Interview of Cover Model, Grigoris Drakakis: Greek Gods To Drool Over

Grigoris Drakakis

What a treat to be able to interview such an interesting and handsome man, who is also one of the most successful cover models in history. When I hear the term "Greek God" I shall forever think of Grigoris. I know I'd completely lose it if I met him in person.

Oh this is tough work, but someone's got to do it!

We did this interview through an interpreter friend of Grigoris'. I have left some of his translated idioms in place on purpose, because I think it gives us more of a color and feel of the man inside the statue.

1. How did you get started modeling? What was your first paying gig?
At the beginning I did it for the money but in the process I loved it.  I have worked in many areas of modeling such as photography, advertising, television, shows and on stage as well…. The first photograph I did was with a site modelwin that helped me decide to go professionally. The first portfolio that I remember I did was with Katie Machalister Much Ado about Vampires in New York. This made me feel wonderful because I took part and gave me the opportunity to be part of a book of a very significant author from the US.

2. What was the most difficult thing getting started? What was your most difficult shoot?
Every new beginning has difficulties, so I also faced some, which I overcame with time. Of course there are and will always be difficulties, besides if there weren't any, then it wouldn't be interesting and wouldn't motivate for more efforts in becoming better. The most difficult shoot was when I worked outside during the winter with very low temperatures and rain. It seemed simple but it was very difficult. In these situations I imagine my body warm…in some situations  though I have gotten sick and was in bed for days with a high fever.

3. Have you ever turned down a shoot or modeling job? If so what? Why?
I have turned down shoots that had inappropriate nudity.

(So glad he said inappropriate. We like him fairly skimpily clad, right?)

4. What do you like about being a romance novel icon?
Reading romance novels is entertaining, so I feel very nice to be a novel icon on these romantic novels because is like contributing in a way to the entertainment of the people.

(Great answer.)

5. What do you like about romance writers in general (or do you think we're all a bunch of oversexed crazies)?

Generally I admire people of intellect, so most writers, at least those whom I have met personally, are intellectual, educated, serious and cultivated. 

(I'm wondering now how many conventions he's been to.)

6. If you could live anywhere and money was no object, where would you live?
I would love to travel, live and meet cultures and traditions of different places as much as I can. Is a life dream. I would like to go to my favorite place like a Safari in Africa . At this point I live in Greece where I believe is one of the most beautiful countries and I feel blessed that I live so many years here. I have visited the US for work. I have lived in Los Angeles where I have friends which are like family to me. Los Angeles is very special. The people are friendly and the rhythm of life is without stress. The climate is warm in contrast to New York where it is a beautiful state, friendly but the people have a lot of stress, fast paced and the weather is very cold. So that is why I would like to move to Los Angeles because of professional proposals and opportunities that would help me with my career in modeling

7. If you have one, does your significant other ever get jealous of your work?
Generally I try not to provoke so I prevent these kinds of behaviors. Surly in the past has happened a few times.

8. What do you like least about what you do?
Nothing, I love my job and it fulfills me.

9. If you could do anything else and money was no object, what would you do?
 Of course I would like to buy a house with swimming pool and an expensive sport car but apart of what might all of us want, I would like to be able to help poor people and those who really need help.

10. What is one thing probably very few people know about you?
I don't think that there is any... Generally I open up and I have talked in previous interviews I think about everything that concerns me.

11. Who do you admire most in your field?
There are many models that I admire but I wouldn't like to name any as I might forget some and be unfair to them.

12. Do you have any favorite authors? Who?
Of course I have favorite authors, some of them are my friends so I wouldn't like to refer in details in order not to be unfair to others that they might deserve it too.

(I know, many of these answers are unfair. Sorry.)

13. What advice would you give authors about choosing a cover model or cover for their books? And what makes a good cover, in your opinion? The model? Photographer?
Definitely they should see their previous work that they have done for covers or professional shootings, as a model that has been chosen to do shootings for many book covers means that is good and this is a criteria to choose them. A good cover depends on many factors….certainly a good model or a good photographer on their own is not enough…the model should on its own  photograph in a picture with the camera and emanate experience by taking the right poses and the right expressions according to the concept of the photograph…the photographer should know how to utilize the proper lighting so as to be able to promote the best characteristics of the model with the highest dynamics and certainly there should be a person like the  cover artist  that knows very well how to process the image so that the final result of the cover is the best it can be.

