If you were a Canadian millennial (or just had excellent taste in late-night TV), then 1 Girl 5 Gays was the show. Airing on MTV Canada from 2009 to 2014, it was basically the chaotic, hilarious, and often emotional roundtable we all needed. Hosted by Aliya-Jasmine Sovani (and later Lauren Collins), the show brought together a rotating cast of gay men answering rapid-fire questions about love, sex, relationships, and everything in between.
But what happened to the guys who spilled all their tea on national TV? Grab your nostalgia goggles because in celebration of our new This Candle Smells Like 1 Girl 5 Gays candle we’re doing a Where Are They Now? deep dive on some of the most memorable 1G5G cast members. And, to be fair, if reading isn't your thing some of the guys did a 1 Girl 5 Gays reunion on Entertainment Tonight a couple years back which you can watch here.
Aliya-Jasmine Sovani (The OG "1 Girl")
The queen who held it all together, AJ left 1G5G in 2013 and went on to do a million cool things, including working for NBC and the WWF (the wildlife one, not the wrestling one). She’s still killing it in journalism and environmental activism, proving she was always way more than just a host—she was the moment. Oh, and she's also now a wife and mother! GOALS
Lauren Collins (The Degrassi Crossover We Didn’t Deserve but Absolutely Needed)
When AJ left, our girl Paige Michalchuk from Degrassi stepped in to host. These days, Lauren is acting, podcasting, and doing all the millennial mom things. Still iconic. Still a Canadian treasure.
Jonathan Nathaniel (Heartthrob Turned Hollywood)
Jonathan was one of the 1G5G guys who seemed like he was ready to take over Hollywood—and guess what? He kinda did. He’s now an actor and model, appearing in shows like Star Trek: Discovery and The Bold Type.
David Robert (From Reality Royalty to Finance & Music Mogul)
Since his 1G5G days, David Robert has built a thriving career in both entertainment and business. As an executive at Canada’s largest bank, he’s made a name for himself in the finance world while also managing platinum-selling singer Danny Fernandes, known for hits like Fantasy and Private Dancer. Whether in the boardroom or the music industry, David continues to prove that his knack for success goes far beyond the spotlight. Oh, and no, he's not still with Robbie.
JP Larocque (The Brains & The Banter)
JP was always one of the sharpest voices on the show, and it’s no surprise he’s now a successful writer and producer. He’s worked on shows like Slasher and Sort Of, bringing queer stories to the screen in a way 1G5G fans would totally appreciate.
Matthew Di Mera (The Journalist With an Edge)
Matthew went on to become a powerhouse in media and LGBTQ+ advocacy. He’s the founder of The Resolve, a Canadian journalism platform that amplifies underrepresented voices.
JP Bevilacqua (The Charmer Turned Newlywed)
JP Bevilacqua was one of the most effortlessly charming and quick-witted voices on 1G5G, always ready with a hilarious one-liner or a brutally honest take. After his time on the show, he continued living his best life outside the spotlight, focusing on career, love, and all things fabulous. And in exciting news—he recently got married! While he may have left reality TV behind, JP is still thriving, proving that life after 1G5G can come with its own happily ever after.
Ian Lynch (The Comedian & Quizmaster)
Ian was always the guy bringing the laughs, and that hasn’t changed. He’s a stand-up comic, TV personality, and host, having lent his quick wit to both game shows and radio. Over the years, he’s been on the airwaves with CBC and SiriusXM, proving that his sharp humor translates just as well off-screen. Yes, 1G5G alumni are truly out here doing everything.
Michael Yerxa (Travel & TV Star)
Michael took his TV charm and turned it into a career in travel journalism. He’s been hosting travel shows, working behind the scenes in entertainment, and making us all wish we were on vacation.
Philip Tetro (From Reality TV to Wedding Royalty)
After 1G5G, Philip carved out a name for himself in the world of luxury events, becoming one of the top wedding coordinators in the Greater Toronto Area. Known for his impeccable taste and ability to turn any event into a dream celebration, he’s been behind some of the most stunning weddings in the city. Beyond event planning, he’s built businesses, launched brands, and stayed deeply connected to pop culture—because let’s be real, once you make reality TV history, you never really leave it behind. And yes, he still loves Christmas.
Jake Mossop (From MTV to Medicine – and a Brief Stop at ET Canada)
Jake Mossop was the effortlessly cool, sharp-witted guy on 1G5G who always had something insightful (and occasionally shady) to say. After his time on the show, he briefly stepped into the entertainment news world as a host on ET Canada, proving that his on-screen charisma extended beyond the MTV roundtable. However, his true calling was in healthcare—he became a registered nurse and a passionate advocate for public health. Whether he was dishing out truth on TV or helping people in the real world, Jake has always kept it smart, stylish, and straight to the point.
Some of the cast members have kept a lower profile, but one thing’s for sure—1 Girl 5 Gays was ahead of its time. It gave queer voices a platform, started conversations that needed to happen, and, let’s be real, made for some extremely quotable TV.
Should MTV Canada bring it back? Probably. But until then, let’s light a candle (preferably the This Candle Smells Like 1 Girl 5 Gays candle!) and reminisce about the days when answering “20 Questions” was the most important thing on TV.
