Today we’d like to introduce you to Keauno Perez.
Hi Keauno, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Joshua, TX. I attended college at Tarleton State University where I received my bachelor and master’s degree in Communication Studies. I moved to Fayetteville, AR to work at the University of Arkansas as the Coordinator for Greek Housing. After a year I transferred to the position of Coordinator for Residence Education for Pomfret Hall where I worked for almost four years. During the pandemic, I went through a self-reflective time where I accepted myself as a gay male. I wanted to start living life for myself and not based on other’s views or fear, I wanted to live as my authentic self. I did feel “stuck” in that I was in five years a career I was not sure I wanted to continue to pursue and had no idea where to start living my authentic self. One day while scrolling on Tiktok, I saw a casting director asking for people to apply to be on a reality show for a major streaming platform where the casts would move to Austin, TX. As a millennial, I was not sure if the Tiktok video was real and went to Instagram, where I saw the same casting video. I decided to apply to the show! The next week I received a call for an interview, I was confused at first because I was job applying at the time and could not remember a job that I applied for in Austin. I then realized it was for the reality show I had applied for. After that week, it felt I had an interview or phone call every week throughout the summer. Then one Tuesday, I received a call that Netflix would like for me to be casted and if I could be in Austin by Thursday. It was a whirlwind from there. I had planned to take a leave of absence from my job however due to the length of time I would be gone, it was not permitted. I had to resign from my job and move out of my apartment due to my job housing me in 48 hours. My life was then filmed in Austin, TX with seven other roommates from late August to early November to later be known as Twentysomethings: Austin. I am so thankful the experience took place in Austin, TX. The city was such an accepting place for me, for the first time in my life I was living as an out gay men. Spoilers if you have not watched the show but I go through making friends as an out gay men, to having my first kiss, to my first heartbreak, to starting to live my authentic life.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I faced many challenges on my journey on Twentysomethings; Austin. I have never been public about being a gay men, and for the first time, I was with people I barely knew and with cameras following me. I had to gain confidence in myself, in which self-confidence is something I have always struggled with. At 28 years old, I was the eldest in the house. I felt I was a little old or behind to be “starting over”. I realized through my journey that you are never too old to start living as your authentic self or to start a new journey. Newley out, I struggled with accepting myself as a gay man. I am thankful for the love my roommates, my family, and the city of Austin gave me that helped me accept myself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Before filing Twentysomethings: Austin, I was working in higher education specifically housing. Moving to Austin, I had to resign from my job and knew I wanted to try and change career paths. I am currently still searching for a career in Austin, being open to any opportunity. Austin is a growing city for tech and I am hopeful to land a job in the tech industry. I have future dreams to continue reality TV, television hosting, and one day having my own Keke boutique/ store that all feel welcome to shop or lounge. I want to continue to advocate for the queer community and for non-profit organizations. I am excited to be monitoring a panel at SXSW with three nonprofit leaders who are all under the age of 30.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Its never too late and you are never too old to start living life for yourself. I remember at 25 thinking I would never be out as a gay men and having no hope, to three years later my life is completely turned around in a positive way. I used to define my success with my career, however I laugh now because I am the happiest I have ever been but I am currently unemployed. Happiness comes from within, you have to focus on being happy and proud of yourself.
Contact Info:
- Email: keaunoperez.info@gmail.com
- Website: https://hoo.be/keke
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keaunoperez/?utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=page
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeaunoPerez?s=20&t=3fNSkoahf8lYnpLccY1uXA&utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=page
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@keaunoperez?utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=page
Image Credits
New York photo by Eddie Merino Insta @emmultimediacorp
