Gay glam gods

(Courtesy 51 Minds)

VH1's new reality show “Glam God With Vivica A. Fox” which also features "stylist to the stars" Phillip Bloch and "Us Weekly"’s West Coast Bureau Chief, Melanie Bromley as co-judges, attempts to discover the next great celebrity stylist... that means hair, make-up and wardrobe.  But as Gay.com found out in a recent interview with four gay contestants on the show, Handry, Bo, Joachim and Preston, it's more about the three D's -- Drama, Drinking and Drag queens. Love it already!

Handry

This Cuban-born fashion design student has been styling on the side while getting his degree at the Illinois Institute of Art. 

Why should you win the coveted title of "Glam God"?

Because I am winner. I basically have four years of experience working as a stylist and a strong background in it.  I know what's hot, have a lot of ideas, am really creative, and am always looking forward to expressing drama and refreshing ideas in fashion. For me, it's a job that never ends.

Who's your biggest threat in the house?

I would have to say Miss Tigerlily. She is such a stylish designer with so much experience. With the way she behaves and the way she thinks about styling, she knows she's one of the best in the house. She shows herself as self-confident, and that bothers me, because I get to think, 'Why is she so confident?' She is great, great competition.

How about Indashio?

His personality is totally out there. The first thing I thought was, 'Is this guy on drugs?'  He's so annoying. But then we said if we see each other on the street, then we'll be buddies to hang out. Sometimes I wonder if it is fake or acting. Another question is, 'Is he gay?'  My personal opinion is that he is. He's more femme than me, and that's a big thing.

If you could style any celebrity, who would it be, and why?

It would be between Victoria Beckham and Madonna.  Victoria is so fashion-forward, where she can throw on whatever, and she can pull it off. She knows how to work it and she will work it out. Madonna is the Queen of Pop, but she needs to bring back a more classic look. She's in her 50's, so she needs to change her image and put herself as the classic legend that she is.

What's your advice to aspiring celebrity stylists?

I would like to advise people that if you can dream it, you can do it. Don't let anyone stop your dreams. You have to keep fighting, and even in the moments that you are down,  you have to get up. If I'm doing it and getting there, then anyone can get there.

Bo

This Greenville, South Carolina charmer is the youngest on the show, at 21.  Living in L.A. for over a year now, he is looking forward to his next big project, hosting Live at the Roxy with Rufus and Chaka Khan and styling all the band members.

Why should you win the coveted title of "Glam God"?

I'm really innovative as a stylist, have a cosmetology license, and am trained for hair, make-up and wardrobe. I grew up in fashion, because my mom owned a hair salon till the day she died, which was right after I graduated high school. She came from classy, old school style and knew about glitz and glamour, so she had me in matching OshKosh from day one.  That's why I'm so young and doing so well.

Who are your favorite designers right now?

Right now I can't wait for the next collection from Alexander McQueen.  He is my top designer, and then Luca Luca, Armani Prive, and I love Ferragamo. Those are my top four. Oh, and Gucci, obviously.

How about the House of Indashio?

He's absolutely so out there. Right away, when I first met him, I thought, 'Is this a joke? He was cast to be on the show? What am I getting myself into?' To me, he's a tacky boy from Harlem. I'm not saying that I don't like him or that we couldn't be friends, but judging the book by its cover, he's a tacky boy from Harlem.  But after talking to him, I thought that this guy is gay, but does not want to admit it. There were definitely some discussions in the house about his sexuality, for sure.

Who's your biggest threat in the house?

I think Tigerlily is extremely classy and sticks to very classic looks. The reason I think I have an edge, however, is that I'm extremely classy, myself, but there's an edge to it -- some color to make it stick out and take it to a modern level.  My look is avant-garde classic... Alexander McQueen instead of Coco Chanel.

What's your advice to aspiring celebrity stylists?

First of all, have a dream, whatever it is. What my goal was, was that I wanted to style celebrities.   If you have a goal or a dream, don't stop chasing it. Put it in the universe's hands, and you'll receive it.

Joachim

This Mexican-born wild child has been styling for over a decade.  He traveled around the world as a national make-up artist for NARS, was named head of the Hair and Make-up department at "TV Guide" in 2005, and has dressed such celebrities as Jennifer Love Hewitt and Julia Stiles, among many others.  To some, he's better known by his drag alter-ego Jackie Blue.

Why should you win the coveted title of "Glam God"?

As you know, because I have style and understand women's bodies. I've been working for 15 years, and have done everything: make-up, hair and wardrobe for red carpet and regular events.

