Will Gave Good Face

Everyone has moments of clarity or an epiphany. Seeing Will Lemay for the first time was mine.

I just remember him and the ad. The time: Several years ago in New York City. The place: An East Village café. Yours truly was sitting at a table and thumbing through a random European fashion magazine, debating a career in fashion writing and editing. There he was in a layout entitled Ice. Several male models wore the most beautiful fur coats, diamond necklaces and nothing else. Will was front and center, the cocky look on his face said he was meant to be there and that he “owned” this layout. From the page, Will smirked and my only thought was, “Damn! Who is this boy? How can I meet him? Will he strip naked on request?”

Much more Will Lemay below when you ...

So began my “affair” with Will Lemay. Like most aspiring wannabe-fashionistas, there was research to be completed. The 30-second bio: Born Ottawa, Canada. Afro-Canadian—father Black American, mother is white Canadian. Barely finished high school and decided that he would become a model. After suffering through the classic modeling school/runaway scams, he moved to Toronto where he became one of the most in-demand models in that market. New York City beckoned; Will signed with Ford Models-New York and moved to the Big Apple. After a year of no bookings, designer John Bartlett chose him to open his 1996-97 Fall/Winter fashion shows during New York Fashion Week. Will’s career hit the stratosphere. Soon he was working non-stop with designers like Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier. At the time, Lemay earned the highest fees a male model could command on the runway and in major print campaigns.

Fast forward to 2002 and Lemay was on his way to becoming a household name. He was the “signature” model for Sean John—opening shows and appearing in many campaigns. Besides layouts in magazines such as Vibe, he was also a top model for Versace and Kenneth Cole. Hollywood beckoned. Will was appearing in videos for artists like Shanice and as the lead in Ashanti’s What’s Luv?; he appeared on fashion-related television shows and guest starred on Pamela Anderson’s very forgettable V.I.P. But all good things must come to an end—especially a supermodel’s fifteen minutes on the runway. Will stopped appearing in clothing campaigns and fashion editorials. Save for the random Target or Bloomingdale’s ad, Will Lemay was “finished”. Will dropped off the face of the planet. No reason was given, though overexposure coupled with his notoriously difficult attitude may have been his downfall.

That was three years ago and my “affair” with Will Lemay is still going strong. Occasionally you see him on television—like hosting the short-lived syndicated magazine show Living Large—and the occasional fashion ad. Nowadays the former model is pursuing a career as a hip hop/electronica music producer. A stylist friend emailed me a link to his website—Pure Volume. Is he any good? Not sure and I don’t care; Will Lemay has always had the presence and the look to conquer anything. True, you need more than a look to survive in the music industry. But it’s always been clear that the gorgeous model from Ottawa, Canada is definitely smart enough to market himself and succeed as a producer. As for me, I’m no longer pursuing fashion but on my way to becoming an educator/activist and writer. I fell out of love with fashion, but there will always be my “affair” with Will Lemay. Whatever he does—you can believe I will follow.

Will Lemay photo album above right.

Will Lemay Yahoo Group | Will Lemay on Model Launch

By Guest Editor Ryan DeSante—writer and pop culture junkie.

Comments

[gillygan]

Nice, very nice! I like this whole "substitute teacher" concept. Very nice....

[malik]

Okay, YOU don't fool around when you promise to bring the iCandy in Rod's absence. Ah ... Will LeMay in a white cape and sequined bikini swim trunks. One of the enduring images of my life ...

[Nathan "Seven" Scott]

oh geez! is this what a guest writer does? bring it like this. i've always had a crush on will lemay. he's definitely a hottie. where is he now today, on my birthday huh?

[Holiday N]

I absolutely loooove Will.I met him at a Phat Farm fashion show.He's that gorgeous in person and tall.I forgot about him Ryan,thanx for the memory...I'm gonna have to cast him in my next dream.LOL

[ReggieH]

Damn, Ryan: Now every one will know why the Other Half and I are always running up to Canada for our vacation! Thanks, teach, for setting off some Memorial Day Fyah-works!

[michael]

I clearly am in the minority, but Will does nothing for me. I've seen him in person a few times and he's attractive but really not exceptional. I see better looking guys at the supermarket. But it's all good.

[Tha Game 2005]

Yeah I love him and then he shuts down his website and drops off the face of the earth. He is so sexxy. Where is he now?

[poo]

Anyone who gives props to dressers is cool in my book. Love the guy. Thanks for the flashback and the update Rod.

[Ryan]

hey everyone..thanksf or the compliments! i wasnt' sure how you'd all taket his "guest editing subject" since we all know Rod wears it out with the chocolate/caramel muscle god imagery/eroticisms. But, i'm glad you all like the post. :)

Nathan and everyone else who asked: I have no clue where Will is. I know he still lives in NYC,but I don't know what he's doing other than music producing (he's an artist on an indie record label and he should be dropping an album this year)...and if he is modeling, he's doing stuff for european fashion mags and the like...

BUT if anyone of you New Yorkers wants to "investigate" on Will's whereabouts, go for it! :)

[Rod]

Thanks Ryan!
You've done a great job today. Strong line-up, tight editing and great pictures.

Ciao!

