American model William Lewis has a unique look that sets him apart from every other male model in the industry and i've always been intrigued by his ability to brand himself in such a unique way. He has done gigs for Levis, CK and is also an editorial darling appearing in NY times to name a few.I was able to get some time with him out of his busy travel schedule to ask him a few questions.
How did you venture into modeling?I was discovered at 17 by Barbara Pfister at Coney Island High and did a couple editorials for cash, one in L'Uomo Vogue, another two in D mag. I didn't get an agency or pursue modeling at all, instead I hitch-hiked around the United States for 4 or 5 years. When I turned 21 I moved to Italy and modeled for about 2 years straight later in NYC and Paris as well.
How has your unique look bolstered your career?
My look is what I was wearing when I was discovered and is what my agencies and clients like. When a client is looking for a specific type description that I happened to fit I'm often the only guy in town for the job - so that's like shooting fish in a barrel.
What are the perks that come with being a model?
I get to work in the arts, which has always been my chosen field. Thetravel is golden!. Growing up I have always had such curiosity about different countries and modeling has created a lot of opportunities to travel. There’s the money, I think its pretentious when people avoid or leave that out. No matter how fun or artistic it is, there's no way I'd be here if it weren't so lucrative.
What's the most annoying thing?The same thing I enjoy about my schedule being free and varied also causes me a lot of stress sometimes. Also When I'm sitting on my hands in a foreign country waiting to find out where I'm supposed to be the next day. Or worse even when my friends and family ask me really basic questions about what I'm doing like where, when, who and what my upcoming jobs are, and I don't even know these things myself until the night before or day of a job.
What are your other interests?
I'm a major geek. I do lots of tech support and consulting for studios and agencies in the industry. I paint [watercolor] and with two technical artists for parents I’m at ease with digital image creation and manipulation.
What's the one thing you'd love to achieve in modeling before your career is up?
To me, my goal is to be smart about this and focus on what I can do about that "before your career is up," bit people talk about.Right now I feel and hear acting calling me, so watch out for moving images of yours truly with speaking lines on a screen near you soon!
Any words of advice to people who have dreams about being a model?Modeling can be fun, lucrative, and rewarding - but it requires a certain rare, tempered composition. A modeling career runs a course right through the thickest and most dangerous areas in the ego; it focuses on looks and popularity, asks you to put on performances of various roles on various stages, eats significantly into personal time and similarly puts incredible stress on personal relationships for many. The way the industry works even seems designed to draw it out and amplify the suspense as much as possible, as if to purposely build you up and knock you down - but the reality isn't actually so, truth is it's just business. A model has to handle all of that professionally, not personally.