TV personality and the host of Hollywood Today Live, Ross Mathews, is ready to kick off Capital Pride in Washington, D.C. this weekend. For the second year in a row, Mathews joins the Marriott Rewards #LoveTravels Pride campaign, debuting a massive art installation Friday night, and acting as official community ambassador on the company's Pride float on Saturday.
Ross sat down with PRIDE to discuss the campaign, his passion for travel and his parade float wave technique!
PRIDE: This is your second year participating with the Marriott Rewards #LoveTravels campaign. What about this project, in particular, drew you back for a second time?
Ross Mathews: It’s all about people sharing their stories, their personal stories, their passions, celebrating who they are, what they love, where they travel. And that’s really what I’m all about. I preach all the time about embracing things that are different, and who you are, your story. And I think connecting and communicating with people changes minds, changes attitudes, changes hearts — and that’s what #LoveTravels is all about. And honestly, I think that’s what life is all about.
When discussing the project, Stacey Milne, VP of Portfolio Marketing Strategy & Planning at Marriott, said, "Art is a universal language that evokes passion and spurs travel." How has art and travel inspired you in your career?
I consider myself an artist, even though I’m not Picasso. I create moments on television, that’s what I do, I put the puzzle pieces together and make it happen. In order to have any interesting point of view or anything interesting to say, you’ve got to meet interesting people, see interesting things and be inspired by others and inspired by art. There’s no way to do that without traveling, without talking to people, without finding what you’re passionate about. It’s about defining your story, celebrating who you are and who you love. That’s how you get cultured, that’s how you get a point of view. That’s why I partner with #LoveTravels because that’s what they’re all about.
What can you tell us about this year's Marriott Rewards #LoveTravels parade float?
Well, I’m a parade person, I love parade people. I like waving, I love smiling. The trick is you have to alternate arms, you’re gonna be sore the next day, honey! Alternate your waving arms! Seriously, stretch! And you need sunscreen; it’s gonna be warm, so dress cool. But, I’m not going to give anything away about what it looks like.
I can tell you, Friday night, #LoveTravels and Marriott Rewards are doing this really extraordinary thing. They’ve encouraged and empowered people to create artistic expressions of love. To actually take canvases and express what love is to them. Then we’re going to put it together in one big, vibrant work of art that supports the LGBT community. Over 3500 people submitting art from nearly 100 countries from around the world. And it’s all going to be one big exhibit. And we’re going to unveil it Friday night to kick off Capital Pride. It’s going to be so cool!
And for every art submission for this big installation, Marriott is making a donation to Casa Ruby, which is the only bilingual, multicultural LGBT organization in D.C. It’s run by trans women of color, and they’re providing life-saving services to the most vulnerable people in our community.
Photo via Casa Ruby
You’ll be joined in that unveiling by Laverne Cox. What’s it like working with her?
Yes! I’ve known Laverne for a long time. A few years, ever since Orange is the New Black came out. The first time I met her was at the GLAAD Awards, I was hosting, and instantly I’m like, “I love you!” And she’s gone on to do such great things, in a pretty short time. Really, no one can say they don’t know anyone who’s trans now because Laverne has such a large platform. This conversation about trans people is driving in this country, and it’s a beautiful thing.
Why do you think it's important for large, international companies like Marriott to support these kinds of initiatives?
It’s important because it’s about having the conversation, keeping the conversation going and spreading the message of #LoveTravels. Marriott Rewards and Marriott International, they have a commitment to a culture of diversity and inclusion. They want their guests to feel welcome and enjoy themselves. They want to spread the message of #LoveTravels throughout the world. And we’re going to do it in D.C. this weekend. We’ll start there — then on to the next! It’s an important message, and I’m thrilled that Marriott Rewards wants to do this, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
