Andrei Claude, who features on the cover of many a romantic novel, talks to Marie Benoît about his career in the United States and how it all began.
Andrei Claude is Maltese, born and raised on these islands. He’s somewhat reluctant to talk about his family in Malta and his private life in this interview. So we focus on his career which he has carved out for himself in the United States, posing for book covers, modelling and recently making films as well. What gave Andrei the idea to pursue a career in the States? “Well, it all began because I was actually selected by a modelling agency in California around five years ago when I submitted a photo over the internet to them. They expressed a great interest in representing me. They offered to fly me over and scheduled an entire month of photoshoots to evaluate the response. In my mind there was absolutely no reason to turn down such an offer, so in a matter of a few weeks I was on my way!”
How did he launch himself in this modelling/acting business? “I sometimes question myself, but I have been extremely fortunate throughout the years. The agency in California sponsors everything I need, including first class travel arrangements, accommodation as well as all nutritional and other requirements. Once your face is out on various international magazines, commercials, and so on people begin to notice you, that’s when interest arises, and contacts get established. You don’t launch yourself in this business, if you have what it takes you’ll get noticed sooner or later.”
Andrei not only features on the covers of romantic novels but has recently made a film ColombiAna. He comments: “The truth is I never wanted to act nor do romance novel book covers. I got involved in fitness modelling simply because I received an excellent offer which I couldn’t turn down. Things have a bizarre way of working out in this business, so you just have to go with the flow. These last few years have been really great. I ranked as one of the world’s top fitness models when I was just twenty-one years old, I was travelling all across the United States doing photo shoots with some of the world’s finest photographers. Then just over a year ago I competed in and won the Mr Romance International pageant, in Missouri, USA. So it all started at the Romantic Times convention. Prior to that I had never even considered doing book covers. But after winning I began receiving emails and phone calls requesting that I appear on various book covers. Since then I’ve been one of the most requested romance novel cover models in the world. That was when I decided to launch my other web site www.ItsAllAboutRomance.com”
What about his acting aspirations? “Acting is something new, however, it’s something I’ve become quite keen on these days. Its hard work due to the long hours, but its also great fun. In the last few weeks I’ve been offered some more interesting roles, so this coming fall or sometime next year I’ll probably be working on another film or two.”
What is a typical day in his life: how many hours at the gym? Does he give personal training? Does he also jog, swim whatever… Andrei explains: “It really depends on what I’ll be working at. I normally target four days a week at the gym, around an hour each time. Some assignments require that I add more muscle mass or tone down a little bit, so I would then adjust accordingly. As a rule I don’t give personal training, however on some occasions I do help a few friends in the entertainment business get in shape. Jogging and swimming are not part of my usual exercise regime. I never found it necessary to include cardiovascular exercise to my workouts.”
What about his eating regime? “Well, having started out as a fitness model I still tend to stick to a healthy diet almost all year round. I maintain a high protein and low fat diet. Although nutrition has an important role in maintaining a fit and toned body, the truth is, genetics is what in fact establishes the form of each individual.”
Is he planning other films after ColombiAna which is to be released in November this year? “Well, I only just got into acting around three months ago, however, so far I’ve worked on two feature films and a short film. One of the films is a comedy called Dirty Laundry whereas the other is a romantic drama called Coveted, which is actually a short film that will be submitted to various film festivals in New York.”
What about ColombiAna? “This is a film about a family whose own greed has broken them apart. They inhabit a world dominated by drugs, money and power. When there’s so much at stake none can be trusted anymore. It’s a really great script, written and directed by Ralph Figaro. The entire film was shot in Manhattan, downtown and midtown for the most part”.
I see he has also made a guest appearance on a popular TV show. “In the United States Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is very popular and has been airing for the last three years. The finale for the series was shot in one of New York’s most elite nightclubs and was a show like no other. Bravo TV called me up before the show and requested that I make an appearance with the Fab 5 on this final episode which wrapped up the entire series. It was a long day, but great fun. Jai (one of the Fab 5) and I actually became good friends, and we hang out when I’m in New York.”
Annemarie Ortega on whose book covers Andrei features is quoted as saying: “Andrei has the drive and determination to achieve any goal he sets out to accomplish. He is destined for great things in the future…” and another author on whose cover he features, Janice Lynn, has described him as “gorgeous, articulate and intelligent. Would make an awesome hero in a romance novel”.
Now that he has so many romance novel covers behind him does he have a dream modelling project? “Modelling is an exciting business, and you never really know what tomorrow might bring. I’m not a runway or high fashion model, and I don’t want to be. Romance novel cover modelling has been very intriguing, and I plan to keep it up for a while.”