Some common stereotypes of male models, fueled by images from movies and reality TV, hold that they’re a stone-faced, full-of-themselves bunch with perfect, god-like bodies but not a whole lot going on upstairs.
And, according to bodybuilder and model Ivan Rusilko, there’s some truth there — if you’re looking at the guys who take themselves way too seriously.
Some in the industry, in fact, may have the public believe that they’re the hardest-working men in the world, sacrificing all of life’s pleasures in the name of pure physical beauty.
That, Rusilko said, “is an absolute lie. ... You show up, you smile, you have a good time.” In fact, “it’s an absolute blast.”
An easy-going approach to the high-profile business of looking great seems to be working — and how — for the 24-year-old Meadville native, known by his first name, Matt, by most local people. After only a couple of years of being involved in the modeling industry,
Rusilko was recently crowned Mister USA in the first-ever Mister USA pageant in Boston.
In November, he’ll travel to Taiwan to represent the United States in the Mister International 2008 pageant.
As a model appearing in ads for multi-national businesses like General Nutrition Center and Gold’s Gym, “I’ve been all over the map,” he said, but never to compete on an international level. “I’m proud to represent the United States. It’s definitely an honor.”
There’s no doubt that there’s work involved in keeping so extremely fit, but even in that area Rusilko seems laid-back, doing daily, low-intensity lifting workouts while jamming to classic rock like Pink Floyd and Tom Petty.
“It’s really enjoyable,” he said, adding for him, modeling “is more a celebration of fitness and life,” and “being comfortable with yourself, being healthy. ... I enjoy being healthy.”
But make no mistake: There’s more to Rusilko than just a pretty face and perfect pectorals.
A son of Meadville residents Susan and David Rusilko, the 2002 Meadville Area High School graduate is a fourth-year medical student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and routinely does course work at Meadville Medical Center.
Rusilko, a former Bulldogs hockey standout, is ranked fifth in career goals (142) and points (289).
He’s into photography, especially shots of natural splendor.
He’s a big-time outdoors type, with a love for fishing and hunting with dad.
And he still calls Meadville home. Rural northwestern Penn-sylvania “is my mecca,” he said.
“I’m going to travel all over the world in the next couple of months,” he said, and “I’m glad I grew up in a town like this, because it keeps everything in perspective.”
Oh yeah, one more thing, he said: “I’m single, and looking to mingle.”
Ryan Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at rsmith@meadvilletribune.com.
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