Carlie Wong

Carlie Wong is a Vancouver-based fashion designer who is changing the face of the Canadian fashion industry. Upon graduating in 2006 with a bachelor degree in fashion design, she continued her apprenticeship under couturier Manuel Mendoza, where she found her true calling. Carlie has been featured in numerous publications including Elle Canada, Style Magazine, Vancouver Lifestyles Magazine, Infamous, The Westender, The Province, 24 Hours, The Georgia Straight and The Vancouver Sun. Carlie has also showcased her designs in many events across the city. In 2007, Carlie burst into the fashion forefront as the youngest of 12 featured designers on the critically acclaimed Project Runway Canada. Carlie will be debuting her Fall / Holiday 2008 line of luxury evening wear at L’Oreal Fashion Week on March 19 in Toronto, Ontario. www.carliewong.com

Catherine "Cat" Barr

For close to a decade now, Catherine "Cat" Barr has been Vancouver's number one entertainment gala gal and celebrity glamour-puss. No stranger to the red carpet, she has interviewed hundreds of A-List stars and is a regular feature at all of Vancouver's high society and charity events. One of this city's original society reporters, Cat is now the Social Eyes columnist for Metro News. Her second column, Cat's Eye appears weekly in the North Shore Outlook and she can be heard every Friday at 4 pm on CFUN 1410 AM radio with her What's New Pussycat celebrity and events column. catherinebarr.com

Chris Duggan

Chris is a Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, Model and Yoga Teacher. He has performed in several Rapture events as a featured dancer and choreographer. As a UBCP actor, with over 20 credits on his resume including TV series The Crow, Cold Squad, Dark Angel and films Get Carter and Dreamcatcher.
Chris is currently teaching Yoga full time at various establishments and companies including hospitals for True Health . As a former model (Dayton Boots, Papa's Furs, Mor Latex and many covers) Chris will add great insight to the new talent. www.members.shaw.ca/chrisduggan

Darren Ewert

Darren Ewert is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who completed his RHN Diploma at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in Vancouver BC. As well as being a Certified Personal Trainer and Wellness Consultant, Darren has over 10 years experience in the Natural Health industry. A former male model, who's work includes representing Ralph Lauren, Cerruti, RW&Co and the first gay-campaign for Sofabeds. Currently he runs Zoetica Wellness, helping others improve the quality of their lives through better lifestyle and dietary choices. Darren is also providing VNGTM models with Nutritional Consulting Sessions.

Denis Simpson

Denis Simpson is an award winning Canadian actor and singer. He has received a Jessie Award, Dora Mavor Moore Award, and his B.C. Entertainment Hall Of Fame star can be found on Granville Street. The original bass vocalist for The Nylons, he left the band to appear in the Broadway musical Indigo. Simpson was also a longtime host of the children's television series Polka Dot Door, and has appeared in television series including Robson Arms, Seeing Things, Night Visions, These Arms of Mine and MacGyver. He was the host of the cooking show on Channel M called Café m. Locally, he has performed in countless productions for the various theatre companies.

Eva de Viveiros

Eva de Viveiros, owner of Barefoot Contessa on Main Street, Barefoot Contessa on Commercial Drive and Lisette on Broadway is Vancouver's fashionista with the biggest smile and laugh. She has appeared in countless movies and television shows including Reindeer Games, Da Vinci's Inquest, Cold Squad, CSI, and many more. Eva is proud to be on stage for Vancouver's Next Gay Top Model while expecting her first child.

Farhad Khan

Searching for a purpose and meaning in life, Farhad found yoga. Practicing it was the beginning of a greater journey in his life for yoga was not only an activity, it was his passion. His spiritual exploration was enhanced by his travels in Southeast Asia, India and Africa. In May 2007, Farhad opened Maa Yoga Studio located in North Vancouver. His vision is to provide a beautiful, nourishing environment for the community. He strives to create an elegant, tranquil space in order to practice a healthy way of living which allows his students to learn, not only from those around them but also from themselves. With Maa Yoga Studio, he continues to give back to the community by creating awareness and supporting local charities. Farhad is also providing VNGTM models with Yoga Sessions.

Fred Lee

Fred Lee is CBC Radio One, National Post and the Vancouver Courier's 'Man About Town'. The Social Butterfly 'Steps Out' with Rick Cluff every Monday morning on The Early Edition before covering all of Vanhattan's happening A-list, glamorous, seen-and-be-seen, red carpet parties, must-attend galas and fabulous fundraisers. Fred's weekly social column 'Urban Landscape' appears in the Vancouver Courier every Wednesday and Friday and National Post 'City Life' column every Saturday. Fred, along with Margaret Gallagher, hosts the national CBC Radio One food show Flavour of the Week.

