London, 8th April 2020
Who are you (the long answer, no cheating by just giving your name!) and what is your profession (as in, how do you define it, rather than just the job title it has)?
I am a 24 year old from South East London. Half American, Quarter English, Quarter Australian. I’m a model of almost 10 years (yikes) and actor in training. I love my job, I’m always thankful for the places it has taken me, the wonderful friends/girlfriend of 4 years I have and the opportunities to work with people I consider genius.
Who would you confine with?
My girlfriend Lexi. We are split to be closer to our families, so she is back in America and I’m in London. We are used to distance and time apart through our work, but not having an end date in lockdown restrictions and not really knowing how long it will be until it’s safe and responsible to travel again is tough, but it is a small hardship compared to what many are experiencing now. My heart goes out to all those nurses and doctors working so diligently, saving lives whilst risking their own, to return home at the end of these unimaginable days and not be able to touch your partner or children. I can’t even imagine what they are going through.
What's your work-from-home style?
I’m fortunate to have a house that backs on to a small private wood with a tennis court - so I’ve been playing tennis everyday with my friend Kit who has moved in for lockdown. Begin the day with early tennis, once done we get some music on (radiooooo.com and NTS have really kept me sane the past few weeks), get breakfast going and start the day. If I have lines to learn for acting classes I’ll read through them in the garden, if not I may read a book, do some gardening. Whatever allows me to savor the beautiful springtime we’ve been blessed with in London this year. It’s been great having a friend move in for this period, we’ve cooked everyday. Watched some fantastic movies. I’m now obsessed with the Safdie Brothers. I’ve gone on many walks with my mum, which has been special. Time can move so fast, juggling all the elements of the modern lives we lead. Having moved out of my mums house 2 years ago and spending time in Denver with Lexi or generally on the road with work - our moments together, naturally, have become invaluable. So to have had all this time together the past few weeks has been so precious to me. I imagine many of us post-lockdown will reevaluate what elements of our lives, truly, mean the most to us. I definitely will be. I’ve been writing some of these thoughts every night before bed to look back upon, when the routines of old and the craziness that comes with that, ensues again.
Tell us something about yourself that isn't on your resume (a secret skill, a hobby, a previous job or fun fact about you).
Well currently, I’m doing acting lessons in London (even during the lockdown we have classes on Zoom!) and for the past few months, I have been working towards launching a knitwear line. A fun fact about me - due to terrible 16 year judgment of the Caribbean tide patterns, I found myself drifting out to the Atlantic Ocean on a paddleboard. Some 20 minutes later, to my life-continuing relief, I spot a figure on the horizon coming to my rescue - it was Bryan Adams, Mr Summer of ’69 himself. I laid flat on my board, exhausted and exasperated, as he paddled the two of us back to shore and to the safety of solid ground. That is how Bryan Adams saved my life. You can’t make this shit up.
What's the first place you'd want to go when it's safe again to travel and go out?
My favorite restaurant and my favorite pub.
Who is in your fantasy Zoom party (Skype or FaceTime)?
Dave Chappelle, Salvador Dali, Anthony Bourdain, Gucci Mane, Karl Marx.
Ben is represented by Select Model London
interviewed by Lily Templeton
&
captured by Allan Hamitouche
…
Production by Michaël Marson
Casting director William Lhoest at WL Casting