Published: September 24, 2009 11:14 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
JC Interview Exclusive: (October 2009) John Stallings
John Stallings Robert John Kley Photography
Actor/model John Stallings became a household name when he first was seen as one of the inspiring male models on the series "Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model". After that exposure on the show, John later was featured on The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency and later selected as a model by Janice Dickinson for her eponymous agency. Today, the super talented entertainer is spreading his wings into new ventures including acting where he can currently be seen playing the villain in the 3rd installment of the Eating Out series. Our Webzine recently caught up with John who was kind enough to answer our questions. Here is what developed. Enjoy!
Isaac: It is a pleasure to have you featured in our Webzine, John. Let's talk about your upbringing. You were born in Raleigh, North Carolina. What would you say has been the most important life lessons your learned while growing up in the South?
John: Growing up in the South, even if I was only 6 1/2 years old when I moved out and "grew up" in Sandy, Utah, I would have to say the values of respecting elders, opening doors for people, saying "Please and Thank You" every time someone has helped you and knowing how to have a great time on a low budget haha. Southern hospitality goes a long way and I think having the knowledge of what that is has helped me maintain a grounded approach to life.
Isaac: The first time I saw you on TV was when you were featured as one of the new aspiring male models of the reality series Manhunt. Elaborate a little about how you came to get this gig?
John: Oh, "Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model" was a good time and began my connection with such great people in the Entertainment industry. I was living in Los Angeles in 2004 after graduating college in NYC in 2003, couldn't afford to stay in such an expensive city with little space. I would frequent the Coffeebean and Tealeaf on the corner of Fairfax and Sunset right in Hollywood and one day as I was leaving after having a drink by myself, sitting outside enjoying the sun, Stuart Krasnow, the Executive Producer of the "show" tapped me on my shoulder and told me of a new show he was producing about male models and that I would be perfect for it. I didn't think much of it, until he gave me his business card with the NBC peacock logo on it and said to contact him if I were interested. I immediately went to my apartment and got on the internet and emailed him of my interest and it's all downhill from there. I was the first male model to be cast for that show and almost one of the first to be eliminated off. :) haha
Isaac: How tough was it for you to compete in a competition like this with a dozen of other guys who all were hungry for the title of top male model (Explain)?
John: I honestly LOVE the modeling world, and you can say I'm hungry to stay working in the industry, but once I was on the show and saw how other guys pushed and shoved to be in front of the camera so much, I maintained my professionalism and didn't force myself to always be in the spotlight. I made some good friends from my experience and still to this day keep in touch with a couple, but I stayed who I am all the way to elimination. It was funny to see how many guys used more makeup and hair product than I did to get ready for the day, a taping, or for an impromptu shoot. I thought I had a bag filled with many items for primping, but not as much as some of the others...damn. Brushes here, eyelash curlers there, blow dryers and hairspray and pomade or gel. It was AWESOME!
Isaac: What was one of the craziest moments that you can remember about the show?
John: It was great to meet the judges, Carmen Electra, Bruce Hulse and Marissa Miller (now an amazing Victoria Secret model) and to hear what they had to say about the industry, photoshoots, being a celebrity, etc. But I think the craziest moment was when they were taping us after a rooftop party we had one night in one of our rooms with a bunch of "placed" girls. I was sitting next to a window with one of the girls who was smoking and she asked me to hold her cigarette for her while she searched her purse for her cellphone. Well, I had a couple long island iced teas and was holding the cigarette for her out the window when all of a sudden a bit of her hair caught on fire at her ends and I freaked out and immediately threw the cigarette out the window and took her hair into my hands and scruntched it out without her even knowing what happened. I don't even think she knows that ever happened nor the cameras for that matter, which I'm glad, but damn...could have been a disaster of burnt hair and hair product going up in flames! haha
Isaac: Were you disappointed that you were not able to make it further along in competition? Why or why not?
