Damien Tomaselli www.damientom.com photos: Byron L. Keulemans www.Byronkleulemans.com
As we changed our choices of carreer we didn’t change who we were. We just matured to the next stage of being. Well, to a certain extend anyway. It’s healthy to stay young at heart! the interview: AMM - How do you define “male model” in your own words? Damien - Would it be too obvious if I said a model that has a penis? Nah, I do think that certain aspects of male modeling have become more prominent in the past few years. I’m talking about things like physique for example. I think back in the day it was only women who used to be very conscious about their looks. I think today men are starting slowly to concentrate more on their physical appeal. The popularity of fitness magazines and male magazines in general is an indicator of this. There is more self consciousness in things like physique, and general physical upkeep. I even have friends who regularly get their eyebrows plucked. They don’t like to admit it but it’s kinda hard to deny. One day they got a unibrow the next day it’s all slim and trim. AMM - From media & advertising you made your transition to fitness and modeling. How has that change you or has it not at all?
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Damien - It is different, but it’s not that different. In photo shoots there’s no script and it’s mostly improvisation, but the photographer and director are pretty much the same thing to me. They are both looking for a specific end result and I’m trying to figure out how to give it to them. In terms of change, well it’s been an awesome experience so far. Experience always changes you in some way but I don’t know if I’m that much different. Although I have gotten naked for a photo shoot before. Never had that experience in acting. AMM - People judge and make assumption so much in this world base on image alone. Do you find it frustrating to correct people on their views of you as a personal trainer or a male model? Damien - I couldn’t agree more with that statement. I also lecture Media and Communication to college students so throw that dynamic into the mix as well. But people only treat you in a certain way if you let them. As far as correcting their views, the only people I worry about are those close to me. I couldn’t be bothered correcting anybody else. It’s too much effort. If I have to try to correct all the ignorance in this world … well I’ll probably die of exhaustion. AMM - I know the feeling. Would you say you have a mischievous sense of humor?
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