That's so true. Guys taking up modeling have a hard time, especially at the beginning. And they never know for sure what they're being thrown into, who's on the other side of that next door. So it's hard on a number of different levels isn't it? It's not just the fact that you're struggling, but all these other people have the power and ability to help you, or not?

Exactly. But what really matters is your relationship with your agent. And John Babin, (Director of Boss Models) has been the biggest lifesaver for me. I'm only sixteen, and I'm lucky enough that I don't need to pay rent because I live in the city with my family, but just the same, I'm glad he's looking out for me.

That's so important, because there are a lot of predators out there.

There really are. It can be a very nasty industry. So it's good to have a person like John looking after me. I can't thank him enough. He's a really good guy. What John has, is that rare element of truth. There are a lot of guys that talk about each other behind their backs. John doesn't do that, he's very straight-forward and he cuts out all the B.S. And that's the best. The people who manage your career have to be honest or you don't know what you're doing.

Why is that so important?

On most of the castings and jobs, people are sort of pampering you, so it's easy to get sucked in. That's what makes it so important to stay grounded and realize that the best things about life are the simpler things. And I guess that's why I like Thoreau and Emerson so much right now. It's through modeling and going through some of the nonsense associated with modeling that I've started to realize the importance of their ideas even more. I've seen what it can do when people go the other way. That's not for me.

How did you get signed by Boss Models?

John Babin was training with my friend Mike at my gym, and I was there working out. John gave me his card and told me to call him if I was ever interested in modeling.

So what did you think? What was your concept of modeling at that point?

Actually I was just thinking about what it would mean to be at Boss. I'd been with a manager since I was thirteen, who approached me after the musical I told you about at VCS. She started booking me for commercials, and because she was at Wilhelmina, she had me doing some child modeling as well.

So this was nothing new to you?

No. I was flattered though.

What was your mother's take on it?

She thought Boss was a great agency and had a great name, having produced the first male supermodel, etc., so she thought it would be a great opportunity. Funnily enough, before I called John back, Calvin French saw me playing basketball across the street and asked me if I wanted to do any modeling.

So you got scouted by both John and Calvin at Boss?

Yeah. (laughs).

You're definitely at the right place then — they really get your look. What made you decide to sign with them?

I knew from the reputation of Boss that they could do so much for me, and they have. They've done a great job and I love them for that. I saw that John had a sense of truth to him, something that really appealed to me, particularly in such a Baroque business. And he sort of seemed very down to earth and very cool about everything and very understanding. Even for the most secure person, you still need someone looking out for you. He's like a parent inside the industry for me.

Did your mom have any concerns?

She did. All of my previous experience with modeling was as a child model and she knew it would be different now that I was older. She'd heard all the horror stories about predators and everything else. But she had confidence in me because I'd been through the business before, and I'd learned to handle myself. I'd proven it to her by then.