Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 482

week in pictures >> BY WILSONMODELS / wilsonmodels.blogspot.com
PRINCESS @ THE Q
SUPER FLY @ MONARCH

Where
ALL GUYS
come together
Visit www.squirt.org today to join the action

week in pictures >> BY WILSONMODELS / wilsonmodels.blogspot.com
GOTTMIK @ 3 DOLLAR BILL
THE SPOT GRAND OPENING

LET’S STOP HIV TOGETHER
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HIV doesn’t have to stand in the way of a healthy sexual
relationship. PrEP is a daily pill that can help prevent HIV.
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FIRE ISLAND 2021:
SPLASH WEEKEND
SPLASH INTO A NEW CIRCUIT FESTIVAL
The weekend of August 21-22, the
boys will once again descend onto
Cherry Grove, Fire Island for a full
two-day, three-party experience run
by some of the top DJs from the
circuit world and surrounded by the
beautiful scenery the island has to
offer. World-famous producer DJ
Aron, who has been spinning the
largest circuit parties around the
world for over 20 years, will headline
Gostoso, the main event Saturday
August 21st at the largest dance
floor on the island, The Ice Palace
Nightclub.
Backed by some of the biggest DJ
names in the industry and ready
to take over Fire Island, producer
Maurico Lagreca and his partner and
team are ready to bring their highquality
productions to the island,
just as they have been producing in
their events in Rio de Janeiro, Miami
and NYC for the last five years,
They promise to bring high-level
quality production, state-of-the-art
sound and lighting and dynamic
performances to all three party
venues.

In addition to the main event, the
festival will kick off Saturday from
1-9 PM with the Guapo Pool Party at
the Grove Hotel, which will transform
its pool and deck into an oasis for
the hottest boys to play and dance
to the beats of Brazilian DJ Paulo
Fragoso and DJ Arno Diem from Los
Angeles. The main event, Gostoso,
will start right at 10 PM at the Ice
Palace Nightclub, where the boys will
frolic the night away to the beats of
opening DJs Binho Uckermann and
Thiago Layber, followed by superstar
DJ Aron. A night of pure sexiness and
happiness is guaranteed.
To end the festival on a stellar note,
the closing sunset Mystiko Party,
which takes place at the Belvedere
Hotel deck overlooking the stunning
bay, will go from 3 PM to midnight
and will be a preview of the Mystiko
Circuit Festival, which will take place
in Tulum later this year. Be ready
to be transported to the sights,
sounds and sensations of an oasis.
Headlining this event will be DJ Alex
Acosta, DJ Alex Lo from Mexico and
DJ Carlos Rojas from Miami. Be ready
to be connected with the universe at
sunset!
Splash Weekend Festival will take
place on August 21st-22nd in Fire
Island, NY. Tickets are being sold as
a three-party combo or individually
for each event. A portion of all ticket
sales will be donated to the Cherry
Grove Community House & Theater
and Out My Closet.
For more information and details regarding the event please
visit WWW.SPLASHFIREISLAND.COM

week in pictures >> BY WILSONMODELS / wilsonmodels.blogspot.com
PINES PARTY BEACH PARTY
PINES PARTY POOL PARTY

A PORTION OF ALL
TICKET SALES WILL
BE DONATED TO:

The Cherry Grove Volleyball
Tournament LezVolley
is Celebrating its 10-year Anniversary
Known as one of the most popular vacation destinations for LGBTQ
individuals, Fire Island is a little piece of heaven that attracts hundreds of
people every year with its beaches, drag shows, water taxis and summer
cocktails.
One of the most notorious annual events in Cherry Grove, Fire Island is the
LezVolley beach volleyball tournament that now gathers 25 teams and over
200 players for a day of fun-filled competition. The event has been supported
by the historic Stonewall Inn since the very beginning in 2011, and all the
games are professionally officiated by New York City’s Gotham Volleyball
league, the largest gay sports organization in New York City founded in 1981.
The games are spread out across 5 volleyball courts set up on the Cherry
Grove beaches and last from12PM to 4PM, when the tournament’s winners
receive their medals and prizes, acclaimed by the crowd.
Beyond the competition, the event also attracts each year hundreds of
visitors and spectators who come from all over New York, Long Island, New
Jersey, and Pennsylvania to watch the games, cheer on their favorite teams
and meet like-minded individuals with similar interests. The atmosphere
is light, summery and exciting, with people from all age groups mingling,
relaxing, or partying. Even better? The event is kid and pet friendly (under
adult supervision).

