Model Interviews
January 3, 2010
Derek Nelson
by Loni Perry
Derek’s modeling career began when “I was getting head shots for acting in Las Vegas when the photographer said I was giving him great stuff and had a unique energy to me. He asked me if I ever considered modeling and stuff started to snowball after that.” Since then he has done “a lot of promotional work and print for some small companies. I recently shot with the famous Howard Roffman at his country house in Ukiah, CA, which was an absolute thrill to learn from him.” As for his personal style, “I’m pretty low maintenance so usually just jeans and a form fitting T-shirt. However, when I go out, I make sure to impress with fitted slacks, a tight button-up shirt and a skinny tie cocked to the side.”
To be a successful model it is important to remember that “modeling is just like any other form of entertainment. You need to give a product that connects with your audience. Of course you need the looks, attitude and drive, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to how strong your pictures are.” As for the rejection side of the industry, “every time somebody tells me I’m not good enough I take it personally and make sure to prove them wrong. I have a ways to go, but needless to say, I’ve proved a lot of people wrong already.” He is excited to be a part of On Display Men because “Alan Rust seems like a good guy, plus the company is based in Texas. That’s a combo I couldn’t say no to!”
 Derek’s main goals are “to be the new triple threat in Hollywood: actor/model/writer. Besides modeling, I’m a SAG actor and writer. I’m current pitching a TV show called The Owners that I dream of getting into production in Austin, TX where I would play the lead- Freddy Blaze. Besides all that, I want to build a production company in Austin and raise a family with a beautiful, loving wife and inspire people to chase their dreams and be the rebel this world needs.” He is driven by his “health and happiness. When I’m acting, modeling or performing, time stands still and I feel no pain, it’s all good! I don’t care about the money, car or all the girls, for me it’s just about doing what I love and influencing people with a product that I’m passionate about.” What inspires him is “all the people that told me small town kids from Pennsylvania can’t succeed in Hollywood and accomplish their dreams. I look forward to continuing to prove them wrong, all the while refusing to fall into “The Hollywood System” and keep who I am, for better or worse.”
To his friends, Derek is “a crazy rebel that loves to laugh and take as many risks as possible while pushing forward and following my heart!”
 Jay Fuertez Photography His trick to staying in shape is “consistency! I’m strict as can be on my diet and lifting, keeping my schedule rigid and never taking a week off. If you do all the small things right over a long time, they add up and you don’t have to spend five hours a day in the gym.” When it comes to sports, “I really don’t have much time anymore with everything I’m doing, but I used to love to play basketball. I watch sports of all kinds, it's one of the major passions in my life- Sportscenter is on whenever I have time to watch TV.”
Read more at OnDisplayMenMag.com
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