Hon. Dr. Hedy Fry

The Honourable Hedy Fry, federal Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Centre, was born in Trinidad & immigrated to Canada in the early 1970s. In her previous capacity as a physician, Dr. Fry served as the spokesperson for the Canadian Medial Association, and then became the first female President of the British Columbia Medical Association in 1990. Dr. Fry was first elected to federal Parliament in 1993 and has remained MP for Vancouver Centre ever since. She served six years as the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women. Dr. Fry is currently in her 5^th term as an MP and is Opposition Critic for Sport and the 2010 Olympics.

Empress Imelda Mae Santos

Mabuhay and Aloha! Her Most Imperial & Sovereign Majesty, The Double Crowned Black Persian Cat, The Tuck Everlasting Empress XXXVI Imelda Mae Santos is a post-op transgendered individual who loves to be surrounded by young beautiful men - what better place then Vancouver's Next Gay Top Model!

Jaylene

Empress XXXV of Vancouver and Heir Apparent to the titular head of the International Court System, Jaylene is one Vancouver's most celebrated goodwill ambassadors. Her main focus is to help Vancouver's LGBT community remain strong and safe. Professionly, Jaylene is a make-up artist extrordinaire for the Paris line Make Up For Ever in the Bay downtown. In her down time... Jaylene has fun being a Vancouver entertainer and Drag Super Model!! Her face has been seen on billboards, magazine covers and currently on the side of a bus as the face for Celebrities Night Club. Jaylene has one thing to say to the contestants... "You Better Work". www.myspace.com/empressjaylene

Jesse Ritchie

Jesse Ritchie is currently the Director of Operations and part owner of the Oasis Lounge and Score on Davie. With a background in fashion photography, he is proud to support Vancouver's Next Gay Top Model through providing excellent venues to host the media events throughout the duration of the competition.

JJ Lee

JJ Lee is a fashion columnist for the Georgia Straight and CBC Radio Vancouver's On The Coast. He also presents an audio fashion column on his blog, Vancouver By Design vancouverbydesign.blogspot.com

Jonny Staub

The Beat 94.5 is the only commercial radio station in Canada that has a LIVE dj, who's gay and OUT: Jonny. His career has spanned across the country for almost 10 years now. From Power 107 Calgary, Z95 Vancouver, Power 92 Edmonton, and 91.7 The Bounce Edmonton. Now he calls The Beat 94.5 "home" Monday to Fridays from 10am-3pm. You'll get the full dish, with random chatter and lots of fun/crazy music. When not busy with music, you can find Jonny with his dog Tackles hangin around the West side.

Joy MacPhail

Joy MacPhail was born in Hamilton, Ontario and lived there until 1975. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a B.A. in Economics and then attended the London School of Economics where she was awarded a Diploma in Trade Union/Industrial Relations Studies. For the next 13 years Joy worked as an economist and negotiator in the union movement in Ontario and British Columbia, rising to the position of Chief Economist for the BC Federation of Labour. In 1991, Ms MacPhail was successful in her first attempt at electoral politics when she was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Vancouver-Hastings in British Columbia. She held several Cabinet positions over her political career, including Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier. She was re-elected in 1996 and in 2001, before retiring from politics in 2005. Joy is a co owner of OutTV along with her husband James Shavick.

Nelson Wong

Vancouver-based out actor, Nelson Wong, has appeared in over 50 projects for the stage and screen and is a proud member of both the Assaulted Fish sketch comedy group, and Bob LoBlaw Queer Comedy Troupe. Television credits include turns in the gritty crime drama Da Vinci’s City Hall, Showtime’s The L Word, & lead roles in the TV movies My Silent Partner and on Out TV’s Donald Strachey Mystery Series as budding associate investigator Kenny Kwon. Watch for Nelson in 2008 on the new Douglas Coupland sitcom jPod, in the feature film They Wait, and on Out TV in the next two installments in the Strachey series, Ice Blues, and On the Other Hand, Death. Catch him live in the weekly queer improv show Tops and Bottoms at the Majestic. His work as a writer and illustrator has been featured in XY Magazine, Gaze and Xtra West. www.myspace.com/spidernellie

Patrick Levesque

Patrick Levesque is a member of the Board of Directors for Out For Kicks Soccer Club (OFK), Vancouver’s Gay & Lesbian Soccer League, and is also the co-owner of masc - the face of today’s man. He’s been a proud member of OFK since 2003 and is looking forward to a fantastic season starting in April. The club has existed for approximately 15 years and has won a reputation for inclusiveness and community spirit, and has been distinguished as a Vancouver sports club of considerable organizational innovation and drive. It is OFK’s mandate to facilitate a safe, fun and recreational environment for gay men, lesbians, and their gay-friendly team mates to enjoy the game of soccer. www.outforkicks.ca

