Jai Rodriguez

Birthday: 22 June 1979, Brentwood, New York, USA

Birth Name: David Jai Rodriguez

Height: 177 cm

Emmy Award-winning television host/actor Jai Rodriguez began his career at age 18 when he was cast in the role of Angel in the critically acclaimed Broadway musical RENT. Jai continued his Broadway career, appearing in shows like The Producers and Spinning Into Butter, and he created and performed the title role of Zanna in the Off-Broadway sensation Zanna, Don't!. In tandem with his Broadway career, Jai became a star in the firmament of New York City nightlife when he created his long-running Twisted Cabaret, a concert series that ran for three consecutive years at one of New York City's most notable hot-spots - Club XL.Most recognized for his role in Bravo's culturally groundbreaking series Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Jai created a niche role on the Emmy Award-winning series as the 'Culture Vulture,' a youthfully savvy addition to the show's already dynamic cast. Working regularly as an authority in culture and style, Jai has hosted for a veritable grab-bag of lifestyle entertainment programming including Styleyes Miami (SiTv), America's Prom Queen (ABC Family), Ultimate Style (Style Network), two consecutive season's of Groomer Has It (Animal Planet), and Model Latina (SiTv). He was also an ABC official pre-show host for the 2009 American Music Awards.In the past few years Jai returned to TV in dramatic roles on NBCs Harrys Law, ABCs Detroit 187, and Days Of Our Lives. He also plays Wayne Bradys husband Tom on CBS hit How I Met Your Mother. Other roles include guest star appearances on NBCs Are You There Chelsea?, FOXs Bones, and as a trans gender woman Amanda Knott on NBCs Harrys Law.Jai stared as "Geoffrey" on ABCs comedy Malibu Country opposite Reba McEntire and Lily Tomlin making him the first male to garner fame from a reality series to become a series regular on Network TV. This past Christmas Jai stared opposite Kelly Clarkson in her NBC Christmas Special; Kelly Clarksons Cautionary Christmas Tale.A dynamic vocalist, Jai has had the honor of sharing the stage singing duets with musical legends like Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, Brian McKnight, Taylor Dayne and Michelle Williams. Jai was featured in Lady Gaga's video "Telephone" featuring Beyoncé.Jai has done regular acting work, guest-starring on LOGO'S series Rick and Steve, FX's Nip/Tuck, and Teen Nick's Gigantic. He played the role of Angelo Ferraro, a leading cast member in the 2009 feature film Oy Vey My Son Is Gay!! alongside Carmen Electra and Lanie Kazan. The film was an Official Selection at film festivals worldwide and garnered critical praise, winning several awards in various categories.Jai continues to develop his professional musical endeavors both in and out of the recording studio and has performed his one-man shows Xposed, My Truth, and Dirty Little Secrets in Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego and New York. In addition, Jai currently serves as the Co-Creator and Co-Executive Producer for LOGO's much anticipated new series Bad Sex.On December 11 at 10 pm on NBC Jai stars opposite Kelly Clarkson in her one hour holiday movie: Kelly Clarksons Cautionary Christmas Tale.Jai continues to be an advocate for issues he is passionate about, working with organizations like the NOH8 Campaign, Aids Walk, Project Angel Food, the Trevor Project and Love is Louder campaign which fights bullying. Hide

Our show is about starting over. Our show is about starting over.

The number of Latino roles is very limited, and it's unfortunate there isn't more color-blind castin Show more The number of Latino roles is very limited, and it's unfortunate there isn't more color-blind casting. Hide

At the beginning of each year, we have conceptual meetings. How are we going to challenge ourselves Show more At the beginning of each year, we have conceptual meetings. How are we going to challenge ourselves this year? So we suggested a transsexual or transgender. And to be honest, I am shocked they let us do it. Hide

I was raised thinking I'd burn in hell for being gay, but I didn't have a choice. It's just who I am Show more I was raised thinking I'd burn in hell for being gay, but I didn't have a choice. It's just who I am. Hide

I have to stay humble. I'm just a normal human with a job that is televised. I have to stay humble. I'm just a normal human with a job that is televised.

My mom doesn't get the whole gay thing, but she loves me. My mom doesn't get the whole gay thing, but she loves me.

I had said to some pastor that I was having thoughts, and the church turned on me. They went to my m Show more I had said to some pastor that I was having thoughts, and the church turned on me. They went to my mom and said, So sorry about your son. Hide

I've done the gay, over-the-top guy. I want to jump into another show where I wear pants for the maj Show more I've done the gay, over-the-top guy. I want to jump into another show where I wear pants for the majority of the time. Hide

I know I'm on a small cable reality show. I'm realistic where I stand in the scheme of things. I know I'm on a small cable reality show. I'm realistic where I stand in the scheme of things.

As the universe accepted our show, more people began to accept me. As the universe accepted our show, more people began to accept me.

It's interesting to see how we are all uniquely different. It's interesting to see how we are all uniquely different.

I like bringing smiles to people's faces. I like bringing smiles to people's faces.

I was the star of the choir. I was the star of the choir.

I'm more of a culture hummingbird. I'm more of a culture hummingbird.

I've been looking forward to doing an album, but it's really sad to see how many doors have been clo Show more I've been looking forward to doing an album, but it's really sad to see how many doors have been closed because of the gay thing. I thought it was about the music. Hide

I consider myself gay because at the end of the night, that's who I want to cuddle with. But when I Show more I consider myself gay because at the end of the night, that's who I want to cuddle with. But when I go out, I go to straight clubs. Hide

I have no apologies. I have no apologies.

Just because you are out doesn't make you the poster boy for the gay community. Just because you are out doesn't make you the poster boy for the gay community.

Not everyone is nice and good to work with or grateful for the experience. Not everyone is nice and good to work with or grateful for the experience.

We all get along. We're not best friends. Carson and I are the only ones not partnered, and the othe Show more We all get along. We're not best friends. Carson and I are the only ones not partnered, and the other guys are about 10 years older than I am. We're like family, and we all look out for each other."-On his relationship with the rest of the Fab Five Hide

All things just keep getting better. All things just keep getting better.

My mother thought me being gay was a death sentence. My mother thought me being gay was a death sentence.

When Queer Eye hit, the church told my mom they were praying for me. She said, God loves him too. An Show more When Queer Eye hit, the church told my mom they were praying for me. She said, God loves him too. And I support him 100 percent. Hide

Jai Rodriguez's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (175)

Harrys Law - Season 2

Grace and Frankie - Season 1

Dance Moms - Season 4

Grace and Frankie - Season 7

The Apprentice - Season 3 (US)

Bones - Season 7

Hell's Kitchen - Season 16

The Magicians - Season 3

Dance Moms - Season 9

Bones - Season 3