David Bromstad is one of HGTV’s most beloved stars, known for his infectious personality, vibrant tattoos, and eye for stunning design.
As the host of My Lottery Dream Home, he’s helped countless people find their dream houses after hitting it big—but behind his charismatic smile is a past filled with emotional scars, rejection, and struggle. Long before the cameras, fame, and fans, Bromstad faced a tragic fate that shaped the person he is today.
From a childhood filled with bullying to being ostracized for his sexuality, Bromstad’s journey to self-acceptance and success was anything but easy. Today, he’s not only a design icon but a beacon of resilience and pride in the LGBTQ+ community.
Born on August 17, 1973, in Cokato, Minnesota, David Reed Bromstad was raised in a conservative Christian household by parents Richard Harold and Diane Marlys Bromstad. Growing up as the youngest of four children in a small Midwest town, David always felt different.
From a young age, he knew he was g@y—but in a place and time where being LGBTQ+ was neither discussed nor accepted, he had few, if any, outlets for support.
In an emotional interview with Passport Magazine, Bromstad reflected on his early years:
“Back in the day, there was no such thing as LGBTQ where I was. There wasn’t even a term, so there was no community to look for.”
David’s school life was even more brutal. After moving to a new city, he was immediately singled out for being different. He became the target of relentless bullying—not just from classmates, but shockingly, even from school staff.
He once recalled in a heartbreaking story:
“Going to school was torture for me, and I dreaded going to school for fear of being tormented every day. I was always the center of every joke and always laughed at… even the junior high principal joined in the ridicule.”
One particularly traumatic moment still haunts him—standing in the cafeteria as nearly 600 students mocked him in unison with obscene gestures. It wasn’t just bullying—it was public humiliation, condoned by authority figures. He described it as one of the darkest moments of his life, when he truly felt alone.
Although David has not gone into great detail publicly about his family’s response to his sexuality, it’s clear that the atmosphere in his conservative household didn’t provide the affirmation he desperately needed at the time. Coming out was not a celebration; it was a quiet act of bravery amid deep emotional risk.
While over time, it appears David has maintained a relationship with his family, there is no denying that the initial journey toward acceptance—internally and externally—was isolating. Unlike many who grow up with supportive parents or LGBTQ+ mentors, David had to forge his own path through fear and misunderstanding.
Despite the emotional toll of his early years, David Bromstad never stopped dreaming. He pursued his passion for art and design at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida, eventually working as a Disney illustrator before turning to interior design.
His big break came in 2006 when he won the first season of HGTV Design Star, launching a successful career that led to shows like Color Splash and eventually My Lottery Dream Home.
Today, Bromstad is not just a successful designer—he’s a proud g@y man who uses his platform to represent and empower others. His bold, tattooed style and open personality have made him a fan favorite, and his presence on HGTV has helped bring LGBTQ+ representation to mainstream television.
In reflecting on his journey, David once said:
“HGTV was like, ‘We love you for who you are and never want you to hide yourself.’ That was a gift I’ll never forget.”
Keith Bynum: Another HGTV Star Who Faced Family Rejection
David Bromstad’s story of overcoming rejection and bullying is echoed in the life of another HGTV personality—Bargain Block star Keith Bynum.
Like Bromstad, Bynum grew up in a conservative environment in West Texas and discovered his love for art and design early in life. But when he came out to his family, the reaction was devastating. In a 2021 Pride Month conversation with David Bromstad himself, Bynum revealed that he was disowned by his family after coming out.
“It did not go well when I came out. So they have essentially disowned me,” he said.
His father cut him out of the family will and told him that being g@y meant he would never succeed in construction.
On top of that, Keith faced workplace discrimination while working as a foreman in Austin, Texas, recalling the “hateful things” said to and about him. Eventually, he left Texas, moved to Colorado, and met his partner Evan Thomas—together, they built a business and found their place on HGTV.
In 2022, Keith experienced a bittersweet reconciliation with his mother, only to lose her to brain cancer shortly after. He continues to honor her memory through his art and storytelling.