June 22nd, 2012 
Photo Courtesy - John Michael
With so many single Denver Darlings in this city, it’s no suprise that RomCon 2012 at Denver’s Convention Center June 22-24th, is completely sold out! Unable to snag tickets? Do not fret! Miss A has you covered with an exclusive look at the hunk of a man gracing countless covers of your fave RomCon racy reads!
That’s right, we’ve got the inside scoop on what lies behind the (at times) faceless figure who steams up your lonely nights. John Michael, a notable cover model for some of the biggest RomCon authors in the industry, dishes on what lies behind the man all you hopeless romantics swoon over.
Q – How did you get involved with becoming a Romance Novel Cover Model?
A – I had a publicist that I worked with out of New York and she would book gigs for me mostly doing trade show stuff, or any type of promo modeling. She introduced me to a company that does romance book design and they really liked me. I think I landed on about 30 covers within the first 6 months of working with them.
Q – Where do the photo shoots take place? Do they use special music, outfits, etc? What kind of direction do they give you on set?
A – I have shot all over the place but the majority of the time they are in St. Louis, MO. It is always a very cool vide on set, we definitely have fun and get the music going, but it is also very professional and harder than most people think. Sometimes you are there for hours trying to get every shot that they need. The outfits are the best part of the romance industry, they are positively hilarious sometimes. I never know what I am going to wear, but it can vary from leather pants, to a puffy silk shirt, to a cowboy hat just depending on the genre. I don’t get a lot of direction on set, basically they know they shot the want for a specific book and they describe that to me or if there are 2 of us we can kind of play off one another.
Q – What are your favorite covers and why?
A – There is one called “Taken by the Cowboy” that I like a lot. It was the first book I ever actually saw in print so that was fun. I like the darker covers, like the Vampire books, stuff like that. Unfortunately for me I end up on a ton of cowboy books…not my style but I’ll take it!
Q – Is modeling something you are pursuing in other arenas as well? Fitness mags…etc?
A – I worked in the Fitness modeling industry a few years ago and had some success but the reality with that industry is there a too many people that will model for companies for free just for the ego affirmation, so it kind of turned me off. I also have way too many tattoos for them these days. I have done a lot of other print modeling for a couple of agencies in the Midwest but I’m sort of growing out of the industry and shifting most of my energy on my actual career outside of modeling, its really more of a side gig for me these days.
Q – What do you do to stay in such great shape? Workouts, special diet, etc?
A – I have always had an affinity for the gym and a healthy lifestyle. I got into bodybuilding a few years ago and while my routine is pretty simple these days I think that I have kept a lot of the muscle from when I was younger. I eat very healthy, I would say that is the main way that I keep my physique. I usually get at least 2 weeks notice on a shoot so that gives me time to dial it in if I need to.
Photo Courtesy - John Michael
Q – Elaborate on your hobbies and interests.
A – I am someone who is into business and being focused M-F and all nonsense on the weekends, into painting, historic architecture, romanticism, mexican food, attending endless summer festivals, doing long weekend getaways with no agenda, working out, walking through temperate rainforests or city parks, classic cars, going boating or fishing in the ocean, going for hikes up to mountain viewtops, tattoos, large scale night clubs in new places, riding beach cruisers, boarding, winery regions, eating cheap sushi, fresh seafood, and all kinds of Asian food in general, family, friends, exploring human nature starting with myself.
Q – What music can we find on your iPod?
A – Oh man, I have all sorts if different music in my iPod. I guess I would separate it out by what I am doing. If I’m working out it’s probably something heavy, maybe techno or alternative rock, anything with a high BPM. If I’m hanging at home it would be something more mellow or maybe a band like Blue October or Lana Del Rey, Radiohead, Fun, Gotye. I do listen to seriously Sinatra on Sirius in the car if I’m feeling nostalgic or ultra sophisticated…but some people think that’s weird…haha.
Q – What is your go-to outfit in your wardrobe and why?
A – I like wearing classic Italian clothing or wearing completely eccentric clothing, so it depends on when you catch me. I have been known to have a shoe problem, but I’m working on controlling that these days… You could catch me in a nice suit or in jeans with holes and a hoody and chuck tailors, just depends on the day.
Q – Do you have a fave designer or fashion icon you replicate or admire?
A – I love Armani suits. I need to quit buying them though I’m sure there are smarter things I could do with my money. I have no idea who his stylist is, but whoever does the wardrobe for Ari Gold the character in Entourage would be my pick.
Q – Tell me about your art. Do you do commissioned pieces? Do you sell any of it? What kind of materials do you use?
A – I have always enjoyed drawing and painting. I honestly don’t think I am that good at it but I have a condo in the arts district in Kansas City and had people constantly asking me where I bought my paintings and then wouldn’t believe me when I said that I did them myself. I have done commissioned pieces in the past, and anyone who has liked my art well enough to offer to buy it usually gets a pretty good deal. Most of my work stems from something that I am feeling or going through at the time and typically has some satire in the concept.
Q – What does a day in the life of John Michael often look like?
A – Well, my typical day is pretty simple really. Wake up next to a couple of Italian lingerie models, put on my silk house robe, call the concierge and have them bring us some coffee, ponder which destination I am going to travel to next, wash my maserati, etc. Haha….okay that is all lies. I wake up, go to work, do my best to translate the value of working with my company to our customers, go to the gym, go home, shower, eat something, watch something silly yet thought provoking like American Pickers or Pawn Stars, maybe read something, and go to bed! Exciting I know!
Q – Did your stint on ABC’s The Bachelor provide any extra opportunities or connections that you have used for your career?
A – Was I on the bachelor? I don’t remember seeing myself. No really though it did nothing for me, but was a cool experience. The girl really wasn’t my type and having a horrible flu while filming it made for a great time.
Photo Courtesy - John Michael
Q – Are you looking for love? Are you single, or dating, or coupled up?
A – I am looking for love. I am single and very open to meeting someone. I want to be 110% obsessed with someone (not in a creepy way) and for them to feel the same about me. I have met a few good girls over the years but things haven’t worked out for whatever reason.
Q – What is your idea of a romantic date?
A – Let’s see, really its pretty simple…maybe a nice dinner somewhere on the water, great conversation, a lot of eye contact, smiling so much that you face hurts later on, you know those moments that you have with someone special. We wouldn’t have to do anything crazy, just enjoy each others company, then jump on my private jet and head to a deserted island. Okay that last part isn’t realistic but whatever.
Q -Tell me about the upcoming Romance Novel Convention in Denver.
A – The convention is designed for readers to have an opportunity to meet authors in the industry, as well as cover models like myself.
Q – What is on the horizon for you? What can our readers expect to see you do next?
A – I’m really excited to see what the next 5 years in my life bring. I have never been so focused and motivated as I am now, both in business, modeling, and personal. I might try and get back into the TV world or something else, or may just open a margarita bar on the beach somewhere, I guess time will tell.
Q – Who is your greatest inspiration and why?
A – I don’t really have one specific person that inspires me. I would say that my family motivates me, encourages me, and keeps me grounded, and all of that inspires me.
There you have it ladies, real and in the raw! Interested in chatting with John Michael? He is happy to connect with fans via email at johnmichaelnichols@gmail.com
