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Congratulations to our 2 title holders, the 2008 ExpressMEN of the Year Grand Winners, Ethan James and Jerald Mutia. Ethan won the Puerto Rico ticket from Next Model Men and Jerald won the Barcelona ticket from Horizon. Congratulations guys!.jpg)
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"Put simply, this guy is amazing! and as Meryl Streep would say in the "Devil wears Prada"...."thats all" Stephen Binko on ETHAN
"One of my favorite models of all time. This guy is really AMAZING in more ways than one. Love the featured imagery and glad to be a part of your success."
"I love this guy, not only he is great looking, but he is the sweetest guy around" Joshua Miller on ADAM
"This is your ExpressMEN of the year!! He embodies every quality that an ExpressMEN model should have. Charming beyond belief, extremely intelligent, a role model to his community, and exceedingly gorgeous!! Look no further ExpressMEN of the year can be spelled with 3 letters R-O-B, Rob is it!" Armando on ROB
"Ethan James is an amazing photographer, as well as a human being. He expresses something that is hard to find in this world" Justin "Jus" Howell on ETHAN
"Zach is simply amazing! He has a look which is mixed and therefore universal, a kind handsome face which is very approachable and yet would make your head turn when walking down the street! His physique is muscular and supple but not over built and heavy, he can be both sports and physique or high fashion... Zach is simply amazing!!"
Dave Smith on ZACH
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Find out who left the Best Comment Ever!
ONE model. ONE photographer. january ONE.
credits: aaron scott photography
"as a young boy, i longed to be a naval officer like my father. growing up, i always wanted to be as chiseled and well-groomed as the males in advertising. but being a filipino in america, i knew that my chances of making it big in this country would be slim. as i matured, i realized that the lack of philippine representation in main-stream media was a good tool in motivating me to try to break into that industry. if there aren't many filipino male models in america, then why not be one of the first to inspire others."
"comfort is my style. if you're comfortable with what you're in, then that qualifies as your own personal style. living in the bay area at california, the weather can be unpredictable at times. it goes from extremely foggy to warm and clear in a matter of hours. to adapt to the environment, i wear layers: undershirt, button up, sweater, and jacket. it's rare seeing me in just a plain t-shirt. even in hot weather, i try to wear a button-up or a collared shirt. it somehow fits my personality. my closet ranges from clean and preppy, to casual and urban. i like to mix it up to fit my mood. as far as designers, i don't have a particular brand that i like. if it looks good, fits well, and is reasonably priced, then i'll buy it."
credits: jw2 photo
"i can't recall a specific situation of where i felt out of place. i usually avoid putting myself in uncomfortable situations. but when i do find myself out of place, i try to make the most of it and have fun with it."
credits: vlad veksler
"i don't consider myself as a successful model. i haven't had any major deals or campaigns and i don't think i qualify to answer the question on what's the recipe to succeed in this field. my assumption would be that confidence, optimism, perseverance, and determination are important traits models should possess. you need to look convincingly confident in the product you're modeling. and without confidence, you won't have belief in yourself. everyone gets rejected in this industry. you have to suck it up, keep going, and hope for the best in the future."
credits: jw2 photo
"it's always hard modeling in my underwear, whether on stage or on camera. haha. part of the reason why i get so uncomfortable is because i just don't think i have the body to show off. that's why i don't have many body photos in my portfolio at the moment. also, it doesn't fit my playful personality. its always a challenge and i gain from it every time i have to do it."
credits: spritely photos/eagle craft scooters
"food is a vital component in filipino culture, so i didn't grow up with a healthy diet. and during college, the dorm cafeteria was basically a buffet, so i ate as much as i could. i was skinny for the majority of my life, so i would overeat to add some bulk to my bony figure. besides dancing hip hop 10 hours a week, i didn't have any other physical activity, this definitely had a toll on my body. i began to notice a major change in my weight during college. i went from weighing 125 pounds my freshman year in college to 165 my 4th year (and it wasn't muscle weight). so i really wasn't conscious about my diet and fitness until after college, especially before the pageant competition. after reading countless fitness books and magazines, i reduced starchy carbs and high fats from my diet. i replaced white rice and bread with brown rice and whole wheat. i reward myself at the end of the week with a delicious filipino meal after being disciplined for the whole week. i now weigh a consistent 145 pounds, and i'm happy with it."
credits: david fabros photography/ vision capture
"i do a variety of workouts, including circuit training, total athletic conditioning, weight training, and some cardio activity. working out has become one of my favorite pastimes. a day for me isn't complete without some exercise. it can be something simple like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and parking my car at the farthest spot."
credits: iman studios bay area/ holly-berry (make-up)
"here's my advise for aspiring models, be comfortable with who you are, being comfortable with yourself boosts your confidence. stay positive, positivity will build your charisma it will draw people towards you. be passionate, to make it, you have to want it. without the passion for it, you won't be driven to work for it. maintain yourself - in the physical sense, take care of yourself, including your skin and body. proper nutrition, regular exercise, and grooming habits don't only make you look good, but they keep you healthy."
credits: david fabros photography/vision capture
"it's hard for me not to smile every hour, that's the philippines inside me, coming from the land of smiles, anything can make me smile, from babies, funny shows, good songs, and yes, food! knowing that i'm fortunate with everything that i have and surrounded by love of family and friends, i think these are enough reasons to smile."
jerald is not only a pageant winner but at the same time he devotes forty hours of his week as a payroll analyst for a research group at berkeley, he is also actively involved in philipine community events at bay area, on weekends he's at home with his family and friends at sacramento. jerald believes that rejection is part of this industry, and the only way to deal with it is to accept it for what it is and to move on, taking that event as an opportunity to improve one's self, after all rejection is part of the learning process in a school called life. to know more about him click jerald
ExpressMEN WARNING: Jerald charmed the nation, this time his charms and smile will win hearts.
ExpressMEN Model of the Year.