To celebrate all participants and bring the community together, the games are
followed by an after party that takes place at the Ice Palace from 5PM until the
night ends – a night that is always one to be remembered.
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF LEZVOLLEY
After being cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual
LezVolley tournament is BACK and will take place on August 14, 2021 in Cherry
Grove, Fire Island.
The event is celebrating its 10-year Anniversary, an incredible milestone for
business partners Danielle and Kristine who wanted to help Cherry Grove stay
the number one vacation spot for LGBTQ women by launching a sporting event
that continues to bring the community together year after year.
In addition to the incredible Stonewall Inn support, LezVolley is fortunate to
receive the support from many sponsors every year. In 2021, Gold and Silver
sponsors include Olivia, the travel company for LGBTQ+ women, The Kurland
Group, Attorney at Law, Northwell Health Orthopaedic Institute, and Haus of
Madusa, LGBTQIA Recording & Production Studio.
Learn more
Go to www.lezvolley.com to learn more about the event and how to get there.

HUGO
LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 1995
REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT
KEEP
CONNECTING.
Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.
BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used
to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.
Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.
Featured patient compensated by Gilead.
Watch Hugo’s story at BIKTARVY.com

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®
This is only a brief summary of important information about
BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare
provider about your condition and your treatment.
(bik-TAR-vee)
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY may cause serious side
effects, including:
Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV)
infection. Your healthcare provider will
test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1
and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get
worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do
not stop taking BIKTARVY without first
talking to your healthcare provider,
as they will need to check your health
regularly for several months, and may
give you HBV medicine.
ABOUT BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill,
once-a-day prescription medicine
used to treat HIV-1 in adults and
children who weigh at least 55 pounds.
It can either be used in people who
have never taken HIV-1 medicines
before, or people who are replacing
their current HIV-1 medicines and
whose healthcare provider determines
they meet certain requirements.
BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.
HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS.
Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take
a medicine that contains:
dofetilide
rifampin
any other medicines to treat HIV-1
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY may cause serious side
effects, including:
Those in the “Most Important Information
About BIKTARVY” section.
Changes in your immune system.
Your immune system may get
stronger and begin to fight infections
that may have been hidden in your
body. Tell your healthcare provider
if you have any new symptoms after
you start taking BIKTARVY.
Kidney problems, including kidney
failure. Your healthcare provider
should do blood and urine tests to
check your kidneys. If you develop
new or worse kidney problems, they
may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.
Too much lactic acid in your blood
(lactic acidosis), which is a serious but
rare medical emergency that can lead
to death. Tell your healthcare provider
right away if you get these symptoms:
weakness or being more tired than usual,
unusual muscle pain, being short of
breath or fast breathing, stomach pain
with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue
hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded,
or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.
Severe liver problems, which in rare
cases can lead to death. Tell your
healthcare provider right away if you
get these symptoms: skin or the white
part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “teacolored”
urine, light-colored stools, loss
of appetite for several days or longer,
nausea, or stomach-area pain.
The most common side effects of
BIKTARVY in clinical studies were
diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and
headache (5%).
These are not all the possible side effects
of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider
right away if you have any new symptoms
while taking BIKTARVY.
You are encouraged to report negative
side effects of prescription drugs to the
FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or
call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Your healthcare provider will need to
do tests to monitor your health before
and during treatment with BIKTARVY.
Continued on next page.
Please see Important Facts, including important warnings, continued on the
next page and at BIKTARVY.com.

REAL BIKTARVY
PATIENTS
ZACH
D’EVA
HUGO
CHAD
Meet a few of the extraordinary people who take BIKTARVY.
Watch their stories at BIKTARVY.com
Featured patients compensated by Gilead.
NIKKI
IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY® (CONTINUED)
DIMITRI
BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY
Tell your healthcare provider if you:
Have or have had any kidney or liver
problems, including hepatitis infection.
Have any other health problems.
Are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY
can harm your unborn baby. Tell your
healthcare provider if you become
pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.
Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to
breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can
be passed to the baby in breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all
the medicines you take:
Keep a list that includes all prescription
and over-the-counter medicines,
antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal
supplements, and show it to your
healthcare provider and pharmacist.
BIKTARVY and other medicines
may affect each other. Ask your
healthcare provider and pharmacist
about medicines that interact with
BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to
take BIKTARVY with all your
other medicines.
HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY
Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or
without food.
GET MORE INFORMATION
This is only a brief summary of important
information about BIKTARVY. Talk to
your healthcare provider or pharmacist
to learn more.
Go to BIKTARVY.com or call
1-800-GILEAD-5
If you need help paying for your
medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for
program information.
Please see Important Facts,
including important warnings,
above and at BIKTARVY.com.
BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are
trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021
© 2021 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0413 04/21

