Model interview with Phil Bruce 1st March 2018

Interview with male model

Phil Bruce

Hi can you tell us a little about yourself ?

I am 28 years old, Self-Employed as a Model and Book Cover Model, Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer, and Football Coach. I currently have 3 Businesses- Official Phil Bruce (Modelling), Phil Bruce Fitness (Exercise Instructing/Personal Training), and The Phil Bruce Soccer School (Football Coaching)

How did you feel when you did your first ever photo shoot?

I did my first ever Photo Shoot back in 2011, and it was arranged by a mutual friend of myself and the Photographers. At that stage I had never thought about going into Modelling, and I was also pretty shy back then, lacking confidence. I decided to give it a go, as it happened it was a very eventful Shoot (there's a funny story from it actually...), and then it all developed from there.  
 

Who was your role model as a child an how did that help in being a model?
 

To be honest, I didn't really have a Role Model in terms of Modelling, but I am passionate about seeing others do well and seeing people achieve things with hard work and dedication, so I guess that became a big reason for why I got into the Modelling Industry, knowing that I would be seen by others, and so I have the ability to help others in some way.
 

How do you feel about the controversy of the size 0 debate in the industry ?

For me personally, size 0 isn't attractive nor is it healthy. A big motive for me when I model is to show that you can look good whilst looking healthy, showing that you don't need to be 5% body fat to look good. It's about the message that I am aiming to get across, so I want to help people to become confident with who they are and how they look. Over the last few years, more curvy and natural-looking Models have got some positive attention, which, in my view, long may that continue.  

How do you cope under the pressures of being a model?

I think that everybody feels some kind of pressure and can improve with dealing with aspects of dealing with perceived pressures and stresses that come with the job that we do. I typically aim to focus on having the mind-set that I am doing what I love, I am lucky to be able to do what I love, and I am helping people in various ways, which helps to make me feel good. I also aim to make myself as accessible to people as I can, so that people can talk to me and see that I am a normal, every-day person.

What do you do like to do in your spare time when you are not working?

In my spare time (which I don't get a lot of at the moment due to my schedule), I like to go out for meals with Family and Friends, have time to myself reading books and watching programmes/films, and I like to spend time with my Sister's Dogs.

Do you have any strange or weird habits?

I wouldn't say that I did to be honest, maybe a strange habit that I have is that I will press the lock button on my car keys various times to make sure that it is locked, even though I see the car flash. Apart from that, I don't really know. To be fair, I think habits of mine would be more noticeable to others than what they are to me.
 

What are you like in the kitchen?

Well, I know how to boil vegetables, cook meat, and use the microwave....

What are guilty pleasures food wise?

I aim not to look at foods as 'guilty pleasures', as I believe that we should be able to eat and drink whatever we want in moderation, and I think the tag of it being a 'guilty pleasure' makes people feel bad when they eat or drink it. For me personally as well, if I can have whatever I want whenever I want, I tend not to want as much 'junk food' as I'm not having a fight with myself about having it. Typical treats that I like to have most often are biscuits and crisps, I like my red wine too, but it is in moderation and proportion to everything else that I eat and drink. I like to have ice cream, pizza, burgers and cider when I feel like it (not all at the same time though...), although it is not that often.

What is the most romantic thing you have done for your partner or a past partner?

I would say that it would be when I drove to her house (she lived in London, I lived in Stoke, which is about 3 and a half hours drive from each other) for her Birthday, her Family knew that I was coming but she was unaware. I have done other romantic things as well like candle-lit dinners etc, even though I am single at the moment...

When you were single what was the cheesiest pick up (chat up) line you used. Did it work?

I know the worst one that I ever did.. I'd had a few drinks quite a few years ago at a Club in Stoke, and I was a massive Fan of WWE (WWF at the time) Wrestling. The Rock used to ask for the person's name, and just as they were answering it he would say "It doesn't matter what your name is!". For some reason I decided to try it out on a girl in the Club, and nope, it didn't work very well!  

You come across as calm,laid back and level headed guy, how would your mother describe you?

