Discovering Prince Charming could have solely aired for a single season, however it broke new floor for LGBTQ+ relationship exhibits.
Lance Bass hosted the Bachelor-esque present for a single season on Brand in 2016, as 13 eligible single males competed to win the guts of a “prince charming,” Atlanta-based inside designer Robert Sepúlveda Jr. (A second season of Discovering Prince Charming was ordered by Logo in October 2016, although it by no means materialized.)
Discovering Prince Charming confronted controversy earlier than it even premiered when it was reported that Robert had been a male escort previous to beginning his inside design profession. Robert addressed the controversy throughout an interview with Us Weekly in August 2016, insisting that “everyone seems to be worthy of affection” no matter their background.
A tragic coda to Discovering Prince Charming’s legacy occurred in December 2025 when former contestant Chad Aaron Spodick died at age 42 from undisclosed causes.
Hold scrolling for extra info on what occurred to the solid of Discovering Prince Charming.
Lance Bass
Lance Bass Alberto Rodriguez/Selection by way of Getty Photos
Lance told Us in October 2016 that internet hosting Discovering Prince Charming was the proudest second of his whole profession.
“I’m genuinely so blissful day by day going to shoot. That is my first job the place I’ve wished to go to work each single day,” he instructed Us.
He added, “I couldn’t say that about anything I’ve completed, not even with ‘NSync. Typically in ‘NSync, I simply wouldn’t wish to do a present that night time, however with this present, I’m so into each side of it. I’m there early and go away late.”
Though the world of actuality relationship exhibits focuses overwhelmingly on heterosexual {couples}, there are some sequence which have challenged that norm. Season 8 of MTV’s Are You The One? featured a completely LGBTQ+ solid, together with trans-masculine nonbinary contestant Kai Wes. The present’s govt producer Sitarah Pendelton spoke to Leisure Weekly in 2019 about how the […]
Lance and his husband, Michael Turchin, welcomed twins — son Alexander James and daughter Violet Betty — in October 2021.
“I cannot categorical how a lot love I really feel proper now,” he introduced via Instagram on the time. “Thanks for all the type needs. It meant quite a bit. Now, how do you alter a diaper??! Ahhhhhhhh!”
He has reunited with ‘NSync bandmates Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick and Joey Fatone on just a few particular events in recent times, together with to report new track “Higher Place” for Timberlake’s 2023 film Trolls Band Collectively.
Robert Sepúlveda Jr.
Robert Sepúlveda Jr. Courtesy of Robert Sepúlveda Jr./Instagram
Earlier than Discovering Prince Charming premiered in September 2016, experiences emerged that Robert labored as an escort earlier than changing into an inside designer.
Brand responded with an announcement to TheWrap, saying, “Discovering Prince Charming is a actuality sequence about 13 folks searching for Mr. Proper. As in actual life, the present will cowl a variety of subjects folks face when relationship, from first time like to coming to phrases with one’s previous, concern of dedication and even HIV. We sit up for taking viewers on a journey of the human spirit in quest of love.”
Robert broke his silence on the controversy in an interview with Us, the place he argued that his previous should have no impression on Discovering Prince Charming.
“Properly, everyone seems to be worthy of affection,” he mentioned. “It doesn’t matter what you’ve completed in your previous, escorting or anything.”
Robert mentioned he was open with all of Discovering Prince Charming’s bachelors about “my previous and these guys have been open with me about their previous.”
“They have been trustworthy and open with me about their previous, so I felt like I couldn’t stand earlier than them and never be open about my previous,” he added.
Robert picked hair stylist Eric Leonardos as his winner within the November 2016 finale — although he confirmed he was single once more by March 2017.
“I can’t even go on a hike with out folks asking me about my relationship standing,” the inside designer instructed Us on the time. “Eric is a brilliant, tremendous candy man, however we’re not collectively and I’m utterly, utterly single.”
As of late, Robert describes himself as a “visionary, designer and entrepreneur,” by way of his Instagram.
