Favorite drink: Frangelico Liqueur (gently warmed in a large snifter)
Favorite food: home-made Italian
I was breathless at the sight of the handsome hunky Adonis signing books at the Romantic Times bookfair.
I couldn't resist asking our mutual friend, Fiona Chitradhady to make the introduction. I was very impressed
by his quiet manners and his multi-talents. Formerly a dentist, Nicolosi is a successful cover model, a
classical singer, and a romance writer (fantastic!). He was simply perfect as a Fantasy hunk.
Doreen: "I read that you started out as a classical singer, can you tell me more about it and how were you discovered?"
Nicolosi: "I began singing classic Neapolitan love songs at an early age. As a child, our home was always filled with music.
My parents and grandparents were great lovers of life, with a deep appreciation of soulful music. During family gatherings, on
holidays, weddings, etc, I was always called upon to do my own rendition of an Italian classic made famous by Dean Martin,
Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra. The reaction was instantaneous and exciting. As time went on I began to perform solos at
different cathedrals in and around the Chicago area. I worked my way through college and dental school doing modelling for
major department stores and as a singing waiter in fine restaurants."
"I studied voice under one of the greatest vocal instructors of our time and was trained in the bel canto method of vocal
peforming.This method begun at the end of the 16th century and used throughout Italy to train the young pupils of Europe to
sing in ecclesiastic and theatrical performances.The method enjoyed a renaissance at the end of the 20th century by now
world-famous voice instructor, Seth Riggs. Mr. Riggs has taught this method of singing to over 100 of today's Grammy
Award winners. This method of vocal performing has helped put other great singers on the map, including Andrea Bocelli,
Luciano Pavorati, Michael Bolton, Bernadette Peters and a virtual who's who of today's most renowed performers. I studied
the bel conto method with Seth Rigg's associate based in South Florida."
Doreen: "That's absolutely fantastic, I can't wait to hear you sing at the Romantic Times' balls. So how did you get started
in your modelling career?"
Nicolosi: "Actually this was kind of a fluke. I was beginning my first semester of my sophomore year in college. I walked
into the men's department of Carson Pirie Scott, a Chicago based department store. While trying on clothes, the department
manager asked me if I had ever done fashion catalog work. My first reaction was "yeah right" but when I saw that he wasn't
laughing, I realized that he was dead serious. I told him that I was a biology major with a heavy course load and that I didn't
think modelling was going to fit into my heavy schedule. He then told me what kind of pay was involved and I readily accepted.
Soon I was on my way to my first photo shoot."
"At age 18, I found myself in front of a camera. To my surprise, the photographer was a woman. When I stepped on to
the set, large fans were blowing and '80s music was blaring from the speakers. It was all a bit awkward for a kid from the
suburbs studying pre-med. The clothes I was modelling were held together at the back by masking tape and straight pins."
"As the photographer clicked away, I could hear the loud disco music blaring and the motor of her expensive camera
automatically advancing the film from one frame to the next. I distinctly remember her coaching me, "You're beautiful baby,
beautiful. Yeah, give it to me, give me sexy." It was really cheesy, the kind of stuff you think about in that period of '80s excess."
"When the session was over, we said our good-byes and I collected my check, the only thing I could think of when
I left the studio was "That was interesting!!!". Anyway, I thought that was the end of it. About a month later, my telephone rang
the entire day. The department store had used my image for their fall ad campaign and virtually every person who had seen the
ad seemed to come out of the woodwork to call and congratulate me. Hence the spell was cast. From then on, I received many
more modelling jobs, though my heart and soul remained in singing."
Doreen: "That's super, from pre-med to being a model. How many romance covers and magazines have you appeared on?"
Nicolosi: "I know of several romance novel covers that feature me, and countless others that I don't even know about."
Doreen: "You mean your pictures were used without your authorization?"
Nicolosi: "Well, early in my career, I posed for hundreds of photo sessions that produced thousands of images. I signed
the usual model releases so the pictures could be used at the discretion of the publishers. They were then catalogued and
distributed to publishers worldwide. Today, publishers are still using those images for countless book covers. The only way that
I know when one is used is when I am in Barnes and Noble and run into these covers and said to myself, "I remembering posing
for that picture." With maturity comes wisdom., not long ago I started my own publishing company. I still produce and distribute
images of myself. The only difference is that I own the rights. We all pay our dues in this industry. What's important is to learn
from our life experiences and to evolve as an artist. What is it that they say about living well.....?" (grin).
Doreen: "What about your calendar, when will it be out?"
Nicolosi: "My production company is putting the finishing touches on our 2003 calendar. It is using images from my
soon-to-be released, fully illustrated novella, "The Duke of Sicily". The book is written by me. The calendar features images
that we shot on location in Miami Beach, Puerto Rico, Sicily and Southern Italy. Also featured in this sequence of images is
a series of photographs shot under water off the coast of Marathon Key in South Florida. These photographs feature myself
and the heroine of the novella swimming "au naturel" with the dolphins. The calendar will be released this fall for distribution."