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
APRIL ROSE
GABRIELLI
CLIMBING THE LGBTQ+ CHARTS WITH “DO YOU?”
A rising superstar, singer/songwriter April
Rose Gabrielli launched her new single, “Do
You?”, on July 20 via Tribeca Records a
SohoJohnny Enterprise, and in less than a
week, it is illuminating the Pride Chill Music
Charts at number four.
Easily described as the love child of Pat
Benatar and Taylor Swift, April Rose Gabrielli,
who is signed exclusively with master music
publishers BMG, has already toured the
world as a headliner. Most recently, her song
“Tameless”, co-written by Sony artist KULICK,
was chosen out of hundreds to represent the
movie “Not The Science Type”, which just
premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. She
also just came off a sold-out performance at
the iconic Bitter End, the oldest rock club in
New York City, where she lit up the stage and earned a standing ovation.
April Rose Gabrielli is a seductive alchemist who transforms private anguish into
a narrative of truth with her edgy lyrics and a crushing dedication to her music. I
spoke to April regarding her new song, her career, and her future.
INTERVIEW
Hello, April. Your debut new single
release, “Do You?”, has been out less
than a week and has already been
added to top playlists such as ‘Pop &
Rock Party Songs,’ ‘Pride Chill Hits’
and ‘Love, Self-Love & Empowerment
Anthems’. Aside from it being
fabulous, what do you believe that’s
attributed to?
Thank you! I love when my songs get
listened to and playlisted! It’s cool to see
who the song resonates with and what
message is received by the listener. “Do
You?” is a pretty straightforward love
anthem, with lyrics in the pre-chorus like
“The way that I want you all of the time,
baby be mine,” but I think the brash
and confident nature of lyrics such as
those give it the edge of a self-love and
self-expression anthem too, so it’s got
a little something for everyone. It took
me almost no time to fully write and
came straight from the heart, so maybe
authenticity has helped to push this one
to the places that it has arrived.

Tell me what inspired “Do You?”
“Do You?” is both a love song and
self-love song at the same time. It was
sonically inspired by what we’d typically
hear in a Queen song, and lyrically, I
wrote a tongue in cheek poem about
how I am the master of emotional
deflection. No one really knows how
I feel, because I never tell them and
I really don’t want to because I’m
afraid of the reaction. It wasn’t always
a conscious choice, I just couldn’t see
past my fear of rejection or upset.
I spent most of my life as a people
pleaser and a mediator. It was draining
to always keep the peace and I always
forgot about my own happiness in
the process. I have learned that being
honest, assertive and communicative
keeps the most peace overall. Moral of
the story: Don’t ask ‘Do You?’ just “Do
You.”
You just came off of a sold out,
standing ovation concert at NYC’s
Bitter End. How did that feel,
especially after going nearly two
years without seeing a stage ?
It truly felt ELECTRIC! Live performance
is so special to me. I’ve been
performing on stage since I was nine
years old, and since I began, I’ve
never taken more than a few months
off. My show at the Bitter End was my
first performance in two years, with a
new project, a new sound, new band,
new health hurdles, 10 new songs and
so much more. Most of the audience
members were also experiencing their
first show in over a year, so it was a
uniquely special, shared experience.
I will never forget the energy and
happiness that was buzzing around
in the air. I hope to bring a little bit of
it with me to every one of my shows
moving forward. I have also never had
a sold out show or received a standing
ovation or an encore of this nature, so it
was pretty surreal to be experiencing all
of these new moments on my very first
show back. I am forever grateful
for this experience.
You are part of the huge
Times Square gala hosted
by David Osmond, with
“Wonderama”. What is your
reaction to that?
I love New York City, Broadway
shows and musical theater, so
something about playing in the
middle of Times Square with
such an awesome production
feels really validating and
special. I’ve heard amazing
things about David Osmond
and I cannot wait to meet
him. The cast and crew that
I’ve interacted with so far
have been nothing short of
incredible. In between gigs,
I used to spend many days a
week stomping through the
streets of midtown, heading
to internships or jobs during
college while dreaming about
one day being on a billboard
or performing on a big stage
in the massive lightbulb that
is Times Square. I can’t wait,
and I feel so appreciative to
be included. It’s going to be
awesome.