ONE model. ONE photographer. January ONE.
crash on your crush
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Before we announce our last finalist who will be joining zach and rob in the finals, I like to congratulate our 38 Models, congratulations ger, brett, phillip, chris, jet, janos, tom, camden, chris, kfir, alik, serge, meklo, robby, thor, zach, michael, brandon, anthony, camden, paul, brandon, trevor, corey, alan, scott, alexander, michael, martin, derek, jerald, tony, sergio, john, venill, keyontyli, bruce, and donovan. Thank you very much for being part of our first season, and for joining our competition. For me, you are all winners, you are all catcher of dreams, and all ExpressMEN of the year, congratulations guys! I wish everyone lots of good luck and may the new year bring more success to your careers and life.
The final big question left is, who will be the ONE? among our 38 gorgeous, smart and amazing models, who will step closer to the title and join Zach and Rob in the finals?
ONE model. ONE photographer. January ONE.
2008 ExpressMEN of the Year.
model: clint
model: erik
"i believe in reflecting the real image of the subject, there is no specific type, age, height or race, my photography is about the individual, our differences are what makes the images so powerful"
model: brandon
"i never really pictured myself going into photography, but i always considered myself a creative individual. i'm a creative writer and phd candidate in children's literature and film, so i love a good story and i guess that has transferred into my photos"
model: isaac
"neither models nor photographers should get into this field unless they are going to enjoy it. yes, it can be a job for both but it has to be a job they enjoy or else there's no point in doing any of it"
model: andrew
"new models should seek out quality photographers to build up their portfolios and new photographers should seek out quality models to do the same. i won't get into a discussion about who deserves to be paid (we all know the photographers deserve it) or which person is more important, but i will say both will go further in the field if they remain honest to themselves and to those they are fortunate to work with on projects."
model: alan
"people inspire me, because their differences are what allow me to continue photographing them. i'm also heavily influenced by film, some music, and of course the encouragement from my family and friends. i enjoy what i do and if it ever becomes a chore instead of a passion i'll put the lens cap back on the camera and never take it off again - but let's hope that never happens."
model: dustin
"the best way i can help a model really bring it out during a shoot is to make sure they are completely comfortable with anything we do from headshot to artistic nude. i make sure they know how to have fun during the shoot and that they are relaxed - cause if not, things will show up in the photo and the result would be too mechanical, stiff, or void of real emotion."
model: caleb
"well, i won't say who i was working with but the model knows this story. i was doing a late-night shoot on public grounds and it ended with two police cars questioning us for suspicious behavior. anyone who knows my work understands that sometimes i present models with provocative looks, but that's not something the police could comprehend - it only made matters worse. at the end of the night, we were told not to be out so late (it was 10 pm) arousing suspicion and to head home. the police even said they almost pulled their guns on us. who knew photography could be such a dangerous profession and/or hobby, eh? so i guess that's not a funny story, but i hope one day i can look back and laugh about it.
model: david
"i grew up watching films (mostly horror) so i have a long history with enjoying stories, tales, and well, blood and gore. but from all of that, my photography style is really about creating a tiny story that expresses itself in various ways for the viewer of the image. if an image doesn't narrate to the viewer, that's ok, but when it does it can be a most powerful expression. i photograph people to allow them to fall into their own narratives or have me create one for them."
model: colton
"knowing that i've made someone else happy always brings a smile to my face. that comes with anything i do, but with photography there's such a delirium of life that comes from seeing or hearing someone i've photographed react in a positive way to his or her images. it's an unrivaled feeling that just makes me want to share it with others in this creative endeavor."
model: isaac
"i believe in photo honesty, not photo beauty, so the idea of what photogenic has come to mean unsettles me"
model: jarred
ethan james is bursting with talents and creativity, not only is he an outstanding photographer who deliver powerful images that shows clear and vivid realities, he is also a writer that specializes in poetry, short fiction and screen play added to that he has a BA and MA in english at texas a&m university. to find out more about him, click ethan james
check out his portfolio at ethan don't forget ethan can also be seen here and here. check ethan at Next Model Men
EXPRESSMEN WARNING: If you're not in ethan's lens, your portfolio is incomplete.
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ExpressMEN Photographer of the Year.
ONE model. ONE photographer. January ONE.
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credits: christian pollock
credits: mario gramegna
"i know that rejections are part of this job. i never gave up and i don't intend to, no matter what the situation would be. rejections motivates me to work harder and to focus more, after all, life is all about moving forward and going onwards."
"even before i started modeling, i always enjoyed working out, and now that this is my career and my priority, that knowledge motivates me more to be more physically fit and active. i work out 4 times a week and i try to maintain the best shape. i run a lot, and i try to eat healthy foods as much as i can. in modeling, your body is like a product, in order to be competitive, you should take care of it and make sure that you are ready for this tough career"
credits: christian pollock
"in order to be a successful model, you must have passion and be very professional. these are the most important things. also, never give up is fundamental. this is a tough industry, rejections happens everyday. you have to like what you are doing and this will show up in all your photoshoots. basically its also about having a great and winning personality"
credits: christian pollock
"whenever i feel that i'm happy and satisfied with everything i did during a day, that makes me smile. i do not like to dwell on problems, as much as possible i like to solve them and be free from them. at the same time, being aware that everything is going well and in the right direction make me feel very well!"
credits: mario gramegna
"the hardest modeling experience happens during the time that you are building your portfolio. the first shoots are the most difficult because you are inexperienced and sometimes there are personality issues that will come out like shyness. but once you overcome the awkwardness, you will do great. try to find a good agency, a good agent and you will be fine, everything will work smoothly, as long as you are ready for the challenges that lies ahead of you"
credits: christian pollock
"i have many sources of inspiration in modeling, one of them is my friend who opened the idea to me and also i think browsing through magazines and adverstisements and learning more about how other models do their job, from posing to all other industry secrets, can really help anyone. i think if you really want to make it in modeling, you should be interested in all aspects of modeling, when i went on my first casting, i realized that i really want to become a model"
credits: mario gramegna
"milan is a fashion city. everybody who lives there follow the last fashion. milan is a great city for that. when you are walking in the main street with all the shops around, you can really feel this sensation of being surrounded by fashion, and know that you are a model makes you feel even better. milan is alive and full of fashion and modeling spirit."
credits: mario gramegna
it was not an easy start for andre, he went in an agency in milan and he found them to be genuinely interested in him, this made him very happy. however, after some research, he found out that this agency has lots of negative reputation, everything dawned on him when they asked him to pay for a certain modeling school, of which they wanted him to go to. experience taught andre how a real agency works and how he can find the right one that will help him towards his career goals. after ten days of countdown, andre truly inspired everyone with all his experience and thoughts on career. definitely, we will be seeing more of andre, cause he's just getting ready for modeling. and there's more to come later on. andre is currently studying at st. mary's college in california and he's also in the college tennis team. to know more about him click andre
ExpressMEN Warning: Andre is not only a Milan hottie but he is also very smart and has a wonderful personality plus very athletic, isn't that amazing?
