Rie: Welcome to the Spotlight, Jimmy. I'm thrilled you could join me today. Before we get down to business here, I just want to say thank you for agreeing to this interview and also for being on the cover of two of my books. I have to say they are the best covers I've ever seen! How did you become a model for romance novel covers?
JT: Well, first off, thank you for this opportunity Rie, as well as for you wanting me on the covers of your books J I began my romance novel cover modeling career when I was invited to be a cover novel contestant at Romantic Times BOOKlovers Convention in 2002. I decided that I wanted to be on many novel covers as I had been doing romantic and sensual ‘couples’ photo shoots since I started modeling 4 years prior to that. So I took it upon myself to make it happen, and here I am J
Rie: I know you have been on over seven hundred book covers now, do you remember the first cover you were on?
JT: Actually, as of right now I’m on more than 800 covers ;) And yes, my first cover I guess is like your first sex partner… one you’ll never forget ;) My first book cover was Susan Kearney’s “Solar Heat”.
Rie: Wow, it just seems like a month or so ago my book was your 500th! Tell me, what is a typical day at work like for you?
JT: LOL! Seriously? How many pages do I get? Let me save everyone from taking too early of a nap ;)… working on images, go to the gym, work on images, set-up/confirm upcoming photo shoots, work on images, filling out answers to interviews, work on images, reading and responding to numerous messages and photo comments on facebook, work on images… oh, and did I mention work on images? ;)
Rie: LOL, okay, do you work on images every day? Just kidding! Seriously now, besides book covers, what other type of modeling do you do?
JT: I’m limited now with my hair being long, so more or less just music videos now, where they want a long hair, Mediterranean look.
Rie: Hmmm, how do I make the jump from author to music videos? Oh, wait, okay, I'll fantasize later. Ummm, oh yeah, what made you decide modeling was the career for you?
JT: When I started getting many of my images published in fitness magazines and commercial print ads quite a bit and was accepted by many modeling agencies and booked on a good amount of print work. Then through the romance novel industry I took my modeling to different heights J
Rie: And you do that very well, I might add. Now, modeling depends entirely upon your looks and physique. If you were unable to model, what is your back up job?
JT: Many, many things. Besides owning a rapidly growing stock image website ;) I’ve been an Architectural Designer since 1994. I’ve been a Personal Trainer since 1998, a Self Defense and Kickboxing Instructor since 1992, a Chef, Head of Security at various nightclubs, a sports bar owner… the list goes on ;)
Rie: Wow, a man of many talents! Could you just jump back into one of those jobs?
JT: I keep all my prior careers available for me to still do if ever needed, but I’m looking to eventually get into producing and directing movies.
Rie: Really? I have a couple of books that would make excellent movies, by the way. You appear with some pretty sexy female models and often the clothing is minimal. Is it uncomfortable to pose with someone you hardly know in such seductive positions, or is it just another day at the office?
JT: Uncomfortable being with a next-to-naked/naked sexy women? Are you serious? (looking over my shoulder for whomever it is you are asking this of ;))… heck no! J I wouldn’t say it’s just another day at the office because I respect women and appreciate each and every one of them, especially those that I shoot with. They trust me, my judgment on the poses and the end resulting images won't make them look bad in any way. It’s not like I’m some college kid or someone freshly out of prison. Having a naked sexy woman in my arms...it’s complete respect, but I’m a heterosexual male, single, and a hopeless romantic Pisces, so I enjoy it of course, but more for a beautiful face looking at me with desire, than just a naked female body.
Rie: (Sighs, and looks around to see if little hearts are circling my head!) I read that you don't do nudes. What made you draw the line there?
JT: Anytime I see a guy implied nude or completely nude in an image, he’s usually holding a small towel over his crotch, laying face down on the beach naked, or just standing there letting it all hangout, they all look 100% homosexual to me, so I’m sure I’m not the only one viewing them that way. And I think I would be limited on settling down with a woman who would be ok with my junk hanging out in many images for the world to see ;)
Rie: Aww, you really are a hopeless romantic. What does your family and friends think about your career?
JT: My brother is the most active of my family with my romance novel career. He’s proud and excited about it, he brings his kids into the bookstores to find covers I’m on, and he leaves comments here and there on my facebook pages. My friends love it! They are very proud of where I have taken myself, as they know how hard I’ve worked at it day in and day out.
Rie: Sounds like you have an awesome support system. That's great. I'm sure there have been some amusing mishaps during shoots. Can you think of a quick story to share with us?