John: I trusted the judges on their decisions and was quite naive as to how the process of reality tv works, but when I was eliminated, Bruce Hulse did say that I was "too high fashion" for the competition and that was a great compliment to receive. I love high fashion and enjoy going in that direction as a male model. I did shed a tear during the elimination, not because I was kicked off, but it was a combination of nerves of how seriously you take such a competition and meeting the new people I had just met and having to immediately say "Goodbye" and wish them all good luck. But as the season aired on Bravo, I saw how the competition progressed and knew that it wasn't for me anymore to be a part of. It was a blessing to be "freed" from the show at an early stage as I then traveled on contract to Asia shortly afterwards.
Isaac: What drew you to want to become a male model?
John: I've always been a performer. I grew up taking dance (tap and jazz and hip-hop) and also gymnastics. Later on I got into music in High School and just loved being on stage and in front of cameras, but I NEVER thought of myself as a male model. There's a stigma to being a male model. A guy with a very defined body, beautiful features, tall, exotic, the list goes on and on, but really being a model, to me, doesn't mean you are GORGEOUS or above anyone else in our society of what we think is good looking. Modeling means you meet certain requirements, based on features and height and weight proportions, but mainly having a UNIQUE look about you. I felt like I was always the plain guy growing up. I wore sweatpants for a year straight during Seventh grade. I had a close group of amazing friends (still two are my best friends today) and really enjoyed not getting wrapped up in crazy crowds. But during the end-of-the-year, Senior fashion show that the DECA club put together, I was strutting my stuff in our auditorium being a model with local fashions on. I was approached afterwards by a local Utah scout and asked if I had ever considered modeling before and that I had such a UNIQUE look. I thought it a bit strange, but I was very interested as it was another aspect to keep "performing" in life. So I gave it a try and LOVE IT!
Robert John Kley Photography
Isaac: You were also featured on The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency and later selected as a model by Janice Dickinson for her eponymous agency. How did that experience help you professionally as a male model?
John: The experience I had on the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency was such a great time and being a friend to Janice has been even better. She would take me aside, off camera, and give me advice on the industry, tell me I had great things going for me and to always be myself. Coming from someone who loves to ham it up in front of cameras, has had a great career in the modeling industry herself and showing that nothing she does is done without her kids in mind, showed me that a sincere, knowledgeable model is telling me that I have IT too. I learned to be more comfortable in front of the cameras on her show and was given more opportunities to learn about myself and modeling because I booked many of the jobs that we casted for. It has also given me a great fan base from all around the world as the show aired in so many countries, re-run after re-run :) So to know that I directly or indirectly inspired someone to be more of who they want to be in life by watching what I have gone through so far, really inspires me to live by my personal motto "KOKO LIAR!"
Isaac: What do you believe is the main reason why male models are not giving the same amount of respect as the female models in your opinion?
John: In my opinion, I wouldn't say that male models aren't given much respect compared to our counterparts "the female model" but we have always been more of an accessory to a photo. Don't forget this is a business and the fashion business is a high money maker. Females have a higher purchasing power than males do, it's better to have the female represented in fashion photos, fashion campaigns, fragrance, etc. and to sex it up you throw in a male model. Ha, I enjoy working and going forward with my passions, so I don't let that phase me. It would be nice to see more male fashion shows, all male campaigns out there, which there certainly are, but we are background pieces in the full picture. Also, there are more restrictions placed on female models in this industry with regards to height, WEIGHT and age! Male models can work far beyond their 30s, but female models "die" after 25 practically, unless they have solidified the title of "Supermodel" under their belt and we all know that has long gone, but should definitely come back - same with the Male Supermodel....let's BRING IT BACK!
Isaac: As an openly gay male model, what have been some of the positive and negative reactions you have received from within the modeling industry?
