Is it a lot of pressure to always be the focus? So that whenever you walk into a room everyone knows who you are?

At the time, yes, it was a lot of pressure. And I kind of withdrew into myself. You know, I think the old Joel had a somewhat mixed reputation for being a jerk or a prima donna. Being aloof for sure. Because that was my defense mechanism. I withdrew and it came across as being arrogant I guess.

Were you a bad-boy, Joel?

I had a reputation for being arrogant, although I think it was overblown. People that didn't like me really didn't like me. And most of the rumors came from my agency and they spread. They told people I was a nightmare even while they represented me. I think it was the image they wanted me to have, to be this million-dollar "Linda Evangelista." So they were like: "No, he's unavailable," click, "Unavailable," click, "million dollars," click (parodying a switchboard blowing off inquiries.)

And as a result the clients weren't too happy with me. They told me what they were getting from the agency and really gave me a lot of attitude for what my bookers were saying. I was just like "What? That's not right, I want to work," but I'm sure it hurt me.

Maybe, but they were successful in getting you very high fees. Leaving you with a rep?

I'm not going to make any excuses for myself. Looking back from this perspective I was an immature brat because I didn't realize how fortunate I was.

But how can you be mature at eighteen?

As I say, I won't make excuses, but I've been completely humbled and risen back.

What are some of the most fun shows you've ever done?

I've done so many. The most out-there show, and one of the most fun to be in, was Jean-Paul Gaultier's Paris show. It was absolutely fabulous — the hair, the makeup, these long, fitted gowns. To see Marcus (Schenkenberg) in these lacy long gloves and these long fake bangs with makeup, it just cracked me up. It was just way too funny.

Gaultier has such an amazing sense of humor ...

Yes he does, he's really just such a big kid.

Have you traditionally worked as much in Paris as Milan and New York?

You know I was never successful in Paris until I went back this season, and it's the best I've ever done. So that was pretty exciting for me. It was really surprising. I was on these castings and I was like "What am I doing here?" There were all of these seventeen year-old boys there, androgynous freckle-faced waifs — I was thinking my girlfriend could be in the show before most of them, some of them really looked like her. But as it turned out I ended up booking quite a few shows. It was a blast.

That's amazing. Congratulations.

What an incredible experience to be back after five years. In fact my first gig was to open one of the most important shows of the season at the Louvre. It was totally amazing — the lights, the music, thousands of people in the Louvre, I was just blown away. I'm just so lucky and it's all a lot of fun now.