Your song “Tameless” was chosen to
be the theme of the movie “Not The
Science Type,” which premiered at
the Tribeca Film Festival. How was
it chosen and what did the writing
process entail? Did the movie or the
song come first?
I received a message to submit
anthemic and uplifting songs for a
science-focused docuseries, so I came
up with a general chord structure,
production style and main melody.
I then enlisted the help of my righthand
man, producer, artist, engineer
extraordinaire: (Jacob) KULICK. We
developed stronger lyrics, filled out the
song instrumentally and built a stronger
story for “Tameless” over a couple of
days and submitted
it. We were contacted
some months later
and we flipped out.
Eventually, I learned the
film was about women
in STEM and how they
are constantly breaking
the stereotypes of
what most of us might
consider a typical
“scientist.” I couldn’t
be more honored!
We saw the film at the
festival for the first
time and I shamelessly
cried my eyes out. I was
so proud to be a part
of such an important
piece of art.
What have been both the high points
and low points of your career thus
far?
My career has been really good to
me, and while I haven’t had specific
low moments, I think it’s important to
note that I’ve been told “No” or been
passed over about 100 times more
than I’ve been told “Yes.” But keeping
resilient, passionate and focused kept
me in good spirits in between those
high and low points. Those “Yes”
moments are what make careers soar.
Giving up because of bad moments
never gives a career or an opportunity
time to develop the way it would have. I
have been pushed, shoved and verbally
abused at gigs, all before the age of 20.
I’ve been broken down on the road a
handful of times, got hit (then ditched)
by a drunk driver, made no money, lost
money, played for no one when we were
across the country. (Even the sound guy
left). I’ve been told I’m too old to be
appealing as a female musician before
the age of 30, I’ve navigated abusive
partners who would fight me every time
I wanted to go to rehearsal, suffered
from chronic illnesses and went months
without having enough money to pay
bills and rent... but I have this deep love
for music, creating and art that fueled
my journey to stability and health. I
am lucky that my story is my story. It’s
not over yet, and I look
forward to continuing
in a positive direction.
Some highlights include
touring the U.S. and
Canada a few times,
being managed by music
industry veteran John
Velasco (ABBA, Yes),
signing a publishing deal
with BMG and of course
every little musical kid’s
dream of actually signing
a record deal.
What is next for April
Rose Gabrielli in 2021
and beyond?
I’m looking forward to
so many fun things. After the Times
Square event, I will be performing in
New York City on September 3rd at
Arlene’s Grocery, as well as during
Fashion Week. I’m also excited to
continue pushing “Do You?” with my
debut music video. I’m also planning
on releasing new singles, an EP and
eventually my debut full length album. I
will also be going on tour in November
as the keys player/vocalist for the band
KULICK, touring with The Spill Canvas.
Everything from this moment on is a
bonus, a blessing and so appreciated.

BY TOM TIETJEN
BULLIT PROOF
The new album by NYC’s Brandon James Gwinn reflects on a
messy period in the life of the young out and loud artist
Brandon James Gwinn is best
known for producing Trixie
Mattel’s albums. In fact, it was
Trixie’s idea for Brandon James
to sing his own songs on his first
EP, Not Too Late, released three
years ago. She then convinced
him to join her nationwide tour
as her opening act.
Now, Brandon James Gwinn
returns with his sophomore
album, BULLIT, featuring the
first single “Cristal Conners,” a
country-rock pop-infused ode
to the Gina Gershon character
in Showgirls. The album mixes
queer pop with theatrical rock ‘n
roll and is darker than the pianobased-quirkiness
of his previous
album. BULLIT is about messy
ends and the rocky, mirky, often
uncertain paths many of us
travel before getting to what we
celebrate as new beginnings.
Brandon James Gwinn will
promote BULLIT on August 12th
when he joins Jack Tracy and
JJ Bozeman for a live recording
of their Dying Alone, Together
podcast, taking place at NYC’s
Dixon Place, part of the HOT!
Festival. Here is our talk.