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Before we announce the final photographer who will still be in the running for the grand title, I like to congratulate the remaining 17 photographers, theodore, jeff, john, wilmer, benjamin, hotsnapz, greg, thomas, wander, ronald, sonny, ethan, shane, bubba, ricardo, david and msb. You are all winners to me, because by choosing ExpressMEN, you are choosing success, together with Next Model Men, we are your partners in promoting successful careers. You are all catchers of dreams and an inspiration not only to models but to all our readers, by sharing your experiences in career and life, you gave us valuable insights and lessons that we can learn on. Thank you for doing that for all of us. Yes theodore, i think wizzle should get more new photos from you, he has this fresh look that really needs to be tapped more, i always love your approach and style of photography, jeff- your style is so wonderful, i love the modern photography, the other day one site owner and i are talking about you, and both of us agreed that your photos are really elegant, fashionable and will really wow anyone. john, thank you so much for sharing your life, that is really one of my favorite interview, its inspiring, i got a lot of feedbacks during that time and many are touched and inspired by your story, you are truly an amazing person. one of my favorite wilmer shot is dan's angel shot, its really cute, its so wilmer, congratulations on all your wonderful photos. benjamin, your shots are really nice, the color and execution are perfect, you were able to bring out all the elements that can make any model shine, i learned more about hotsnapz through the "king of blogs", zach burns and i am really impressed with his photography, quality, and his level of professionalism, he really knows how to match the model with his theme, the result- powerful shots, thank you simon for being so nice and generous, greg you are an amazing photographer, thank you for the email last christmas, that was really so nice of you. i love all forms of architecture, currently i am so in love with old spanish buildings, i hope i can have one someday! thank you greg for sharing all your photos and for doing the interview to the site, and michael is really an amazing and creative artist. thomas, you are one of the first photographer that ever appeared on the site, that was really nice of you to say yes and to share your work, thank you for doing that. wander, you are right on what you said, its all about opening your senses and letting creativity flow through. that was really an inspiring advise. ronald, i remembered that our feature took some time before we were able to complete all the necessarry elements, but it turned out quite nice and interesting. congratulations on that. i love sonny's work, its youthful, its really interesting, hanz shot is amazing- very modern, very fresh, very interesting. ethan, you really amazed me with your photography, i like what you said that you wanted your model to shine, you are very inspiring in the sense that you are helping your model get their names out there. congratulations on that. shane, you are so easy to work with, and i would love to have you with the site again, anytime. i really enjoyed working with you, and your photos are really great. thank you for being on our first season. bubba, each of your photos have their own distinct personality. its nice that you explored your theme and you were able to justify that. thank you bubba for being on our first season, congratulations for choosing ExpressMEN. ricardo, you are really a very talented photographer and congratulations for helping your latin models attain successful modeling careers, i wish you all luck in all your wonderful endeavors, thank you ricardo for everything. david, your banner was really one of the most talk about photos when i launched your feature, that is why i chose that photo, i think its because the head shot came out as fun, fresh, real and interesting. one thing that i can say about msb's shot is that its simple. its elegant. and its fresh. Who is the final ONE that is still in the running for this year's ExpressMEN of the Year title?
credits: wilmer vergararob bryan recently got wet in wilmer vergara's feature, this time around we'll see a new and different rob, he's back, no longer wet and much hotter, with new refreshing photos. rob has cuban background, born in costa rica and grew up in miami, this hot latino is constantly reinventing himself from moving in to his new tampa place and being happy with the love of his life, to starting a bachelor degree in political science after finishing up an associate in international relations at miami dade. added to that he is also on top of his modeling career as he continue to network and work on new projects. rob bryan is HERE and he's NEXT. another totally hot exclusive happening only at the site of excitement. ExpressMEN.
Always Exciting. Always ExpressMEN.
credits: photography by mark
"in one of my first shoots, the photographer and i had come up with an idea of tying me on a train track, as we were shooting, i noticed the excitement building up with my photographer and when i turned around, i was shocked to see that there's an actual train headed towards me! it was scary, but we accomplished some great shots."
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credits: creative reflections
"i used to be a chubby, geeky, nerdy kid, the type that gets teased by the lunch time bullies. i always have a low self esteem, and modeling is something that never occured in my mind, in fact i never saw it coming. only when i reached high school, i become health conscious, i worked out, got fit and lost that chubbiness. but i still feel i am still the same geeky kid from grade school. only recently when i met this special person that i finally gave in and give modeling a try after realizing that there's somebody who really believes in me and will really be there to support me all the way through. i never realized that by stepping in this field i will gain new experiences, and see myself in a whole new frame, it is true that modeling made me grow up and discover new things that i've never thought that i can do"
credits: creative reflections
"i love traveling and i am constantly reinventing myself. i am the type of person that is not afraid of change. so i think in the next five years or so, i may probably be in europe or spain with a successful career as a lawyer or model"
credits: j rich photography
"networking is the key in this field. you have to get out there and meet people. this is a tough and competitive industry, having the support and contacts from other key industry players can make a difference in your career, added to that, you'll gain new friends and lifetime partners."
credits: j cassoni photography
credits: photography by rios
"the special someone, who is always in my heart, and my family, particularly my brother in law and sister, they are my treasures--i am always grateful for their love, support and help"
credits: wilmer vergara
"determination and confidence completes the recipe needed to succeed in modeling, together with skills, personality and luck"
credits: j rich photography
"i hope to gain friends in modeling, make contacts and i would love to work with different photographers to give me variety, experience and insight"
"eating healthy... like mcdonalds, taco bell, pizza, starbucks!! ha ha, just kidding. it's all about smart choices, if you're going to mcdonalds get the salad or snack wrap with the grilled chicken instead of the crispy, etc. and a good work-out a couple times a week doesn't hurt!"
credits: creative reflections"i find modeling as a great way of self expression, a photo can reveal and be interpreted in many ways, which is what i find most interesting"
rob is definitely ready for modeling! his good looks and charming personality will win anyone. curious on rob? check his my space, click here, his excellent portfolio at mayhem and for more of him click rob bryan
EXPRESSMEN WARNING: rob bryan's cool personality and humor coupled with gorgeous looks will rob anyone's heart, including yours!
