Perth’s Jordan Bruno has been named Mr Gay World 2018, the first time an Australian has won the competition. The finals of the international competition were held in South Africa over the weekend.
Jordan first came to public prominence as a contestant on the TV program My Kitchen Rules, and last year was a high profile campaigner in the Marriage Equality debate.
In recent years he has established his own cooking school and published a cook book that raised funds for mental health charities.
Jordan competed against 18 other contestants from countries including Japan, Portugal, Spain and New Zealand.
In the final round of the competition competitors took to the catwalk wearing a costume to representing their country. Jordan appeared wearing a Crocodile Dundee inspired outfit with an Acubra hat, ripped jeans, leather vest and a snake around his neck – (the snake was plastic). Later in the evening the contestants paraded in swimwear and evening wear.
The final presentation followed a series of interviews and tests that the contestants were put through over the last week.
Jordan was awarded the Best Interview, Best Social Responsibility Campaign and Best Formal Wear, as well accumulating the most online votes in the competition.
In the last stage of the competition the field was culled down to just ten contestants who answered questions from judges. Jordan was asked what could be done to improve the Mr Gay World competition’s reach. Jordan said people involved in the competition needed to be visible, vocal and passionate about the competition and the social causes they stood for.
Next the field was culled to just five contestants with Taiwan, India, Portugal and New Zealand joining Australia in the final round.
Finally Jordan was asked why the Mr Gay World Competition was relevant. Jordan said it was an easy question, saying; “When you bring 20 people from around the world together, who are fighting for LGBTI rights in their country, and you form a network, you educate each other and you form bonds to fight this cause together. That is how we will reach equality, doing it together- and that’s what Mr Gay World enables.”
The weekend brought two celebrations for Jordan, he also celebrated his 26th birthday. Mr New Zealand, Ricky Devine, was named 1st Runner-up.
Watch the whole ceremony on YouTube.
