Everyone Has A Story....

Every week on The Today Show Kathie Lee Gifford loudly wails that 'Everyone Has A Story'. This of course is true. You, I, everyone who makes it past the age of 20 or so has a past. Many of our stories are filled with not just joy and laughter but sadness and sometimes even horrific pain. I have written before that I believe stories from our childhood and youth usually follow us into adulthood. I know from personal experience, whether we like it or not...they help shape it. Even if we don't see or understand it, our responses to such basic parts of being an adult, love, intimacy and how we relate to others is often connected to childhood experiences, some we may not even remember (Take note Charlie Sheen, some, if not all, of your children are going to have warped adult relationships and confusion about sex...YOU can count on it!)



The question we must ask ourselves is how many of these 'stories' really need to be told. The Internet, especially sites like Facebook and Twitter (and blogger...) create an atmosphere where everything we do each day can be written about as if it has some sort of importance beyond what it really is. I like Rob Lowe, I enjoyed reading the article about him in Vanity Fair and seeing a few clips of his time on Oprah. But...is Rob Lowe's life thus far really worthy of an autobiography? A story in Vanity Fair or People magazine sure, but an entire book....



It seemed to be at one time autobiography's and biography's were reserved for the exceptional. They chronicled the long lives of extraordinary people. Do Valerie Bertinelli's weight loss and Snooki's love life really warrant the destruction of our forests. You know most of these books are going to end up in land fill sites. Some of these stories might be interesting but most of these lives have not been lived long enough to truly be worth documenting as history.

I worry many of these 'celebrities' also embellish to sell a book and make a buck. I know many disagreed when I posted about Meredith Baxter's book last month. Her publisher obviously felt her career and late in life lesbianism declaration was not a big enough 'hook'. Therefore it seemed...sordid and possibly exaggerated details of her 'abusive' marriage were included. True or not, they certainly made dramatic sound bites for her countless talk show appearances. The same thing is happening this week with Kara Dioguardi (yeah..I know...who?). As talented a song writer as she may be, in no way is she interesting enough, or famous enough to warrant a book. Yet she is on television selling one this week. Those interviewing her care little about her talent, but her detailed account of date rape makes for great commercial teasers...



So many celebrities 'claim' that if their story can just help one person the pain and process of writing the book would all be worth it. Bullshit! Few are helped by these books. There are only a handful that I can think of that had any real meaning. Suzanne Somers first book certainly did great things for the families of alcoholics. One reason it accomplished this was because when it came out few celebrities were sharing with her candor, especially about the subject of living with an alcoholic.

Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn (below), Paul Newman. These celebrities have had long careers, award winning motion pictures, interesting personal drama and lives that weaved through many interesting decades and times. They were exceptional. Most of the people on the covers of today's celebrity biography's are not. Hundreds of years from now (maybe much less) members of the human race will be laughing looking back at the fact that in January 2011 someone named Snooki had a book that made the extended New York Times Best Seller list. We will be mocked and mocked hard!

Birthdays: Yeah...or Nay?

Above:
Jean-Michel Villette (Playgirl, March 2001)

I have asked this question before and am asking readers again to let me know how they feel about the birthday posts. Somedays I find doing celebrity birthdays a nice way to anchor the blog and give it structure. On days like today when I don't have time to put together full feature posts I kind of like being able to post the birthdays. On other days when I have wonderful content I find they get in the way. Curious if readers will help me decided what to do by leaving a comment below:

Yeah: Keep em as they are!
Nay: GET RID OF THEM ALL TOGETHER!
Stay: Keep them, but just post sometimes when you feel they fit.
? I could care less

Thanks! Of course I am leaning towards a Stay, but want your thoughts. Some days I do certainly want to turf them all together!

Thank You!

Above:
Beautiful shot of denmaarten

Just wanted to give a shout and a thank you to all of the loyal readers of FH. Many say blogs are on their way out but this past month the readership of FH has reached it's highest number of daily visitors to date. To all of you who check in each day a sincere thank you.

Tye

'Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days'

As a kid one is often 'forced' to watch and listen to the tastes of your parents. Growing up in the 80's we had one radio and one television set. Our radio, dominated by my mother mostly blared country. Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and The Judd's were her favorites. It is funny that this love of country music followed me into adulthood. Not all country mind you, mostly I still listen to what my mother played. I followed Wynonna's music most closely and bought all her cassettes into the 90's with Girls on Guitar being one of my favorite tracks.

Country music is often described as 'down home' and 'real'. Why then is it so then that so many of these 'real' country stars now look so damned scary. Parton and Rogers, two of the most popular country stars ever look like they are auditioning for the grandparents roles in Broadway's The Addams Family. Parton sort of makes it work as she has always had 'plastic' intertwined into her images. Besides the woman has so much personality and likability it does not seem as off putting. Rogers on the other hand does not pull it off quite so well...