Did you intend for BULLIT to be
a feel-fest?
Brandon James Gwinn: Most of
the material on the album was
born out of my own private,
devastating feel-fest; a period
of my life where a lot changed
quickly. I had 13 songs worth of
shit to say, and to experience this
album from start to finish is almost
a tour of how I dealt with that time
in my life.
You bare a lot of deep emotions
throughout the album.
Brandon James Gwinn: I’m a
songwriter, and that’s how I work
things out. Even something
as cheeky as the song “Cristal
Conners” is about how
sometimes, when you’re dealing
with heartache and you have
too many vodkas, you can wreak
a little havoc. You wake up the
next day wondering if you still
have friends. It’s about being
devastated and messy and living
in that moment and feeling
it fully. Almost relishing and
allowing yourself a tiny moment of
indulgent, fun self-destruction.
How much of Brandon James is
in Cristal?
Brandon James Gwinn: That
honestly depends on what time of
night it is. What are we drinking?
And how’s the crowd? I’d love
to think there’s a good dose of
me in her. But really, Cristal’s
my hero. Both in the video and
in the genius performance by
Gina Gershon, she is someone
who knows exactly what she
has to offer and gets away with
everything. She is a badass. Who
wouldn’t want to be her?
The song sounds like a
Trixie Mattel track. Was that
intentional?
Brandon James Gwinn: Trixie is a
brilliant talent and a good friend.
I think we have somewhat similar
songwriting backgrounds and
definitely a mutual appreciation
for country, pop and roots music.
I wouldn’t say it was intentional,
but I definitely sent her the track
before we even mastered it
because I thought it’d be right up
her alley.
What do you want listeners to
take away from BULLIT?
Brandon James Gwinn: I hope
listeners have fun. So much fun.
It’s an eclectic album, about
coming of age. Ultimately, I hope
listeners feel something and
maybe get a little insight into who
I am.
Visit brandonjamesgwinn.
com. See Brandon James
Gwinn live August 12 @
7:30pm at Dixon Place
(161A Chrystie Street, Btwn
Rivington & Delancey).
Tickets starting at $15 are
available at Dixonplace.org.

5 0 0 W 4 8 T H S T .
N Y , N Y 1 0 0 3 6
PUBLISHER MICHAEL TODD
MIKE@GETOUTMAG.COM
DESIGN AGOTA@GETOUTMAG.COMV
CELEBRITY INTERVIEWER EILEEN SHAPIRO
@EILEENSHAPIRO3
CONTRIBUTOR TERRON AUSTIN
NIGHTLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER WILSONMODELS
JEASO86@HOTMAIL.COM
The publications of MJT/GOOTH ENTERTAINMENT, getoutmag.com or any
other related print or Web publications or social media accounts, their images,
quotations or articles should not be construed to be an indication of the sexual
orientation of anyone portrayed therein.
All Content © Copyright 2019
MJT/GOOTH ENTERTAINMENT
25-21 45TH STREET ASTORIA, NY 11103
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT EST. 2009

BY ROBERT HASSELHOFF
THE ORACLE RISING
The Brooklyn artist Performs Songs
from Their Debut EP in Bed-Stuy
The Brookyln-based self-identified
nonbinary queer femme artist
known as THE ORACLE first made
waves last winter with the release of
“Celadon Haze”, a Bjork-inspired
trance song that told the story of
queer exes thinking of rekindling
their love due to the isolation of the
Covid pandemic.
This month, THE ORACLE returns
with Lost Amulet, their debut EP
that blends a love of poetry with
soaring vocals, a futuristic sound,
and deeply emotional narratives.
“I wanted the EP to capture the
diversity and beauty of queer love
and create an immersive, uplifting
and healing atmosphere that
counters these tumultuous times
on earth,” THE ORACLE explains.
THE ORACLE will perform songs
from Lost Amulet at the EP’s release
party, taking place Friday, August
20th at Refuge Arts (80 Vernon
Avenue) in Bed-Stuy.
“My vision was to deliver crystal
transmutation rays to minds and
hearts through ethereal sound
spells,” THE ORACLE explains of
Lost Amulet. “I aimed to synthesize
my beautiful experiences of love
and dance in the rave community,
as well as my background as a poet
and spoken word artist.”