[FRANK LEON ROBERTS]

Ryan, great post. I love this collab between you and Rod---very nice idea! I'll never forget the first time I met the now infamous Will Lemay. TRUE STORY: I was 17 years old, still in High School in Bayonne, NJ and working for THE GAP at 34th Street and Broadway. One faithful morning I hoped on the PATH train at Journal Square and began my daily departure for the 34th Street subway stop. Sitting right next to me was a black Muslim woman, covered in traditional Islamic woman's wear. All but her eyes were covered. It was clear however that this was a BLACK woman who has embraced Islam as her religious and spiritual center. Ok, nothing out of the usual right? At the Christopher Street station in walks two racially and ethnic ambiquious "brothas" and they sit right across from me. Out of nowhere one of the guys lays his eyes on the Black Muslim sistah sitting beside me and starts shouting, "Yo---you're too beautiful to cover your face up. Why do you have all of that shit on?!". Clearly embarrased and insulted, the woman gives him the ringer. It gets better: The guy now starts SHOUTING at the woman: "You're a real bitch!".

Out of pure shock and disgust I look over to him. "Who is this asshole?" I think to myself. "Goddam he's sexy" is my second thought. Brotha-man peeps me staring at him: "Yo, what the fuck are you starring at?". I'm silent. "Yo, I SAID WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU LOOKING AT?." I reply, "I'm looking at you ASSHOLE, you're rude as hell."

Both of two guys laugh at my loud-mouth response, and quickly at the next stop I hope off at 23rd Street and walk to work.

I walk into the building, and the store has a new image covering the ENTIRE WALL OF THE MEN'S SECTION: IT'S THE GUY THAT I JUST FINISHED ARGUING WITH ON THE TRAIN! IT'S WILL LEMAY!!!!

I had no idea he was a model until seconds after I left him on the train. To this day its still one of the most bizarre, "are you serious?" experiences I've had. There's my WILL LEMAY story. Beautiful man. Based on my interaction with him on an empty PATH train circa late 90s/early 00, NOT SO beautiful personality.

[FRANK LEON ROBERTS]

OH, and ONE LAST THING!!! LOLOLOL. WILL LEMAY was a JUDGE at the 2002 NYC AWARDS BALL IN MANHATTAN!!!!!! NEEDLESS TO SAY ALL OF THE BALLROOM HOUSE KIDS WERE SWOONING!!!!

[Ryan]

hey frank glad you l iked the post..will was a judge? what house was he in? that's interesting..i would have never figured will was in a house...

[David]

Will always neglects to mention his couple years stripping at Magic Touch in Jackson Heights, Queens before he started to get a lot of modeling jobs. I know... I saw him!

ps: never had a huge bulge down there but ah... always looked the best!

[boogie tonight]

Ahh I dream of Will... Will is still in NYC, he is such a nice guy once you get to know him and he lets down his guard... I remember that VIBE photo of him at a fashion with a Besty Johnson bikini that left very little to the imagination... He is taking care of his offspring, who is so cute...

[Tom from ModelLaunch.com]

Hi Ryan, nice job on the Will Lemay post. I found this blog while looking through the site logs for ModelLaunch. Thanks for linking to the Will Lemay interview. He was the very first male model we interviewed in 2000. I really want to do a follow-up interview to find out how he's changed because his modeling career really took off for a few years. Like anything good, it always comes to an end. But with his looks and charisma, it's very possible we'll see him in showbiz sometime in the future. Take care! Haven't seen you on the site in ages.

[Nikki]

I happen to know Will. I count him as one of my dearest friends. I met Will in 1998 or 99. He was kinda new here but he was working. When I met him he didn't even have a place to live. He's a real sweetie though and back in the day he was pretty cocky and still can be but he has a good heart. He would do just about anything for you if you needed him to. I know that his rise to fame added to his ego and the subsequent fall has made him more human. So don't go bashing my sweetie...that hurts me, cause he doesn't deserve it.

[Mr. Universal]

hey whats up!!
now i see we all have one thing in comon we are all in love with this muthafucka!
i dont blame any of us.
so i would see him in adds and would be like damn this guy is fine. but whatever! he was just a fine face in a mag.
now it wasint until "myspace" came along did i pay attention to him.
i trust its his reall myspace profile. i would leave him comments saying hi and stuff not thinking he would say anything back. well one day while at my computer i get a instant messsage from "will" im like oh fuck!!! right on!!!!
we talk for a while and i atomaticlly falll in love.
i mean you would too if will was telling you how sexy you are and everything good you want to hear under the sun.
and coming from him its like mmmmmmmmmmm!
yeah so we would chatt and stuff and i dont know how to explain it and its a lil crazy but really in my mind im like , mine!. he hsa a really cool personality its very kind ,sweet, understanding and caring.
he promised me we would meet one day and get to know each other in person.
he comes on line every now and then to say hi and comment my pictures and send maesages. =)
its been a while now since the last time which was nov. 2005. he said
"maybe im not good for you"
what he ment by that i dont know i didint get to ask him
he was off line when i went on.
he allso left a massege telling me life was great and asked if i saw his gap adds.
that was the last i heard from him
yeah so . i am left with this feeling of being a lil kid just dreaming and wondering.
to me he is the most of most and is one of the most chill down to earth beautifull men that has personally made me feel like i am on top of the world.

i know there is gunna be that one day.
=)

thank you all
i hope you are all blessed
mmuaw!!
me.

think im crazy if you want.

[Hippo]

Hmmm....
He's cute but i think the real heart throb is Model Sean Gordon, but then their is a rumor that they r half brothers. lol? anyone knows??

[Rob]

Is he gay?