About Me
One of 8 housemates in this Past Season of MTV's reality show The Real World: Brooklyn, a dolphin trainer at the Miami Seaquarium and an activist within the GLBT community, JD offers up a unique viewpoint to viewers Life wasn't always smooth sailing for 22-year-old JD, who was raised by an abusive father unsupportive of his son's homosexuality. When JD's godmother took him to Sea World at age five, he vowed that one day he would become a dolphin trainer. He graduated from the University of Miami, with a degree in marine biology, and at the ripe age of 18 became one of the youngest dolphin trainers in the world. Despite his age, JD is mature beyond his years, which might be why he finds himself attracted to older men. As a bartender at night, he has always worked hard to play hard, but when his overwhelming schedule gets to him, watch out for his fiery Latino temper.JD grew up in Orlando, Florida. At the young age of five, JD was inspired to become a dolphin trainer after a trip to SeaWorld Orlando. His passion for animal training and marine mammals instantly developed and continued through his childhood. Despite an abusive childhood, JD never lost hope of achieving his dream to become a dolphin trainer.Now living in Miami Beach, Florida, this 23-year-old marine enthusiast lives by the motto “work hard, play hard.†JD graduated from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, where he swam competitively, after which he moved back to his hometown where he attended the University of Miami. JD studied Marine Biology and Psychology, with a concentration in Animal Behavior. JD studied full time while working at the Miami Seaquarium, where he became one of the youngest dolphin trainers in the world at the tender age of 19.Upon finishing his studies at the University of Miami, JD was cast on MTV’s The Real World: Brooklyn. While filming, JD worked as an advocate in the public policy department at the LGBT Community Center in New York. His responsibilities included HIV awareness, and work on the highly successful “Project the Vote†campaign. JD assisted in registering over 1,000 New Yorkers for the General Election in November 2008. JD returned to Miami Beach in December after taping of the program ended, and has resumed his career as a marine mammal trainer at the Miami Seaquarium.
