pdf - Fantasticsmag

Fantastics
justin deeley
heading
close up
justin deEley
photography
by Allen Zaki
Fantastics
stylist. Cat Wright grooming. Emily Haché using Sumotech, M.A.C. cosmetics, Kiehls & Murad skin care
Jus
tin
Deeley blew into Los Angeles a few weeks
after his grad from University of Louisville
and soon the Kentucky-born-and-bred
former all-state football champ leapt
from model to TV cute guy on 90210 and
Drop Dead Diva. Upcoming in Total Frat
Movie, he may be a jock at heart but acting
is his art.
Fantastics
fantastics - How did you get your start?
JUSTIN DEELEY - I guess my role as Austin Tallridge on 90210
was my first big opportunity.
What’s the quality you most strive for in your work?
James Baldwin said “the effort to become a great (artist)
simply involves attempting to tell as much of the truth as
one can bear, and then a little more.” So I simply seek the
human truths of the story I am telling.
What’s your most notable characteristic?
I don’t know how to answer this, except to say, if you ever
meet my wonderful grandma June she’ll be happy to tell
you.
Who are your heroes?
I believe I‘m surrounded by heroes everyday. We all are.
Just look around. There‘s the lady at my grocery store who
shows up everyday working a job she probably didn’t
dream of doing. In order to give her four children opportunities she was never afforded, she shows up with a smile on
her face. Or the woman who overcame severe drug
addiction and now lives humbly and quietly never missing
her nephew’s school and sporting events. Even the mail
lady who gratefully walks her route of 20 some years,
proudly telling the neighborhood residents about her
husband and children. To me it’s heroic to show up for your
life everyday in spite of our fears, anxieties, and doubts. And
I think it’s inspiring when you realize you’re surrounded by it.
My dad and brother are my heroes as well. And artistically
speaking, I’d say any artist, who has dared to, no matter
what the consequences, tell the truth about the society
and time in which they live. There are many. I won’t bore
you with the list.
opening pages
Tank. Kill City
Sweats. Topman
Sneakers. Nike
Jacket. Belstaff
Fantastics
left
Shirt. BLK DNM
Jeans. G-Star
Jacket. Y-3
Shoes. Adidas
Sunglasses. Arnette
Fantastics
East coast or west coast?
West coast.
Which skill would you most like to have?
Singing.
What is your most treasured possession?
A letter my dad gave me the day I moved to Los Angeles.
What makes you happy?
Grandma June’s sweet potato casserole, sweatpants
and a movie on Saturday night or any night really, bonfires, a solid rom-com, time with my brother, evening
walks, roasting pecans, what I call a fruit bowl – only
those closest to me will understand that one, grilling
out, football season, October in Kentucky, country
music, silence, live acoustic music, high school football games, University of Louisville basketball, movie
theaters. There is much more, but I imagine you have
a word limit on this piece.
Not really but those are good. What’s your motto?
The one that’s been with me the longest – Speak softly, and
carry a big stick. In other words quit talking ‘bout it. Just do it.
Which actors do you most admire?
Well this list could be much longer but I’ll keep it short: Meryl
Streep, Daniel Day-Lewis, Christian Bale, Paul Newman,
Marion Cotillard, Denzel Washington
How do you maintain creative inspiration?
By showing up for my creative work everyday.
Shirt. KENZO
Pants & Suspenders. Topman
Shoes. Converse
Sunglasses. TOMS
Fantastics
Sweatshirt. Coast to Coast Sailing Co
Board Shorts. Topman
Shoes. Tretorn
Snapback. Gents
Sunglasses. TOMS
Socks. Stance
Fantastics
Shirt. Young & Reckless
Jeans. Zanerobe
Shoes. Converse
Sunglasses. TOMS
Watch. Jord
Fantastics
Sweatshirt. Topman
Shorts. Paul Smith
Shoes. Tretorn
Sunglasses. stylist’s own
Fantastics
Fantastics
Shirt. Dsquared2
Shorts. Zanerobe
Shoes. Aldo
Beanie. Brian Lichtenberg
Watch. Jord
What are you like on set?
I’m the same as I am in life – sooooo awesome!
I treat every story I go into as if it’s the last I will get to tell. It
keeps me humble, excited to be there everyday no matter
the circumstances, and I try to have as much fun as I can.
Acting being a collaborative activity what’s your
advice on working with a diverse group of people?
Be open-minded, every opportunity is a learning one, so
treat it as such.
If you could pick any film role to have played what
would it be?
William Wallace.
What do you consider your highest achievement so
far?
In the words of Jeff Daniels, “In a business that doesn’t care
if you are here on Tuesday…”
I am still here learning and growing, and having a blast.
What’s next up?
I was a part of a film called Total Frat Movie that I imagine
will be out by the end of this summer.
What has acting taught you?
That there’s nothing in you that’s not in me, and nothing in
me that’s not in you. n
Fantastics