Project Runway Star Reveals He's HIV Positive
Credit: Mark Von Holden/Getty Images for Piperlime
The secrets came out during Thursday night's episode of Project Runway.
Chief among them: for the first time ever, contestant Mondo Guerra publicly acknowledged that he is HIV positive.
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The shocking announcement came after the aspiring designers were asked to create a textile pattern based on their own personal stories.
Guerra, 32, created a graphic pattern incorporating positive signs to represent his HIV positive status. Shortly after, the contestants' family members -- including Guerra's mother -- made a surprise visit to Parsons School of Design in NYC.
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"I haven't disclosed this information with my mother: I've been HIV positive for 10 years," Guerra, 32, said in the confessional. He then decided not to open up to her until later because "it was her first time in New York and I just didn't want to bring her any pain."
So why did Guerra keep the news of his illness to himself for so long?
"Growing up in a religious, Catholic family, it would be an issue of morals and disrespect," Guerra explained. "This has been so hard to keep a secret from my parents because I love them."
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After the contestants showcased their designs on the runway, Marie Claire's Nina Garcia inquired about the thought process behind Guerra's pattern. Though he initially dodged the question, he came clean before the judges made their final decision.
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"That's very brave of you," said host Heidi Klum, shortly before announcing Guerra as the challenge winner.
Now that his secret is out, Guerra says he can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"I feel better now. I feel free," he said. "I think it was my opportunity to share something and maybe help others."
Tell Us What You Think
14Debi @6:05 - watch the show again. He had just given an explanation of his inspiration for the pattern, and Nina Garcia said she wished she knew the whole story - and THAT'S when he revealed he was HIV positive. It was indeed BEFORE he was announced the winner.
The minute I saw Mondo's textile pattern, I started crying - because I could easily figure out the significance of the "plus signs". I was so proud of him for finally freeing himself by admitting to being positive. And Julia - to a strict, Catholic, Latino family, it IS a moral issue. It would automatically be tied in with being gay, and that is unacceptable to many such families.
Good grief, what's wrong with this dude?
"Growing up in a religious, Catholic family, it would be an issue of morals and disrespect" why is being HIV positiv an issue of morals? it isn't!!
Well, technically he said it before they declared him the winner, but it was already painfully obvious he won the challenge. He was the only one all of the judges all agreed was good, and there was almost no criticism. Can't have been a hard choice! Anyway, I found what he did to be incredibly brave, and I'm sure his mother didn't find out on national tv - there's a significant delay between filming and airing.
winner of 13 international film awards - new AIDS documentary 'House of Numbers' - more info and videos at my channel youtube/hivquestions
not the best way to tell things but it just seems to have happened. now that it has I hope all goes well when Mondo goes back to his family and friends. stay healthy! hugs
Just how every mother wants to hear about her son's HIV status- on national tv.
Debi - You're not correct. Mondo told about his HIV status during the Judges first round of comments. Then they went to the break room while the judges deliberated. Then they went back to the runway for the Judges to announce the winner.. Either way it was an inspiring show... Derek
Its a very hard road to take but coming clean always makes for the better I had loved family member who died of Aids we were close more so as kids a great friend and my uncle.You did the right thing even though you didnot have to because you only need to make your peace with God privately kudos to you keep hanging in there and May the good lord bless you keep your head up and the faith that this along with so many other killers of human kind will be brought to an complete end. watchtower.org
How sad that he had to keep this to himself for so long for fear that his religion would chastise him. God doesn't stop loving you because you have an illness. Just humans! What a shame.
good bless him,I hope his mum understand
it was a really inspiring show this week- mondo deserved the win (as well as the last two) however your summation was incorrect- he was named the winner first then he told them about his inspiration...
how horrible for this poor guy