If you could style any celebrity, who would it be, and why?

Sean Combs, because it would be a challenge. Being in the entertainment industry and having his own line, dressing him will be a challenge that I would like the opportunity of facing. Paris Hilton is a dream of mine. I think for Paris, I would change the color of her hair for dramatic effect, and maybe add longer hair. I would also put her in simple classic couture pieces.

Who's your biggest threat in the house?

When I first met Indashio, I thought he was my biggest threat. I thought, 'This little bitch has something special.' Then I found out all this trash about him, and thought maybe not. We fight throughout the entire show.  In terms of his sexuality, I can't say anything. We need to respect people's decisions in their life. So if he claims he's not, then he's not. If you ask for my opinion, then I'll be shot instead of Jackie Blue walking in his next show.

Tell me about the infamous Jackie Blue.

My alter ego Jackie Blue is a very good friend of mine.  She's gonna be walking in Indashio's next show. She already went shopping and got six-inch Chanel heels, YSL heels, and another pair of Miu Mius for the occasion.  Indashio is making all the garments for Jackie. The only request is that Jackie needs the best make-up artist. If you don't provide that, then Jackie will walk... out, and Indashio said not to worry.  She will be in New York to support her fabulous friend, which she likes very much. She loves him and he loves her. And Jackie Blue promises not to drink any champagne till after the show, so there will not be any Naomi Campbell incidents on the catwalk.

What's your advice to aspiring celebrity stylists?

Anyone who wants to be a stylist, what you have to start doing is finding photographers you admire and want to work with, and send them emails. Go to San Francisco, to the East Village and see what the kids are wearing. I order 'French Vogue.' I don't settle for American, because it bores me. Take models from the street that you want to work with and say, 'I'm a fabulous stylist, here's my card, and I want to style you.' No matter how many photo shoots you do, don't let a model or photographer down. Understand women's bodies and needs, and listen to their needs. If you don't give them what they want, they won't hire you again. Also, don't underestimate yourself, and don't let clients be cheap. If your rate is $1,250 a day, then charge that. If they say it's too high, then tell them to find someone else. If you believe in yourself, people will pay that. 

Preston

Probably the most handsome (other than my crush Indashio, of course) and least over-the-top competitor in the house, this Philly native has worked for a famous New York-based fashion house, styled celebrities like Finola Hughes, and co-hosted a show with Joan Rivers.

Why should you win the coveted title of "Glam God"?

I should win the show because I have so much to offer.  I have a cohesive sense of style that is so identifiable, where you say 'That's so Preston.' It's uptown pieces but done in a downtown way. But I keep elegance in everything I do.  And there's a big need for that in Hollywood today with so many young women getting flack for not looking elegant, for showing their thongs when they get out of a car. They need to refine the way they look and be a role model.

Who's your biggest threat in the house?

I thought Joachim was a big threat, having seen his portfolio, and he was older, and I thought he was a total bitch when I first met him.  But he ended up being such a nice guy. Indashio was the least threat; I'm so over him.

Talk to me more about Indashio.

To be honest, I thought he was brought on as The Mole, as a joke. I thought, 'Oh my god, I can't believe I just made it on to 'I Love New York' Season 8.  He acted like a loser.  I can't take him seriously. He tried to prove himself, and I don't know if it worked. For a little while there, he did, but then he pulled so many stunts.  Every time I believed in him or had hope for him, then he'd pull his pants off, be puking, or swearing in front of a client. It was obviously not as serious for him as it was for me. I thought, 'I left my big job to come do this?' I was really serious about it, but some people thought it was summer camp on acid.

Do you think he's more IndashiMo than Indashio?

I still to this day am not a hundred percent sure.  I thought he was some rager from New York. I mean he looked like more of a rager than I am when I first met him.  He was wearing a crop top, scrunched down tube socks and glitter jeans. But he made it very clear that he's straight.

What's your advice to aspiring celebrity stylists?

One thing I learned from the show is that if you want to dress celebrities, then it's important how you dress yourself and present yourself. On challenges there were clients who were turned off by the way certain people dressed, so no one took them seriously. Present yourself as the business you want to receive. Your image could make or break you, because this town can run you under the ground.

Catch “Glam God With Vivica A. Fox” on Thursdays at 10p.m. ET/PT on VH1.

Comments

[Helen Wheels]

Another good one, that drives the point home further: I need MOFO cable!
I totally agree about Madonna's style.
Get her! Re-Vogue her!
She needs you.
(not that I'm putting down Madonna, without her I'd be nothing8-)
Thanks again Mr. Rotter!