14. Where have you lived? Name all the countries or cities you've lived in?
I was born in Greece, lived in Athens until I was 8 years old and then I moved to Lavrio which is a small city a bit further out from Athens. I have lived for small periods in America where I did jobs in New York and Los Angeles.

15. What was the sexiest, most exotic photo shoot you've done?
I have done many sexy shootings, I don't know which of them are considered sexier, but I have never done nude shootings. I have done photographs in beautiful places that look exotic but I have never been in a real exotic place. I would love the opportunity to do such a photograph on the islands of Fiji…I would think of many different concepts in such a magical enchanting place.

16. What else do you do well? Hobbies?
 Kick Boxing, weight training, boxing.

Well, it's been a pleasure having you here today. I can't wait until our paths cross next year at RT. Until then, keep those wonderful sexy covers coming. I'm sure millions of women are loving all the success you're having! Thanks for being so generous with your time.

Here's how you can get hold of Grigoris:

Here is my web site - eshop:   www.4modelactor.com

And here is my profile on Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/grigoris.drakakis

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

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Meet Hot Model and Actor RICK MORA!

Interview with Adele Dubois


--CONTEST ALERT!--

Be automatically entered to win a Desert Nectar bookmark featuring Rick Mora when you leave a comment. Two winners drawn at random. Items sent via USPS first class mail inside the continental USA.

An Introduction to Rick:

While researching Native American culture on the Internet for my contemporary paranormal erotic romance novella Desert Wild, I found the above photograph of Rick Mora. As I stared at his handsome face, it seemed as if my story hero, Sonny Wild Horse Hendricks, looked back at me.

I contacted Rick for permission to use his picture to promote my book and we've stayed in touch ever since. Rick is generous and funny, popular and talented. His extensive work for charities that benefit women and children put him at the top of the Good Guy list. And need I say that he's hot and gorgeous? I'm thrilled to introduce Rick Mora to Romance Books R Us readers. Please give him a big welcome! 

Q. What decision brought you to acting and modeling, and when?

A.   Insanity brought me to this business! I grew up a latch key kid always watching TV, fascinated by show biz. How I found my way was a matter of destiny. After completing college, I was taking my best friend from high school to his agency before I dropped him off at the airport for a three month modeling adventure to Japan.

It was Omar’s Men that planted the seed of the warrior and got me my first test shoot with fashion photographer Cliff Watts. Photo shoots led to music videos, which led to commercials, films, radio and finally charity. It has been a steady climb and it does not seem to be slowing down. I am just as excited to see where my destiny will take me.

Q. You played the part of a wolf shape-shifter in the movie Twilight. What was it like to appear in such a popular film?

A.  Being in Twilight was a life changing experience. I have been in this business for over 15 years and have been the face of major corporations and products, but nothing affected my career more than 12 seconds in the movie Twilight as Ephraim Black, the great great grandfather of Jacob. It was a privilege and an honor to be recognized as this character by the fans.

My popularity is definitely fan driven and I owe it all to Stephanie Myers and Catherine Hardwicke for creating such a powerful book-to-movie franchise. With every new release fans seem to all go back to the original story and fall in love all over again. Twilight has opened many doors for me and it does not seem to be stopping.

Q: You have acted in both films and TV commercials. Tell us about your experiences. Any favorites?

A.  I have been so very lucky to have found a place in big budget franchises to ultra low budget independent productions. Budget usually allows for better locations and good food but the workload can be demanding and stressful. Some of the best work done by actors comes when they are suffering on a low budget and limited time constraints. Commercials are always fun and they are shot pretty quick. The same thing counts, the better the budget the more enjoyable the job.

Favorite Commercial : TOYOTA COROLLA EUROPE : shot in Malaga, Almeria, Barcelona and Granada Spain and Amsterdam.

Favorite Movie : TWILIGHT: Life changing career boost that changed the way I do business with acting and branding of my name.

Q. Your modeling portfolio contains photographs from sizzling and sexy to innocent and introspective. What’s it like to model professionally?

