegirl said...

m, I would say she came out. I look at her using Just Jared to do it. Just Jared referred to her girlfriend as her partner. So I think that pretty much does it. It's just that the tone was very casual and understated. There probably is not going to be any 4-inch headline or fanfare. And that's the great thing about it.

I'm so happy for her. And it's great for the community of her peers and LGBT fans especially. I've always really liked Queen Latifah. She's funny and I've seen several of her films.

Special K said...

Congratulations to Queen Latifah. There had been rumors of her planning to come out for a while.

I think that now the trend is to be casual and understated.

prairiegirl said...


I think that now the trend is to be casual and understated.


Yeah and I love that. Everyone knows that a statement is being made and yet it's not all splashy like a magazine cover or something like that.

Well done.

Florida Tom said...
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Florida Tom said...

What makes the kiss even more romantic was the way they were holding hands also.

destiny said...

I think she came out. There were so many different photos with the post, and I really don't think there'd be any paps running around where they were in Italy, so I have to think it was all arranged.

I can't believe she came out though, so many years of playing the privacy card, I thought she would never come out. Always great when someone does, no matter when.

Florida Tom said...

I agree Destiny.. That is why I check in here everyday :-)