In a chat with The Cape, Marlon Teixeira tells how he built a successful career over the four years he worked as a model. Discovered on the beach, it immediately became popular in international campaigns.
His face and body (and what a body!) have appeared in advertisements for Armani, Dior and Diesel more than once. Last year he photographed alongside transex Lea T. the summer campaign for the Rio de Janeiro brand Blue Man, complete with a kiss on the lips and everything. Next, the cat talks about his career, reveals how he deals with harassment from the gay public and what he does to maintain his body.
What was the first job you realized you could make money working as a model?
Look, it's difficult to say, because a lot of people dream about this. But I've already started working with big brands. Right from the beginning I did work for Dior and Armani. I was lucky. Things were happening. I didn't even know what Dior was. But he never had a moment to become a millionaire. I'm still waiting for it! (laughter). Now I try to maintain what I've already built.
Were you discovered or did you pursue your career?
I was completely discovered. At first I didn't want to, I thought it wasn't for me. Today there is no longer any prejudice against male models. Today everyone wants to be a model. I was a beach boy, I caught waves, I surfed professionally. I had no desire to be a top model, it seems like it was only yesterday that I left home.
In castings you are constantly evaluated. What is it like to receive yes and no? Have your body inspected and evaluated?
It's actually peaceful. You're not the one closing the job. You are like everyone else there, so the customer can get to know you. You show your book, talk. I don't feel bad about yes or no.
All of your campaigns have a strong sexy appeal. You usually appear showing off your body. Does this overexposure bother you?
I look at this in a super normal way. I don't know what people think when they see my work. You see a photo and create in your head what you want. What people think is their problem. Most are unaware of the seriousness of a campaign, the money that is invested to achieve that result. I've never taken a photo naked. For me there is a limit. I am shy. For me, being sexy is a job, I'm not there making a fuss. I did work with a more fashionable feel and also with this sexier line. People think I feel a little bad about this issue. But when I'm there, it's serious work. When I'm photographing I focus on the photo and not on what people will think.
You said you're shy...
A lot of people think I'm naughty, but I'm a shy boy, I have to work on my shyness a lot. I'm going to get here, if there are a lot of people, with their heads down, ashamed, I won't arrive at the top.
You are considered a muse among the gay public. What's that like for you?
I don't follow these blogs and websites much. I even prefer it, so I don't keep seeing myself, comparing myself. Gay harassment exists just as there is harassment of women. People have the image that gay people are going to come and attack you. But with me it always happens politely. For me it doesn't matter what the person does or doesn't do. A lot of people commented when I photographed with Lea T. For me, what she does or doesn't do is her problem, I have nothing to do with it.
Have you ever created any magazines for gay audiences?
If we stop to think, who is the audience that consumes men's fashion magazines? It's the gays. How many straight men will buy a Vogue? The largest male audience ends up being gay. When I go to do an editorial, sometimes I don't know the magazine. So I may have even taken some photos for an exclusively gay magazine, but that ended up not even being passed on to me. But I never made a pornographic magazine. I was lucky to always work with serious people, who led me to serious work.
Which photographer did you most enjoy working with?
In photography, everyone has their own style of working, of taking photos. I've worked with many photographers in Brazil that I really liked. Jacques Dequeker, Cristiano, who is great and very sweet, Gui Paganini. Miro did my first job, which was a Triton campaign. And abroad, I really like the work of Mert & Marcus (Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott), Steven Klein and Mario Sorrenti.
What do you do to maintain that body?
I have cool genetics. I'm too lazy to go to the gym. I like surfing, I skate. I try to go to the gym, have that routine. Last year I worked out for a while, I did it for a month or so. But I felt really stiff, I like being more flexible because of surfing. So, I try to do other activities to replace working out.
