1. What are your goals for the future?
I like this question very much! Goals are extremely important to me. At times when my goals are not as clear or
focused as I think they should be, I feel a profound sense that I am lacking in direction. I actually write down
my goals and keep them with me in my day planner. This helps me keep track of how well I am doing and forces me to
either work harder or set higher goals. In terms of my career as an actor and model, I not only want to be in
front of the camera but also want to learn the entire process. Eventually, I would love to produce and direct my
own films and perhaps record an album and write a few books. Who knows? My mother always taught me that if I can
dream it, I can achieve it. However, my main goal is to put myself in the position to be able to provide well for
my family. When I have children, I want to play a substantial and very hands on role, in raising them. I also
aspire to be able to give back to my mother for all the sacrifices she made for my sisters and me through the years.
That is the goal that keeps me going the most.
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2. When people meet you, what are they most surprised about?
The thing that I hear most, is that I never seem to run out of energy or ideas and always seem to be having fun.
To that I always have the same reply -- since there is nothing in the world I would rather be doing for a living, I cant
help but enjoy myself.
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3. Do you consider yourself successful?
I consider myself lucky. I am lucky to be healthy and to have family and friends who love me. I am lucky to have had a
great education. I am lucky to have a warm bed to sleep in at night and food on the table when I awake. I once heard that
success is composed of only about 10% talent and 90% luck. Well, I am very lucky!
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4. What are some positive experiences you have had while modeling/acting?
I am a people person. It fascinates me to try and understand why people do the things they do. So, to me, the most
enjoyable experiences occur when I share synergy with another actor or model. I think sharing that profound connection,
with another individual, while creating art (scenes or pictures) is magical. I also love to travel and one of the perks
to this career is getting to see some of the worlds most beautiful locations.
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5. Any negative experiences or aspects of the modeling and acting industry?
The industry itself can be extremely discouraging at times. My background is in sports. Athletics is a field in which
you can constantly gage how well you are doing. Coaches select teams that will provide them with the most success.
The outcome of each play, game or season is the direct result of you having done your job right or wrong. The only way to
get better at your job is to train harder or play better. In the simplest terms, there are no shortcuts. Overall, the
amount of success or failure an athlete has in their career can be attributed only to their talent and the dedication they
have to being the best they can be. Unfortunately, the entertainment business is not so linear. The most talented, is not
always the one who gets the job. The result is that success is not, necessarily, the outcome of talent. Also, with the
tremendous amount of importance that is based on image these days, rather than performance (skill), many extremely talented
models and actors never get their just due. Conversely, many spoiled or lazy entertainers, are afforded with too many
chances to perform poorly. As an example of this I point to the rapid success, in both the modeling and acting industries,
of several cast members from reality based television programs such as, The Real World, Jackass and Survivor. These
individuals were able to launch industry careers simply because they gained facial recognition from those shows. This
begs the question: would they have had the same success, if they went to an open call for the very same industry jobs
that are now being offered to them, without having been on those programs? In my opinion, this is negative, due to the
disproportionate amount of success one can achieve without necessarily having put in the hard work to get there.
Entertainers as a whole do not appreciate what they have. Where most athletes have trained and played for a lifetime
before they can stake claim to the fortune and fame; many of todays industry stars have not had to earn their success
at all.
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6. What is your favorite thing to model?
That definitely depends on whether I am working alone or with another model. If I am alone, I most enjoy editorial shoots
in which I can play in my surroundings and try and communicate a concept or idea to the camera. Often, this can be
challenging and I like that. If I am working with another model, I prefer to do high fashion shoots, where the two of us
together can create a mood. I guess that relates back to my earlier comments about synergy.
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7. Can you speak any language other than English?
I studied Spanish thru High School and College and use to speak it fluently. However, I have not spoken the language in a few years.
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8. What is the most exciting place you have ever been to?
Amsterdam is probably the most exciting place I have visited because it was so open and liberal.
Even the plane ride over had good energy. However, I plan to visit Ibiza, Spain this summer, so I will have to get back to
you!
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9. Favorite music?
I definitely have extremely eclectic musical tastes. I enjoy everything from Hip-Hop and R&B; to Jazz and Classic Rock. In my 6-disc changer right now are: Jay-Z, N.E.R.D, Dave Matthews, Santana, Norah Jones and Led Zeppelin. And here is a tip on the next BIG THING in music...check out JOSH FIX:
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF JOSH FIX & THE FURIOUS FORCE. Josh is my favorite new artist.
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10. What do you think is the secret of true happiness?
To concentrate on understanding who I am as an individual and then being consistent with that self image when dealing with
others. I try not to let anyone other than myself determine the things I want in life. The result is that, more often than
not, I am content doing exactly what I am doing at any given moment.
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11. Have you ever fallen in love at first sight?
Yes.
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12. What would be best present you would give to the woman you love?
All of myself.
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13. Have you ever been the object of unrequited love?
Yes.
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14. Are there certain people in your life that you look up to?
My hero is my mother. The reason is because she has always shown me that anything is possible with hard work and a
little initiative. From her example, I firmly believe that we each create our own destiny; and that inspires me each and
every day!
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15. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to dance. To me it represents the combination art and sport. Those are my two favorite things. I am also becoming a
big fan of golf. It is relaxing.
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16. How do you stay in shape?
When I was playing football and lacrosse I would train for about 2-3 hours each day. These days, my focus on on slimming
down rather than bulking up, so I watch what I eat, roller blade and take dance. I am also looking into starting yoga.
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17. What is your birthdate?
April 21, 1977. (Taurus)
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18. What is some of the best advice you have received in your career?
Pearls of wisdom come to us every day. The key is to listen and understand them; and then be able to apply the advice to your goals in life. Here are a few gems that I have taken in:
If opportunity doesnt knock, build a door.
- Milton Berle.
One person with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew jackson.
Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.
- Booker T. Washington.
Experience is not what happens to a man; It is what a man does with what happens to him.
- Aldous Huxley.
Eveybodys got a plan...until he gets hit.
- Mike Tyson.
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