Produced by Meviu§,
the album opens with
“Dark Iridescent,” a
sad, brooding song
about chasing after
quickly transforming,
fluid energy. In the next
single, “Clockwork”,
THE ORACLE fuses
spoken word poetry
into an intensely dark
but flowing narrative. It
leads into the hyper-pop
“Cloud 9 Angel” that
THE ORACLE lovingly
describes as a straight
up sappy love song. “I
had to get the cheese
out of my system!” they
confess. It is followed by
“Leaving Earth” and then
two remixes of “Celadon
Haze.”
THE ORACLE was born
in Jerusalem, Israel and raised
in St. Petersburg, Russia as Julia
Sinelnikova. When THE ORACLE
was five years old, the family
relocated to Texas.
Now living in Brooklyn, New York,
THE ORACLE is best known for
their sculpture and lighting design.
THE ORACLE views music as a
soundscape for their video art and
light art ideas to come together
through performance.
Their message to fans is to
stay focused and extra sparkly.
“Acceptance is really lacking
in this world and we all need
to step up to bring more love
and interconnecting art into this
universe.”
“Lost Amulet” is being
distributed by Ghostcat
Media International and is
available on Bandcamp.
Follow THE ORACLE on
Instagram.com @or_acle.

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
SHAUN MELADY
Communication and Media Artist
Turned Actor and Model Triumphs in New Endeavor
Communications, media, and public relations connoisseur
Shaun Melady has exchanged backstage antics for the
front and center limelight. With his classically handsome
looks, sex appeal and innate talent, he has emerged
victoriously.
Shaun has already been featured in the award-winning
short films “Abysmo” and “The Disturbance Call”, as well
as multiple Amazon Prime productions. He has given his
regards to Off-Broadway by landing three plays, namely
Aeschylus’ Greek tragedy “The Persians”, as well as “The
Killers” and “Disconnected”.
As a model, he has worked with Italian-brand Elie Balleh Couture during Fashion
Weeks in the Society Fashion Show and at Pier 59 Studios. He has also worked
with menswear brands and Fortune 500 clients for commercial and print work,
including Michelob Ultra, U.S. Navy, and Kane 11, just to mention a few.
I had a conversation with Shaun regarding his newfound career and he was
absolutely delicious.
INTERVIEW
Hi, Shaun. You are a huge deal in
communications, media, PR and
journalism and you’ve left that
behind for the onstage world of
entertainment?
I used to work in communications, PR,
journalism and all that good stuff, and I
still love it and I will still write here and
there, but I’m focusing mainly on acting
and modeling now. Earlier this year/end
of last year, a film that I’m in on Amazon
Prime came out called “The Disturbance
Call”. I starred in that and it’s won a
handful of awards. It’s been really cool.
What inspired you to leave journalism
and communications and all that good
stuff behind? I mean you’re definitely
cute and sexy enough.
I love journalism, I love writing, and it’s
always going to be a part of me, but I’ve
always had this low-key desire to pursue
acting and modeling. But when I lived
in Florida, aside from the theme parks,
there wasn’t really that much opportunity.
But then, when I moved to New York, I
went to Fashion Week in an open casting
call and worked there and met my first
manager there and decided this was the
track for me.
As an actor and a model, what has
been your highlight thus far?
Definitely starring on Amazon Prime.

That has been incredible, with so much
great feedback. The recognition from
that has been really great. On the
modeling side, I work in both runway
and commercials. On the runway
side, Fashion Week has been really
incredible, especially being invited to
walk in New York Fashion Week shows
with an Italian couture designer. That
has been amazing and a testament
to know that they like my work. That’s
really refreshing to know. Then, on the
commercial side, working with brands
like Anheuser Busch and different
couture brands has been amazing.
It’s very cool to jump into a new
career and actually love it and to be
successful in it. The entertainment
business is a really hard business.
It is wild. I tell people that outside of
neurosurgery or being a cardiologist
(a thing that literally saves lives), this
industry has really been probably
one of the most difficult industries to
navigate through because it’s a mental
game as well as a physical game. But I
wouldn’t trade it. It’s a weird love-hate
relationship.
I get it, but I think being a
neurosurgeon, at least you have a
goal and you know what’s going to
happen, whereas in the world of
entertainment, you have to hope.
Yes, that’s very true. There is also a
factor of feedback. I love feedback.
Being in the communications world,
you get feedback in the form of edits
on different things. In acting, you get
the feedback with the different scenes-
-maybe trying something a different
way....
On the modeling end, what is
“Cloudwear?”
That is an affordable brand on Amazon
that is also very stylish--a comfortable
brand that you can wear everywhere.
It’s like a two-button, slim-fit sports
coat and it comes in different color
palettes. You can wear it casually,
businesswise or at formal events and
even fashion events. I am actually part
of the Player’s Club here in New York,
which is more of a formal setting, and
I can wear it there. I can wear it to take
pictures in street style photo shoots
and all that. So it’s very versatile.