My Mother would say that, growing up, I was a pain in the ass, as I was always doing something, breaking something etc. I call it my playful and adventurous side. In fairness, I think that she would say that I am definitely hard working and ambitious, and that I am a loving, caring guy (well, I hope that she would..)
 

What is your favourite movie?

I would say that my favourite films are the Saw films, especially the first one, as they are so cleverly scripted and put together. I also love The Hangover, the Magic Mike Films, especially Magic Mike XXL. Love Actually and The Muppets Christmas Carol also mean a lot to me for Family reasons, we watch them together every year. In regards to TV series', I would say that Mrs Brown's Boys is my favourite, and I love watching Match of the Day too (whenever Stoke City manage to get any points)
 

Most men love their toys, are you a bike or car lover and what do you drive?

I definitely prefer Cars. At the moment I am driving a Peugeot 107, a small car (remember, it's not the size that counts..) that is very economical and does the job well. I would love to one day drive an Audi TT



Do you have any limitations when modeling, is there anything you won't do?

For me personally, I wouldn't let everything be on show on an image, as I think that part of the seduction is the mystery of wanting to see it all, and when you have seen it all on an image then every other image loses its' power. I also have to be careful as I run a Soccer School Business where I deal with Children and Adults each week.

How often do you exercise or go to the gym?

Because of my Exercise Instructing work, I am typically teaching 3-4 Exercise Classes per day during the day and doing a Weights session each day during the week too. On a Saturday I play Football for a Team called Ball Haye Green F.C, and on a Sunday I'm usually Modelling or having a day of Exercise.  I'm not advocating doing that many workouts or Classes each week by the way, it's just that's one of my lines of work.
 

How would you describe your personality?

I would say that I have got a few. Whilst I was growing up as a child I would used to watch Peter Schmeichel and Oliver Kahn play in Goal, they helped to ignite my Goalkeeping passion. Managerial-wise for my Football I would say that Tony Pulis and Sir Alex Ferguson are the ones that I really took note of, especially with their views in terms of hard work and passion. With terms of Personal Development (something which I am really into), Tony Robbins and Jim Rohn have been really inspirational to me, and I love how David Beckham carries himself around with the various Projects that he has. Entertainment and Performance-wise my Role Model is Robbie Williams, I love how he is on stage and how he engages with the audience. My Parents are also inspirational to me, they have been there with me through thick and thin, and have taught me the importance of focus and work ethic, regardless of what other people may say or think (especially through my School years, as I got bullied a lot).

You mentioned you play football. Have you had any accidents on the pitch?

Yeah, I've cracked my Ribs in a match, had a stud to the face just above the eye in another match too.

Have you always wanted to be a model?

I honesty I hadn't even thought about being a Model until I started getting a bit of recognition for it, and also started to see that it was positively influencing people, that's definitely the most rewarding thing. I started in 2011, and I would say that it was at the end of 2013 when I decided that I wanted to go for it, whilst doing my other things too.
 

You are over 6ft 1 tall, being so tall does it have any advantages and disadvantages from a Male perspective?

A lot of Agencies do want to have Male Models that are typically 6ft tall or higher, so it has opened me up to work that I probably wouldn't have been able to do if I was smaller, but I tend to not focus on my height too much, I let the images speak for themselves. 
 

Are there any misconceptions that people have about modeling that is not true?

It's a difficult one as I think there are misconceptions in pretty much every job and everything that we do. I recently did an LGBT-themed Shoot with a Photographer named Graham Martin, with the views of, as a straight man, to show support to the LGBT Community. I think we've just got to do what we can to show that the Modelling Industry and life in general is moving on and that we accept all types of people and diversifications.
 

What has been your best
 experience so far?

I have had lots of great experiences so far I would say, too many to list, and I believe that even bad things can be a good experience depending on your mind-set and what you learn from it.  A few great experiences so far in regards to Modelling including Modelling in Paris, France with Burberry, the Photography by Mike Fraser (MLF Photography). Being on my first Book Cover was a brilliant experience too ('The Deal' by Gemma Christie, Modelling alongside Kate Ball, Photography by Origimedia). Featuring in BeautifulMag, DNA and Vanity Hype UK have been other great examples too. Hope there is plenty more to come.