Seeing shots of The Judd's walking the red carpet at the CMA's the other night (below), was just sort of sad. It was not that they looked older, that would have been fine. The family, who were once identified for their realness, family values and their relationship have been slowly exposing a family so unlike who we all believed them to be in the 80's. Now I know they never claimed to be perfect, their songs were all birthed from pain and dysfunction, but what we are seeing now is much more sordid.

The oddness is not new. It was always strange to see a duo perform when it was clear one of them had little to no vocal ability. (they are not the only duo with this though) The emotional manipulation of their fans when Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and the many heartfelt goodbye performances. These teary eyed goodbye encores all seem rather staged and cold when looking back on them, especially given how often Naomi jumped back on stage whenever attention could be gained. The duo continues to tour together, now however the tours are labeled 'special'.

On top of all this, we have revelations of abuse, sister Ashley's comments about the family, her book and own strange behavior and the oddness just continues. It is also a mystery to me that although I think Wynonna looks great at any size, she continues being told how much weight she has lost by those who interview her even though...has she...really? Of course now they have their own reality show on Own. This show seems a big mistake. The two women obviously love each other, it is questionable whether they actually like each other. I don't dislike the Judds, I still enjoy their music. I guess it's just...with each attempt to remain what they were, whether it be through plastic surgery, books, revelations or the reality show, they get further and further from what we loved about them in the first place. The not so quiet desperation to be something they never were.



Take a lesson Judds, if it is not already too late...As greats such as Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn aged they never lost who they were. Bette Davis was always Bette Davis no matter how old she got. The Judds....not so much.

Blake French: Story Matters Here!

Above: Blake by Brooks Ayola.

Lately 'stories' have been a theme in many of my posts. I guess it is because I am a writer at heart. When I first saw a photo of 26 year old Blake French I knew I wanted to have him a part of FH. What I didn't know at first, was how much story there was.

Below: Next four shots by Achim Harding.


At 17 I had no idea what I wanted to with my life. One day it was actor, another it was teacher but most of my focus was on what was happening on Friday night. It wasn't until mid way through my second year of University that I succumbed to the pressure and chose the safe route and majored in psychology, dropping most of my favorite courses in English and Theatre.



When Blake French was in high school he was already laying the ground work for his future, writing and freelancing articles to community newspapers in Detroit. At 17, he landed a job at an online entertainment syndicate. Balancing work with school has always been something Blake has struggled with and he began missing school to cover press junkets and interviews in Chicago and Detroit.

At 18, Blake left the motor city and moved to Orange California for college. Once again passion took precedence over education and Blake left Orange, and college, to move Los Angeles for work. Blake took jobs at magazines and newspapers and it was also there he began acting. This would not be the first time Blake left college without finishing. Blake has attended and dropped out of 5 colleges and universities making him one of the worlds most educated college dropouts! After spending time living and working in Laguna Beach and Las Vegas, Blake moved to Miami where he currently lives and works.




As an actor Blake has appeared in numerous commercials, movies and television shows including Penn & Teller's 'Bullshit' on Showtime. As a writer Blake has served as an entertainment reporter for a variety of online and print sources. Blake says his first major interview was with Ice Cube, but has interviewed many celebrities ranging from Jake Gyllenhaal and The Black Eyed Peas to Daniel Day-Lewis and Anthony Hopkins. In 2001 CNN did a story featuring his pieces on the film Van Wilder. Blake is also an award-winning playwright and a member of the Online Film Critics Society.

In putting together this profile I attempted to read as much of Blake's writing as I could find. One of my favorite lines was on his FB page which is both detailed as well as being incredibly specific. My favorite part was his list of 'dislikes' which include litterbugs, spiders, pet birds and Dionne Warwick. For some reason adding Warwick to the list made me laugh. She is one celebrity whose talent is equal to her level of annoyance.

Next two shots from Jorge Freire.



Currently Blake works as a staff writer for AMC, covering entertainment and film-related features for AMC's Filmcritic.com. In addition Blake continues to write for 944 Magazine, Edge Publications, and Glance Entertainment Magazine. If all that were not enough, Blake is the editor The Barcode Magazine. One of Blake's most recent pieces was an interview for the March edition of Barcode Magazine with actor Johnny Depp. Blake and Johnny get interrupted by a surprise visit from Justin Bieber who drops in to say hello. (Read the whole interview HERE:).

Below: Blake by Luis Rafael.


