Mikey Verdugo - lost "HGTV's Design Star"
TV, like home improvement projects, often go far differently than planned. Take "HGTV's Design Star" contestant Mikey Verdugo, for example. He took a leave of absence from his job as a Hollywood, Florida, police officer to compete on the show.
Mikey had a great camera persona, an eye for design, welcoming personality, and made the cut week after week. That was until HGTV found out Mikey had a past performing career - in gay BDSM film.
HGTV booted him off the show within weeks of his likely win. To add insult to injury, when Mikey got home to Florida, he was placed on suspension by the HPD pending investigation as to whether he "brought dishonor" to the uniform.
One would think, 'Who better to know design than a gay man', or 'Wouldn't a working knowledge of knots be helpful to a police officer.'
