Italy’s Julio Spatola is Mr. Gay World 2025!
Move over, Prince Charming—Julio Spatola has arrived, and he’s taking his rightful place on the global queer throne. The Italian heartthrob—and self-professed nerd with the charm of a comic book lead—was just crowned Mr. Gay World 2025, and the crown could not look better on anyone else. From the moment Spatola stepped onto the stage in the Philippines, he radiated confidence, kindness, and that unmistakable “I’m here to make you scream, cry, and cheer all at once” Italian energy.
Photo Credit: @mgworganization (Instagram)
This year’s competition brought together fierce contenders from the Philippines, Great Britain, Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, the United States, South Africa, and more. Out of twelve stunning candidates, Spatola soared to the top—snatching both the Best Swimwear and Best Formal Wear awards along the way, as if to remind everyone that yes, superheroes do exist, and sometimes they show up in a tight speedo.
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A Nerdy Italian Icon with a Superhero Heart
If you think Spatola is just muscle and megawatt smiles, think again. Behind the jawline sharp enough to cut glass is a lifelong cinephile who grew up believing Spider-Man’s most iconic line: “With great power comes great responsibility.” That mantra became the backbone of his life, his creativity, and his advocacy.
As a visual effects artist, videographer, and editor, Spatola has actually fulfilled the dream of millions—working on Marvel films while using his talents to amplify messages of love, inclusion, and LGBTQIA+ pride. To him, queerness and creativity go hand in hand. As he once shared, storytelling is a superpower, and he intends to use it for good.
His journey has been long and glittering. Crowning moments include Mr. Gay Street, Mr. Gay Rome, Mr. Gay Italy, and even Mr. Gay Europe. Now, at 40, he’s standing center stage as Mr. Gay World, embracing not only his queerness but also his identity as an Aspie—a journey he speaks about with profound openness and tenderness.
From a Flyer in Rome to a Global Stage
Spatola’s pageant origin story is legendary—equal parts petty, romantic, and iconic.
“My first Mr. Gay Street participation happened completely by chance, right outside my home in Rome near the Colosseum,” he shared in an interview with gay.it.
He had been walking with his boyfriend when he spotted a flyer.
“I joked: ‘Imagine if I entered…’ And he replied, ‘As long as you’re with me, you’ll never do it.’”
That was all the motivation he needed. Out of pure principle, Spatola signed up on the very last day—and won both Mr. Gay Street and Mr. Gay Rome in one night.
Photo Credit: Mr. Gay World (Facebook)
What started as a spur-of-the-moment decision became his lifelong path. One crown fell into the next, and before long he found himself representing Italy in contests where authenticity mattered just as much as aesthetics.
Representation Beyond Rhinestones
To Spatola, pageants aren’t merely glitter and perfectly oiled abs—they’re platforms for visibility, power, and truth. In his words:
“I’ve always seen Mr. Gay as a superhero. A heroic figure fighting for visibility and pride in being oneself. His greatest power is exactly that: getting on a stage and declaring, loudly, ‘I’m gay and proud.’”
That philosophy guided him even when he helped bring Mr. Gay Europe and Mr. Gay World competitions to Italy. When he had the chance to choose a candidate, he intentionally picked someone who defied the stereotypical “perfect pageant physique.” For him, a titleholder’s true value lies in courage, message, and heart.
He believes beauty can be a doorway—but substance is what turns that doorway into a movement. “A beautiful face can catch the attention of people who would never otherwise listen to a political or social message… but if it contains substance and truth, then that platform becomes useful.”
A Full-Circle Moment at 40
Spatola’s journey is made even more powerful by his late-in-life autism diagnosis. “I was diagnosed autistic only a year ago, at 40,” he said. The discovery, he explained, reframed everything—his social battles, his need to mask, the ways he navigated public spaces.
But here’s the fabulous twist: the “mask” he built for survival—Mr. Gay—became the most authentic expression of himself.
“It transformed me from the shy, insecure nerd I was into someone who felt strong, seen, recognized. Returning now to chase that title means reclaiming that bright part of me.”
Now, crowned Mr. Gay World 2025, Julio Spatola stands as a symbol of resilience, visibility, and powerful queer joy. He is living proof that representation isn’t just about what we look like—it’s about who we dare to become.
REFERENCE: gay.it
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