It was clear from the very start that tall, blue-eyed Italian runway model Richard de Stefano, was a winner. The judges awarded him both “Best Body” and “Most Photogenic” titles half way through the International Male Model contest, 2003. At the end, he was also bestowed the honor of becoming the ultimate winner for this year. The pageant, in its sixth edition is the brain child of local fashion designer Ronchi de Cuba, who also nurtures budding runway talents here, via Knockout Models, an organization dedicated to Aruba’s fashion culture.
His events are always a lot of fun, as they annually unfold at the Tropicana Showroom, to E-Entertainment television cameras. Forty-five contestants from around the glove competed in the IMM, this year. The winner received a $6,000 cash prize, as well as possible lucrative work contracts. The contestants appeared on the nicely decorated stage a number of times, dressed and practically undressed, and were judged by a panel of international experts. Among invited judges Norkis Batista, a Venezuela soap opera star – famous for a provocatively nude recent calendar - besides scouts for world-renowned modeling agencies.
In general, the judges had a tough decision to make. Most of the young, ripped and cut men were very cute, and outlandishly outfitted to emotionally stir an audience mostly made up of women.
The first runner up from St. Thomas, Fidias Decir, sported big hair. Good hair played an important part in competition this time. Decir, towering over most contestants looked as if he dipped his head in salt water to create bundled up clumps which he later let frame his head, which was nestled on a white fake fur collar, attached to a floor length, flowing mohair coat.
From the U.S.A., Kevin Peake, the second runner up, was a very handsome boy, obviously a gym rat. He looked like a heartthrob and will probably a few years from now become a day-time soap star or the face of the man on a best-selling fragrance ad. Very popular among young ticket-holders, from Venezuela, Cesar Flores. Wearing a million dollar smile, he featured nicely styled hair, great clothes, and a sexy hairless chest with an oversize gold Channel medallion. The tiny-boppers went crazy over this Colgate poster boy.
Onix Miranda, from Puerto Rico, one of the top five finalists, was a wonderful showman. He appeared for the final tableau sporting biker boots with silver buckles, red and black stripped knee socks, worn over black lace stockings. Yes, his short shorts revealed strong legs, and the Mohawk hair-with-flair which finished his get up perfectly matched his wild style.
I personally liked the Cuban, Sebastian Rentas, a compact, trim and fit hunk, and his fellow country-man Vincy Alfonso, with pouting, pink baby lips. Another Caribbean man, from St. Thomas, Isander Maldonado, also made it to the top ten, with Canadian Matt Frolich who wore a horrid pink suit for the formal round, and Alvaro Oliviedo, from the Dominican Republic, a man with gorgeous eyes, chin, and cheeks – he opted for an ugly yellow combo.
Here to present the trophies was last year’s winner Kenny Franklin, USA, still looking phenomenally well. The evening included a presentation of the Popcorn dancers, great music and a fashion show. I liked all clothes, all shoes, and all models. I must have been in a good mood that night.
WINNER - ITALY / Richard De Stefano
1ST - ST THOMAS / Fidias Decir
2ND - U.S.A. / Kevin Peake
PHOTOGENIC - ITALY / Richard De Stefano
BEST BODY - ITALY / Richard De Stefano
TOP FIVE
ITALY (Richard De Stefano)
ST THOMAS (Fidias Decir)
USA (Kevin Peake)
VENEZUELA (Cesar Flores)
PUERTO RICO (Onix Miranda)