ExpressMEN Model of the Year.
ONE model. ONE photographer. January ONE.
i don't know what's wrong with her. she's not only wearing this racoon hat complete with a half foot tail, the kind of hat you would wear if you are walking on the streets of russia, cause its like the temperature outside is sizzling 100 degrees, at the same time its the kind of head gear that will really make you stand from the crowd. i asked her if she's done yet. she's crouching down through the pile of worn blouses and last season's bags. she's digging deeper. "the best things are usually down there" excitement all over her face, i looked at the shop's clerk, she gave me a distant tired and bored look. i guess she hates her job, and hates everyone who goes to her job. who wouldn't? the shop is in a far end of the city next to all the empty warehouses. i bet no souls would ever dare to walk through those empty alleys because it seems like the whole block is abandoned, well except for this shop. dig deeper. "see this, you have to pinch really hard and dig deep through the skin, now try doing this on me" seriously, this is insane. i can't believe that i am looking at my nursing instructor's tummy, its so veiny! she is demonstrating how to give an injection on the abdominal area. one of the hospital nurse bumped into me, she complained that she can't find her patient's meds. she opened one of the other drawers, possibly from other patients and got the meds that are missing. "now focus, this is just an injection, as long as you pinch her tummy you will do fine, remember you have to dig deeper through the skin" i hate giving injections. i just hate the idea of inserting a pointed foreign object into other people's bodies. back in kindergarten, i really don't mind doing that, in fact i love to insert crayolas on electrical sockets even my classmates ear sockets. but this injection thing is really freaking me out. i wonder how the other nurses felt during their first injection. " i almost broke the needle on the patient, my greatest fear at that time is that the needle will hit my eye" one of the nurse on duty told me while i was preparing the liquid medicine and the injection kits. that did not help. it made me more nervous. my nursing instructor signed me off on my activity sheet, its this list of things that we need to do during the clinical rotation, one of my other classmates got her attention because she said her patient is vomiting not with blood but with urine. that did not sound right to me at that time. how can she produce urine on her mouth? that is really weird. before i can even comment, my classmate took my instructor away. so i guess, i have to do this by myself. what if i pinched the patient's stomach too hard that she starts vomiting urine? how will i insert the needle? what if it did not go through the skin? these are the questions that are going through my mind as i walked towards the patient's room. i can't believe that this hospital is trusting amateurs like me in handling complicated things like this. i went inside the room. it was so dark. its like a rundown nyc apartment the only thing missing are the locks and chains. i opened the curtains and let the morning sun fill the dark room. i noticed that the patient is restrained. this is not happening to me. i am so scared of restrained patients. there are many reasons why a patient is restrained. a police officer stepped on the room and asked me if i was a doctor. i said no, i was afraid to say that i am just a student nurse or he might threw me out of the room and locked me on his detention cell. so i said that i was the nurse on duty. he smiled and shaked my hands. i placed the injection kit and med on one of the bedside table. he's friendly. and talkative as oprah. suddenly, he lift up his uniform and removed his shirt. he showed me the red spots on his back and he asked me what i think those spots are. i did my math. round one, there's a restrained patient who i have no idea if she's still breathing because she is covered in those heavy blankets. round two, there's a shirtless police officer showing his red spots and asking me to give him a medical advice. round three, my knees are starting to shake, i am about to give my first injection and i am doing this alone, without my instructor to guide me. "i think you should show it to a dermatologist, it looks like a different kind of rash to me, possibly papular cells that really needs to be examined" the police officer thanked me while buttoning his uniform back. i can't believe that in just a year in nursing i am talking like a medical encyclopedia. he stepped outside the room, leaving me and the patient alone. i dispensed the medicine and went towards the sleeping patient, i lifted her blanket and to my shock, she looks like the girl from horror flick, friday the 13th. well, not exactly like her, maybe she's a little bit more thinner. she smiled at me. i checked her name band, i guess she lives outside this planet, definitely she has a mental condition. i told her that i am going to give her an injection at her abdomen, i asked her if its ok with her. i got no response. i asked her if i can see her tummy. her smile still fixed on me. i lifted the heavy blanket, and rolled it away from her. how can she breathe through those heavy covers? i lifted her hospital gown, she needs to be cleaned. i wish the two girls at the british series how clean is your house is here with me right now. i wiped the area with an alcohol swab, and i was about to give an injection when suddenly it hits me. i forgot to pinch her tummy and dig deep through her skin. on an impulse i changed my position and immediately stuck the needle on her, and in less than a second everything went in. i can't believe how easy it was. its like pricking through gelatin cubes. but of course she caused a major scandal when she created the loudest noise that made three nurses from nearby room rushed on our room. i checked the syringe before throwing it on the red box where needles always go. i took a deep breathe, i did not break the needle. i thanked harry potter. but i wonder if i hurted her. i hope i didn't. one of the nurse who pacified her told me that she has a mental condition that are not yet established. she also has legal issues, that explains why there's a police officer on her room, "in other words, she's a drama queen". the nurse told me how she stirred the entire hospital floor the other night when she made this wolf like sound after she got an injection from one of the night shift nurse. i took another deep breathe. i'm glad she did not act friday the 13th to me, cause that will give me sleepless nights. but i am still not sure if i know how to give an injection. the bored shop girl approached me, "look if she's going through all that junk, tell her to make sure she fold them all back cause i'm not folding anything!" i turned red. not from anger, but from embarrassment. i hate creating issues especially on the bargain aisle. it is so unfashionable. my friend finally stood back and proudly showed me what she fished through, a brand new d&g bag. "see, its all about digging deeper, the best treasures are buried deep inside the bottom of the bargain box" the shop girl raised her eyebrow. she truly hates her job. and truly hates everyone. few people came in, they all rushed through the bargain area, somebody dropped a breakable item. my friend gave her visa to the shop girl. she took it boredly, and run it through the system. it did not work. she tried it again. her card was refused. my friend asked me if i have some cash. i told her i left my wallet in my dad's place. visaless and cashless, both of us got the biggest scandal in the bargain store. she just immediately burst out, all unimaginable words, curses and phrases spewing out of her system. i guess that day she badly wants to go home early and hated the fact that she has to put up with people like us, her world built on boredom just collapsed all together while me and my friend hurriedly rushed out of the store, in total shame and total fame.