With all the work and energy it must take to juggle all of Blake's jobs, his writing, acting and modeling I asked Blake if there was one he ultimately wanted to focus on.

'As much as I love writing about the news, I'd rather make the news. So when push comes to shove ... I will definitely pursue performing.

However, I'd like to get back into creative writing, as I am also playwright. I have not touched that in a few years though ... that is my ultimate goal. To write creatively!'
Blake French

It appears both performing and storytelling will be passions Blake will be balancing for a long time to come. While many of us are blessed to be able to follow one passion, Blake has been fortunate to follow two. Very few actors have successfully balanced writing and acting (Woody Allen and Clint Eastwood maybe being the most well known). Maybe one day Blake will join Charlie Chaplin (The Great Dictator), Orson Welles (Citizen Kane) and Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) as the only men ever nominated for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay for the same film at the Academy Awards.

Below: Blake by Photo Studio Miami


You can check out more of Blake's modeling shots and see a more detailed acting and modeling resume on his Model Mayhem Page HERE:

Love the last six shots by RIXX PHOTOGRAPHY.

The Best Part Of Waking Up....

I am curious about those who don't begin their day with a cup of coffee. I am not a coffee fiend, I don't drink it except first thing in the morning and avoid hitting coffee shops throughout the day. I especially love it with a bit of vanilla caramel liquid coffee mate. Hearing my automated coffee maker turn on in the morning does make getting out a bed just a little bit easier.



The info from this recent report about the positive effects of coffee is not new, I have heard most of it before. But this new article from Healthy Living did make it's way on many peoples facebook and twitter pages yesterday.



5 health reasons to not quit coffee.

1. It protects your heart
2. It diverts diabetes
3. Your liver loves it
4. It boosts your brain power
5. It helps your headaches

Check out the full article HERE:

Curiousity Killed The Tiger:..

It was interesting yesterday to see how many people I know, friends and family in real life and online and facebook 'friends' were 'following' Charlie Sheen on twitter.

Now I don't want to be a hypocrite I watched a bit of him on the Today show. I watched until I got that sick little feeling I have gotten before that this whole sad mess is being exploited by the media to suck every bit of garbage out of the story. It is also pretty interesting that Sheen stars on the top rated comedy the #1network CBS and that it was ABC and NBC spending so much time covering it's rival stars problems.

The story is a train wreck and sadly, given Sheen's present mental health state seems destined to end in tragedy of some sort. The media, and every individual who chose to press 'follow' on Sheen's twitter page are now officially enabling a troubled man. Each and every 'follower' helps prove that Sheen's inflated view of his importance is warranted.

Thumbs down, way down to NBC and ABC, not for covering the story, it is news. Thumbs down for the amount and type of coverage they are giving the story. Hours of interviews, prime time specials, promoting the interviews endlessly.

Why is it we rush to watch others as they fall? Again, I see the interest, I watched for a bit but then...it all got a little too much for me. What Sheen really needs to get better is for us all to turn away. He is currently feeding off a new drug, our obsession with his public break down.

The Ivy Leagued Himbo

‘I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is.’
Derek Zoolander


Above: Stefan by Michael Thomas.

The post about stereo types above was not actually something I planned. It actually began as the beginning of this profile. My ramblings however made it difficult to find a smooth way to transition from Kurt on Glee to the misconceptions about male models.

Ben Stiller’s 2001 movie Zoolander embodies how many people perceive male models. Clueless and naive, vain, spending most of their days fluffing their hair and grunting their way through daily pumping iron regimens.

In the three plus years I have been working on FH I am continually surprised as I get to know the models I profile. It is not the lack of stereo types that surprise me, I learned long ago that stereo types are mostly false. Yes, there have been a few guys I have communicated with who struggled with completing full sentences...but overall, most are both highly motivated and highly intelligent. What does continue to surprise me is the level of passion, the level of talent and skills not related to modeling.

Below: Stefan by Erudhein.


Male models are not generally well paid. In today’s world most cannot afford to spend their days hanging out at the gym and the salon. Yes of course fitness and appearance have to be a priority but most models I work with juggle working out and shoots with university, a job, or jobs and of course family and friends. Many models today also have to juggle being their own agent, publicist and accountant. They know the window for modeling does not stay open for long, and while pursing modeling jobs the focus must also be on planning for when modeling is no longer an option.

If you read FH on a regular basis you know that my interest runs beyond the big name agency models and photographers. I am not just about the photo, but the story behind it. One of the most fascinating models I have come across in awhile is Stefan Alexander. His ‘story’ is not only interesting but also a bit addictive. I use addictive with intent as there are so many things about Stefan worth exploring

Below: Stefan by Eric Michael Pearson


'Passionate about writing and reflecting on the everyday. Aesthetic, subtle, and fun. Creative, observant, nice. Searching for people with whom to be strange, sing a little and dance about... Spot me hanging around studious and/or chill places, practicing yoga, or searching for aesthetics of taste, intoxicant, textile or intellectuals. I flit a little in photography, writing, and continually create.'
Stefan Alexander

Below: Stefan by DV Photo.


