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Interview
by Edo Q ©
2008 CoverMen
Mag!
December, 2008
Brandon
Trentham has been photographed and posted on billboards
all over the world, featured in hundereds of magazines,
worked on several commercials and music videos and walked
thousands of catwalks with top models and talented artists.
He takes great pride in his career, family and friends
and enjoys being a bi-coastal enterpeneaur.
-Hello
Brandon, I am really flattered you accepted to be interviewed
for my website, just to start this interview off please
give me some background information.
Well
I was born in Gatlinburg,Tn. I'm the only child to Debbie
Winstead and Bobby Trentham. I lived there until I was
18 and graduated high school. Knowing there was more
out there, I moved shortly after to NYC. Not only had
I never been to NYC, I had never been to a big city
ever besides Atlanta. I have now lived from NYC, to
London, to Milan, to Paris, to Miami, and now both LA
and NYC.
-Let's look back at how you started
modeling, tell me about how you got discovered.
Well
I did small things in Tennessee like Goody's Dept Store
or Sea Ray Boat commercials. I wasn't discovered I just
took a chance. Kinda like if I can make this much money
in high school in Tennessee, then I bet I can make a
lot more in NYC. I was young, innocent, and ignorant
so what did I have to lose besides a little bit of time.
-Do
you remember your first photo shoot? How did you feel
about being in front of the camera?
I definitely
remember my first job I think it was for Rolling
Stone Magazine. It was a group shot and I had no
idea what to do really. I mean I thought it couldn't
be the same in NYC as it was in Tennessee, but it was
and I got that nervousness away. I have always been
comfortable in front of the camera I guess, never had
that struggle, Thank God.
-Who was your
very first runway show for? What was the feeling before
and after the show?
To be honest I don't
remember my first show. Whether it was in NYC, Milan
or Paris I can't recall. I do however remember the biggest
show that I did. At the time I was traveling the world
with my mother agent (which we won't mention who) that
had started several super model girls and she had plans
on me to be the next biggest thing. I trusted her and
sure enough we were flying from Miami to Milan the next
day for the Prada show "Exclusive Contract"
which means they pay more so that I can only do their
show. So I arrive there, they love me, I meet everyone
and then when I go for my fitting, none of the clothing
fits and I get canceled after going all the way there.
I was really let down, to say the least, but the next
day Dolce & Gabbana picked me up and I did
their show. I ended up booking alot more that year and
it was a great first experience there.
- Just
for curiosity, can you tell me why the models don't
smile during the shows?
Models are told sometimes
beforehand what to do like walk out cool, act like your
having a blast or at a party. If you're not told before
you just do the obvious, and look like you're going
to kill someone lol.
-You have done a
lot of major campaigns, which of them has contributed
the most to your success?
Hmm, that would
be hard to say. Its been different campaigns and ads
over the years to bring me up and down. I would say
the last "Aldo" has helped more with my name
being known outside of the fashion world because its
longevity and being absolutely smashed all over the
world on trains, buses, buildings, and billboards. If
I had to say my favorite it would be the Marc Jacobs
Charity T-shirts for sale in stores now, with me pictured
on the front and name on the sleeve and back. It was
for his Cancer Research and honor to be asked to do
it. I really enjoy anything with charity, I truly have
always felt a calling in life to help others in anyway
possible.
-I guess you are going to pursue
an acting career, is it so? Is there a particular role
you would like to play?
Yes, as of January
I have been splitting my time between NYC and LA working
on my acting career as well. I have always wanted to
do it and finally did. Things are going great thus far.
If
I were to say someone maybe I would kind of like to
mock myself after it would be between a mixture, of
Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Johnny Depp. I like very
deep stories yet like the somewhat humorous fun roles
too.
-What are some of the most popular
misconceptions about male models? What stereotype do
you hate the most?
Misconceptions is a good
word for it because people can only truly guess. Its
such an unknown world. Although I guess I had my days
of running around with the model pack, I no longer do
to be honest. I like running around with a lot of people
not in my business. Keeps it separated. I think, not
to be a hater, but for some reason the majority of the
people in my side of the camera can be a bit dumb and
obnoxious. Not to say there aren't exceptions to every
rule, but it is somewhat amazing how many people in
this business fit the zoolander character.
I
think that this day and time the stereotype's still
exist yet they aren't as prevalent as they used to be. The
drugs, the hooking up with photographers, and the lavish
sets. Most of that went out in the 90's when clients
had unbelievable budgets and would put up with whatever
behavior for the model they wanted. This business has
become over saturated or more competitive I guess and
it has allowed clients and companies to control it.
I am thankful to have thrived and been lucky through
it and hope to continue.
-Thanks Brandon
for taking your little spare time to reply to my questions,
my last question: what would your fans be surprised to know
about you?
Well, let's see. Most people that know me would say I'm
the life of the party and always happy go lucky, but
to be honest I am very shy under circumstances that
don't affect most. I can be in my underwear shooting
an ad in Times Square but walking into a restaurant
or venue without my pack of friends around me and a
beanie on my head I get nervous. Acting is the same
way, on camera I can become someone I'm not and play
different people which I truly have a passion for, yet
letting people to know me truly deep down is very difficult
because its so hard for me to trust.
I
wanted to say thanks to my wonderful family and friends
and fans for always standing behind me to give me that
support.
I
would love for everyone to check out my new website
at www.Brandontrentham.com and link to my blog which
is starting soon.
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