ANDREI CLAUDE-Interview with the actor and model

ANDREI CLAUDE-Interview with the actor and model

Andrei Claude Interview

The Reading Cafe would like to welcome actor and cover model ANDREI CLAUDE. Andrei has long been a favorite of many of The Reading Cafe members for his romance covers.

TRC: Hi Andrei and welcome to The Reading Cafe. We would like to start with some bio information

 

 

Photo courtesy of : Ben MacFadyen

NAME: Andrei Claude
Date of Birth: September 1979
BIRTHPLACE: Malta
EYE COLOR: Brown
HAIR COLOR: Black
RESIDENCE: London, England
MARITAL STATUS: Single
SIBLINGS: Sister
FORMAL EDUCATION: Accounting degree

TRC:  Will you please tell us about yourself?

Andrei:  I suppose I appear a little reserved to most people, however I feel I’m outgoing and I like to socialize a lot, and meet new people from every corner of the world. I like to travel, but I’m more of a city person in general.

TRC:  As a child, what were your interests and hobbies?

Andrei:  I was always involved in sports, most times at a competitive level. So I liked to keep myself in good shape and be physically fit to have that competitive edge.

TRC:  Did your parents support your career decisions?

Andrei:  Yes, all my family has been always extremely supportive with my decisions. Sometimes I feel like they believe in me more than I do.

TRC:  You have always had an interest in fitness and health. What or who was your inspiration in this direction?

Andrei:  Like I said earlier, being involved in competitive sports at a very young age was probably the beginning. However, taking fitness to the next level was the result of watching too much Bruce Lee, Rambo and Rocky movies! I just admired actors like Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, JC Van Damme, and of course the one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger.

TRC:  What is your daily workout regimen?

Andrei:  Unfortunately it’s not the same it used to be, however, my ideal workout regimen would consist of 4 days per week, and hour session of weight lifting each session. I don’t really do cardio, unless I have very little time to lose the body fat.

TRC:  Have you ever considered opening your own spa and fitness club?

Andrei:  I have been approached by a few people to partner up on such projects, but to be honest it was never really in the cards for me. I enjoyed the fitness lifestyle itself, not the business side to it. And I felt that would change my perspective completely.

TRC:  Have you ever considered writing a weekly or monthly column about fitness and health?

Andrei:  Yes, I actually did that for a fitness magazine for a short while. We also documented my workouts and had them published.

TRC:  Your image graces the covers of many romance novels- How and when were you discovered?

Andrei:  Well, I basically showed up out of the blue at possibly the world’s largest romance novel convention, which was being held in Saint Louis, Missouri back in 2005. It was my manager at the time that convinced me to go and signed me up for their international annual contest, titled Mr. Romance.

TRC:  Do you remember the first romance novel cover where your image appeared?

Andrei:  Yes, I believe it was called Vamprotica 2005, where I portrayed a modern day vampire.

TRC:  Was there ever a shoot that went completely wrong?

Andrei:  No, not that I recall. I have had shoots where the pictures didn’t end up getting published though. So perhaps sometime did go wrong there…

TRC:  As a cover model and actor, you have travelled extensively. What or where was your favorite workplace destination and why?

Andrei:  I ended up staying in New York for around 3 years after getting involved in the romance novel industry. I can come up with many reasons for that, some of which might be justified, but the truth is I just loved the city. Now that I’ve moved on from the book covers I’m living in London, and I really got to like this place.

TRC:  In 2005, you were awarded the title of Mr. Romance. Did the title open more doors in the romance cover industry?

Andrei:  Oh yes, definitely. People in the industry “ know ” you. So most of the work actually came to me. I would get phone calls from photographers directly and get booked in for photo shoots.

TRC:  Do you know the number of romance covers that your image has appeared upon?

Andrei:  Not exactly. I would say in the region of fifty probably, between print and e-books. After a while I worked with photographers on stock photos, so they would buy the rights over those pictures and then sell them to the publishers. Sometimes they end up on a book 2 years later.

TRC:  Did you always have aspirations to be an actor or a model? If not, what did you want to be “when you grew up”?

Andrei:  I don’t recall wanting to be an actor, it was more the characters that aspired me. I wanted to be those characters in real life. Hence wanting to build up my physique to look like Rambo or Bruce Lee. The heroic characters where the ones that aspired me the most.

