Interview with Cover Model Joey Grant Luther
TRC: Hi Joey and welcome to The Reading Cafe.
We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?
Follow Joey on Instagram / Facebook
JGL: I’m originally from Virginia. But have spent more than half of my life in NYC, so I think that qualifies me as a ‘New Yorker’ now. I have been a model for over two decades and am currently represented by Wilhelmina Models, Im a licensed wildlife rehabiltator, and a vegan, and I love pigeons and my motorcycle!
TRC: What were your dreams and aspirations growing up?
JGL: I was shy and reserved as an only child, but dreamed about being a singer- but the idea also terrified me.
TRC: Would you please tell us about your experience as a ‘wildlife rehabilitator’?
JGL: I found a small bird one day on a NYC sidewalk and became determined to save his life. I called around and found a lady, Rita McMahon, that saw injured birds at a veterinary hospital here in NYC. After finding several injured birds over the next few months, I began volunteering with her and interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitator. A couple years later I became a NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator. She opened a wildlife center (wildbirdfund.org) about eight years ago, and I have been a volunteer rehabilitator there for most of the last eight years. Working with wildlife (mostly birds) has given me a much deeper respect for all animals and inspired me to become vegan.
TRC: What first sparked your interest in modeling? Is there a defining moment where you knew that modeling was something you were interested in pursuing?
JGL: I was on tour in Germany doing ‘Carmen-A Rock Opera’ and it was tough- traveling every day on a bus and performing for three hours a night for six months. When the tour ended in Munich I got a modeling agency there and started to work. The pay for a day of modeling was about what I received for a month of being on tour. It wasn’t a tough decision to switch careers at that point. I worked in Munich, Madrid, Athens, then came back to New York and signed with an agency here and have been very fortunate as a working model for over two decades.
TRC: Have you ever had a photo shoot that went completely wrong?
JGL: I can’t say that I have had any terrible experiences, Ive been very lucky. I have shown up for work and the client decided they didn’t like me once or twice and they didn’t use me. But thats the great thing about being represented by a good agency- once you are booked for a job, you get paid whether they use you or not.
TRC: Nudity in modeling or acting can be controversial. Some pictures can cross the line between sexuality to pornography. What would you tell young models/actors /body builders just entering the business about nude modeling and photography?
JGL: Most photographers have extensive websites and social media so you can tell the type of nude photography they are shooting before you say yes to a shoot. If you are uncomfortable doing something, don’t do it. There are so many respectful photographers out there that are willing so shoot a beautiful body in a respectful artistic way. If a situation ever goes from ‘artistic’ to ‘sexual’, just walk out!!!
TRC: The modeling industry exposes you to many people and sometimes it can be very stressful. What do you do when the stress becomes overwhelming?
JGL: You have to look as modeling as a job, not as an ego booster. Like any job, it can be stressful at times and rejection in inevitable. When work is good, I think of it as doing my job well. For me, a daily workout and meditation relieve most of the stress in my life. Volunteering is also a great way to take my mind away from the stress I do have in my life.
TRC: At times, there has been a ‘stigma’ surrounding the male model and the romance-cover industry but the popularity of the romance storyline has skyrocketed in the last few years especially with the erotic and sensual cover images. What is your opinion about the recent popularity and the very busy industry of the ‘romance cover model’?
JGL: Sex and romance are a beautiful part of life, I think thats why people enjoy reading about it. Who doesn’t want to feel sexy and be in love? As a cover model, we just have to be comfortable with the picture thats being taken.
TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?
JGL: Yes, of course, at least with the romance novel industry. We have been so conditioned to ‘judge a book by its cover’, that usually the picture or the title is what sparks the reader to pick it up. I know Im guilty of this. I also rely on reviews, and am very loyal to authors. Even in other genres I find myself reading all of the novels by an author I like. Then I’ll look for another enticing ‘cover’ to pick up.
TRC: Do you remember the first romance/novel cover on which you appeared? Do you have a favorite?
JGL: I don’t remember the first cover I did but my mother might. She has boxes of them. There was a time in my early career that I was shooting five or six covers a week. I’ve included some of those pictures.
TRC: Do you know the number of novel covers that your image has appeared?
JGL: I don’t know the exact number but if I had to guess, Id say its well over 200.
TRC: What do you do to relax?
JGL: I LOVE riding my motorcycle, I enjoy playing the piano (I have a piano teacher) and learning new music, I meditate daily, I read, and I have a great circle of friends that I spend a lot of time with, I travel often, and I love the beach!
TRC: What three things would you like to accomplish in the next five years?
JGL: To be a better piano player, meditate daily and see India, and build a successful skin care business.
TRC: What is something that few people know about you?
JGL: Most people don’t know that I moved to NY to be a singer and worked as a singer for the first four years I was here.
TRC: Who or what are your inspirations?
JGL: My personal aspirations a pretty simple- to just be content with who I am and find gratitude every day for the things in my life, and more beach time. Professionally, Im starting a mens skin care line that I hope to have off the ground by the end of the year.
TRC: What type of music do you listen to? What songs are on your current playlist?
JGL: Ludovico Einaudi, Diana Krall, Dua Lipa, Emeli Sande, Kenny Chesney. As you can see, I enjoy most genres of music.
TRC: On what on your currently working?
JGL: Modeling- Im booked for a catalog over the next few weeks (a regular client). As I mentioned before, Im starting a mens skin care line. Ive tried to take great care of my skin and my body throughout my career, so helping other guys do the same seemed like a natural next step.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food: Impossible Burger (its vegan and the closest thing I can get to the real thing)
Favorite Dessert: Ben and Jerrys non-dairy Cherry Garcia
Favorite Movie: All time favorite has to be Lion King
Favorite TV Show: All time- Breaking Bad and The Good Wife – Im fascinated by our legal system, Currently- Wild Wild Country
Last Movie that you saw: Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom
Secret Celebrity Crush: Every character in Zootopia
Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark chocolate (the vegan answer)
Do you have any pets? I had a rescued pit bull, Bebe, that passed away a year ago, and a bird named Nacho that passed away last month, so currently have an empty nest, but Im sure that won’t last long.
Pet Peeve: People that don’t respect pigeons.
TRC: Thank you Joey for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on all of your success. We wish you all the best.
