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Stunning
Michelangelo Di Napoli is an Italian American model and actor who was born and
raised in Brooklyn, NY, but who now resides in Manhattan.
Michelangelo
has worked with many great photographers and his portfolio is varied and extensive.
M. Fitz Photography
Ryan Colford
We
are thrilled to feature him at Stunning Men and many thanks to him for
accepting our offer of an interview.
Ming Li
NYC Male Photographer
You can follow Michelangelo on tumblr and check his ModelMayhem profile for more information.
Vital
statistics:
Height:
5’7”
Weight:
142lbs
Chest:
37”
Waist:
30”
Eye
colour: brown
Hair
colour: brown/shaved
Skin
colour: olive
Here is Michelangelo's full interview
Michelangelo, a warm welcome to Stunning Men and many
thanks for taking the time to do the interview.
Could we start off with talking a little about yourself and your background?
You were born and raised in Brooklyn, is that right?
Yes, I am from a working-class background, from very
humble beginnings. My father left us
when I was only a year old, so we struggled financially throughout my entire
childhood; this actually made me a better person. I never met my father. My great-grandparents were born in Italy and
came to the U.S. for better lives, as did so many poor immigrants. I am third generation Italian American. I grew up in a close and loving family,
surrounded by strong women, which also made me a better person. I had the typical childhood, except for the
obvious problems that most gay kids endure while growing up in a heterosexist
and homophobic world.
How did you get into modelling? Is it something you always wanted to
do?
Yes, I always wanted to be a model,
as a way to feel better about my looks.
We all have low self-esteem, right?
We are all damaged in some way. I
modeled from 1995 to 1999, but after being told that I was too short, too
ethnic looking, and not masculine enough by almost every agent and casting director,
I called it quits and went to graduate school, earned three master’s degrees,
and had an academic career. I figured
that my brains were better than my looks.
What do you enjoy the most about modelling?
I enjoy
creating a persona and other characters.
How do you think
fitness modelling compares to fashion modelling?
I have been told that I can’t do either one of them, so
I would not know.
In that case, if
we had to put a label on it, what would call or describe the modelling you do?
Well, I would love to do fitness and fashion modelling,
but I must be realistic. I am focusing more on commercial, artistic, and
erotic. I have
been told that I have the proportions to model for artists, a fine arts model. And
of course I can model underwear, swimwear, nude, and erotic. I would love to do
catalogue work, such as Undergear, Andrew Christian, etc.
How do you
prepare before a photoshoot?
I make sure that I look, feel, and act the part,
depending on what the concept is, and what the photographer wants.
What advice would you give a new model?
I still consider myself a new model, so I should
not give advice. However, I would say to
find your niche and voice, and empower yourself because no one else will do it
for you.
You have done some nude shoots; How do you find being
naked in front of the camera?
For me, it is no different than being clothed: Armani suit or
birthday suit, no difference. It has
taken me many years to accept and like my body, and although it is nothing
special, I am comfortable in my own skin, finally. Unlike much of the puritanical American
society, I have no problems with nudity and being nude. I am comfortable with it and don’t see it as
a big deal. I don’t care what other
people think and say and their judgments about my posing nude. Like RuPaul said: “what they think of me is
none of my business.” I have evolved
into the more confident person that I need to be.
Do you have any
tips to get things more comfortable during a nude shoot?
First, if a model is uncomfortable with posing nude,
then he/she should not, must not, force himself/herself. That should be respected as much as posing
nude should be respected. Second, if a
model wants to pose nude, then he/she should try to become a character,
pretending that there is a purpose for being nude. It always helps to think of yourself as
someone else, and to allow the sexy persona inside you to come out for the
camera. Most people do not realize that
modelling is like acting.
You have a stunning physique. How do you keep in
shape and healthy? Do you do any sport?
Thank
you! I am flattered! You made me very happy! I hate sports. I am in the gym a lot, doing cardio and
strength training. I am also a vegan
vegetarian. Diet is as important as
exercise. I follow a strict and healthy
diet. I drink lots of water; I don’t eat
sugar; I don’t drink alcohol, or do any other drugs; I sleep a lot, which is
vital.
What are your top three favourite exercises and
why?
Currently,
I am focusing more on my arms, chest, and abs, so whatever exercises I can do
for those areas are fine with me. I like
my lower body better than my upper. I am
always trying to improve.
What’s the best form of cardio for you?
I like
the bike, elliptical, and treadmill.
Then there’s dancing, cardio exercises, and let’s never forget: sex!
How do you keep motivated?
I am my
own worst critic. I am constantly looking
in the mirror critiquing and analyzing my body, which motivates me to stay in
shape because I know exactly how I want to look and how I don’t want to look.
How do you fit training and fitness into
your life? Is it a difficult thing to achieve?
Yes,
it is always difficult to find the time to do it all. I sacrifice and compromise many things in
order to stay fit. But, in essence, it
becomes a habit, routine, and lifestyle.
It is all about discipline and tenacity.
You are an aspiring actor; would you like
to tell us a bit about this?
I
would love to get lucky one day, but until then, it is hard work and
dedication. I do what every actor does:
I send out headshots and audition for parts.
But what I love about acting is that I am given the opportunity to
become other fascinating people.
What
do you do in your down time?
I read, write, listen to music, see movies, watch TV, visit
museums, etc., the usual things.
Do you have any role models? People who inspire you?
My
role models are any and all activists for animal rights, gay rights, human
rights, and environmental rights.
Now a few quick fun questions if you are game? Do
you think you are a good date?
Yes, I
have been told that I am a good date because I try to make the other person
feel comfortable, and I try to have as much fun as possible.
Are you a brief man or a boxer kinda guy?
I hate
boxers because of the lack of support. I
only wear briefs. I think that briefs
are sexier, too.
We think they are too! J Now what do you listen to on your
iPod?
I am
listening to Madonna, Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper, and Adele; three Italian
American divas, and one Brit!
Your favourite song/piece of music to play while
running?
I only
listen to dance music while running; I need to get in the mood.
What kind of movies do you like?
I like
indies, dramas, comedies, sci-fi, fantasy, and anything sexy and erotic.
What three words describe you best?
Compassionate,
survivor, and tenacious.
One last question Michelangelo, where do you see
yourself and what would you like to be doing in 10 years time?
This is
always a difficult question to answer. I
hope to have a fully developed modelling, acting, and writing career. The artist in me needs to create art!
Michelangelo, it
has been a pleasure to interview you! Thank you for your time and for being a
good sport. All the best for the future!
Thank you
very much! Same to you!
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