TRC:  Have you ever considered runway modeling?

Andrei:  Not just considered it, been there done that. I worked in Milan for a short while as well, doing catalog and fashion work.

TRC:  There is much controversy regarding NUDE modeling. Many pictures cross the line between sensual to erotic to pornographic. What is your opinion about NUDE modeling?

Andrei:  I never did nude modeling, whether for artistic purposes or otherwise. However, I have nothing against it provided it’s done in good taste. It’s just the human body in its natural form at the end of the day.

TRC:  What would you advise the younger models just entering the business about NUDE modeling?

Andrei:  I’d say it’s probably not going to be a spin off to anything fantastic!

TRC:  You have appeared in a few short films and movies in the last couple of years including the 2011 film – His Promise. Will you please tell us something about the film?

Andrei:  Well, the film His Promise was a co-production with a friend I met here in London. His name is Kamran Qureshi, who’s an extremely talented film and television director in Pakistan. It’s a short story about a man who is falsely convicted, and served two years in prison. During the incarceration his brother is murdered and he’s out to get the people responsible for that.

 

TRC:  In which film, may we find your most recent appearance?

Andrei:  I’ve just finished a feature film titled ACT I, which will be released in Summer 2012.

TRC:  It’s All About Romance is a blog site where you occasionally write your thoughts and feelings. Would you please tell us about the blog? Why the title – Its All About Romance?

Andrei:  I like to share my thoughts, so that was the original idea for my blog. With regards to the title, well I just had to have the word Romance in there, and let’s face it life is all about romance. So that gave me a basis to begin writing, then I could expand on it.

 

 

Photo courtesy of : Ben MacFadyen

TRC:  Describe your ‘ideal’ date?

Andrei:  Very conservative, a pleasant meal is a good restaurant, followed perhaps by a movie theatre?

TRC:  What are you currently working on?

Andrei:  Right now it’s a short film titled Crimson Ribbon.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Fillet Steak

Favorite Dessert
Anything chocolaty!

Favorite Model of Car
There’s too many great cars, but if I had to chose one Aston Martin DB9?

Favorite Movie
Oh, I can’t choose one! The Shawshank Redemption, The Wrestler… I can go on and on

Favorite TV Show
Friends

Last Movie that you saw
Hugo

Milk or Dark Chocolate
Dark

TRC: Thank you Andrei for answering our questions. We look forward to your next project. We wish you the best of luck with your acting career.

LINKS to Andrei’s Websites:
Facebook Page
IMDb
It’s All About Romance

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Robert Nuzzie-The Interview

Robert Nuzzie-Model, Actor and Director

 

Robert Nuzzie-Model, Director and Actor.

The Reading Cafe recently had the pleasure to interview model, director and actor Robert Nuzzie. Many of you will recognize Robert from his various romance covers, including Christine Feehan’s Wild Fire. Enjoy getting to know a little more about Robert.

TRC: Hi Robert, and welcome to The Reading Cafe. We would like to start with a little background information.

 

Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Year of Birth: 1980
Hometown: New Jersey
Marital Status: Single
Children: None

TRC: Please tell us something about yourself growing up. Family. Siblings. Hobbies?

Robert: I grew up in New Jersey with my mom, dad, and brother. We are a tight-knit family, and love to do things together. I was always an adventurous person, and loved to do things outdoors when possible. Some of my hobbies growing up included surfing, skateboarding, hiking, mountain biking, and snowboarding.

TRC: What were your goals and aspirations as a young man, growing up in the 90’s?

Robert: I wanted to get a good education. I always wanted to be different from everyone else, and I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I discovered a little later in life that I loved photography, directing, and making films. There’s something so rewarding about seeing your creation come to life from script to screen.

TRC: Your resume includes many different water sports. Were you always interested in water sports, from an early age? What type of sports did you participate in as a child? High school sports?

Robet: Yes, I always loved the water. My mom put me in a Water Babies class when I was less than 6 months old, so I really had no choice! Haha. My parents also used to take us fishing and to the beach a lot, so I grew up around the ocean and developed a love for it. My high school was small and didn’t offer a ton of sports, so I grew up skateboarding and surfing a lot. I did run track for high school though.

