Former Charlottean appears on reality dating show that is more like a social experiment
Pride Month may be coming to a close, but streaming our favorite reality shows continues.
American drag queen and former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Vanessa “Vanjie” Mateo has her own dating show, “Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love.”
And former Charlottean Javonte “Blu” Rose, formally known as Javonte Rosello, is one of 18 contestants who have been competing for Vanjie’s heart.
Rose, 28, is an influencer, author and entrepreneur. Spoiler alert: “Everybody loved me, I had a connection with everybody,” he told CharlotteFive.
About Rose
Rose was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, and moved out at 16 to Boston. From Boston, he went to Miami to pursue a modeling career. He moved to Charlotte in 2014 to settle down from partying and start his brand, he said.
While in Charlotte:
He started THE BLU ROSE, LLC,
Wrote his book “Behind the Blue Eyes: I’m Here,”
Was featured in his first magazine, BOLD FAVOR (in 2016),
and started his self love and anti-bullying nonprofit organization I’M HERE.
“I’ve always just wanted to help others that are going through problems of not being accepted being bullied,” Rose said.
Rose moved to Los Angeles in 2016, where he currently lives, to level up his modeling career and get his foot in the door. “I really wanted to prove and show people back home and in the world that you can make it anywhere as long as you put your mind to it and stay focused,” he said.
Rose describes dating in the gay community in Los Angeles as rough. “You’re talking to one person, and then they’ll want to talk to you for like a couple of days and then they’ll want to move on,” he said.
Dating in Charlotte was more about love, the connection and the vibe, Rose said. “Charlotte is definitely more of a settle-down type of city and community, I feel.”
Aside from reality show filming, Rose is currently working on several projects. Did we mention he’s also a musician? His first single, Tickin Dynamite, is a House/AfroBeats song set to release on July 15.
He also produced and directed a short film that goes with his organization. The film will premiere sometime in late fall. “I am also planning on doing more book tours and public speaking, as well as starting a new clothing and jewelry line,” he said.
About ‘Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love’
The show will star RuPaul’s Season 10 fan favorite Vanjie, who is spending 24 hours with 18 contestants who are fighting for the ultimate prize: her heart.
The show, produced by World of Wonder and presented by House of Love cocktails, takes place in a secluded L.A. mansion over a 24-hour period, and eliminations happen every hour. So far, Rose has not yet been voted off.
The show explores topics like sex positivity and the complexities and unspoken subjects of the gay dating community. The contestants will meet Vanjie’s drag sisters from RuPaul’s Drag Race — Violet Chachki, Derrick Barry and Gottmik — as well as her mother.
The show premiered on WOW Presents Plus earlier this month, with new episodes released weekly.
How to watch:
Platform: WOW Presents Plus
Cost: $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year
Release Date: every Thursday
