MORNING GOODS: We’re all jazzed for the return of Project Runway on July 19, so it seemed like the perfect time to check in with former contestant Jack Mackenroth.
The model-designer-manhunk has been awfully busy lately (though not too busy, luckily, to don some Timoteo briefs and do a photo shoot in South Beach): Mackenroth, 43, continues to travel around the country with Poz Army, a grassroots movement to help lift the stigma faced by HIV+ individuals. Considered a “general,” Mackenroth is joined by fellow celebrity activists like Oylmpian Greg Louganis, The Voice singer Jamar Rogers and Ongina from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
As busy as he may be offline, Mackenroth is also planning to get busy online with the launch of a new dating site and app for HIV+ men. Though the name of the site hasn’t been revealed, we did hear that Mackenroth has recruited Dr. Frank Spinelli to offer cutting-edge medical information.
Click through for more photos of Jack Mackenroth.
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Photos: West Phillips
Triple S
No. 1 has man boobs (moobs).
Yucky
Marie Cohn
Totally jacked up on T and other ‘roids. He was a mere slip of a girl on PR.
Boy Howdy
Gotta love photoshop. Which is not to say the guy isn’t doing well. Ran across him during NYC Pride this year and he’s definitely still got a great body. But his face? It does NOT look like that. At all. I think it is important to remove the negative stigma for HIV+ people- but lets not do that with fake imagery depicting lies. His face shows the years of meds and wear that comes with dealing with the disease- a common, unfortunate side-effect. Muscle deterioration and all that. Not to mention the simple, normal ravages of time.
I understand that photoshop is here to stay – but lets be serious here.
Jimmy Velvet
Better living through chemistry…
Chris039
Beautiful ass
scott ny'er
@Boy Howdy: Thanks for keeping it real and reminding us that what we see isn’t necessarily true!
Ted TampaBay
Too bad he had to deface that fantastic, sculpted body with tattoo graffiti.
Krys Fox
As a photographer and friend of Jack’s and fellow LGBTQ activist, I have a few things to say.
I have photographed Jack and those of you who know my work know I don’t use photoshop at all. Jack is a beautiful man inside and out. He works very hard for our community and what a shame it is to read such rude and limited and hateful comments from “family” on here. Especially during pride season. Shame on you boys. Being HIV pos comes with all sorts of pain and challenges and in turn, some nasty side affects of treatment. Jack isn’t immune to this, nor does he pretend to be- what I find shocking is the way our community attacks itself like a pack of hyenas. Support each other and love each other, damnit. Or as our mother’s used to say- if you can’t say anything nice- don’t say anything at all.
Keep up the good work Jacky. Love ya! K. Fox
jerald
People can say the shittiest things, especially when they have the security of doing it anonymously from their home. There are some in the gay community that think trashing evryone in sight is a way to climb the social ladder…and in some circles that very well may be. I am glad that our “family” is so diverse that I don’t have to surround myself those act and talk like 8th grade c*nts.
Adam Sank
@Marie Cohn: Actually, Jack is completely sober and doesn’t do any steroids whatsoever. But your sad, jealous bitterness is duly noted.
Christopher thick
@boy howdy: grrrrrl, it sure is sad to see someone as bitter as you are. You definitely show your insecurities now don’t you? Jack is in his 40s. 20 year old models are photoshopped. Every single magazine cover is photoshopped. Until we stop putting down the faces of the few who are proud and brave enough to admit their HIV status, how do we expect others to do the same? Shame shame shame on you!
@ Scott ny’er… I hope you are young and still impressionistic…otherwise the same goes for you. Let’s keep this community strong!
dean bedhead
HAAAAAAAAAATERS! troooooolllllllssssss!
tenrobb
What a fine butt!!! Makes me drool………
Oh well
Very handsome. The beard looks great on him.
Basch
Something about this guy just comes off as desperate.
Avesraggiana
I believe the undesireable side effects of taking HIV-related drugs can be mitigated or even reversed with a change in medication. The older generation of HIV medications were notorious for their very evident and sometimes disfiguring side effects. Newer medications have since been introduced, that are far more effective and have fewer side effects.
lambillio
damn! when did he get so big and juicy? but keeps his pretty face. that ASS! and legs. daaaaang, brah…
dvlaries
Does any male human being have any right to look so gorgeous? It’s like Mother Nature is saying, “see what I can do when I really feel like working, and not have a lazy-ass, bitch day, like when I made you….?”
smithsmith30
Nope. Still not a fan.
Nicole H
Very Sexy!!!!
Wholly Mary
@Basch: Yes, just like your sex life.
Wholly Mary
@Marie Cohn: Go back to christian mingle would ya.
Oh well
He is gorgeous for a 25-year old. The fact that he is in fact in his 40s should be an inspiration to all of us middle aged guys.
MMDD
I think this guy is one of the hottest men I’ve ever laid my eyes on. His face and body are gorgeous…and dear God in heaven, that deliciously PERFECT ASS of his makes every one of my gay dreams come true. I follow him on Facebook, and his posts are witty and funny as hell. The fact that he’s totally, comfortably, openly, and flamboyantly gay makes him a hundred times hotter. So yeah…I like him! 🙂
camembert
@Triple S: You think Jack has moobs??? You obviously wouldn’t know a moob even if it slapped you in the face and called you Shirley.
