I often root for the underdog on reality shows. One season it was Brandi Glanville on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. In the last season of the same series, it was Yolanda Foster who finally got the cojones to stop kowtowing to her demanding demagogue of a husband, who expected her to be demure, servile and consistently a sex kitten. I never really thought I would get into the Logo TV series Finding Prince Charming due to the show’s mixed reviews and some negative press, but then the podcast Rock Bottom with Matt McConkey came along and Matt broke it down for listeners with some additional behind the scenes and post-filming scoop, as well as great guests who had their own BOTG (Boots on the Ground!) info to share.

Logo recently announced it would be developing a Prince Charming 2 and will undoubtedly have learned from the multiple faux pas of Season 1. It turns out, Robert Sepulveda Junior, the “Prince Charming” who was touted as an ideal mensch and prime marriage material, had some secrets. Not to shame sex workers, but the claim was that in the past he had done some pretty lewd sexual acts for pay, and that his current livelihood as an interior decorator was the only thing that had been revealed during casting. As show filming was under way, this revelation about Robert’s past came to light. Production royally scrambled to have Robert address this with the remaining men.

Chad, one of the candidates on this gay version of the popular show The Bachelor, dropped quite a bomb on his Instagram page months after filming, stating that after Robert made his final choice (Eric), he tried to pursue Chad (this was somewhat corroborated with photographic evidence of the two hanging out). Robert, for his part, clung to the story line and contention that Eric was his definitive choice and now steady beau. Chad’s revelations however would not end there. He had conducted an extensive investigation (”The gay community is really small” he explains and I totally get it because it’s the same with the Jewish community. As an unrelated aside, Chad is also Jewish). It turns out that Mr. Sepulveda Jr. is allegedly “still hooking” according to Chad’s unnamed sources, and that the escort/interior decorator had also allegedly stolen watches from his sexual conquests/hooking clientele.

Back to when the show was airing, many Logo viewers and members of the male gay community at large were horrified by what they saw as the trashy depiction of gay men. However, comedian, writer and podcast host Matt McConkey begs to differ:

“I wouldn't say Robert Jr. was a ‘bad’ representation of the community. I know he got some backlash from guys on the show about the sex worker stuff, but that reaction feels, to me, weirdly conservative and a bit slut-shamey. My only beef is that it wasn't a real storyline on the show - it was one of the few things about him that was actually interesting! He's been called out a lot for his total refusal to have a sense of humor about himself. He got mad about Jeffery Self's recaps and Tom Lenk and Jimmy Fowlie's videos, none of which were mean-spirited. In a way, I get it. I got some pretty tough feedback online from my little podcast. But you can't sign up to create content for gay guys and not expect to be dragged. To quote Anne Lamott quoting the movie Stripes: ‘Lighten up, Francis!’

They're actively casting Season 2 online right now. As much as we've all made fun of Season 1, ultimately I'm just glad to have any LGBT representation on TV. I get that Logo was trying to do it responsibly and avoid letting it get trashy. But it's pretty clear from the audience's reaction that we're just as hungry for trash TV as our straight counterparts. So for Season 2, my hope is that they go ahead and let us have our trash! Because we're gonna get it somewhere.”

Following is my interview with Chad who professionally goes by the name Chad Aaron S. He is a former child actor, a former airplane steward and a former realtor who says his last job ended as a consequence of appearing on Finding Prince Charming. He has an interest in and knowledge of aviation, but what he will do next is anyone’s guess. He may have seemed like a basket case who was naive to Bachelor-style shows (especially evident when he packed his bags attempting to leave the show), but I found him endearing through the screen.

Something told me that this was was a person, not unlike me, who feels things quite strongly and wears his heart on his sleeve. His kindness doesn’t mean he’s immune to angry knee jerk reactions (i.e. the Instagram post) but we’ve all had our moments. He also may have exhibited jealousy on the show when other contestants had time with Robert, but he was adorable and young and some maternal instinct towards him kicked in and overtook me (it should be noted that at 33, he’s only 9 years my junior).

SHW: So, how did this opportunity present itself to you? What led up to casting and what were you told about the show beforehand?

CAS: I was approached by the casting directors for the show through social media and it was conveyed that I had an opportunity to be a part of a groundbreaking production. I thought about it for a few days and then I decided to go for it.

SHW: The reviews were very mixed on Prince Charming but I definitely foresee Prince Charming 2 as an improvement. If you had to produce it, what would YOU personally do differently?

