Dancing isn't just a booty-shaking pastime for Coverboy Christian, it's art. Raised with a sister who's a photographer, this 22-year-old Yorktown, Va., native often found himself on the other end of the camera lens. After trying his hand at modeling and acting, Christian feels most comfortable shedding his clothes and dancing at Ziegfeld's/Secrets, where his performances allow him the freedom to express himself, both through his costumes and by contorting his body into various positions as part of an exhibition of acrobatic feats. But even the guy in the spotlight needs what he calls his ''Joni Mitchell'' time, when he sips coffee and writes poetry in the comfort of his Manassas, Va., home. With two books of experimental poetry already published under a different name, this George Mason grad student is hoping to derive inspiration for his third book from his experiences as a male entertainer.
Coverboy: Christian
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What's on your nightstand?A toy of Allen Ginsberg, a toy of E.T. dressed as a woman, an alarm clock and a postcard from Hungary.
What's in your nightstand drawer?An old calendar, a flashlight, a box of cigarettes, a condom attached to some Mardi Gras beads.
So is that where you keep the condoms and lube?No, I stick those in a rainbow-unicorn Pillow Pet. Might as well be creative about it.
What are your television favorites?I haven't turned on the TV in years. I'm kind of addicted to Netflix. I like Oddities. Crime Solvers is a good one.
Coverboy: Christian
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?Angry Beavers.
What superhero would you be?I don't think I really respect any of the superheroes we know about. I just don't see much conflict or adversity, and they just try to hide who they are. Probably Kiss, the hottest men in the world, because they have a comic book of their own.
Who's your greatest influence?My father and Gene Simmons. Gene Simmons because he's the master performer and is the most recognizable icon in rock music. My father because he taught me to take the initiative to always push the limit, doing more than your peers are. And because he's so level-headed. It all ties together, because as a stripper you're always trying to push yourself to put on a good performance. What makes a good stripper is not physical attributes as much as your creativity and willingness to use your attributes to put on the best show.
What's your greatest fear?Either losing a limb or not being remembered for anything. I've taken great pains to leave a paper trail behind me.
Pick three people, living or dead, who you think would make the most fascinating dinner guests imaginable.Erica Jong, the Marquis de Sade and Eddie Generazio.
What would you serve?Either sushi or lobster bisque. Or open-faced roast-beef sandwiches.
Coverboy: Christian
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
How would you describe your dream guy?Someone with an intellectual personality, even temperament, focused on social betterment rather than physical beauty. My dream partner would always be trying to improve himself, not someone who's held back by the road kill of the world.
Define good in bed.Somebody who can make a dance out of it, who can work with their partner and submit when your partner needs to dominate, and dominate when your partner needs to submit. Just flowing with it, not worrying about looking cool or assuming the ''right'' posture.
Who should star in a movie about your life?Craig Seymour.
Who was your first celebrity crush?James Van Der Beek. Or Katie Holmes. I have a hardon for Dawson's Creek.
Who gets on your nerves?The leaches of society, in a sense that they are taking up space. A lot of people are just there. They don't do anything. They aren't driven to do anything.
If your home was burning, what's the first thing you'd grab while leaving?My journals and my laptop.
What's your biggest turn-on?A sense of humor.
Coverboy: Christian
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What's your biggest turn-off?Close-mindedness.
What's something you've always wanted to do but haven't yet tried?I want to sing ''Galileo'' with Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls. That's the one thing on my ''bucket list.''
What's something you've tried that you never want to do again?Runway modeling and acting.
Boxers, briefs or other?Other. More like jockstraps, things made of sequins, decorative underwear.
Who's your favorite musical artist?Paula Cole. Love her.
What's your favorite website?Facebook. I think it's a godsend. Social networking is possibly the best thing that ever happened to this planet.
What's the most unusual place you've had sex?I lost my virginity in a church when I was 14, to a girl.
What position do you play in the big baseball game of life?Outfield or the cheerleader.
What's your favorite retail store?I get my socks from Dick's Sporting Goods. And I get my shoes from the Congress website or from Journeys.
What's the most you'll spend on a haircut?My hair has suffered because I've died it so many times, then shaved it, then dyed it again. I swear, one day it's going to fall off and leave me bald. So $400.
Coverboy: Christian
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What about on shoes?$200. If there's one thing I take seriously, it's my costumes for work.
What's your favorite food to splurge with?I like to go to an all-American restaurant and get something really greasy, like a bacon cheeseburger. Greasy foods and candy.
What's your favorite season?Summer. The sun treats me well, and you can do whatever you want outside.
What kind of animal would you be?A beaver or a fox. Beavers are naturally creative. They'll make dams out of anything.
What kind of plant would you be?A dandelion.
What kind of car would you be?A Hyundai Accent.
What are you most grateful for?My emotional stability and my career.
What's something you want more of?Friends and toys.
State your life philosophy in 10 words or less.''Do something every day that scares you.'' From Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune.
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