Interview of Cover Model/Actor Anthony Catanzaro

Today it’s my pleasure to present an interview of multi-talented Anthony Catanzaro. His career encompasses many avenues: cover model, fitness model, bodybuilder, advertising model, and actor! His resume lists a variety of items to include television and movie roles, commercials, and magazines.

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Where to find information about Anthony Catanzaro: Official website: http://www.anthonycatanzaro.com

Face book: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/profile.php?id=638961904
Email: tony@anthonycatanzaro.com

Q: With all the different career directions you’ve taken, is there one job you’ve thought about trying but haven’t attempted?
A: I would love to be able to open up a small quiet restaurant later in life. A place where families and couples in love can come and have dinner. The most special moments of my life have come from family friends and loved ones being together at the dinner table. I feel that there should be more of that in the world today. Too many families are broken apart and need to get back together. It’s a true saying: a family that eats together sticks together.

Q: You’re an author! Tell us about your book, “Reach for the Stars”.
A: "Reach for the Stars" is an online book that I co-authored with writer David Robson from New Zealand. David and I have written many successful articles for bodybuilding.com. We both have a unique personality that makes for great articles. David is very scientific and goes by the book, where I’m very straightforward and go with my heart. The combination makes for great questions and answers. "Reach for the Stars" is just that a book that breaks down the reason and purpose for success.

Q: All the modeling work you’ve done includes the following magazines: Exercise and Fitness, Health & Fitness, Natural Bodybuilding, Muscle & Fitness, Fitness Plus, Men’s Exercise, Exercise for Men Only, New Living. How would you describe the competition for these jobs?
A: A lot of the magazines I’ve appeared in are very competitive. As much as everyone wants to be in magazines, the requirements very tough: shooting with the photographers that contribute to the magazines and having a look that is going to sell. I feel I have a lot to offer because I’m not just about the looks. It’s one thing to have a ripped body but another to have a warm loving heart to go with it.

Q: You’ve appeared on romance covers for Harlequin Presents and Kensington. Tell us What a “shoot” is like for a romance cover model.
A: Well, I’ve shot with a few romance photographers and it’s a lot of fun because you get to model in different costumes like a fireman, an Indian warrior, construction worker, etc.  Its great fun and the shoots really aren’t that long usually around an hour or so. The photographer in that time is trying to grab the most realistic shot. When I shoot with my wife its great because she’s comfortable with me but when I shoot with strange woman, they tend to be a bit shy and nervous. Either way, its fun for me.

Q: As a cover model, do you have any say into the process? Can you ask for a pose to be changed or not used? Have you ever done this, and, if so, what happened?
A: As a model, you pretty much just do your part and the poses pretty much come from the photographer. A lot of times, what seems comfortable to you doesn’t look good in front of the camera, so a good photographer will make the slight adjustments to really capture a great image. I have no say in the final shots that are used, but that’s totally fine with me I’m just glad their using me.

Q: Is there a difference between doing a “shoot” for magazines and book covers?
A: Yes absolutely! When I shoot for magazines, I’m more free and can hit my own poses. But for a book cover, the author or editorial director wants to create a certain image and sometimes will draw out the image and then I would have to act out that image.

Q: So many acting appearances in films and TV shows! Tell us about your acting experiences. Any favorite one?
A: I’ve been in some films and TV. I’m very happy when I play myself on TV. I haven’t really had the opportunity to really do so except for my infomercials. I would love to have a TV show with my wife Tina, called “Tony and Tina” It would be a really fun show! It would show how the two of us get along. My wife and I love each other very much but we argue like the honeymooners. So a show like that would be very funny showing us living with the difficulties of life but at the end of the show we understand each other and I give her a kiss and say “Baby, you're the greatest”. I think the world needs a show like that today. Most couples can relate to the day-to-day tribulations all couples face, but a lot of them give up too quickly on each other. It’s nice to show two people that have been together for as long as my wife and I have (over 17 years now) and still be able to look at each other the some way as when they first met.

Q: You’re a fitness motivational speaker and speak about personal training and nutrition. Give us some hints on how to get and stay in shape!
A: Well, it’s very simple and to keep it nice and short I have a saying that I have created: Just like the Father,  the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is the law of life, man and spirituality all come together. My saying for health and fitness: Weights, cardio, and diet. If you follow these three rules, you will have a fantastic body and a well balanced mind. To read more about my fitness, philosophies please visit my website at: http://www.anthonycatanzaro.com

Q: You list being a professional dancer. Have you been in contests? Tell us about your dancing experiences.
A: I have been dancing for years. I do all types of dance from ballroom to freestyle. I love to dance and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. I haven’t entered any shows; I just love dancing and the feeling you get from expressing your feelings in a physical motion.

Q: As an impersonator of voices and characters, do you have any favorite people you enjoy impersonating?
A: Yes Absolutely I love imitating Tony Montana from Scarface. I think I do a Tony Montana impression better than Tony Montana himself.

Q: Okay, skilled cook. Can you give us a quick and easy recipe?
A: Sure here’s a great recipe for Spaghetti with Shrimp, Garlic and Olive Oil.
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
½ lb. shrimp, cleaned
½ lb. of Spaghetti (cooked)
Salt and pepper to taste

How to prepare:
In large frying pan, heat oil over medium heat:
Add garlic and sauté
Add shrimp and cook 1 minute, then turn shrimp.
Cook about 2 minutes
Add cooked spaghetti and mix well
For added flavor, squeeze lemon and add a pinch of paprika

Q: You’re married (to Tina) and had a “Tony and Tina” style Italian wedding…just what “real” Italians have! So did I, in New York, many years ago! All the Italian foods, music, and relatives from everywhere. Did you dance the Tarantella and sing songs in Italian?
A: Yes we had the true "Tony and Tina’s" wedding but thank God there were no fights and drunk uncles falling everywhere. Yes, there were some Italian songs but it was a real American dream wedding all around with lots of special moments.

Q: Tell us about playing Superman this month!
A: Playing superman was really fun this month I was hired to play him and was thrilled at the fact they were making a custom-made Superman costume for me. It really looked great and it was a lot of fun playing the "Man of Steel".

Q: Favorite food?
A: I have to say I love all foods that come from God. I hate processed foods and cannot eat them as they make me sick. If I had to pick a food that I love the most, it would be pizza from a good pizzeria!

Q: Favorite drink?
A: Water with lemon

Q: What jobs will keep you busy until the end of the year?
A: I’m working on a lot of stuff right now. I usually tackle one project at a time, but its been getting very busy for me lately. I have become overwhelmed with it all but I cant complain as I would rather be overwhelmed with work than waiting for the phone to ring.

Q: What would you consider to be the most romantic place in the world…just so we might get some travel ideas?
A: I would have to say hands down Aruba. I’ve traveled to many places all over the world and have seen some really great things. But in my opinion, nothing compares to Aruba and here’s why. Aruba is known to be a happy island. Everyone there is super friendly and stress-free. Now, living in NYC full-time can really stress a person out, so going to Aruba is a perfect getaway. The weather is always perfect 365 days a year. The food is great, the people are great...what more can you ask for!

Anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to take this time and thank you for this interview. I hope you and your viewers found it to be uplifting and informative.