If you could pick your ultimate stage
fantasy, what would it be?
If it’s about TV or film, I honestly love
feature films. I would like to continue to
go down the film track, which would be
just the ultimate fantasy, because it’s
just a longer form of entertainment. It’s
bringing characters to life and also it’s
about working together with incredible
teams to make magic happen. Literal
Hollywood magic, but here in New
York.
If you had your choice of roles to
portray, what do you see yourself
playing?
That is tough. I would like to do
something in the dramatic comedy-
-the dramedy--world. One of my
favorite movies is “The Birdcage.”
Robin Williams’ character is a perfect
mix of serious, but also hilarious. Being
someone like that would just be the
icing on the cake, I think.
Do you have a favorite actor?
I don’t, because there are so many
different characteristics. I think Charlize
Theron is brilliant and again, touching
on Robin Williams, he was amazing. If
I had to pick two, those would be the
top two.
Knowing everything you know now,
if you could give baby Shaun some
advice, what would it be?
Wow.. .Just to really love and accept
yourself and who you are and don’t
be afraid to put yourself out there.
You never know what can happen,
especially in this wild world that we live
in.
That’s for sure! Do you think that
being part of the LGBTQ community
has helped or hindered your career?
It definitely hasn’t hindered my
career. It’s been kind of neutral, I feel,
because being a part of the LGBTQ+
community is amazing. It’s great to
be a part of the community, but that’s
not the only thing I identify as. There
is so much more and it’s just a part of
me that I love. I think it’s just been a
constant blessing, if you will.

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Trains: 6, F, Q

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
TYLER WHITMAN
“MILLION DOLLAR LISTING NEW YORK”
Tyler Whitman is more
than your average,
very handsome and
successful NYC real estate
professional. He’s charming
and vibrant and creative and
has over a decade of real
estate experience, selling
some of the most expensive
apartments in the city. His
accomplishments have
surpassed even his wildest
dreams.
An agent starring in the
hit Bravo reality series
“Million Dollar Listing New
York,” Tyler agreed to talk
about his career and the
challenges and triumphs
he faced because of the
pandemic in season 9.
INTERVIEW
TYLER, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GO
INTO REAL ESTATE IN THE FIRST
PLACE AND HOW DID YOU BECOME
INVOLVED WITH “MILLION DOLLAR
LISTING NEW YORK?”
None of it was a plan. None of that was
part of the expectations of life. When I
first moved to the city, I had no plan, but
I had the dream in the back of my head
and that was that one day I would host
my own TV show. I used to tell people
I wanted to be like a Chelsea Handler,
but I wanted to be on a channel where I
could cuss. That is what I would always
tell people I wanted to do. So I was
waiting tables at Planet Hollywood in
Times Square and I got a sublet from a
guy off Craigslist. I had no money--I was
really struggling back then. The guy who
I got the sublet off of was a real estate
agent. I kind of saw his lifestyle, as he sat
in front of his computer in his bedroom all
day and then went out and showed a few
apartments. I thought, “I could do that.
” But he always used to try to talk me out
of it. He told me that he had a good thing
going because he had all these exclusives
in the East Village.