aussieBum proudly congratulates the 59 contestants of this year's battle of hotness, the
2008 ExpressMEN of the Year.
model: richard 
model: michael leone
"who knows? five years from now, at the very least i hope that i am alive and happy. i like living life this way... who knows where your passion takes you? i do hope that i make a living from photography, and if i don't, i'm sure i'd have found another passion to make me happy and make me some money :)"
model: marcel carter
"as you can see, my style is kind of undefined. i try for that, to have a very diverse portfolio. i like variety. i've heard a few suggestions, though. artistic. i can see that, seeing how i've been classically trained in art. and "rockstar." i like that one the most :)"
model: darion tariq
model: rian
"wow... did i ever! well, most of the times, where i would say "oops," i took an accidental image which eventually lead the way to a portfolio piece in my book. accidental art = the best. otherwise, yes, i have said "oops" in other occasions as well."
model: jeremy
"my major piece of advice for photographers would be to get involved in all forms of art, even if for a little bit. paint, draw, dance, film, theater... try it all at least once. when you're able to draw from a lot of experiences, that's what makes you able to be the most creative. also, you'll learn your own way to create art."
model: joel
"it is very possible to capture all elements of the subject in one shot. that's the thing with photography... it is possible to convey a lot of meaning in one image, it's almost necessary for a really great shot. it is important though, to know that with every shot, there is one, or there are a few, element(s) that are the main meaning of the image. as they say, a picture can be worth 1000 words. i hope i can make it more."
model: maurice chevalier
"at the end of the day, i smile knowing that i've positively affected someone's life. i'm a cancer, i thrive off helping others and making others happy. in a way, it's a bit self-destructive, but i'm happy when i can love and when i can be loved"
model/photographer: rocky khamkhen
rocky is never afraid to use color and he knows how to balance it with the other elements to give life to his subjects. definitely, we are going to see more of rocky, cause this photographer is destined to shine. to know more about him click rockyvy, stop by his my space, mayhem and don't forget he's also at Next Model Men
ExpressMEN WARNING: If your portfolio needs updating or you are seeking to add more diversity and life to it, rocky will show you the way!
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Congratulations to Rockyvy! He is our second photographer finalist in the biggest year end model and photographer competition in the blogosphere, the 2008 ExpressMEN of the Year. Rocky's work always comes out as interesting, with a modern feel to it, Rocky's models are very successful in executing the theme for their photoshoot. He is an amazing photographer, definitely he is inspiring in the sense that he knows how to take art to a whole new level and use it to transform and create amazing and powerful shots. Rockvy is truly a catcher of dreams! despite his young age, he proved that he can create amazing photography seasoned with experience and creativity. Rockvy charmed the judges, he's one of the favorites, and his score always lands him on their top 3 list. But the big question is, will Rockyvy charmed his way to the top? Find out, January 1.
If Rockyvy wins the title, he will either be going to Barcelona courtesy of London and Barcelona's pemiere travel, fashion and lifestyle magazine, Horizon or Puerto Rico courtesy of the newest premiere modeling site that proudly supports the new careers of models and photographers, Next Model Men. At the same time he will also win the feature at On Display Men and all our other fabulous prizes, plus the title of the being the first:
ExpressMEN Photographer of the Year.
ONE model. ONE photographer. January ONE.
2008 ExpressMEN of the Year
Always Exciting. Always ExpressMEN.
ONE model. ONE photographer. January ONE.
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TOMORROW. who will join Adam as finalist in the Photographer's title? 2 more spots left. 18 photographers to go! Find out who's NEXT.
2008 ExpressMEN of the Year
Always Exciting. Always ExpressMEN.
a big thanks to hotsnapz for Zach's photo!
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Joining Bubba are Octavier, photographed by Jenn Hoffman and Alan, photographed by Ethan James. Congratulations guys, that completes the final 3 in Best Banner Category. Please note that these results are made by our 10 selected viewer judges, ExpressMEN is not responsible on the results for special awards.
Who will win the Best Banner? Find out January First.
"i've always made mistakes all my life, i can't even think how many times i've done things that are really plain mistakes...however you just have to see through them, its all about focusing on the positive" 
"i'm always seeking new ways to innovate my work and always finding information from many forms of art"
for adam, the first element to produce a powerful image is to make the model comfortable. communication between him and the model is crucial in order to bring out the emotions that will be captured by the camera. added to that its all about attaining balance in light, set and other production elements. producing art through photography is a dream job for adam, through this field he was able to explore his creative talents, travel, and touch countless lives.
"it was my mother who introduced me to photography at an early age, but i did not took any interest, until after college what started as a hobby becomes a career and lifetime passion for me"
adam is not only a modelographer, he has a degree at devry university, he said that if he did not go into photography or modelling, he would probably be doing something computer related or travelling globally. with his talents and skills he will definitely excel even if its not photography.
"exposed is a calendar of beefy boys, compilations from my previous shots while boys next door 2009 will be coming up on may, it contains lots of newer work and quality stuff, both are really great buy"
adam bouska had a countdown here at expressmen, and everybody was so excited. lots of positive feedbacks, which really showed that adam bouska's success in the field of fashion photography had been an inspiration for everyone. whether you are a model who is just starting out, or already established or you are modelling in front of your bedroom mirror, adam's career is a proof that anybody can be successful, that anybody can be adam bouska, but like what he said, "it takes dedication, hard work and lots of patience, it doesn't happen overnight and it can be rough at times"
we will definitely see more of adam as his projects keeps coming up...and every new shots will take us much deeper as adam captures the life, emotions and details of his subjects. adam's work will be featured here at expressmen, thanks to his generosity in sharing his art and quality images. to check more of adam visit him at adam bouska
EXPRESMEN WARNING: ADAM will always SHINE in photography, modelling and any field that he decides to focus on. His friendly, sincere personality and creative talents makes him one of the most admired photographer and model.