A.  Modeling was not on my list of things to achieve after college. When it became an option, reality as I used to know it changed. I have been so blessed to work with some of the most amazing photographers in the world. I learned the business from the ground up from some of the best.

Modeling was my entrance ticket to a career choice I had never considered. The human body is an amazing vessel and I am in awe of the imagery created by the world’s top photographers. Being one of the only Native American’s in modeling became a very special place for me. I have always had huge passion for style, fashion and art. 

Q. Do you have particular photographers you like to work with?

A.   I always have a growing wish list of photographers I would love to work with. Annie Leibowitz, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, Bruce Weber, Patrick De’marchelle have always been favorites, but working with those photographers that helped make my career will always be first in my book; Cherrilyn Melanie Silva, Gregory Prescott, Jerris Maddison, Matthew Rolstan, Sita Mae, Cliff Watts and Carlos Reynosa

Q. You are active in charity work benefiting Native American women. Tell us about that.
           

A.  Being born from a woman, nurtured by a woman and raised by woman, it was an honor to be invited to join an E Joyce Thompson charity event. “The Red Crystal Gala” was the first Intertribal charity event out of South Dakota to raise funds and awareness for women who are victims of assault and sexual abuse on the Reservation.

It is an unfortunate reality that exists on all reservations that must be addressed. I am honored to support the E. Joyce Thompson Organization and the Circle of Nations Productions. I encourage others to get involved and help make a change in the vicious cycle of abuse that affects the Native Community as well as families nationwide.

            

Q. Tell us about your favorite hobbies. What do you do when you’re not working?
           

A.  Favorite hobbies, what do I do for fun? It seems everything I do, even for fun, turns into work, but I do enjoy the process. I am an avid photographer, shooting still with a 35mm film camera. My favorite subject is world landscape. I have been very blessed to have had some amazing travels through my business. From Fiji to Egypt, Israel to Argentina.

 Most of my time when not working or shooting is spent on the beach. I am a full- fledged beach bum. I live, eat and sleep at the beach and try to visit as many places in the world I can with a beach. Surfing, kayaking, biking, Smashball and walking my dogs is always top on my list. I must say that I truly enjoy my job so much that working has become the most enjoyable full-time hobby.

Q. Share something about yourself you don’t usually discuss. We’re interested!

A.  Something I don’t normally discuss…You want an exclusive… Here you go!

Like many of my acting colleagues, the usual chosen profession is bartending or waiting tables, but I chose a different path. I chose a high profile lucrative part-time career in Child Development.

For 20 years I have dedicated my time out of production to education, Kindergarten to 5^th grade. Nothing more rewarding than being king Rick Mora to a kindergartener one minute and then labeled a looser-wannabe-actor by a 5 th grader the next. I just let them know this part of my life is charity and my way of giving back to my community and that’s what famous people do. If they only understood the power of a steady check, insurance and job security as an up and coming actor...

Other Rick Mora secrets: I don’t eat chocolate, don’t drink coffee and cook just about every meal I eat. I am a sucker for beautiful eyes and love to stay home and snuggle. Need I say more?

Q: What would you consider to be the most romantic place in the world?

A.  A cardboard cutout can be the most romantic place in the world if you have the love of your life there to share it. I have had some amazing world travels and have been to some of the most romantic spots in the world BY MYSELF. So with that being said, nothings better than being naked on a white sand beach on a Fijian island in the South Pacific with the love of your life. No phones, no Internet and no people! I have found the same beaches in Costa Rica, Brazil and Argentina for those who can't make the long flight to a remote island in the South Pacific.                   

Q. What’s next for Rick Mora?

A.   I want to say the world is mine! But I am a long hair; a warrior trapped in a world still in fear of  what I represent. The projects I am involved with will entertain as well as educate. I hope to make you laugh and I hope to make you cry. I have some epic films I am involved with, as well as some amazing indies and a major television network project. I am excited to continue my career in acting, but am overwhelmed by the development of Rick Mora as a brand, as host entertainer and as a humanitarian.

It's been a pleasure chatting with you at Romance Books R Us!

Please share links where fans can find you on social media.

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http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2112939/

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https://www.rickmora.com/

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