What did your parents first think of you being a model and where they supportive?

To be fair, I would say that my Parents have been really supportive of me getting into the Modelling Industry, and they understand my motives around it.

Do you have goals, Plans, checklist?

I have got so many Goals, Aspirations and Targets, too many to list, for my Modelling, Exercise Instructing, Football (Coaching/Playing/Managing), and for things in general too. I am hugely ambitious and I always need things to aim for and to achieve.
 

What beauty tips do you swear by?

I used to be completely over-the-top in terms of my daily rituals for my skincare, but it is a lot more manageable these days. Typically I will use a Face Wash in the morning before doing my teeth, a Face Was again whenever I have a bath or shower, and moisturize before I go to bed or before going out if I am dressing up to go somewhere.
 

If a young girl/boy wanted to be a model what would your advice for them be?

My advice for a young boy or girl wanting to get into Modelling would be to be patient, as it's important to build up the Portfolio and the experience, to be careful about which Agencies to potentially join as there are some Agencies who are out there to make money from people (always check their reviews, website and check with other people in the Industry if you are not sure), to not be afraid to try out different looks in order to add variation to your work and to make yourself more open to potential work, and to enjoy what you do. I think people can take Modelling too seriously when you are in front of a camera, but you need to let your personality come out.

 

Do you have a stylist when do a photoshoot and if you didn't like anything  would you tell them?

I haven't got my own Stylist at the moment, even though this is something that I would love to have one day. It also depends on the type of Shoot that you are doing as to whether a Stylist is needed for it. I have had a few MUA's on some Shoots, they were brought in by the Brand, Company or Photographer for those Shoots, and I think it's important to be open and honest with how you feel about the look that has been created, as how you feel does usually come across in the images.
 

Is your tan real ? I know some like to use
 sunbeds and fake tans.
 
My Tan is real at the moment. The occasional Shoot requires you to get a Spray Tan prior to it, but in general I prefer to be natural. I do love getting a killer tan when I go on Holiday, and I aim to book Shoots for when I get back from those Holidays to show it off.

Do you get to meet lots of authors?

I have met a few Authors so far, and I am really looking forward to meeting more Authors over the next year or two as the number of Book Covers that I am on increases and as I start to attend Book Cover Signing Events.

If you could be on a cover of any author's book. Who would you choose?

To be honest I don't think about it as wanting to get into one person's Book Cover, I want to be able to get on various Book Covers from various Author's as I love the whole process of it, and I love chatting to various Author's to find out their passions, motives and getting to know them in general, plus it's ace knowing that they like my work enough to want me on their Book Covers.

How many book covers have your photos been on or teasers(Promo) have you been used for?

I am currently on one Book Cover so far. There have been several more that have been agreed, that I have seen the mock Book Cover for, and that I know will be going ahead, both this year and next year. So all I can say is watch this space....    

 

Quote from the Author.

The book is about a strong alpha male who is the most powerful man in the world. When a situation arises, he ends up meeting his arch nemesis’s daughter and of course, eventually, they fall in love. Phil Bruce models the front cover and is the perfect example of a strong, handsome, alpha male who is also kind at heart. They did the shoot and i was sent the images to look through...there were so many to choose from that looked amazing, but in the end, the one with the church doors behind won me over. Phil has been an amazing model to work with and i wouldn't hesitate to work with him again.

- Gemma Christie

How do you feel knowing your face and body is on thousands of books and have women drooling over them

Knowing that my face is on thousands of books and knowing that people may like what they see is something that is really lovely and is so rewarding. It definitely has a feel-good factor to it, and long may it continue.

 Do you go to book events and would you come to a event in Wales in 2018 if you were asked?

