Even if you only met Michael Milani once, you never forgot him. Better known as Giovanni Milani, he died unexpectedly over the weekend. He was 33.
Originally from Maryland, Milani lived in Dallas before moving to South Florida about five years ago. Milani was vibrant, high-energy, and had, as one friend put it, a “no bullshit attitude.”
Angelique Goddess-LaBeija was first to post the news on his Facebook page. “My heart is torn apart into pieces to know that our amazing friend and promoter Giovanni Milani is not with us anymore. Wilton Manors is not gonna be the same anymore.”
When he walked into a room, you knew he had arrived. Milani seemed to know everyone everywhere he went. One of his frequent haunts was Tap That Ash cigar bar. On Sunday, friends there set up a memorial with his picture, a drink, and candle.
With his model good looks, Milani worked in the adult entertainment industry. He once managed dancers at LeBoy and eventually became a manager/booker for other area models.
Milani had been out with friends just hours before he was found.
An official cause of death has not been issued, however a GoFundMe page, raising money for a memorial, said he passed away in his sleep.
Milani’s life had its ups and downs, and he was open about his history of drug use, including a heroin habit that eventually landed him in prison. During his sentence, Milani said he was a frequent victim of sexual assault.
He told the Too Posh Podcast that after his release he was scared to get tested for HIV/STIs. He was relieved to “only” have syphilis.
Milani says he was a multi-sport “jock” in high school who was very popular. His life changed after a video of him kissing another guy made the rounds at school. He says everyone turned on him, which he says led to him hanging out with unsavory people who started, enabled, and encouraged his drug habit.
That rejection stayed with him the rest of his life. He recently shared a story about seeing a gay, high school age couple walk by.
“It made me cry. I had to process it. I realized it was just because that was the life I wish I had at that age. What could my life of been like if my early years weren’t so full of hate and judgement? I thought to myself. Not saying I’m doing horrible right now, but it was also happy tears as well, seeing how much times have changed.”