Usually when I profile someone I attempt to highlight into one area of their life to theme the post around. With Stefan this was not so easy. When I asked him a question, his answers were never what I quite expected. It was the inability to make assumptions that brought about the theme of stereo types. With Stefan, he not only challenges them, he refutes them.

25 year Stefan hails from Montreal although currently is studying in London. Stefan recently graduated from Harvard University with degrees in Art History and Italian Studies. Stefan is in London completing his MA. I first contacted Stefan last November but due to his busy schedule and travels it took close to three months to finally pull things together.

Stefan has traveled the globe and has been to most of the US and Canada. He has also jetted to Cuba, Mexico and other parts of the Caribbean, Paris, Rome, all over Italy, Sydney, Melbourne and other parts of Australia and now London. Stefan says he has a soft spot for Italy and was really taken with his experience in Padua.

Below: Stefan by Yann Faucher


‘Consider myself a slim elegant and quietly confident guy’

I love that Stefan uses elegant in his description of self. It is not an adjective often used by men when describing themselves. Quietly confident is also not a phrase I connect with men, and male models. Confidence rarely has a descriptive word partnered with it, one usually thinks as one as confident or not. Quietly confident is a beautiful description, consistent with the emotion that exudes from Stefan’s work.

‘Modeling was something I had always thought about, an idea I thought would be interesting. I think that it also came out of my education as an art historian, in a sense getting the practical modern experience of the creation of art. I really enjoy being part of the creative process and be able to collaborate with an artist/photographer to realize a vision.’

Below: Stefan by Pierre Jean.


‘I've really enjoyed working with the same photographer multiple times (Steve Walls and Pierre Jean). A certain comfort sets in and a collaborative ease comes about to realize concepts and try new things. I really enjoyed working with Pierre Jean and using plastics and bubble wrap, I loved the results. We actually didn't shoot that many pictures, but the few we did get were stunning.’






my breath, the ocean
The rise and fall of emotions, happiness
is a delicate moment. All feelings rushing
in, rushing, out. The breath cycles, continual,
waves upon the ocean. I bob, motionless, in motion,
I surrender. I try to ride the crests of my inhales, surf,
a fine balance, centering atop a moment, flowing.
Stefan Alexander

Next three shots by Robert Siegelman.




Check out more of Stefan's work on Model Mayhem HERE:

Below: Stefan by Alt Hypothesis.

Beyond Betty & Veronica

When I was a kid it was not a Super, Aqua or Bat man that I was interested in, it was a red haired kid from Riverdale High I wanted to read about. When I think of Archie Andrews I linger back to those Archie Double Digests I used to covet. Oh how exciting it was to be at the grocery store with my mother and see a bright new digest as we went through the check out. Of course I now know they were placed there just to torture poor parents who foolishly drag their offspring with them to shop. My mother is a wonderful woman, but she is not soft. We did not have a lot of money for extras and despite my tantrums the answer was always a firm no.



I did however make my own money dog walking and with my paper route. My parents spending ethics, though I hated, I smartly followed. I never rode my bike back to that grocery store but rather to the one used book store in my town. Then I could get 3 or 4 double digests for the price of one. I could also return them the following weekend to trade in to get more. It was so exciting riding home on that bike with the digests in the brown bag, early awaiting getting home and seeing what the gang would be up to.

Archie Digests make me think of summers, and summer camp (I would always get a few to take with me). I remember reading them on the front lawn and taking them to the beach and family vacations.



The world was asking who you liked better, Betty or Veronica, but for many of use was all about Archie. Archie was like the one guy in every grade in school. You know the guy, cute but not the cutest, athletic, but not a sports star. He played basketball yes, but was also in choir and in the school play. The one trait most of these guys, like Archie share is a level of caring more pronounced than those around him. This guy usually had quite liberal parents who promoted equality and tolerance within there home.

I remember that guy from my school years; we ended up being best friends through most of high school. I also remember being surprised that many told me, for them, I was that guy. My parents from the time I can remember taught us that although humans are all special and unique, they are also all pretty much the same.



Archie was a crush, a hero not because he wore a cape or saved the planet every issue. Archie was my comic hero because he struggled with right and wrong, was not always the greatest student but except for the odd bad day was basically kind to all those around him.

Below: Some unintentional (I think) innuendo.