Tomorrow, don't miss when we reveal our first MODEL finalist! All this and more only at the blogosphere's capital of excitement: ExpressMEN.
Always Exciting. Always ExpressMEN.
i don't know what's wrong with me. but definitely i know there's something wrong with me. i always find myself in uncomfortable situations that are definitely out of place. if you think its just our ExpressMEN contestants that suffered from oops sydrome, wait till you hear my top ten ExpressMEN oops (out of place situations) that left me totally clueless ! 
credits: levi bloom
credits: lori j photography
"i was shooting in downtown denver on a busy sidewalk, and in mid-pose i backed into a woman who is holding a tray of coffee, she dumped all of the coffee on me!"
"a good friend of mine invited me over to his house for a dinner party. i mistakenly showed up an hour early. when i knocked at the door he was still in a bath towel and he's not yet ready. it was actually kind of funny to be caught in that particular situation."
credits: fashion enterprises 2
"when i was on the plane ready to jump out (my first skydive) i was like, what the heck am i doing up here? i wanted to do it for a while and a friend said she wanted to do it too but when we got there i just felt out of place"
"i was doing a late-night shoot on public grounds and it ended with two police cars questioning us for suspicious behavior. anyone who knows my work understands that sometimes i present models with provocative looks, but that's not something the police could comprehend - it only made matters worse. at the end of the night, we were told not to be out so late (it was 10 pm) arousing suspicion and to head home. the police even said they almost pulled their guns on us. who knew photography could be such a dangerous profession and/or hobby, eh?"
model: thadd
"i always forget to take the lens cap off, but doesn't everyone?"
credits: ethan james
"people always asks me if i am the model from the soup guiding light"
j cassoni photography "people are always calling me dork, loser, or airheard cause at times i can really be silly lol, but i guess life is always in random so you'll never know what's going to happen, i always say the wrong things at the wrong times and i'm always lost, but i don't mind it. people love me all the same, and it's what makes me... well, me!"
its christmas at ExpressMEN! after all the pressures and stress from the competition. its time to have FUN! thanks to corey, alik, john, andrew, martin, ethan, benjamin, alan and rob for making our christmas funnier everytime we remember the oops moments that you all shared, whether you are walking on the soup aisle, arrived early and found your friend on a towel, got a stranger wet with her coffee, or seconds away from your first sky dive, whether your friend calls you air head or you just can't figure out what's wrong with your camera, or being told to go home at 10 pm or even if there's a half naked model lying on top of you, or foods are thrown at you because your music is too hard core, oops happens everywhere, christmas or not!
Have a Happy and Exciting Christmas!!!
Congratulations to our 59 ExpressMEN contestants. For me, you are all winners, you are all ExpressMEN of the Year!
2008 ExpressMEN of the Year
who will catch dreams? who will make it to the top 3 Photographer? will it be theodore, thomas, wilmer, adam, john or wander? or will it be among the other 13 photographers? Find out starting TOMORROW, when we reveal the top 6. Dec. 25-30.
ONE model. ONE photographer. January ONE.
Who will win?
"for me, the hardest photoshoot happened during the annual uc berkeley martial arts tournament. action shots are not only tiring to do, but extremely hard to get. therefore there has to be many many takes of the same stance or jump or motion." 
"people who i respect, which ranges from my parents to people with a genuine altruistic nature. people who are kind, giving, and caring. people who take pride in everything they do, and see the good in others. they all inspires me"
"to me, rejections are impersonal. they simply mean that the look is different from what they are looking for and has no implications on who the person is."
"there have been a few auditions where they wanted me to speak a language that i don't know! that was my oops!"
"what has always worked for me is an enthusiastic attitude from both the photographer and model, and of course, enjoying yourself and having fun."
"advise for aspiring models? be confident and for any shoot, think of a situation in your life that you can relate to in order to stay comfortable in front of the camera. respect others and respect yourself."
there's only one thing that can make charles smile at the end of the day, and its called ice cream! charles can't also live without family, friends, health, love and knowledge. "i think photographers when they look at me, see a person who likes to have fun" truly charles fun and positive attitude in life and vibrant personality shines in all his photos. to know charles more click charles hwong, check out his my space
ExpressMEN WARNING: Charles had shown versatility by doing action shots, his great personality and gorgeous looks are definitely staying power that he can use for career advancement.