JT: Well, some girls have personal drama they reveal during a shoot, which is why I chat a while first with each model before shooting with them. I want to be sure I don’t get surprise attitudes during the shoot. The only real mishap would be when I fell asleep near the end of a shoot, lol. I was posing naked with a sexy female model, who was also naked, we were under the bed sheets, hands all over each other, and when Bruce, my photographer, had to change lights, I passed out! We had shot at the beach earlier, so I was exhausted, as well as from shooting back to back, day and night a few days earlier. Bruce kept shooting us anyway, with me just lying there. She was playing with my lips… those shots came out really cute actually ;)
Rie: Lucky girl! Christmas is coming up this month. Do you have any special plans for the holidays?
JT: None yet. I may go to FL to spend it with my brother and his kids.
Rie: It's Christmas Eve and Santa is checking his list, which one are you on—naughty or nice?
JT: BOTH! ;)
Rie: Pumpkin pie with whipped cream or pecan pie?
JT: PUMPKIN!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE Pumpkin pie, bread, cookies, muffins, pancakes, ice cream, eggnog, spiced coffee, anything pumpkin flavor!
Rie: A Christmas goose, or turkey with all the trimmings?
JT: Turkey with all the trimmings!!! It’s like Thanksgiving, which I love! J
Rie: Thank you so much for chatting with me today, Jimmy, it's been a real pleasure. Is there anything else you'd like people to know?
JT: You’re very welcome Rie! Thank you again for this opportunity. And yes, I have something I’d like people to know. I’ve launched my very first Jimmy Thomas – Romance Novel Cover Model - 2011 Calendar, which can be seen and bought here: http://www.jimmythomas.com/calendar/2011-Calendar.htm So don’t be shy, help keep RNC alive, active, and full of variety by contributing funds that keep RNC going J
(Woo hoo! I asked Jimmy to provide a couple of pics and he sent the ones with my cover art! Sheesh, no wonder the women flock to him! *fans face*)
Want to find out more about Jimmy Thomas? Check out these websites.
Excellent interview, Rie! Insightful questions that brought out the man behind the face. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz. Jimmy is really a great guy and so friendly and easy to talk to, he made the interview, not me!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Rie and Jimmy!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alannah. Jimmy is the greatest, just so sweet and forthright.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is pounding, my breath is quick...what were you thinking Rie? Are you trying to give me a heart attack! He gorgeous, smart, talented and witty, far too much man for one body, gee whiz! The interview was the best I've read in a LONG time, I so have to have him on my next cover. I need a detective who embraces my sexy heroine who is a witch. I'll be googling him for SURE. And the calendar, you betcha!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cherie. He is a hottie and takes my breath away every time I look at him. I'm way too old for this much excitement! lol Check out his images for some great pics for your covers.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.romancenovelcovers.com/
PS-I ordered my calendar already! I can't wait to get it cuz it's supposed to be autographed! Woot!
ReplyDeleteA guy who likes to keep his bits and pieces as a surprise...hmmmmm....Its nice to know there is a guy out there who not only respects women but also himself when it comes to baring all and keeping it covered.IMHO it says alot about what kind of person you are Jimmy. Hugs to both of you for such a nice interview.
ReplyDeleteYou guys always have me smiling ear to ear! I wish I could hug you all everyday! Love you guys! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. Jimmy really is a gentleman and such an accommodating person. After all, he did put up with me! lol
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me say, one could lose track of time staring at that first photo. What a great shot! Do you ever take a bad picture, Jimmy? ;)
ReplyDeleteAlways nice to learn more about the man on so many fabulous covers. Thank you both for an engaging Q & A session!
Rie, thanks for bringing Jimmy to life for us. I'm thrilled to have him on one of my covers and can't wait to get my autographed book back. He is totally sweet and engaging with his fans. Can't believe he's still single.
ReplyDeleteWow... There are still some good ones out there!!! What a very nice man. :-) Down to earth and great sense of humor. Wonderful Interview...
ReplyDeleteI know, Nichelle. He's just so naturally good looking, no airbrushing or anything.
ReplyDeleteHi Margie! Doesn't having him on your book cover make you feel like you're so special? :)
Hi Debbie. Thank you. It was a real pleasure for me to do this interview.