He brought on a minor controversy in August 2025 when he leaked private DMs he’d allegedly exchanged with Crumbl Cookies cofounder Sawyer Hemsley. The Crumble govt subsequently got here out as homosexual.
“Over the previous few minutes, there have been folks on-line attempting to outline me, twist issues, and share conversations in ways in which really feel dangerous. As an alternative of letting others write my story, I wish to share it in my very own phrases,” Hemsley defined by way of Instagram in August 2025.
He went on, “The reality is, over the previous few years I’ve come to know and settle for that I’m homosexual. It’s taken me a very long time to essentially course of this a part of myself and even longer to really feel comfy sufficient to say it out loud. For many of my life, I didn’t have the readability to reply the questions or reply to the rumors. Coming to phrases with it has been overwhelming and, at occasions, scary — however it has additionally introduced me peace, pleasure, and authenticity that I wouldn’t commerce for something.”
Eric Leonardos
Eric Leonardos Courtesy of Eric Leonardos/Instagram
Following his breakup with Robert, Discovering Prince Charming winner Eric returned to his profession as a hair stylist. He now owns the Coachella Valley Hair Salon, which has been in enterprise in California for greater than 20 years.
Eric disclosed throughout his time on Discovering Prince Charming that he was dwelling with HIV. He has continued collaborating in activism round HIV/AIDS because the present aired in 2016.
“In my very first interview, I discussed my HIV standing. I shared my story — at this level, I had turn into very comfy with it,” he instructed The Body in December 2016. “I’ve at all times felt strongly about speaking about it with males I’m relationship and more often than not I like to only get it out of the best way. Nonetheless, I need the boys I date to know me for me. I’m not HIV. It’s only a virus that’s in my physique.”
Brandon Kneefel
Runner-up Brandon grew to become a yoga teacher and a non secular information following his time on actuality TV. He launched the spirituality-themed podcast “Non secular Superhero Podcast with Brandon Kneefel” in 2020.
Dillon Powell
Dillon Powell Fb/Dillon Powell
Dillon Powell, a former ballet teacher and swimmer, reportedly labored as a advertising govt after wrapping Discovering Prince Charming.
He shared a photograph with fellow Discovering Prince Charming competitor Brandon in November 2016 after ending in third place total. (Brandon was runner-up to winner Eric.)
“We would not have Robert’s coronary heart, however we have now one another! Brandon Kneefel is a tremendous man and good friend,” he declared via Facebook. “Our flip will come quickly sufficient! Thanks Brand and Discovering Prince Charming for the wonderful alternative and permitting us to place our hearts on the road.”
Justin Roisom
Justin Roisom Courtesy of Justin Roisom/Instagram
Justin — who completed fourth total — grew to become a aggressive runner and competed in the Portland Marathon in 2024.
He raved about his expertise on Discovering Prince Charming after he was eradicated in week 7 of the competitors.
“I had no concept what to anticipate when strolling by the doorways of the #findingprincecharming mansion on that first night time,” he admitted via Instagram in October 2016. “What I discovered was a gaggle of wonderful males who I shared an unbelievable expertise with. I want I might individually thank every one in every of you who’ve confirmed me love, kindness, and help all through this journey. ❤️. So, it’s kisses for now and so long ;).
Chad Aaron Spodick
Chad Aaron Spodick Courtesy of Chad Aaron Spodick/Instagram
The actual property agent made the controversial determination to stop Discovering Prince Charming in week 6.
Chad introduced in September 2016 that he was fired from his job due to his affiliation with the homosexual relationship present, regardless of beforehand telling his boss that he was filming Discovering Prince Charming.
“Fired with out discover as a result of ‘of the legal responsibility of my television enterprise’. Discrimination? Boss knew earlier than. Nice timing,” he tweeted on the time.
Chad later based his personal aviation firm, Goldwing Jets. His good friend Kate Werbowski confirmed in December 2025 that Chad had died at age 42 from undisclosed causes.
