New Jersey-based Maurice Murrell—the ridiculously hot model who brought the now legendary "Gay or Rapper?" aesthetic to life in the cover shoot for Clik seen here—reveals a side of his personality that you may have never known. Despite having appeared in numerous magazines, calendars, two coffee table books and an independent film production, Maurice says he has always wrestled with the same body image and self-esteem issues that affect so many gay men.
Nathan "Seven" Scott at 7 Magazine has the interview.
On self-esteem: "I hated the way I looked. I mean truly hated. This year, that stopped through various reasons. Its been a beautiful transition mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I know I would get the question, 'But if you hate the way you look, how could you do all those things?' For me it was easy to separate the two, because modeling is based on a projected perception."
On gay "pride": "Being DL and "Straight-acting" makes you more desirable in our community. Gay pride is about so much more. It's about loving all and everyone in any aspect of being masculine, feminine, open, flamboyant, and reserved."
Maurice Murrell's January 2006 cover for Clik was voted a reader favorite and will appear in another editorial. In addition, Maurice is in the process of becoming a single parent and is adopting a child.
More on that and tomorrow night's Flawless Party at 7 Magazine.
Interview with Maurice Murrell [7 Magazine]
Clik Magazine
Some Background ....
January Clik [R20]
For Your Consideration [R20]
Clik Preview [R20]
John: "Flawless" [R20]
Jermaine: "Flawless" [R20]
Clarence: "Flawless" [R20]
Jamar: "Flawless" [R20]
Oooh. I love Maurice. Thanks for showing all kinds of black gay men here.
Posted by: caleb rexter | 06 July 2007 at 11:17
I like Maurice. He is very handsome and very real and shows that men who may be considered "feminine" can also be sex symbols.
Posted by: anon | 06 July 2007 at 11:26
ooo that was one ole read anon!!
Posted by: ooo | 06 July 2007 at 11:35
We need more like him (both in mind and body).
Posted by: Hikaru | 06 July 2007 at 12:51
anon: I always knew you were exceptionally fair-minded--just like Rod. Y'all recognize all types of beauty. The boy, I mean, the young man is beautiful!...just like I used to...(a tear is beginning to form as Aretha sings, "I have had my fun if I don't get well no mo'" in the background).
Oh, poop, it's Friday--time to hit the bar.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 06 July 2007 at 13:18
Maurice is definitely hot. And, I think that's amazing that he's adopting a child.
Interesting article (I read it) on a very complex and intriguing person.
Ooh Derrick: get a Gin and Tonic for me, as well as a Cosmopolitan (Up of course) A boy's got to take his liberal sip of happy hour libations on a friday, no?
Posted by: Ryan | 06 July 2007 at 14:56
It's always happy hour somewhere!
Posted by: anon | 06 July 2007 at 17:25