I haven't actually been to a Book Event yet, but I am scheduled to attend a few as a Book Cover Model both this year and also in 2019. I would definitely be interested in attending an Event in Wales this year if I was asked.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

It's really hard to predict where I see myself in 5 years in honesty as there are so many factors that could affect what the future holds. For me, I would love to be able to keep on progressing as much as I possibly can with everything that I can, to be recognized by as many people as possible, and to be able to help as many people as possible in whatever way/s I can. I want to be able to look after my Family and Friends too.
 

Can you tell us how you were “discovered” and how your modeling career all started?

After having the first Shoot with a mutual friend, I ended up doing Shoots around the Stoke-on-Trent area with various local Photographers to build up my Portfolio and experience. I was also messaging Photographers across the UK to see if I could Shoot with them, and in 2013, my first big break-through came, when I did a Shoot with Gavin Harrison, and one of the pictures ended up being in the Vanity Hype UK 2014 Calendar. A few months later I then did a Shoot with Simon Barnes, and one of the pictures from that Shoot was Published by Simon, which gained me a lot of publicity, and it has built nicely from there.

What has been your favorite shoot / 
campaign / work to date?

There hasn't been one that I would say has been my favourite one as they all have something completely different to them. I love doing Shoots where I am on my own, and also Duo Shoots with Female Models, as those kinds of Shoots can bring something totally different to my work, plus it's great to be able to work with other people and interact with them.
 

How would you describe your personal style, 
Where do you pull your inspiration from?

I would say that my personal style for Modelling is based on creating feels and moods within the images. Typically, individual male shoots tend to be moody, dark and sensual, which I find easy to do now with the experience that I have gained. When I work with other people in Duo Shoots to tend to bring into the Shots the emotions of love and fun, as it's got to look realistic to how 'couples' would act with each other. I like to have lots of fun whilst I'm working, so I like to smile a lot and have fun in between the shots. 
 

Do you have any hidden talents?

I don't think that I would say that I have any hidden talents, I'm learning to speak Greek at the moment as I want to one day have a place of my own there that my Family, Friends and myself can visit, does that count?
 

What is the worst job you have ever done?

I worked at a Supermarket called Netto whilst I was paying my way through College and University. It not that Netto was a bad place specifically to work at as the staff there were lovely, it just wasn't what I wanted to do as a career and I couldn't see myself doing it for a living or a full-time job.
 

Do you get to travel a lot for your work? If so what’s your favorite city that you have visited?

I haven't traveled a lot Internationally with work specifically up to yet, a lot of the work that I typically have done is throughout England. I did do a Shoot in Paris, France with Burberry, accompanied by Mike Frasier, that was so much fun. Doing more International Shoots and Book Signings is an ambition of mine.

Sometimes the modeling industry gets a bad rap with the jealousy and egos encountered between other models and agencies. Was this true for you? Have you managed to tough it out and make good friends?

Like with any other Industry and aspect of life, there are always examples of jealousy and ego that come with the job. Luckily I would say that I haven't received loads of that aimed against me, yet at the same time I am pretty good at switching myself off from those kind of people, and I've got good people around me, such as my Family, close Friends, my PA Scarlet Le Clair, and Mina Carter who help to distract me from those types of people.

Do you ever get shy in front of the camera? Is modeling an easy job or more strenuous than people realize? (How so)

I don't get shy in front of the camera anymore when I am Modelling, it has taken a lot of practice and experience to get to that though. I think it also helps when you have a good rapport with the Photographers that you work with too, as that can help to relax you even more.

Was modeling something you always wanted to do, 
or did it just kinda happen?

The Modelling just kind of happened in the sense of how it all developed and how it feel into place. I didn't have any original ambitions of becoming a Model (I always wanted to become a Professional Footballer throughout my teenage years), but the ambition just seemed to grow after doing my first few Shoots, which all developed from there. It certainly hasn't been an easy route so far, but I think that is a good thing as I appreciate every bit of success that I get now as I know that I have earned it.

What’s your favorite band / music at the moment?

I haven't got a favourite current singer or band right at this moment in regards to the music that is out right now, I like a mixture of different people and genres of music. Overall though, Robbie Williams is my favourite singer, he is a Role Model to me, and a fellow Stokie too. I also like The Wanted, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Cheryl, and Shayne Ward to name a few.
 