Ok, I need to clear the air about something that was emailed to me a little bit ago, as someone was insulted by my "homosexual" comment in one of my interview answers above. Here was my response in full:
ReplyDelete"Thanks for you message. I do analyze what I publicly address before I do, especially when it comes to race and sexual gender topics, and the way I decide is I reverse it. Would I, or in my opinion, most heterosexual males be offended if a homosexual male said that a model dressing a certain way makes him look heterosexual? Of course not. So it is the insecurity of the homosexual individual who takes offense. You can't please all of the people all of the time. I always shoot from the hip and am straight forward with whatever I say. What I said was not rude or insulting. People can take anything as rude or insulting to them, but in general what I said wasn't, it was my opinion, which is exactly what I stated... "to me". We are all entitled to our own opinion.
If I said that I don't believe in God, should everyone who does get offended and feel insulted? No. They know that would be my opinion, not an attack on religious people.
What if I said that to me, male models posing with one arm over their head and their opposite hip cocked outward and their head tilting the same way as there hip, looks feminine (it is a feminine pose, I've been fitness modeling for 12 years, this is a given to us veteran models, and homosexual photographers purposely pose newbie and novice male models this way to make them look feminine/homosexual, as that is what the photographer is wanting),so should females be offended because I said I think it makes them look feminine?
Why should I not be allowed to state my honest opinion? I wasn't out of the blue targeting homosexuals trying to insult them. I merely answered a question with my truthful answer. I didn't have many reasons and decided to list that one. That was one of my two reasons, and my honest reason. As it is, most people think all male models are gay. So if I see those images as looking gay, and I know that many others do as well, I certainly don't want to take those images as many would then think "Ahhhh, I knew it, he IS gay!"... Again, in my opinion, and I have a right to express my opinion, especially when asked.
Is being called gay an insult to you? It's not to me, but it is a sexual orientation that I do not want to be considered as, because I'm not. If you find it insulting that I find those images looking gay, then the word "gay" must be an insult to you, which means maybe you should look at why you take offense to it ;)
Thanks :)
Jimmy Thomas"
I want to thank everyone who has stopped by and left comments. Jimmy wants you to know he is very sorry for not being able to answer himself but Google wouldn't let him sign in for some reason.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, he will get to sign in later and be able to answer you personally.
Ok, I have to clear the air about something that was emailed to me a bit ago, as someone was insulted by my homosexual comment in one of my interview answers above. Here was my response in full (it's in parts because this blog wouldn't take it all in one ;)):
ReplyDeleteThanks for you message. I do analyze what I publicly address before I do, especially when it comes to race and sexual gender topics, and the way I decide is I reverse it. Would I, or in my opinion, most heterosexual males be offended if a homosexual male said that a model dressing a certain way makes him look heterosexual? Of course not. So it is the insecurity of the homosexual individual who takes offense. You can't please all of the people all of the time. I always shoot from the hip and am straight forward with whatever I say. What I said was not rude or insulting. People can take anything as rude or insulting to them, but in general what I said wasn't, it was my opinion, which is exactly what I stated... "to me". We are all entitled to our own opinion.
If I said that I don't believe in God, should everyone who does get offended and feel insulted? No. They know that would be my opinion, not an attack on religious people...
... What if I said that to me, male models posing with one arm over their head and their opposite hip cocked outward and their head tilting the same way as there hip, looks feminine (it is a feminine pose, I've been fitness modeling for 12 years, this is a given to us veteran models, and homosexual photographers purposely pose newbie and novice male models this way to make them look feminine/homosexual, as that is what the photographer is wanting),so should females be offended because I said I think it makes them look feminine?
ReplyDeleteWhy should I not be allowed to state my honest opinion? I wasn't out of the blue targeting homosexuals trying to insult them. I merely answered a question with my truthful answer. I didn't have many reasons and decided to list that one. That was one of my two reasons, and my honest reason. As it is, most people think all male models are gay. So if I see those images as looking gay, and I know that many others do as well, I certainly don't want to take those images as many would then think "Ahhhh, I knew it, he IS gay!"... Again, in my opinion, and I have a right to express my opinion, especially when asked.
Is being called gay an insult to you? It's not to me, but it is a sexual orientation that I do not want to be considered as, because I'm not. If you find it insulting that I find those images looking gay, then the word "gay" must be an insult to you, which means maybe you should look at why you take offense to it ;)
Thanks :)
Jimmy Thomas
In my opinion, Jimmy, (I knew someone would be offended by that remark) but I decided that the two things I hate is censorship and being politically correct. So for those who are offended, that's your right, just as it's Jimmy's right to call it like he sees it. A difference of opinion is all and if you don't agree with something, move on. It's that simple. You don't have to make a big deal out of everything everyone says, cuz if you do, you're going to be spending all your time be offended and I think life is a little more important than that.
ReplyDelete'Nuff said.