Dishing the GLAAD Awards

Speaking of drinks, Jesse had this to say about reality shows and liquor, “OK, here's the thing with reality television: Drinking alcohol is their secret weapon. It's the one thing that they make sure that's always around because you're a little more loose. You're a little more likely to talk some s---, really if you're drinking, so, Lord, have I learned that lesson.”

As for his weight gain that caught both viewers and Jackie off-guard during the show's premiere, Jesse says, “I like to say it's a comeback story. And it's a continual process, because I'm a chef — I'm around food all the time so it's like you just have to find balance, so I'm working on that. I'm training like a bat out of hell, and I'm doing a lot of cooking too.”

What's next for Jackie's “pet”? Any more reality television on the horizon? “Probably. Yeah, it looks like it. I mean, who knows, but keep our fingers crossed.”

J.P. Survives a Wild Year

J.P. Calderon showed up on not one, but two reality shows over the past 12 months. First he strutted his lean physique on Survivor: Cook Islands, but unfortunately made an early and surprising exit. Unlike fellow Survivor contestant Brad Virata, Calderon wasn't out on the show. But that all changed quite dramatically when Calderon landed on The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency and faced the choice of coming out in order to land the cover of Instinct magazine.

Asked why he kept his sexuality a secret while on Survivor, Calderon says, “I wasn't comfortable with myself at the time. And I'd already portrayed an image that was maybe a little bit too macho, so maybe down the road if it needed to help me, but I just wasn't ready or prepared.”

Asked what prompted his decision to finally come out, Calderon responded by saying, “I think honestly this last year was huge for me. Not just because of Survivor — Survivor was one of the components — but my dad passed away, and I realized that I was turning 30 and I'd been lying to myself my whole life and I was getting these opportunities. And I think, you know, that God was putting me in the media for a reason and when Janice Dickinson came about and I did that show, I just think I was supposed to [come out]. And I was tired and I said, you know, 'screw it.' And I did it and I'm so much happier now. And just the response I've gotten from people. Saying how I've helped them — I know I was supposed to do it, and I'm happy now. I'm excited and I'm happy to be here. I wouldn't have been here if I hadn't come out.”

As to how coming out has affected his love life, Calderon explains he isn't dating anyone at the moment. “Everyone's asked me that. I want to meet someone, so if anyone's out there, please! I've not yet had the opportunity to meet someone. No one talks to me. I'm kind of bummed out [about that].”

Calderon says to keep busy until Mr. Right comes along he's doing more modeling and working on several other projects for the summer.

Malinda Lo and Brian Juergens contributed to this story.

The 2007 L.A. GLAAD Media Awards airs on Logo this Saturday, April 21st at 9pm. Visit LogoOnline.com for more information.