Give us 5 facts about you people may not know.

5 Facts...


I won the F.A Women's Premier League Reserve Division Managing Stoke City Ladies F.C in the 2016/17 seson, the first time in the Club's History

I played in Goal against Stoke City F.C in 2008, in front of over 3,000 people

I have got a BSc Hons Degree in Sports Science and Nutrition, and am a Qualified Low Back Pain Specialist, GP Referral Specialist, Ante and Post-Natal Instructor, Strength and Conditioning Coach

I was mentioned by Neil 'Nello' Baldwin in his speech at the BAFTA's after his Film 'Marvellous' won a BAFTA

I was on a TV Commercial with Manchester United for VIVA TV called 'Defy the Norm:Part 2', a Kuwait TV Channel, back in 2013. I was meant to be an extra for it, but my face actually appeared on the TV advert (it's still on YouTube)
 

How did you feel the first time you did nude shoot?

I was pretty nervous the first time that I did a nude shoot and felt a bit embarrassed, but seeing the images back and the art that we created from it made it feel worthwhile, and, like anything, my confidence improved over time and experience. I'm totally confident and easy-going about doing nude shoots nowadays, as long as everything isn't on show in the final edit.

Can you model bits of yourself- legs, face etc?

I have actually done Shoots for Fitness Companies where I have had to have my legs and arms pictures for them, which felt strange at first because I was so used to my face being on the images. I like doing some Portrait Shots as well, where it is just the face on show, as they can be really strong pictures, especially in black and white.

In modelling you strip down and do very intermit shoots how did you feel doing your very first one and does the nerves get any easier the more you do?

Yeah, I was a bit nervous the first time that I did a nude image alongside a Female Model, and it wasn't actually until Summer last year that I did it. The shot was done in a 50 Shades of Grey-themed Shoot alongside the wonderful Elle Jones, taken by Amanda Elwell. Since then I have also done a couple more nude shots with Female Models, including with the gorgeous Nicole Raynor, and there are a few more scheduled for this year too. Intimate Shots on the whole are a lot easier when the person that you are working with trusts you and you have a natural connection with them.
 

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

I haven't got any tattoos or piercings at the moment, and I think that my Nan would kill me if I did!

What would a girl have to do to grab your attention?

For me, I like girls who are ambitious, fun-loving, caring, genuine, and have a natural attraction. I like for girls to also be open and honest with me, as I haven't got time for games and for those who hide how they feel towards me. I like a girl who takes care of herself, yet at the same time can enjoy life and not worry about having to be perfect.
 

What would be your ideal first date?

I would say that an ideal first date would be a nice meal together, where we can chat and get to know each other a bit more. Nice and traditional.
 

Where would you like to be in 10 years time?

There is no specific place that I would like to be in 10 years time, but I do have a lot of Aims, Ambitions and Goals that I want to achieve. I want to be able to do what I love to do each and every day, go on plenty of Holidays too,  and be in a position where I can look after my Family and Friends, plus positively impact as many people as I can. 



Blogger message.


Firstly I want to say a massive thank you to Phil Bruce for agreeing to do this interview. I know he has a hectic schedule with modeling and the football, but he took time out to do this interview. He may only be twenty-eight but he is so level headed, professional and sweet. It is so refreshing to meet someone in the modeling industry like him. It is not often you come across someone like him in, he is 100% real nothing fake about him, he is definitely destined for a massive career and he is one model we can expect to see a hell of a lot more of in the future. Congratulations Phil on everything that you have achieved so far and I wish you even more success you deserve it.

I also want to say a massive thank you to the lovely photographer and author, Mina Carter for letting me use the images in this interview of Phil Bruce in the photos that he is posing for. All photos apart from the three selfie pictures which the model himself took belong to Mina. The photos that were shown in this interview are absolutely stunning and they would look gorgeous on any book cover. 
*************All photos were used with permission from Mina and Phil.************


I also want to say a special thank you to Gemma Christie for giving me the quote on working with Phil and having him along with another model on the cover of her latest release, THE DEAL.

******************