Glenn Douglas Packard is all smiles these days.
His personal life, his professional life and his family life are all going well as he prepares for the June 7 second-season premiere of the hit VH-1 reality-TV show Brooke Knows Best, starring Brooke Hogan ( daughter of Hulk Hogan ) . Her roommates are Ashley Menendez and Packard.
"Everything is going so amazing. I can't complain at all," said Packard, 30, a gay choreographer whose rapidly expanding resume also includes author and fashion designer, among other things.
"I live in the place that I want to, the place I've dreamed of [ living in ] my whole life: Miami. And I'm living in a Miami penthouse, and have found love. Plus, my career is going amazing. And now my family has been very accepting [ about me being gay ] . So to be able to bring all three of my worlds—my career, my love and my family—all together is incredible."
Packard revealed his sexuality on the first season of Brooke Knows Best, and this season the cameras follow him back home to Clare, Mich., where his family and small-town America confront his homosexuality.
That episode is titled "Welcome To Michiglenn."
"Everyone has their story, but I've had some things along the way that have really tried to stop me from becoming and doing what I want to," Packard said. "But I really believe in not letting things, or people, change your destiny or what you're suppose to do and achieve. So, I never stopped going for what I wanted to and achieving my dreams. I've had people along the way try to stop me, but I've battled past that."
And he's also endured stiff personal hardships, such as the time years ago when he nearly lost his leg in a farming accident.
"I always dreamed of being where I am today; I always thought it might happen. Did I actually think it would ever happen? Probably not," he said. "But when you think hard enough about something, and work hard enough, good things happen. And that's when you really appreciate it.
"Believing in myself is something that has really helped get me to where I am today. I never gave up; I've always kept it real. If you give up, that just clears the path for those who are still dreaming and going forward. There was a time when my family didn't think this was the right career decision for me. There was a time when I almost lost my leg. People in the entertainment business were corrupt and tried to bring me down, but I've just kept going forward; I've never stopped.
"I surround myself with the right type of people now. I have good friends and my family loves me unconditionally. Those things have helped me stay strong through all of this."
As a choreographer, Packard has worked for everyone from Michael Jackson and Liza Minnelli to Britney Spears and Nelly Furtado.
So who's the Packard who we see on VH1 on Sunday nights ( 9 p.m. CT ) ? "I think the Glenn who you see on TV … well, I exaggerate things a little more, to make for good TV. Sometimes I'll say or do something a little off, which I normally wouldn't do. I just do it because it makes for good TV," he said. "The people who really, really know who I am are close friends and my family; they know who the real Glenn is. I am, first and foremost, a very loving person. I am intelligent, talented, spontaneous, adventurous, and I wear my heart on my sleeve. And I love to laugh."
More Glenn Douglas Packard …
—On Brian Knobs, a former pro wrestler and longtime friend of Hulk Hogan who makes appearances on Brooke Knows Best: "We have so much fun on camera together. We have a blast together. And I'm sure Knobs has a crush on me."
—Top destinations he's been to: Havar Island ( Croatia ) , Guam, Morocco, New Zealand, Australia and Spain
—Top destinations he wants to visit: Egypt, Brazil and Portland, Ore. ( Oregon is one of three states Packard has not visited. )
—Upcoming: Packard is launching a clothing line in May that features recycled clothing. Menendez is a staunch environmentalist, so his clothing line will fall in with her beliefs, too. The clothing line will be called Tattooed Angels and feature T-shirts, sweatpants, vests and wristbands. Packard is also working on a book tentatively titled Why I'm Not Famous.
—On himself: "The fact that it took me as long as it did to get to where I'm at has a lot to do with the fact that I stayed true to the kind of person I am."
—On the first season of Brooke Knows Best: "What stood out most was how Brooke Knows Best was different from Hogan Knows Best. Brooke Knows Best was/is a coming-of-age show, focusing on Brooke and her two roommates, Glenn and Ashley.
—On the second season of Brooke Knows Best: "We really stepped it up a notch; it's going to be even more exciting, more personal and featuring more adventures." He said it will include lots of surprises, with fights and love.
—Personal life: Packard is dating Daniel Miagany. "I have been searching for my soul mate for quite a long time, but have been striking out [ finding him ] ," said Packard. "I've been in relationships basically my whole life; I've never really been single. Daniel walked in and rocked my world."
