Gaetano rose to stardom in 2003 as a contestant on Big Brother Africa. Since his appearance on the show, he has become well-known and respected by young people across Eastern and Southern Africa. He has lived and worked in Uganda, Kenya, Lesotho and South Africa, as well as in the United States where he obtained a degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin.

Gaetano is actively involved in numerous AIDS awareness campaigns around Africa, advocating for an end to HIV stigma and discrimination and for the greater involvement of young people in the response.

As UNAIDS Special Representative, he will focus on reaching out to young men and women to help develop important discussions about HIV and gender.