John: For me, I am what I am and what you see is what you get...I've never changed how I've acted nor ever will unless it's an acting job. ha! So far, I've had nothing but positive reactions towards my talents, at least to my face...:) I did, however, learn while on contract in Asia, I wasn't given a certain modeling casting, because my local agency knew that I am gay and didn't think that I would be butch enough in front of the client. I was angry that they didn't send me on this casting when every other male model in town went, because they immediately generalized their vision of what a gay man is as a stereotype and I felt they really didn't know me as their talent. I agree with this industry that overtly, flamboyant behavior is looked down upon when you are the talent, as you need to come across in your photos, your commercials, ANYTHING as intriguing to both males and females who are watching you or buying the product you are advertising/modeling. You have to be able to cater to both sexes and if you are not disciplined enough to understand that, then you'll be denied many jobs. It stems down to having that "IT" factor, that je ne sais quoi about you that has the public wanting MORE that gets you further and further...I guess I shouldn't be such an open book sometimes - haha
Isaac: Elaborate a little about your life motto "K.O.K.O. L.I.A.R.".
John: "KOKO LIAR" is an acronym for my motto in life standing for "Keep On Keeping On - Life Is A Runway" - My Granddaddy used to write me letters all the time as a child and in the salutation he would always tell me to "Keep on keeping on", so I kept that with me and added "Life Is A Runway" which, to me, life IS a runway. It's a SHOW, filled with lights, music, choreography, timing, style and your own personal walk. You have to always be ON, be ready for anything that can happen throughout your day, and don't get me wrong, I think it's a constant struggle to always be ON, but that's why I have my tattoos on my wrists that say "KOKO LIAR" because then it can remind me of what I live for, the thrill of new experiences while hitting that runway, whether it's your hallway, the street or a catwalk at Fashion Week somewhere in the world!
Robert John Kley Photography
Isaac: Name some current projects that you are working on now.
John: I was just cast as Lionel, a mean girl with abs, the villain, in a movie called "Eating Out: All You Can Eat" - it's the 3rd installment of the Eating Out series and it's truly hilarious. It's an independent movie with a great following and premiers in October 2009. This is my first feature film and was an awesome experience to be a part of and am grateful to broaden my life experiences into acting as well.
Isaac: The Internet has helped entertainers like you in many ways. Name some of the benefits that you have received from having an official website on the Internet?
John: Having a personal website, www.johncstallings.com has helped reach out to an international level and national level with those that are interested in what I'm up to NOW or NEXT in life. I am flattered each and every day when someone signs my guestbook with a compliment or comment and it keeps me humbled and grounded. I may have gained a couple jobs here and there from having my website, but it's mainly to keep in touch with those that want to keep in touch with me. I thank all those that have ventured on the web and taken a look at my site, it's always great to know when people are proud, have respect and become inspired by what I've done and continue to do and I hope that keeps them focused in their lives to do what they passionately want to do too!
Isaac: What do you think will be your own legacy that you will leave behind when you are gone?
John: How much of a rockstar I am. haha, well not really. I haven't really thought of a legacy I would love to leave behind once I'm gone as I live each day in the PRESENT. I would just love to maintain my belief in myself and my personal motto and hope that others find something in that as well with their own lives. I'm a true believer of living a life, loving what you do at all time. Constantly going after your passions, when I know we have bumps in the road we get over, but to stay focused and learn to love everything we have each and every moment!
Isaac: In ten years, I will...
John: Still be modeling, have a more well-rounded acting career, finally live on my own in a loft apartment sharing my experiences with someone I love and who loves me....constantly performing somehow :)
Isaac: Final thoughts:
John: I just want to thank you, Isaac, for reaching out to me and for having interest in me and my thoughts. I think we are all connected in some way in this life. I believe we should always have faith in ourselves and know that we are worth it in every single moment of our lives whether amazing or what we think is not so amazing. A good friend has the word "IRREPRESSIBLE" on his refrigerator. A word that he can look at each and every day to remind him that when things get tough, we feel something has let us down or we just aren't worth it...we get back up and keep going. "Keep On Keeping On - Life Is A Runway!"