He was a rental agent and I got my start
in rentals. Anyway, I was so fed up with
waiting tables, so I finally decided to get
my real estate license. So I got it and I
started doing rentals. That was in 2006.
And now here I am. It kind of took over my
life.
HOW DID YOU ACTUALLY START TO GET
ALL OF THESE HUGE AND EXPENSIVE
LISTINGS?
That took me forever. I was a rental agent
for a very long time, for the first five
years of my career until 2011. But then, I
went into management. I stopped selling
altogether and I began hiring and training
agents for a few years. Then we started the
company that I work for now, “Triplemint”.
I was part of the launch team and there
were three of us. I was on the leadership
team and strictly working behind the
scenes for business development roles
until 2016. By 2016, I had been around the
block enough. I had been in the industry
for 10 years, but not really selling. I went
from rentals to behind the scenes. So I had
a unique experience and background in
real estate, as compared to a lot of people
who have gotten into the business. I stayed
at “Triplemint”, where I still work, but went
back to being an agent and started a small
team. I hired a life coach and a business
coach and put together a marketing plan.
As part of that marketing plan, my business
coach was shoving down my throat that I
needed to do video marketing. He claimed
it was the future of real estate. He thought
I should be making commercials and they
should be unique and funny and
different. He suggested I have
a lot of content going up on
Instagram, so I hired these guys
out of Brooklyn, who today still
make my video content. We just
started making video content
and it worked. I started posting
it and the next thing I knew, I
started getting referral after
referral. I was having a ton of
fun with it. I made a lot of really
funny commercials. We launched
“Whitman Wisdom” which is still
kind of like my little Instagram
web series, and I put it out
to help people with their real
estate life. But I also kept it fun
and light, and honestly that has exploded
for me. That’s ultimately how I got on the
TV show. People saw the content I was
putting out and it got in front of the right
people. I got a phone call and one thing
led to another and I was on the show.
A REAL ESTATE FAIRY TALE.
It truly is. It’s a dream come true. It’s wild.
SO, FAST FORWARD TO SEASON 9....
Obviously, it’s been a very unique year.
We usually film for a long time because we
are following the life of real estate deal.
So usually we film for about nine months.
But because of Covid, we kept getting
shut down. The landscape of real estate
kept changing rapidly, so we filmed the
season for a year and a half. The season
is airing now and they’re halfway through,
but it is really a chronological look back at
what the world went through. New York
City specifically had such a unique story.
While most real estate markets exploded,
New York City had the exact opposite.
We filmed through all of that. Typically
in Million Dollar Listing, the viewer tunes
in because they want to see really sexy
and expensive apartments. For them, it’s
kind of a look into the life of the super
wealthy in one of the most iconic cities in
the world. That’s what the show has always
had and I think that’s why the show was
such a hit. People just can’t get enough
of that. The show will run forever because
that never gets old and that’s why I love
my job so much, because it never gets old
to me either.

But this season is completely different.
We showed a completely different side
of things. We showed people taking big
financial hits and people making really
difficult decisions and people needing to
adapt to this new world that we live in.
You also got to see this city completely
empty, as a ghost town. You got to see
how we had to market the properties and
show them during a pandemic, how we all
adjusted and what that looked like. The
season started before the pandemic, when
everything was business as usual. The
market was not hot before the pandemic,
so we were already kind of down. Things
were going OK. I landed ironically the
biggest sale of my career. That has already
aired. That was the property that the
season opened with. At the time, it was
a $13 million listing. It got to be my story
on the show. I am the underdog, so for
me it was
huge. I was
so excited. I
had just sold
the biggest
apartment
of my career,
made the
biggest
commission
of my career.
The property
they
followed
with is a
property that
had been on
the market
for over a
year with
another broker, and it didn’t get a single
offer. I took it over and had a marketing
plan and staged it and kept the price the
same, and I got in a bidding war the first
week. So I was feeling really good. I had
two big success stories. I remember when
the producer called me and told me that
we’d have to pause production. That was
when I thought that Covid wasn’t going to
be such a big deal. Literally the next day I
got an email from the real estate board of
New York that told me no more showings.
I thought, “What is going on?” We were
shut down for months. Then they kind
of filmed us coming back, which people
have started to see. We were dealing
with all the new normals and looking at
what business looks like because of the
pandemic. What you’re going to see by
the end of it is New York City starting to
roar back. Unfortunately, by that point
they needed to launch the season, so you
just get a small taste of it, but the city is
on fire right now. I’ve never been so busy
in my life. I’ve sold so many properties in
that price range. I just sold one quadruple
that price. A lot has changed in the last
year and a half. It’s been insane, what’s
happening.
THERE IS A GIRL ON THE SHOW NOW--
THE FIRST FEMALE?
When I got cast on the show, I was truly
an underdog. I had never really interacted
with any of the cast members before. I
didn’t know
Fredrik or
Ryan or Steve
before I
joined. When
KJ joined
right after I
did, she and
I knew each
other. She
was the only
cast member
that I had a
relationship
with outside
of the show.
At first, she
and I had
a strange
competitive
vibe. We had a lot of crossover on various
listings that we worked on. But I think
we were both the newest people on the
show, so once we got through that, she
became a very dear friend of mine. We
talk every day, actually. We are working on
listings together, and it’s been amazing,
finally having a woman on the show. I
know that a lot of our audience are women
and of course there should’ve been
representation, and now there is. She’s
great and I hope that people find her very
inspiring.