Brad Mondo's Open Truth: Video Confessions, Interviews, and Public Statements
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
When Mondo launched XMONDO Hair in 2019, industry skeptics assumed it was another standard influencer licensing deal where a social media personality slaps their name on third-party formulas. Mondo took the opposite route. He retained heavy creative and equity control, investing heavily in product research and testing formulas across diverse hair textures.
His company quickly expanded from styling aids like Glitterati into semi-permanent vivid colors with XMONDO Color, directly serving the creative DIY community that flocked to his channel. Throughout this corporate maturation, Mondo refused to adopt corporate speak. His marketing campaigns featured diverse, gender-nonconforming models and vibrant aesthetics that reflected the LGBTQ+ spaces he inhabits.
The business paid off. By operating as an authentic extension of his personality, XMONDO bypassed millions in traditional advertising overhead. Mondo proved that an openly gay digital native could helm a multi-million-dollar hair brand without scrubbing away the quirks and directness that made him famous.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