Raymond Louie

Raymond Louie was elected to the Vancouver City Council in 2002. Born and raised in Vancouver, Raymond took an interest in politics during his days working for the Pacific Newspaper Group. In 2000 he became a National Representative for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. Councillor Louie is on the Parent Advisory Committee for Maquinna Annex. He has also been involved in Community Visions, a Community Liaison Group in Hastings/Sunrise. Current Local and Regional Appointments include: Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets; Member, Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic; Member, Standing Committee on Planning and Environment; Alternate Director, Greater Vancouver Regional District; Hastings Institute Inc. Board; City of Vancouver Public Housing Corporation; Vancouver Civic Theatres Board; Member, Mayor's Working Group on Immigration. Raymond is an avid cyclist who raced for several years with a local team. His races include the Gastown Grand Prix and Tour de White Rock.

Rob Trinh

Rob graduated from the University of Lethbridge with his Bachelor of Commerce Degree last year and now calls Vancouver home. With his own impressive resume that includes commercials for Kyocera, Mattel, & Rivello, Trinh has been involved in reality TV shows such as Nissan Versa Larger than Life Roadtrip, where he won a brand new 2007 Versa.

Besides writing for his own CBC radio drama West End High, and modeling for BC Fashion Week, Trinh is the Human Resource Director & Scout for Model & Talent Search Canada. Watch for Trinh hosting Hot Pink Shorts season II on OUTtv. Rob is also a Workshop Leader for VNGTM and the show Choreographer.

Suzanne Bastien

Once considered the commercial queen of Vancouver, Suzanne Bastien is more than a sparkling smile with a growing Canadian fan base. Since hosting Zed Candid for the CBC, Bastien has appeared in countless productions and commercials (now totaling over 60). Television appearances include The L Word, Pysch and Kyle XY and up coming Men in Trees. 2007 saw Suzanne filming features opposite Sarah Micelle Geller in Addicted, Case 39 starring Renne Zellwegger and Christmas in Wonderland with Patrick Swayze. Despite her busy work schedule Suzanne always finds time to check out stunning men, and give back to her communities. www.suzannebastien.ca

Symone

Entertaining the masses from Paris to Whistler for over a decade and a half, Symone is one of Vancouver's premier gender illusionists. Her renowned dinner show Dressing on the Side is back by popular demand to the Majestic Resta-lounge on Davie Street. She has co-starred in Stonewall 69 at the Fringe and performed on the popular television show Urban Rush. Symone has graced all of Vancouver's finest venues including Stanley Theatre and The Orpheum. Awarded "Entertainer of the Year" Symone has stared in countless sold-out reviews at top night clubs through-out the city and beyond. The A-list Hostess, MCing/performing at numerous five star hotel showcases to dedicating her time to community service, often seen volunteering to host yearly fundraisers such as Fashion Cares, and the VPS Pride Ball. She commentated at Pride Parades, and then there is Taboo - The Naughty But Nice Sex Show which she has rocked the Main Stage for three years now. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, overly talented, a consummate professional but she is damn funny too!

Vladimir Markovic

Vladimir Markovic’s creative skills have led him on a professional journey that has spanned an extensive production career in fashion, television, commercials, and music videos in Canada, Europe and the Latin American market. Paulina Rubio, Gwen Stefani, Shakira, Miss Universe Amelia Vega, Anne Murray and Whitney Houston are some of the stars he has worked with; collaborations with fashion designers and brands from around the globe including Roberto Cavalli, Dolce and Gabbana and Reebok International. He is the co-founder of British Columbia Fashion Week, one of the main vehicles in Canada for promoting the fashion industry globally. Markovic has also added valuable skills on a variety of projects such as Look Model Search, Ford SuperModel of the World, Male Model of the World, the Miss Dominican Republic 2002 pageant as well as numerous fashion shows and events for the most eminent fashion leaders throughout Europe and Latin America. As a contributing instructor in the Fashion Design & Merchandising programs at The Art Institute of Vancouver, he shares his extensive experience to infuse the curriculum with an intuitive sense of the subtleties and nuances of the Canadian fashion industry.

Dean Nelson + Tatiana Kostiak - gaywhistler.com

Miriam Melanson - Flaming Angels Designs

Terry Costa

Producer & Director of Vancouver's Next Gay Top Model. +Bio

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