World Premiere Interview: Russell Giardina

Interview by Christopher Uvenio

"I remember my first photoshoot like it was yesterday, even though it was over a year and a half ago. I shot with Eugene Gallegos. He was very professional...""I'm very appreciative of my Manager, Bookers, and of course world - renowned photographer Sean Kilkenny for getting me where I am now..."
"In my spare time I like to relax. Any day that doesn't involve me running around Manhattan or some foreign city is a vacation in itself..."

I was born in Brandon, Florida; right outside Tampa. I moved around a lot during my childhood and adolescence. I completed most of middle school in Maine, and High School in Virginia. As soon as I graduated high school, I packed my bags and moved to New York to "got to school." Shortly after moving, I was scouted and signed with an agency, completely erasing school from my agenda. I lived down in a small neighborhood near Coney Island named Gravesend when I first moved here, but I now reside in Bushwick; both in Brooklyn, of course.

-Let's look back at how you started modeling, tell me about how you got discovered.
 I was scouted in Abercrombie and Fitch, embarrassingly enough... I had just gotten a summer job there with my friend. My manager (now) told me I had "a good look," and asked me if I'd like to take some polaroids when I got off so he could send them to some agencies to see what they thought. I went around and met with about 7 or 8 agencies after that, and eventually signed with one.

-What was your family's reaction to your decision to enter modeling?
My family was supportive, but of course a little skeptical. My mom's been 100% behind everything I do, and my dad still tells me to go back to school to become an engineer, everyday.

-Do you remember your first photo shoot? Who was the photographer and did you feel comfortable in front of the camera?                    
Though it was over a year and a half ago. I shot with Eugene Gallegos. He was very professional and made everything go like a breeze. I had no problems being in front of the camera at that point.

-Which designer was your main  fashion show for? Were you excited during it?
 In Milan my main fashion show(s) was Dolce and Gabbana, in New York Malan Breton. The music during the shows made it easy to walk out with confidence and pride. I never really get nervous at any point on the catwalk.

-Though you are very young, your modeling career is going very fast, did you expect to become so popular in such a short time?
 I don't think I'm young; maybe I'm too ambitious. I still consider myself relatively far under the radar. I'm happy with the rate at which my modeling career is moving, but it's never really moving as fast as you would like it to be, you know what I'm saying? I'm very appreciative of my Manager, Bookers, and of course world - renowned photographer Sean Kilkenny for getting me where I am now.

-Can you share with me some of your upcoming  modeling assignments?
What's in the works? You'll just have to wait and see!

Do you have a personal motto that sums up your thoughts about life in a sentence? Go with the flow, Ninety percent work, 10 percent play. But it's hard to even follow your own rules sometimes.

-How do you like to spend your spare time and what is the meaning of fun and having a good time for you?
In my spare time I like to relax. Any day that doesn't involve me running around Manhattan or some foreign city is a vacation in itself. I like to read and long walks on the beach too, for all you romantics out there.

-Thanks Russell for sharing your story with me, it has been a gift to me and to my readers!
It was all my pleasure! ;) I'm flattered that you've chosen to interview me for your website. Talk to you soon!