Doreen: "Congratulations, I bet your calendar and book will sell like hotcakes. I noticed that some readers and fans are
a tad aggressive, especially asking rather personal questions. How do you deal with them?"
Nicolosi: "Fans are the life force of any artist. I rely on them for feedback and inspiration. To know that they have been
touched, moved and inspired by my work, is the ultimate compliment. The feedback that I get about my books is a very good
barometer. I suppose this could be perceived as a tad aggressive but I warmly embrace their zealousness and passion for the
content of my work."
Doreen: "If you hear or read negative things about you, how do you handle it?"
Nicolosi: "Fortunately, I have not had to deal with very much negative press. I understand that the perception of reality
is what becomes one's own personal reality. Therefore, I accept the fact that I have no control over how my work is being
perceived through the eyes of another. Accepting this fact brings me great freedom and the liberty to follow my heart's passion
and produce the finest work that I am capable of, with truth and integrity."
Doreen: "Yes, I agree with what you said. Without passion, there's no soul in our works. Has working and living in
Miami helped in your career?"
Nicolosi: "I started living in Miami on a part-time basis several years ago. The work here is steady and there is a
plethora of talented photographers. The thing that I like most about being based in Miami Beach is shooting on location.
There is a never-ending supply of ideal lighting and classic architecture. We are constantly finding hidden treasures where
we set up a photo shoot and produce incredible images. Some of my favorite locales to work in include the Biltmore Hotel
in Coral Gables, the Spanish Monastery in North Miami and Vizcaya, an ocean front mansion in Miami."
Doreen: "People in Miami tend to be very trendy in fashion and lifestyle, do you regard yourself as a good dresser?
Do you enjoy shopping for clothes? Any particular designer that you like?"
Nicolosi: "I take pride in my personal appearance and would like to think that I am a good dresser. As far as designers,
I gravitate towards the classics. You can never go wrong with classic design. Two of my all time favorites would have to be
Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabana. I had never had to alter anything that I purchased from any of these designers.
Every time I slip on one of their garments, it is as though it was made for me in mind. The quality is superb and the design
is timeless."
Doreen: "Those designers are my favorite too. I'm always surprised when a model or a celebrity who are all out there,
confess that they are actually very shy. So are you an introvert or extrovert person?"
Nicolosi: "When I come into a new situation, I tend to be an observer. I rely on my senses to evaluate the situation.
Once I am comfortable in that environment, I open right up. This is a gift that I inherited from my father. His motto was
"the key to being consistently successful is adaptation." He was a circuit court judge for many years and a great observer
of human behavior."
Doreen: "What kind of movies do you like? Who are your favorite celebrities that you have met?"
Nicolosi: "I enjoy all types of movies but my heart belongs to romance. There is nothing in life half as sweet as a
warm and tender love story. I am secure enough to admit to you that I am not ashamed to cry when I see a beautiful love
story. I've had the pleasure of meeting many luminaries in the film industry. My favorite celebrities are those who are real
and comfortable in their own skin."
Doreen: "What do you do to relax?"
Nicolosi: "Relaxation is one area of my life which needs a little improvement. In the past, work was my form of
relaxation. But you know what they say about all work and no play. I am a great fan of water sports, and living in South
Florida affords me the opportunity to partake in many out-door activities. Some of my favorites are roller blading along
the boardwalk, spending a day at the beach and jet skiing."
Doreen: "Do you sleep naked or in your PJs (grin)?"
Nicolosi: "I would like to go on record that my favorite suit in my wardrobe is my birthday suit."
Doreen: (chuckle) "Are you a boxer or brief guy?" (wink, wink).
Nicolosi: "The age old question of boxers vs. briefs - I like to defer to the Michael Jordan underwear commercial,
"They're Hanes and let's just leave it at that."
Doreen: "When someone is interested in you and gives you their phone number, would you call?"
Nicolosi: "This is not a dilemma that I have had to deal with very often. I am a matter-of-fact kind of guy. Most the
people that I am attracted to are also very up front with their feelings. If I see something that I am interested in, I go for it.
I find this to be the same for people who are attracted to me. It is the pathway of least resistance, and I firmly believe that
it establishes a good basis of communication from the start."
Doreen: "Do you enjoy flirting?"
Nicolosi: "A healthy dose of flirting during conversaton is like dancing. It is light, playful and can be a great prelude
to...." (smile).
Doreen: "Do you do any charity work?"
Nicolosi: "I've been on several boards for charities and fund-raisers in the past several years. Because of my
background in health care (I was a practising dentist for ten years), I tend to gravitate to charities that work to provide
health care to under-priviledged families. My most recent contribution was a $30,000 donation to Howard Brown
Health Center's annual dinner and silent auction at the Hilton Hotel and Towers in Chicago. This donation included in-kind
services as well as 1000 travel-size vials of my SPQR personal fragrance.
Doreen: "Wow, I'm so impressed by your accomplishment, talent and your charitable contribution. Keep up the
good work, God Bless!"
So readers, do check out Nicolosi' new book, "The Duke of Sicily" when it's released in August 2002 and his
2003 calendar. For purchase of his autograph pictures and SPQR fragrance, contact him at: www.spqrnicolosi.com.