Dirty Ole Man
@camembert: Triple S is obviously nuts. Moobs are excess fat. Thats solid muscle!
FunMe
Weird, he doesn’t even look like he did when he was on TV. As long as he doesn’t talk, I guess he deserves kuddos for looking this good in a VERY DIFFERENT kind of way.
Oh well
He definitely looks much better with the beard. Woof!
Kenton Forshee
@Triple S: That’s not moobs that’s pure beef.
StevenW
Could have done with some shots of him smiling – the bright colours of the set kind of called for it imo.
Deely
Kudos to him for remaining as vibrant and healthy as possible. While I personally don’t find myself attracted to Jack or the image he is presenting I can understand how the obligatory ass shot gets so many all atwitter since we are taught to value a person for their looks and sex appeal, perhaps over their character and innate value as a human being. Comments about his physical appearance seem to be the most in vogue at the moment, mainly because that’s the facet of his persona he’s most interested in us focusing on. Why are all the provocative photos and hyper masculine projections needed in order to be noticed or taken seriously (an analogy which I use loosely because I can’t take a nearly naked man that seriously if he’s professing to wanting something other than a bj behind a dumpster)? Granted he feels free enough to express himself in this artistic manifestation, and I have no right to judge his caliber as a human being solely based on an obligatory underwear pose, but I feel saddened that it’s felt necessary by many to appear this way in order to promote a message. I just wish I understand more clearly what he’s trying to say.
Nicole H
@ Deely: I understand what you are saying. Gay men and Transsexuals tend to be portrayed in very sexualized ways. Still, I suppose if you’got it, flaunt it. His body is beautiful.
I’m sure he works very hard to maintain it and he should be proud.
MMDD
@Deely: Oh, give me a FUCKING BREAK! If this were a woman we were talking about, nobody would be going on about how sad it is that her looks and sex appeal are being valued over her “character and innate value as a human being.” Men should be able to show off their bodies and celebrate their physical attractiveness just as much. Women do it ALL THE TIME and are lauded for it. Why can’t a hot man do the same?
MMDD
@Deely: “I feel saddened that it’s felt necessary by many to appear this way in order to promote a message. I just wish I understand more clearly what he’s trying to say.”
Message? What message? He’s a very good-looking guy with a great body. He’s also an athlete and a model, and (duh) models pose and show off their bodies. There’s no “message” to it.
Deely
Everyone,of course, is entitled to their opinions. The accompanying article is about Jack’s work for HIV awareness and related issues. The decision to appear in underwear along with the serious connotations of the article left a disconnect for me. The point of my original comment is simply this, images of a nearly naked man aren’t necessary or relevant to advance awareness of any issue or in promoting an agenda. The same does hold true for women. Obviously people want and need to hold someone in higher regard because they are deemed beautiful and appealing. I just prefer to do my thinking with my mind and not my penis.
MMDD
@Deely: Nicely condescending. This article mentions Jack’s HIV awareness work, which is something he’s been heavily involved in for years (he’s been HIV+ himself for approximately two decades). However, the article also states he “has been awfully busy lately (though not too busy, luckily, to don some Timoteo briefs and do a photo shoot in South Beach).” THAT is the key focus of this article, not his HIV awareness work. Feel free to think strictly with your mind and not your penis all you want to. As for me, mine are not in conflict with each other.
Derek Williams
Pure heat – this man looks absolutely great.
Martin
I am glad Jack is doing well and looking just great!
The best of luck to him.
TV
…I’m happy he’s doing well. He’s happy and healthy and looks amazing. Be happy for the guy, really whats with all the bitterness? God Bless him!
MuscleModelBlog.com
It’s awesome to see someone who could have “given up” due to circumstances remain determined to live his life to the fullest. Way to go!
Polaro
I’d love to see pictures of the guys who think Jack isn’t way hot. They must be so very hot they have to wear burkas in public to save them from gangs of horny men and women. Or they are just bitter, fatass queens with an attitude problem. I hope its the burkas for their sake.
blkluvla
@Polaro: LOL @ burkas. That’s funny. I see your point though. One might say, “He/she/it is not my cup of tea,” or something to that effect, but why be so denigrating? I remember when Beyonce performed at the SuperBowl, someone commented, “It was a piece of crap.” Maybe you prefer Mozart or Puccini, but at least try to recognize that this artist and all her backup performers put a lot of work into this performance so that people could be entertained. So, in this case, maybe the gentleman is not your type, but be nice and recognize him for his great muscular development and his poses. As Polaro says, are we all sooooooo unbelievably hot that this guy is chopped liver? I doubt it. People, just be kind.
Mezaien
He can be my bottom for life.
Mkiel
@Krys Fox: Very well Said.Thank you
Mykey
You go Jack! Some guys here can be such hateful trolls!!!
SteveDenver
@Mykey: So true. So many ugly comments to ignore. Jack seemed like such a sweetheart on the show. I hope he’s happy and feeling awesome.
Tombear
Beautiful man!