This is the American dream!
Taylor Phillips may be known as a very recognizable gay influencer, but the model admits that his current reality didn't just happen overnight. Before social media really took off with major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, the star would built an incognito account on Tumblr to manifest his dream life.
"I'm from a small, conservative town in southern Indiana. Growing up, I thought the best thing I could do was work at the bank. I started online in 2009 and I was an OG Tumblr kid! That's really where it started. I've been a kid of the internet for many years. I was manifesting this aesthetic and now I'm living it," Phillips tells Out.
Once Phillips graduated college and took a leap of faith by moving to New York City as an aspiring model, the creator picked up a camera and started documenting his life on YouTube. Once he went viral for releasing his coming out video in 2019, the star surrounded himself with his queer peers and started living life on his own terms.
Now, Phillips is married to his better half and fellow influencer Jeff O'Donnell as they travel the world, launch new businesses, and create new digital opportunities for upcoming gay influencers.
"Jeff and I are truly together 24/7. We spend as much time together as possible. We're best friends, roommates, husbands, and partners in crime. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's crazy how small my dreams were when I was younger. I knew I was going to make it, so here we are. It's a dream come true!"
Following an impressive career in luxury fashion and brand marketing for 15 years, Phillips is now launching his own apparel line titled GoodPark. What originally started as influencer merchandise expanded into a full business that features athleisure, menswear, and even swimwear.
"I can sell a Speedo! I wanted to create a swim option that wasn't overly sporty or overly sexual. It's been so fun! It's such a cool experience to watch people wear stuff we're making. Confidence is key! It totally comes from within. If you believe you're confident, then it's true. Giving people the option to feel good in it is such a humbling experience."
Phillips not only wants to help queer men channel their inner sexy with his new apparel, but he wants to inspire any queer people who have similar backgrounds to dream big and live their lives unapologetically.
"All I've done is set out to live my life as myself and documenting that allows somebody else to do that exact same thing. The DM's are very humbling! I have screenshots of all of the good ones for a rainy day. We met a couple at WorldPride in Amsterdam and it was their first Pride. They said seeing our content inspired them to experience something like that. To be a catalyst for anyone to start that journey... it's too much!"
As anti-LGBTQ+ legislation continues to gain momentum across the globe, Phillips wants to remind everyone in the queer community to stay strong and push back against any negativity.
"I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. This is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. There's so many years of ups-and-downs, but we're committed to making a difference for someone. The world is so much bigger than you think. It can feel isolating when you're alone, but there's so many opportunities. Whatever is meant for you will find you."
Fans can follow Taylor Phillips on Instagram here and learn more about GoodPark on their official website.
