Glenn Douglas Packard is hosted Indulge  at Whiskey Blue in The W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale in August 2011. Packard, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry such as Pink, Destiny’s Child, Michael Jackson, Usher and Liza Minelli, took his first dance class at the age of 21. Shortly after, he toured Europe with boy band “twONEty” (21) and began to flourish as a dancer and performer. He has continued his rise in the entertainment industry, and recently sat down with Mark's List to talk about his career and future plans to inspire the world of gay mainstream entertainment.
(Photos by UKMCBO)

So you just finished up a tour. How did it go?

 It has been amazing. I have been on the road for over a month, and, since I’ve been shooting “Brooke Knows Best” for the last couple of years, it was nice to get out and travel. A lot of dancers out there wanted to dance with me, so we put together this dance tour. I got to get out there and do master classes where I'm like a drill sergeant, but I love inspiring the next generation of dancers. I love to travel and the world is so big. There is so much out there I want to see, but I miss my Miami family and the city I call home.

Glenn Packard at Bar 721

Glenn Packard performed his most recent song, Love Dance, at Bar 721 on Miami Beach.

View Bar 721 Photos

Was dancing and choreographing always a passion of yours, and what was your journey like from starting out until now?

In my master’s classes, I always end my classes with "Find your passion and everything else just falls into place.” You are the captain of your destiny. If you do what you love in life, the life is so amazing. There are a lot of people that are living unhappy lives. I feel it’s because they never did what they were meant to do, and they didn’t follow their heart and their passion of what they really wanted to do. I was very young when I was in a 4-wheeler accident that almost cost me my life. I suffered a compound fracture to my leg and broke my back. I choose to live my life doing what I love. It took something tragic to make me realize that you shouldn’t wait for something tragic to happen to you. Get out there and live your life.

Who are some of your favorite artists you have worked with? What is the atmosphere like? Did anything ever get heated?

Well after my accident and about a year of rehabilitation, I started dancing and I didn’t stop. My Emmy nomination from working and dancing along side of Michael was one my greatest achievements in my career. I worked my ass off to get there and I deserved it. I was a different person then than I am now. I was young and very strict. It was work and it was my way or the highway if anyone talked back or was not being professional. Now I’m about enjoying the moments and life’s adventures. Usher was so nice. I thought he had to be gay. Mya was one of the most professional artists that I had the pleasure of working with. Pink is way cool and man she can sing. Brooke [Hogan] she is an amazing writer and piano player. I would love to see her do more of that. I’m sure you want some good juicy stuff too. Well Destiny’s Child were a bunch of bitches to me (excluding Michelle). Whitney was a mess: swearing, spiting and was just on something. Jill Scott and Monica were just nasty to many people. Liza loves me and I love her, but don’t want to be another one of her gay husbands (lol).

Can you talk about some of your new projects? What are some of ideas you are pitching?

There is a lot of pitching going on. I can't believe small town Glenn Packard is walking into the heads of programming for Oprah’s network (OWN), E!, MTV, Oxygen, Lifetime, BRAVO, A&E, etc., and telling my story and opinion. It’s a dream come true! There is a production company pitching some shows with me and trying to get a reality version of “Will & Grace” with me as the “Will” character; and of course I have my Jack, Grace and Karen. Then another show I’m pitching is very much like “The View” but with all gay men sitting at the table. Each will be his own type and have his own opinion. Scout productions is pitching a show with me called "The Glenn Packard Project" where I help a group of coming of age dancers make their dreams happen in NYC. I would love to do a reality version of “Brokeback Mountain” with my partner Daniel Miagany. I'm a country boy and Daniel would be a fish out of water. I’m also in talks to create a ‘Chippendales’ type show with all gay men, and I’m up for one of the judges for Paula Abdul’s new dance show. I think the two of us would have some great chemistry together.

How do you think the media’s perception of gays in the entertainment industry needs to change? Where do you ultimately see gay entertainment in mainstream media? Is there anything you don’t want to see happen?

Well it was very interesting being part of a series on VH1 season after season where there was a real gay character on TV. I didn’t realize the importance of this until I got the response I got from around the world. VH1 and Pink Sneakers Production took a chance on making my character grow with air time and also showing my relationship, career and personal issues. People see the token gay on a show and it’s usually for one season and you don’t get to grow with them and get to know them. It's time to have a gay man as the lead in a series or a reality show, that's not just running around in a boa or just so fucking crazy they make good TV. We need role models in the public eye that show a healthy way of living; a positive way to look at life. I was not afraid to show my relationship on TV, I wanted to show it more. The cameras were around and I was always kissing Daniel, but that’s not going to be put on TV. Only the edited clips make the final cut. I go to red carpet events with my man by my side holding my hand showing everyone not to be ashamed of who you are. We are showing a loving, mature relationship. We live in open-minded places like Miami, NYC, San Francisco and LA, but there are so many out there that are still struggling and feel alone. The media can help that with programming. Logo is looking for straight programming to bring in more straight viewers. I know they want better ratings this year and they need the viewers, but I think it’s bullshit. They are putting on more new programming that is geared for everyone, not our community. I don’t agree at all. With the “Ru- Paul” show being such a success, I think it shows that we are looking for more programming that involves our community. We can support it by watching those shows. Now that we have more straight people watching, Logo is thinking of what can they can put on the network to bring in more straight viewers.

What is your ultimate ambition and goal as you move forward in your career? Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

Earlier I talked about finding your passion. Well I have found a new passion in helping our community be heard in the media and to be seen. Like gay “View" show idea, we have our communities tuning in watching “Oprah”, “Ellen,” “Chelsea Lately” and “The View,” but yet all networks are afraid to put a show on with our (gay) point of view. I am working so hard to get that show on TV or even on the Internet first. I feel so passionate about making that happen for us. It’s time and there is a new generation that is so ready for this. When we have a hot topic or a political or religious opinion, we don’t just have Chelsea [Handler] cracking a joke about it with her token gay or Joy [Behar] and Whoopie [Goldberg] standing up for us. It’s time we are heard in the media. I plan on directing and being an executive creative producer one day so I can help to make this happen. Until then, I’m going to keep doing what I love and keep marching forward living my adventure.

If you have any questions for Glenn, you can contact him at facebook.com/glennpackard.

About the Photographer:

Carlos Hernandez is currently running the project “The Men of Gaga,” which includes photos of men based on Lady Gaga’s songs. “My plan is not to duplicate what she has done. Rather, to represent the essence of each track as I see it using images inspired by her videos and lyrics,” said Hernandez. You can see more of his portfolio at www.ukmcbo.com.