“Chad was the kind of one that poured himself into others. He lifted up his associates, inspired everybody round him to develop, to advocate for themselves, and to imagine in their very own value,” Kate wrote. “His love for animals was unmatched — he cared deeply for each creature, particularly his 4 beloved canines and his hen, Cosmo. The world was brighter with Chad in it, and people who have been fortunate sufficient to know him felt the heat of his coronary heart day by day.”
Robby LaRiviere
Robby LaRiviere Courtesy of Robby LaRiviere /Instagram
Discovering Prince Charming’s sixth place bachelor, Robby, parlayed his fame on the fact sequence right into a profession as a “way of life knowledgeable, TV character and movie star hair stylist,” in keeping with his website.
“Robby LaRiviere has not solely remodeled a whole lot of individuals on TV however he has touched the hearts of hundreds of thousands of viewers across the globe,” his biography learn. “The breakout star this previous season on Brand’s Discovering Prince Charming, LaRiviere continues his journey of spreading love, mild, and laughter by magnificence.”
Since Discovering Prince Charming aired, Robby has made appearances as a stylist on the Hallmark Channel and HSN.
He and his husband Gavin Laiche celebrated their second wedding anniversary in June 2025.
Paul Hollowell
Paul Hollowell Fb/Paul Hollowell
Seventh place contestant Paul now works as a client advertising govt for manufacturers like Guess, Williams-Sonoma and Charlotte Russe, in keeping with his public LinkedIn profile.
Shortly after Discovering Prince Charming aired, Hollowell mirrored on the impression of the groundbreaking relationship present.
“It’s such a humbling expertise to have people method me who watch Discovering Prince Charming,” he wrote via Facebook in December 2016. “It doesn’t matter what metropolis I’m in, their heat & help makes me really feel a part of a neighborhood.”
Danique McMillan
The enterprise analyst landed in eighth place on Discovering Prince Charming. He has chosen to dwell outdoors of the highlight because the present aired.
Sam Provenzano
Sam has principally saved out of the highlight as nicely since quitting Discovering Prince Charming in week 3. His private Instagram account describes him as a “philanthropic advisor” and “former TV information anchor” who now lives in Austin.
Jasen Kaplan
Jasen Kaplan Courtesy of Jasen Kaplan/Instagram
The movie star make-up artist has labored with Eva Longoria, Cyndi Lauper, Tori Spelling and Surprise Girl star Lynda Carter since he completed in tenth place on Discovering Prince Charming.
Brodney McClinton
Brodney McClinton Courtesy of Brodney McClinton/Instagram
Brodney — who completed in eleventh place — has labored as a private coach and health influencer for greater than a decade. He most lately partnered with BeWell Fitness.
When his Discovering Prince Charming elimination aired in September 2016, Brodney threw some shade at Robert for eliminating him so early.
“There isn’t a lot I don’t know, however then once more i dont [SIC] know all the pieces, but when it’s not my place to reveal it, then I received’t,” he quipped via Facebook. “I wasnt [SIC] there to start out drama, I truthfully wished to see how it might go, sadly i used to be solely ‘nice on paper,’ and he was…good-looking. Proper?”
Nick Barbati
Nick Barbati Courtesy of Nick Barbati/Instagram
The twelfth place contestant mirrored on his expertise taking pictures Discovering Prince Charming shortly after the present wrapped in August 2016.
“Too loopy to assume, they’d by no means imagine,” he wrote via Instagram.
In accordance with his LinkedIn, Nick has been the Vice President for Pupil Affairs at Rider College in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, since Might 2025.
He celebrated his fortieth birthday with a poignant submit in February 2025. Within the Instagram message, he mirrored on how the milestone birthday as soon as “appeared [too] impossibly distant for me to think about.”
“A lot occurred in my 30s. Goals got here true. Nightmares too,” he wrote. “However I’m right here at this time in what I imagine is probably the most stunning a part of the world having fun with fantastic associates, nice meals, and well being that I can’t take without any consideration. I’m grateful to God and my mother and father for each breath I’m taking at this time.”
Charlie Erikson
Little is understood concerning the thirteenth place contestant’s life after Discovering Prince Charming. His Instagram account is personal.