TRC: Did you attend college/university? If so, which institute and what was your major?
Robert: I attended Rutgers University and earned a Bachelors Degree in Economics. I continued my education and received a graduate degree in Pharmaceutical Management from NJIT.

TRC: Would you please tell us how you became involved in the modeling industry? Did you always want to be a model? How were you discovered?

Robert: It was something I always thought about doing, and a couple friends of mine dared me to give it a try. Eventually, I moved to Miami, got an agent, and starting working in modeling and television full-time. I have a lot of determination and work hard, so even though I didn’t have a lot of experience in modeling and acting, I was able to book some pretty good jobs that moved me on to the next level. Now, I have multiple agents and a manager who help with my acting career, but recently I’m enjoying working behind the camera as a director. I really like the creative process of film making.

TRC: What was your first gig as a model?


Robert: My first gig was a Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial, and my first print job was for the romance novel, The Sheik and the Pregnant Bride by Susan Mallery.

TRC: You were first brought to our attention through your various romance covers, specifically Christine Feehan’s WILD FIRE. Are you aware of the number of covers your pictures have graced? Do you ever have the right of refusal for any particular cover or magazine?

Robert: I have been on over 25 covers. Usually for romance novels, the models and an art director are hired, and the client gets to pick the final images. So I am pretty much at their liberty when I sign on to do a job.

LINK TO:Robert Nuzzie Covers

TRC: You have been very active in the entertainment industry….print model, cover model, actor and spokesperson for several different companies. Which do you prefer and why?

Robert: I prefer directing and acting in films. Even though I love acting, I don’t know if I would like the lack of privacy if I ever became a bigger name. Directing gives me the chance to still work in the business behind the scenes and create films with meaning.

TRC: Have you ever had a modeling gig/job where everything went wrong?

Robert: I’ve been really lucky, and I haven’t had any jobs go wrong. I have heard some wild stories from my friends though!


TRC: Nudity in modeling or acting roles can be controversial. Some pictures cross the line between sexual and erotic to pornographic. Have you done any nude photographs? What would you tell the young models and actors in the business about doing nudes?

Robert: I haven’t done any nude photographs. You see nudity more and more in films, and I honestly don’t think it’s necessary. I think it’s sexier to use your imagination than to see someone naked. I would tell young models and actors in the business to follow their hearts and not be pressured from anyone to take off their clothes. If you feel it is not right, then don’t do it. It is easy to throw your morals away in this business, but if you stay true to them, you will be happier and more fulfilled in the long run.

TRC: Modeling and acting takes you to exotic locales. What is the favorite place you have ever worked and why?

Robert: I did a commercial in St. Thomas a few years ago. It felt like I was getting paid to go on vacation. What could be better than that?

TRC: What was the worst place you have ever worked and why?

Robert: I love NY, but when I was working on an episode of Kings, I had a shoot that took place on a rooftop in Soho. It was about 20 degrees out, in the middle of winter, and the scene was suppose to take place in the spring. The shoot lasted all night, and we were all in t-shirts and shorts. Some of the girls even had to be in bathing suits! It was not a fun night.

TRC: Are you still involved with Havana Nines Clothing Company? If so, what was your last campaign and where did you shoot the promotions?

Robert: I did their first campaign shoot in Miami, and they still use the images in stores and online. Hopefully I will work with them again on their next campaign.

TRC: Are you still involved with ‘Waxing Poetic Jewelry’? Some of the pieces are very nice…especially the men’s bracelets. Are you involved in any of the design aspects?

Robert: No, I don’t have anything to do with the design aspects. I was hired as a model for Waxing Poetic Jewelry. They usually look for people with nice hands for jewelry shoots, and I seem to book a lot of that kind of stuff, even though I work with my hands a lot and don’t take care of them in any special ways. When I do book a hand modeling job, my friends and family always kid around that I am George Castanza from Seinfeld when he was a hand model, and I don’t leave home without my oven mitts!
TRC: I remember that episode very well. 🙂

TRC: You are also a producer and director….specifically PERSPECTIVE-The Nick Scott Story. Please tell us how you got involved in this project and why?

