“Summer House” star KJ Dillard is using his voice for good. To close out Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the reality star has teamed up with Kenneth Cole as the face of the fashion brand’s Summer 2026 collection and the newest addition to the company’s “Purposeful Voices” series. The latest series highlights leaders who use their platforms to spread awareness about meaningful conversations. Previous ambassadors have included Rachel Platten, Jay Shetty, Isabella Strahan, Malika Andrews, and Satchel Lee.
Dillard, a model, musician, and former professional skateboarder, has become the next face of Kenneth Cole’s Summer 2026 collection. In his role as an ambassador, the TV personality is hoping to spark meaningful conversations about a range of topics, including mental health, identity, and masculinity, according to a press release sent to The Blast.
In some of the photos received by The Blast, Dillard is styled in a curated selection that brings “the collection’s themes of authenticity, resilience, and individuality to life.” By partnering with Kenneth Cole, Dillard is using his voice to spread awareness and reflect on the importance of “speaking up, embracing personal growth, and using vulnerability as a source of strength to help others feel less alone.”
KJ Dillard Says Being Part Of Kenneth Cole’s New Collection ‘Means The World To Me’
Speaking with Bravo’s Daily Dish, the “Summer House” star said that being part of Kenneth Cole’s new collection and joining the team as the next ambassador of the “Purposeful Voices” series is an honor.
“Being involved in this campaign means the world to me,” he said about the moment. “This type of career move speaks to my larger goals with my career in the entertainment industry by showing me that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.”
KJ Dillard Got Candid About His Partnership With Kenneth Cole Online
Online, Dillard shared snaps of some of his looks from the new collection and reflected on the line’s meaning in the caption.
“Representation matters. So do the conversations that happen behind it,” he said. “In the Purposeful Voices campaign with @kennethcole I reflect on my experience navigating life in the spotlight, becoming the first Black man on @summerhouse_bravo, and the mental health challenges I’ve faced along the way.”
During the “Summer House” reunion, Dillard spoke candidly with his co-stars and host Andy Cohen about his struggles with mental health and being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.
Speaking with Ebony, the reality star reflected even further on that, saying, “ [Black people] hold so much in, and doing the work is hard. Looking in the mirror and saying to myself, ‘I have a lot of trauma,’ and being Black in America, we unintentionally take on things that we don’t realize. I had to dig deep to understand why my whole life, I’ve been running from myself. Why I hate myself. Why I’m not comfortable in my own skin,” he said.
“I got diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) while I was in the hospital. Understanding what BPD is, it makes sense of my behavior. At the same time, it’s like a mix of everything. Men, especially, it doesn’t matter if you’re Black or not, they do not want to admit when they are not good,” he added.
Dillard Thanked His ‘Summer House’ Co-Stars For Their Support
As the conversation continued, Dillard told Cohen he was grateful for the support of his “Summer House” co-stars when he was in a dark place in his life.
“Everyone here has somewhat shown support in their own way, so I appreciate that,” Dillard said. “And I’m very thankful that the audience is just embracing that because it’s my truth, you know, and I’m not gonna not be honest about what I go through, especially if it can help others.”
Dillard Opens Up About His Career
In a previous interview with Bravo, Dillard opened up about his growing career, saying, “A lot of the things I do are project-based with my job; I make music as well. So, it’s like, if I’m working on a single, an EP or album, or if I have anything modeling or skateboard-related that I’m working on at the time, it’s very project-based.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. You can call or text 988 anytime to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit SAMHSA or NAMI for additional support and resources.