Interview With Nate Berkus of "Oprah's Big Give"

In 2007, interior decorator Nate Berkus told Out Magazine he hadn't sought out fame, but didn't mind it because it gave him the chance to interact with folks. It's a good thing he enjoys it so much because, thanks to his newest gig — hosting Oprah's Big Give — Berkus' already high profile has only risen that much higher.

Naturally, many gay men will tune in to OBG to see Berkus himself, who is quite easy on the eyes. But Berkus thinks there are far more worthwhile reasons to watch, including his passionate belief in the importance that all us of be global citizens. AfterElton.com recently caught up with the 36-year-old decorator/entrepreneur/television host as he talks about Oprah’s message of doing good for others, his new relationship with Swiss shoe designer Bally’s creative director Brian Atwood, and what his own coming out was like.

AfterElton: We didn’t see as much of you in the premiere as I hoped. Are we going to see more of you going forward?
Nate Berkus: I’m always there to give the contestants their challenges. I’m always there for the eliminations, so you’ll be seeing a lot of me in the show.

AE: I know none of the contestants are gay, but are there any challenges that happen to have a gay theme or center on a gay person or organization?
NB: Unfortunately I can’t tell you that right now because the challenges change every week and the cities change every week so I wouldn’t want to give out such information. I would definitely tell your readers to stay with the show, because it touches on everything.

AE: There’s still a hunger in the gay community for gay visibility, especially on television and you’ve reached a level that is pretty hard to rival. I’m curious how you feel about being a role model for the gay community, especially younger gay men. How do you deal with that kind of pressure?
NB: Well, it really doesn’t feel like pressure to me. What it feels like is kind of putting your best foot forward regardless of who you are as a person. And I think that when you do that and you sort of treat your professional and your personal commitments with integrity, then if somebody is going to witness that, I hope it instills in them some confidence about their own lifestyle.

Oprah with Nate (Photo ABC/Chris Chavra)

AE: in that same vein, a you once said you thought being famous would be something you would enjoy because you like interacting with people so much. However, America’s celebrity culture tends to tell us everything about celebrities’ lives and naturally fans of gay celebrities want to know about gay celebrities’ lives. How do you deal with that issue?
NB: I don’t really have a problem with it. I do enjoy talking to people. It doesn’t take anything away from me to interact with people and if they’re watching the show and they have questions. In fact, yesterday at the airport in Chicago, I had a ton of people come up to me and they gave me feedback about the show and it was fantastic. I engage in these conversations because I think it’s really interesting knowing what people watching have to say.

AE: Are you currently involved in a relationship?
NB: Yes.

AE: Anything you are willing to share about it?
NB: Sure. Shoe designer Brian Atwood. He’s also the creative director of Bally [the 156-year-old Swiss shoe company].

AE: How long have you been dating?
NB: A year.

E: Do you see yourself settling down one day permanently? If marriage were available, would you like to get married? Would you like to have kids?
NB: Unequivocally, yes to all of that.

Brian Atwood with Berkus (photo courtesy of Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)

AE: We’re used to seeing openly gay men on interior decorating shows, and makeover shows and fashion shows, but Oprah’s Big Give is something a little different as you’re out giving money away and doing philanthropy. Do you think it’s important for gay men to be seen as more than just fashion designers and makeup artists and is this an opportunity to do that?
NB: I think it’s important for everyone to be seen doing what they love to do, so I actually don’t draw a distinction between quote-unquote stereotypical gay professions versus other ventures that people might excel in. Looking at people and judging them based on their sexuality, or discounting someone based on their sexuality is a really, really scary, rough, unnecessary road. I have the opportunity to be on television and I’m very grateful for that, but I don’t think the importance is that I’m hosting a television show.