The Many Lives of Steven Cojocaru — Style, Struggle and Survival

A Childhood Spark Ignites a Hollywood Trajectory

Born on July 4, 1972, in Montreal, Quebec, to Romanian immigrant parents, Steven Cojocaru — commonly known as “Cojo” — channeled early instincts for flair and presentation into what would become a prolific career in fashion journalism and television. 

As a child, Cojocaru already showed a flair for style — a love that, according to his own memoirs, drew both admiration and taunting during his school years.  These early glimpses of his aesthetic boldness, combined with a drive to belong and express, laid the foundation for his future as a fashion provocateur.

From Small Magazines to Hollywood Red Carpets

Cojo made his professional debut writing for the Canadian magazine Flare in the late 1980s.  Not long after, he crossed the border into the United States, carrying nothing but ambition — and an acute sense of style.

He began as a stringer for People Magazine, before rising to become their West Coast style editor, writing the column “Behind the Seams.” 

His flair for bold fashion commentary and his sharp, witty voice soon opened the doors to television. Over the years, Cojocaru contributed to several high-profile entertainment programs such as Entertainment Tonight, The Today Show, The Insider, and Access Hollywood — becoming a recognizable face in the world’s most glamorous events. 

He also expanded his presence beyond commentary: Cojocaru hosted specials for networks like VH1 (for example, “Cojo’s Best and Worst Dressed of the Year”), and starred in his own TV special, “Red Carpet Confidential.” 

In addition, he’s the author of two memoirs: Red Carpet Diaries: Confessions of a Glamour Boy (2003) and Glamour, Interrupted (2008). Through these, Cojocaru offered readers a behind-the-scenes peek at Hollywood, fame, fashion — and his personal vulnerabilities. 

Between Glitz and Grit: Health, Survival & Reinvention

Behind the glimmering façade of red carpets and high-fashion wardrobes, Cojocaru grapples with a major health challenge. He was diagnosed with a hereditary condition, Polycystic Kidney Disease, which eventually necessitated not just one, but two kidney transplants. 

The first transplant — from a close friend — was unfortunately rejected because of infection. After months of dialysis, in 2005 he turned to his mother, who donated a kidney that restored his health. 

Rather than hide his story, Cojocaru transformed his ordeal into advocacy. In his second memoir, he chronicled his journey as a patient, titled Glamour, Interrupted, reflecting both the trials and resilience inherent in serious illness.  He has since used his platform to raise awareness about kidney disease, encourage organ donation, and offer solidarity — proving that vulnerability and style can coexist.

What’s Cojo Worth — The Business of a Style Icon

Estimating a public figure’s wealth is always an approximation, yet several sources suggest that Steven Cojocaru’s net worth lies between US$2 million to US$3 million.

This wealth reflects not only his long career as a fashion correspondent and television contributor, but also his work as an author of two memoirs, his presence at high-paid speaking engagements, and his continued influence in fashion commentary and celebrity culture.

Love, Identity and Life Beyond the Spotlight

Cojocaru is openly gay, and over the years his identity and personal story have added richness and depth to his public persona. 

While he rarely headlines tabloids for romantic relationships, his candidness about his health and sexuality — paired with his flamboyant style — has endeared him to many in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Through his advocacy and storytelling, Cojocaru has become a relatable figure for those who see fashion and vulnerability as intertwined.

Legacy of “Cojo”: Style, Survival, and Self-Expression

Steven Cojocaru’s journey defies the typical narrative of celebrity stylists or pundits. From a Montreal childhood with Romanian roots, to the glimmer of Hollywood — and then to the darker hallways of hospitals and organ transplants — his life encapsulates reinvention, resilience, and reinvention again.

He remains a fixture of style reporting, a mentor through his memoirs, and an advocate for kidney disease awareness. Cojo shows that glamour need not be superficial — it can survive, even grow stronger, through adversity.