Pretty damn super (Photo courtesy of BrianNieh)
Erotic, exotic, creative, and even a tad bit shy are just some of the words you can use to describe model Brian Nieh, who celebrated and debuted his first ever 2013 calendar spread at Splash nightclub last night. The New York City native made a torrential appearance at Splash’s Ocean Wednesdays, and we got a chance to chat it up with him to discuss his calendar and climb up the fashion ladder.
Dey A: So, what was your main inspiration for your calendar spread?
Brian Nieh: My calendar spread is a gallery that plays with elements you are familiar with from me. This being my first calendar, I wanted to play it safe and have it represent what people have seen thus far from Briannieh.
DA: It’s clear that you have a passion for your modeling. What do you love most about the modeling industry?
BN: I love how being a model, you are literally part of the art, the product. Your body is the product. Being a model has forced me to come out of my shell, I grew up a very shy boy. As a model you meet so many different people and it takes you to so many different cities.
DA: Being 24 years old, you’ve accomplished a lot in your career working with various photographers and even this new calendar spread. How does it feel knowing you have so much success at a relatively young age?
BN: I always set myself apart from others by having such a tremendous passion and motivation behind me. If you were to ask me the key to success and my own I would say it’s to never be content with the work and accomplishments you have done, always see what’s next, always work.
DA: As a gay man of color, what obstacles have you faced to reach the point you’re at now?
BN: I deal with over 40,000 fans between all my social networks combined. With that, you’re faced with pleasing so large a spectrum of people and it’s impossible to please everyone. So I have to find a medium where I can please the majority and not compromise my vision and perception I’m trying to convey. Having such popularity it affects your personal life every day, having to separate what I do as a model and how I live my life personally is always a struggle. Briannieh presents a very edgy envelope pushing a sexually charged brand and with that it causes controversy. I strive to influence how people think and feel when they see sex, sexuality, my sexuality, and that isn’t easy.
Crowned prince (courtesy of BrianNieh)
DA: In the industry, one must exude confidence and a certain level of sex appeal. What’s your secret to bringing out your own sex appeal and confidence in your work?
BN: I watch a lot of Britney Spears music videos! [laughs] Just playing! When you’re a model you need to believe that you and you alone can do this and that’s why people pay to have you do this and not someone else. In saying that, you have to tell yourself you are special, you are meant for this. I do minor things like hit the gym, eat healthy, dress right to help boost how I feel about myself, however it’s the conversations I have with myself that really put me in a place of confidence.
DA: If you didn’t model, what would be your dream profession?
BN: If I didn’t model, I probably would be…modeling. Why? I’m not kidding when I say I honestly feel I’m meant for this. This is exactly what I should be doing and where I should be.
DA: In five years, where do you see yourself in your career?
BN: I’m currently heavily into photography, also in school for acting and dancing. I feel modeling, photography, acting and dancing intersect [with] each other and I want Briannieh to be bigger than just me modeling, I’m building a brand. I want to be creative; I want it to be an entity that is powerful in all aspects. In five years I want to take Briannieh international, do gigs in other countries and obtain gigs in photography acting and dancing.
For more of Brian, visit his official website (BrianNieh.com) and follow him on Twitter (@BrianNieh). Treat yourself to the gallery below while you’re at it, too.
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Dey Armbrister (@DeyTimePhoenix) models, too…in his bathroom…