Robert: Nick Scott is a close friend of mine, and when I started my own production company, I really wanted to do a film about his life as a wheelchair bodybuilder. He is one of the most motivational, driven people I have ever met. I knew he wanted to share his story to help inspire and motivate other people who had obstacles to overcome, so I thought we could work together and bring his story to the big screen. When Perspective debuted at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Film Festival, it won the Best Film Award. Today, we are selling the DVD at www.perspectivethefilm.com to raise money for Nick’s non-profit organization, Wheelchair Athletics.

LINK TO:PERSPECTIVE-The Film

TRC: Are you still in contact with the people involved?

Robert: I am still in contact with all of the people who were involved in the film. Everyone was great to work with, and I developed a lot of long lasting friendships.

TRC: How has this experienced enriched your life? What do you tell others about the real ‘Nick Scott’?

Robert: This experience makes me want to continue to direct, that’s for sure. I learned a lot about the film making process, and I know our next film will be even better. The real Nick Scott is the same person you see in the film. He is very friendly, generous, and a hero to everyone he comes in contact with.

TRC: 2B Entertainment is a production company you started along with Aubree Marchione? How did you get started?

Robert: Aubree Marchione is a close friend of mine. She is a producer, actress, and professional ballroom dancer- a very driven girl when it comes to her career. We became friends and seemed to have the same outlook on the film business. We both want to make films that are beneficial to society, so we started 2B Entertainment in 2009.

LINK TO: 2B Entertainment

TRC: What is/was your latest project with 2B Entertainment?

Robert: We have been doing a lot of commercial projects, most recently a commercial spot for Almost Home Animal Shelter in NJ.

We also have a documentary coming up in July that will be shooting in California. It is a documentary project about how Wheelchair Ballroom Dancing affects adults and children with disabilities. This project is very special to our producer, Aubree Marchione, because she has been an advocate of wheelchair dancing for many of years. I am hoping this project turns out to be a huge success, and can be a helpful resource for people living with disabilities and their families.

We also have an action film in early stages of development that will not begin shooting until next year.

TRC: I see there are a few children who have successfully landed gigs with 2B Entertainment. Does your company represent or promote actors and models? Do you mentor young actors trying to get into the entertainment business?

Robert: We have helped guide young actors in the entertainment business. We’ve recommended some talent to our own agents, and we’ve also casted many young actors in our projects. 2B Entertainment also has a branch which teaches acting and directing workshops.

TRC: What does your workout routine consist of? Do you follow a special diet and exercise plan?

Robert: I eat a well-balanced diet, usually 3-5 meals a day. I weight train about 3-5 days a week, and I like to run 3-5 miles outdoors every other day. I think keeping life as stress-free as possible is the best way to stay young and healthy.

TRC: We had earlier touched on your active water-sport life. When did you become interested in life on the water? Are you still actively involved in the numerous water activities mentioned in your resume? Do you teach water safety classes?

Robert: I became interested in life on the water when I was very young. I am still actively involved in surfing, and I like to sail, boat, scuba dive, and snorkel when I can. I don’t teach water safety classes, but I have multiple certifications.

TRC: What is your favorite way to relax?

Robert: I love traveling to exotic locations, and I like to experience new and exciting adventures.

TRC: Tell us something about yourself that isn’t available on any website or magazine stand?

Robert: I am an Eagle Scout, and I know how to play the guitar.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Lobster

Favorite Drink: Red Wine or Water

Favorite Destination location: Culebra, Puerto Rico

Last Vacation site: Germany

Do you have any pets: I have a Beta Fish, and a really cool cat who knows how to give “high fives.”

Boxers, Briefs or Commando: Boxer briefs

Favorite Songs: The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel, Knocking on Heaven’s Door by Guns and Roses, My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles, Redemption Songs by Bob Marley

Favorite Music Group: Rolling Stones

Favorite Movie: Back to the Future

Do you sing in the shower? Sometimes

What book is currently on your nightstand? Film-making Special Effects

Dark or Milk chocolate: Dark

Favorite Dessert: Pumpkin Pie and Blueberry Muffins

Favorite Sport: Surfing

TRC:  Robert, we would like to thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions.  It is always a pleasure to find out about the real man behind the cover shots.  We wish you all the best.

LINK TO ROBERT’S WEBSITE: Robert Nuzzie

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