credits: ante rotim
credits: pca photography
2008 ExpressMEN of the Year
my chemistry lab partner, francis always reminds me to avoid being seen with them in public because they are the fashion police. they does not only know fashion inside and out but they are not afraid to voice out their constructive criticism whenever they see someone in an unfashionable pairs. "even me i have to live up to their standards, i need nate 'cause i am having some problem with our gym instructor, he knows how to soften things up with him, after all he is the team captain, but i have to do his chemistry assignments and i can't wear any sears shirt in front of him but what can i do my mom is an institution there, so i get all these bargains." i looked at francis. now that explains why the whole week he is wearing that stuffy black shirt because nate caught him wearing a sears shirt the other day, now he is grounded and has to wear that stuffy black shirt for the whole week. fall fashionably. even if i hated being with them, i loved to be with them. who wouldn't, nate is the varsity team captain and he does all sports, while mike and pete are also popular in the campus even if they are basicaly nate's shadow and echo because they follow him everywhere and do whatever he tells them to do. i really don't know why everyone in our class always compete to gain nate's favors. he is not even smart, he is just lucky that francis sat beside him and shares his answers during pop quizzes. if not nate will be back in junior high flirting with pony tailed cheerleaders. "ouch!" mike slapped me on the head. i don't know why he is bossing me around, maybe because he can't boss pete because both of them are on the same hierarchial level and certainly he can't boss nate or he will end up outside their clique. i really don't know what i am doing here inside the armani store. first things first i am broke. i only have twenty bucks on my pocket and that is my allowance for two weeks. nate and his shadows are all the rich kids in the class. so basically they were born inside shops like armani. "did you see anything that you like?" nate asked me in a big brother tone. i told him, "i don't really feel like shopping cause my mom suspended my credit card because i over shopped last month." which is really a big lie. number one, my mom never had a credit card in her life. second, at that time i have never seen what a credit card looks like. nate looked at me and giggled, nate's shadows went towards us, pete asked nate which pants he should get. mike asked nate which color he should choose. i can't believe that they can't even make simple decisions, they need nate's guidance to figure things out. i wonder if they also ask him when they should start breathing. "hey nate, maybe this weekend we can go to your place, i heard from francis that you have a huge pool, that would be awesome to see!" the excitement is all over my voice. the last time i went swimming it was like inside my mom's womb. "did you tell him yet?" pete asked nate, his eyes filled with amusement. "tell me what?" i asked. nate looked at me, in one second i thought i saw the real him. "you know you are a great guy, i love to hang out with you, but you see, we need to switch as lab partners, me and francis are a team, he makes everything so easy for me". i feel like crying. my biggest high school scandal. and its happening inside the armani store. suddenly i saw images of myself feeling so special and proud when nate and his friends invited me over to their lunch table couple of days ago. i can feel all the envy looks that i got from everyone. that was their lunch table, ordinary mortals like me are not even allowed to come close to their tables. they said they like my fashion. i don't play ball, but they said it doesn't matter, they invited me over to hang out with them in the next couple of days. i thought that was so cool. i guess i passed their fashion inspection. i mean even girls asked nate for fashion tips while they are on the verge of doing unthinkable things. "you are basically the most unfashionable creature that i've ever laid my eyes on, even the floors of armani can't forgive you for stepping on them" it took me more than five seconds to absorb everything. i gulped. first, they liked me. second they despised me. and in between he just want my lab partner. "you know what i really have no problem switching lab partners, in fact you are doing me a great favor cause i can't take francis anymore, he is a walking periodic table and i want a more human chemistry partner" i told them that actually i went to armani with them because i plan to shop cause i am bored just swimming in our pool all afternoon. "i thought you don't have any credit card and swimming pool?" nate asked. "i have cash, i stole it from my dad's vault! yes we don't have swimming pool just infinity pool" i left them standing with mouths wide open. i went on the other aisle of the store. oh my gosh, i only have twenty bucks. what should i do, i can't just walk out of the store without buying anything. that will be so unfashionable. as if, i can buy something for twenty bucks. now i know, francis was right, i shouldn't be with these guys, not even in public and then i saw it. cluttered shirts on top of each other. and the color coded tags. right on the far corner under the last season's fashion. i checked the price. twenty bucks, tax included. should i use my last cash? i quickly grabbed a shirt and immediately went towards the register where nate and company are waiting. i can't believe they are buying so much clothes. i wonder if there's a flood coming cause it seems they are running out of clothes. "did you just got that from the bargain box?" pete asked me sarcastically. i looked at them with intensed eyes. "pete this is armani and i know this is the first time you've been here, you see those box out there with the color coded tags, in armani those things are not called bargain box, rather, its fashion box. yes, this came from the fashion box." nate laughed. i can see that i impressed him. the clerk called me back and told me that they made a mistake on the price, i need to give them another forty bucks.
credits: ryan lewis
credits: carl timson
credits: hotsnapz
Best Portfolio and Best Interview Finalist
credits: j cassoni photography
credits: on display men
credits: maloney aguirre
credits: hamilton knights
in just 2 days we will know our first top 3 model finalist, will it be ger, tony, paul, scott, michael, scott, keyontyli, rob, donovan, chris, serge, philip? or will it come from the other 28 ExpressMEN models? Find Out. Dec. 25-30.
ONE Model. ONE Photographer. January ONE.
Always Exciting. Always ExpressMEN.
ONE model. ONE photographer. january ONE.
Who will catch dreams? Who will inspire dreams?
Who will join Tony as title holders in the site of excitement, ExpressMEN?
Always Exciting. Always ExpressMEN.
credits: adam bouska
Best Portfolio and Best Interview Finalist
model: david lange
Best Portfolio Finalistthe excitement continues, who will catch dreams? who will make it to the final top 3 photographers? will it be between benjamin, shane, msb, greg or ethan, or will the top 3 come from the other 14 outstanding ExpressMEN photographers? Find out the results when we reveal our TOP SIX finalist starting Dec. 25-30.
Always Exciting. Always ExpressMEN.
credits: richard sibbald
"i’m not trying to build a specific image per se, rather, i’m trying to show my ability to pull off anything from haute couture to dark and unconventional shots. i think versatility is the key in this industry for a model's prolonged success"
credits: sabu
"i was scouted by an agent and people would tell me that i should really get into modeling, so finally one day i decided, i had nothing to lose after all, so i just went for it!"
credits: richard sibbald
"i think that my look in the north american market is very different from a lot of models. i have a european background and don’t fit the typical canadian or all american look. in terms of working with me, i think photographers find it very easy to shoot me because once i understand what we’re trying to get across in the shots, i stayed very focused and take directions very well."
credits: lindsay lozon
"there was this one casting i went to for an underwear show for l’oreal fashion week in toronto. i was told to buy and wear a thong to the casting because they would have samples of the actual underwear for us to do our walks in. when i showed up i found out that the samples didn’t make it on time and i was the only model (they called us up in groups of 5) that wasn’t wearing normal underwear. needless to say letting the casting directors and the other models see my bare butt wasn’t exactly the most comfortable situation. i just laughed it off!"
credits: michael ching
"five things i can't live without: 1) my family and friends (they’re the most important people in my life) 2) angel by thierry mugler (i have three bottles on the go at one time) 3) my blackberry 4) my car 5) starbucks"
credits: michael ching
"you know i was actually considering writing a book on this topic because of how much i feel that models should know about the industry that could help them out. however, the best advice i could give to an aspiring model is that you have to go into this industry staying true to your values and beliefs. there will be people that will try to push you in a certain direction or treat you a certain way, so knowing what your limits are and not being afraid to stand up for yourself will get you very far."
credits: michael ching
"bringing idea’s to life. i think that there is nothing more rewarding than seeing how a project (whether it be print, a live event, etc) goes from conception to completion. when you see a picture in a magazine people assume that it was a quick and easy job. however, knowing what it takes to get “that shot” makes you appreciate modeling and the projects that come with it, not just as pictures or shows, but more so as works of art."
credits: richard sibbald
one thing that's really great about vlad is his positive attitude in life. during one of his auditions vlad did not get the job because of certain physical requirements, "i had a shaved head and the commercial that i was auditioning for was to be viewed in russia where a shaved head has a military connotation." but despite what happened, vlad charged the event to his experience, "i came to understand some basics of modeling, if they don’t want you for a certain job its not because they don't want you, its simply because you weren’t what they were looking for." this is an exciting year for vlad as he will be traveling to asia and europe, we are sending our best wishes to vlad. ExpressMEN would also like to thank vlad's agent, mario of velocci model management, with email at info@velocci.ca or 416-595-9855 for making our feature with vlad possible. to know more about vlad check out his exciting portfolio.