CAS: If I had produced the show I probably would give a little twist in the story line. Not everyone is for everyone, so maybe cast 2 Prince Charmings and spice it up a bit.

SHW: You had some surprising revelations about Robert Sepulveda Jr. hitting on you after the reunion. What's the latest on him and his chosen suitor Eric and what would be your advice to Eric or anyone else about Robert?

CAS: I really want to switch my tone and focus more on the positive. Even though the things I revealed were true, I do feel ashamed of myself that I went to that level. To be honest, I felt as if most of the cast were not being honest about everything and I suppose I just spilled the whole kettle of tea at once. I know it was a lot and I'm not proud of myself for it, even if I felt validated with speaking the truth. I felt as if no one else was. Even though I have heard so many juicy stories from the cast in private, none have gone public with anything except for me. I suppose I went rogue. (Note: By avoiding this question as Chad did and by what I’ve heard through the grapevine - remember, the gay community is very small and even as straight woman, I have inside sources - Robert and Eric are no longer together and reportedly, Eric is not much of a Robert Sepulveda Jr. fan anymore to put it mildly. If this is incorrect, feel free to contact me.)

SHW: What type of a guy and relationship are you looking for?

CAS: I'm attracted to a man who is humble, attractive, authentic and kind. We need to be able to vibe naturally and a sense of humor is a bonus. I don't think there's a formula for the perfect man because no one is perfect. I like imperfections, I'm attracted to flaws. Because we all have them, just not everyone is on a level of acknowledging them. So yes, for now, my puppies keep me warm in bed.

SHW: As Andy Cohen of Bravo would phrase this: Have you ever dipped in the lady pond?

CAS: I am a proud gold star gay.

SHW: What shows do you watch in your free time?

CAS: I'm obsessed with House of Cards, American Horror Story, Homeland and I keep up with the news. However, after the horrific outcome of this election, it's been very hard to watch the news. Progressives have been hit very hard this year.

SHW: Can you address the following:

a) your alleged hookup with Sam

CAS: Here's your tea, guys. It was the first day, we drank a lot. And by a lot I mean, a lot. And we all drank on an empty stomach. Here's the details that everyone is drying to hear. Sam was being silly by jumping in everyone's bed. He was cuddling with Jasen when I was entering the room. It was all honestly innocent fun. Then I went to lay down and Sam jumped in my bed. I said my head hurt, so he rubbed it. Sam gives a mean head rub. His hands ended up going south, I didn't stop him. Then maybe for 5 seconds max, he tried to go down on me. I pushed him off and said it’s a bad idea. Now remember, there's cameras everywhere, and nothing was caught. Sam and I are buds.

SHW: b) When were you were told about Robert's past?

CAS: I didn't find out about Roberts true line of work (past and present) until the media started releasing some pretty disturbing images, videos and stories about him. However, the gay community is a big place, yet very small when it comes to reputation. Through the grapevine, I, as well as the rest of the cast have been made aware of extremely disturbing revelations about Robert and we were not at all prepared to address it at that time. It was a lot to digest and it did cause some challenges for me professionally and personally. It's not very beneficial being tied to someone with such a scary reputation.

My reaction would have been a lot kinder had he told the truth about himself from the get go. Now that I look back on it, I can understand his desire to turn a new leaf and perhaps become a reality TV star, Kim Kardashian style, although his videos go way beyond a sex tape. But I don't believe it was fair to lead everyone on with lies about his non-existent design business and philanthropy. If you're an escort, a porn star or whatever, then own it. Don't cover up a lie with more lies at everyone else's expense. One thing I have no patience for is a liar. Maybe it's the New Yorker in me. We all had a reputation to uphold and it wasn't right for him to get involved with this project at all in the first place. It took a toll on some of us. I honestly wish to forget about it and move on with my life. Perhaps the silver lining would be some of the wonderful friendships I have made during and after the filming. My life is now going in a new direction and and a bit anxious to see how this will all turn out for me. I try to stay optimistic about the future. And furthermore, I will always continue to speak the truth about myself and whatever situation I am involved with. I'm beginning a new chapter and I have learned quite a bit about myself in the process. What's next in store for me? Stay tuned!

Episodes of Prince Charming are available through Logo on Demand, the Logo website, Hulu and Amazon. To keep an eye out for news on Season 2, see http://www.logotv.com/shows/finding-prince-charming.