ExpressMEN WARNING: Vlad is ready to go international and capture foreign markets.
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don't be caught
model: christopher
"there are many things that make me smile at the beginning, middle, and end of the day. when i lay my head down at night, i smile if i had a productive day, that i have made some strides in fulfilling my dream, that i have created some amazing images, and that i have done some good for the world"
model: ashton
model: christopher
model: christopher
"when i am not shooting, i love listening to music, and traveling. my photography has opened many doors for me, it has given me many opportunities to travel to places, such as chicago, nyc, and the dominican republic."
model: christopher
during the time that john was doing weddings and family portraits, he felt the need to explore more of his artistic sides, "i felt that part of my soul was dying" john's yearning for more creativity in his images lead him to concentrate on fashion and artistic nudes, "i look for men that are unashamed of their bodies, that are comfortable in their skin. basically sexy, crazy, beautiful guys!!!!" john generously shared his latest images on christopher as it premieres first at ExpressMEN. through sexy crazy beautiful john hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams and find beauty despite the sexiness and craziness that surrounds the planet called life.
ExpressMEN WARNING: Hold on, cause john's models at sexy crazy beautiful will totally enchant you with their natural charms and gorgeous looks.
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credits: david fabros photography/ vision capture
Best Personality Finalist/ Most Photogenic Finalist
credits: james r young
credits: adam bouska
Best Banner Finalist
credits: lori j photography
Who will catch dreams? is it venill, thor, jerald, sergio, martin, octavier, alexander or alik? Who will make it to the Final 3 top models? is it from this list or from any of the other 32 gorgeous models? Find out Dec. 25-30 when we reveal the finalist, one day at a time.
Always Exciting. Always ExpressMEN.
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Congratulations Steven you are the last finalist for our Best Comment Ever! Challenge. You will be joining zedneram, joshua, justin, armando, and dave as finalist. One of you will win a one year membership at Dylan Rosser, Swatch Watch and X-loops sunglasses, thank you to Hongkong Watch Limited for our prizes.
Congratulations to Adam, Martin, Rob, Zach and Ethan for sending their supporters to the finals of Best Comment Ever! Goodluck to everyone!
The comments are open once again, feel free to leave your comments and cheer your favorite ExpressMEN. Thanks everyone for participating in this year's Best Comment Ever!
model: hector troncoso
Best Banner Finalist
model: thadd
on december 25-30, three photographers will be named as finalist for the title, ExpressMEN Photographer of the Year. will jeff, hotsnapz, rockyvy, ricardo, bubba, david, benjamin and sonny make it to the final 3? or will the finalist come from any of the other 11 photographers. find out SOON.
Always Exciting. Always ExpressMEN.
Justin "Jus" Howell says:
"Ethan James is an amazing photographer, as well as a human being. He expresses something that is hard to find in this world"
"This is your ExpressMEN of the year!! He embodies every quality that an ExpressMEN model should have. Charming beyond belief, extremely intelligent, a role model to his community, and exceedingly gorgeous!! Look no further ExpressMEN of the year can be spelled with 3 letters R-O-B, Rob is it!"
Dave Smith says:
credits: carlo roncancio
"in this industry you have to know yourself. you have to know who you are, and what you want out of it, and you have to know that your going to get 100 rejections to every 1 gig. its all part of the process."
credits: carlo roncancio
"the best thing about modeling is the documentation aspect of it. the idea that my life and everything that surrounds me is being documented for me is really thrilling. i can look back when i am old and say i remember when i was here...or there...and i can see that part of my life, that specific place and time and space captured in that still...in that moment. i can have moments to put in a box and know that i had lived a good, solid, substantial life full of memories that i can look back on. i can remember who i met, laughters and joys, the disappointments and mistakes and the lessons i learned in between pains...its nice to see that. its nice to see how i evolved as a human being, as a person who strives to find his dream and live a happy and fulfilling life, to have that in a tangible, physical way. that is the best thing that i can take from modeling, that i can call mine."
credits: andres gonzalez
"i hope photographers see something interesting!! i think they see a character that i can play. coming from an acting background, it's very important to connect with the camera."
credits: carlo roncancio
"five things i can't live without: the gym, music, a good book, my roomates, and chap-stick."
credits: andres gonzalez
"for new models, you have to know who you are. know exactly what you want out of a shoot, know exactly what you want period. know your limitations. and listen. it is extremely important to listen to your peers, the photographers, anyone that will lend advice. take it. and apply that. that is how you get comfortable in front of the camera, that is how you become a great model."
credits: justin tai
"the main thing in life that inspires me...? knowing that hard work pays off. knowing that if you put everything you are whole-heartedly into one goal, one ultimate mark, you'll end up reaching that place that you ought to go to when you dedicate all you are into that one thing. believing in that inspires me to be a better all around person."
credits: christy campbell
what can make eric smile at the end of the day? coming home to his bed! and having good friends that he can always count on. to know more about him, click eric zamorez
ExpressMEN WARNING: Gorgeous and hot, eric is definitely someone to watch out for!
credits: 127 photo
credits: silas king/ lisa keeping (make up)
Most Photogenic Finalist
Best in Interview Finalist
credits: courtenay nearburg
Most Photogenic Finalist
credits: adam bouska
credits: mark lynch/ on display men
credits: ethan james
Best Banner and Best Personality Finalist
Who will make it to our Final 3 for ExpressMEN Model, is it Janos, Chris, Robby, Meklo, Brett, Brandon, Zach, Allan or any of the other 32 model contestants?
We will reveal the finalist starting on Christmas day, December 25.
Always Exciting. Always ExpressMEN.
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