International model and aspiring actor Brandon Good shares the story of his foray into modelling, his hopes for the future and more.
Coming from a small town in Western Pennsylvania, American model Brandon Good had no idea that things would work out for him in the modelling world. His introduction to the business first started when he met an agency not far from where he’s from. When an agency in New York offered him a contract, he immediately took the chance. And good thing that Good took it because, so far, he’s doing a pretty great job at it. In just a short while, he became a breakthrough star on the modelling scene and he even ended up starring in Troye Sivan’s music video as none other than Sivan’s love interest.
Good is currently signed with modelling agencies in New York, Milan, Brussels and Los Angeles, and he has walked on runways around the world, appeared in various magazines and worked for some of the most storied fashion houses like Jean Paul Gaultier, Moschino and Nicola Formichetti.
DAMAN: Hai Brandon, awesome to have you with us. How are you?
Brandon Good: Hai, with an H-A-I. Todays a great day. I’ve got no complaints.
DA: Tell us about yourself and how you first started in the modelling biz…
BG: Currently living in Los Angeles, California. Pursuing a career in acting and taking auditions. I got into the industry through the help of a local photographer. He believed in me and taught me a lot. He sent a few polaroids and images we took to an agent in New York who then later offered me a contract.
DA: If you hadn’t been scouted, would you have still become interested in going into modelling?
BG: Yes. Because I love chasing things that scare me. It keeps me on edge. Initially, modeling scared me. I had no understanding of fashion. Very few people succeed. I couldn’t tell you who Anna Wintour was. I knew it could be a little bit harsh. I was terrified of taking a bad picture. I think that the fear is what drove me to it. Wanting to step out of my comfort zone. It was okay to be different. This was always for me.
DA: All in all, what do you love most about modelling?
BG: Modeling is an art. It’s a multi-sensory, multitasking job filled with endless possibilities.
DA: Do you have any specific plans about changing your look every now and then?
BG: There is no plan. Never has been.
DA: Going back a bit, what was your childhood like?
BG: I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, in a small town called Indiana, where we were confused about just how country we were. Also, it was the hometown of the late, great Jimmy Stewart. I rode ATVs, crawled around my front yard in camouflage and drank beer at bonfires.
DA: Beyond your modelling career, people also took notice of you when, last year, you starred in Troye Sivan’s music video “Lucky Strike.” Do you still remember how shooting that one went? What was the experience like working on a project like that?
BG: Yes, I remember. A cold November morning on a beach near Ventura, California. I got there early but couldn’t find where to go. This was the largest set I’d ever been on. Someone from the production team led me to the Main Talent trailer. I took my jacket off and got comfortable, right when Troye Sivan walks in. I was in shock and couldn’t believe we were sharing trailers … we weren’t. The director, Emma Westenberg, came in behind him and asked me what I was doing in Sivan’s trailer. I was mortified. Getting ready to be thrown off set. Sivan laughed and welcomed me to stay. We continued laughing about it the entire day.
DA: And how did you land that music video gig?
BG: I have to credit the power of social media. It was my Instagram that caught the attention of the director Emma Westenberg, who then proposed me to Sivan.
DA: Would you be interested to dive into the acting world one day?
BG: Yes, I plan on cannonballing into the magical world of Hollywood.
DA: What was the most memorable modeling job you’ve ever took on?
BG: I booked a job that was shooting in the beautiful country of Croatia. This one was special because it’s where my father’s family is from. After landing, the driver—my new friend Igor—picked me up and told me everything there is to know about the town that my family was from. He told me stories, taught me Croatian phrases and sang the national anthem. We had drove together for a couple of hours to a boat that was waiting to take me to an island called Hvar, where I’d be shooting for the next three days. He called me his brother and said he’d be here to pick me up on the third day. I felt like I met an extension of my family and never felt more home while I was away.
DA: What was your proudest moment in your career so far?
BG: The best is yet to come.
DA: Now that we’re eight months going into the pandemic, how are you holding up? How do you keep yourself sane and positive?
BG: I try to remind myself that we’re all going through this together. I’m ready to party, but I know it won’t be anytime soon unless we all keep wearing our masks.
DA: What has the pandemic taught you so far?
BG: To appreciate the little things and It’s okay to slow things down. It’s been the longest reset of my life.
DA: What do you miss most from the pre-COVID days?
BG: I miss being able to see people’s faces, having random close interactions with strangers. Being able to talk to people freely without worrying whether or not I’m six feet apart and making the other one uncomfortable. A world where interactions were more genuine and less planned out.
DA: Even here in Indonesia, people are talking about the U.S. under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. What are your thoughts on the results of this historic election?
BG: I know Indonesia would agree how important democracy is. This was a very important election. I think the results showed that being a decent human being matters. It speaks volumes that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had the highest number of votes in history. The people have spoken and I couldn’t be prouder of the results.
DA: Vice-president-elect Kamala Harris is not only the very first woman to hold that position, but also the first woman of color to do so. How important do you think is this milestone for the U.S.?
BG: This one is very important. Being a person of mixed background, I think Vice-president-elect Kamala Harris said it best when she said something on the lines of every little girl watching sees that this is a country of possibilities in her acceptance speech. That’s what America’s about. It’s really great to see.
DA: What are your hopes for America with these new changes?
BG: I hope that we can come together and really take the time to listen to each other. Put aside any differences we may have and try to understand what is being said. Change is coming.
DA: You’re always in a good shape; how do you keep your body fit?
BG: Small improvements daily. Nothing good comes easy. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. And understand that it’s a process and make it part of your routine.
DA: And what about your diet?
BG: Sometimes I love to devour an entire pizza on the couch to a sports game while I yell at the TV. But other than that, I eat pretty clean. Starts from the inside out. Drink lots of water.
DA: We noticed that you’re removing your cross tattoo on your chest? Any story behind why you decided to remove it?
BG: I love it and it once expressed exactly who I was. It wasn’t a tattoo I randomly picked out at the shop; it was a symbol I drew out. A tattoo of meaning. It will always mean a lot to me but I decided it no longer has to be on my skin to be a part of me.
DA: Now that 2021 is around the corner, what’s your plan for the rest of the year?
BG: I’m going out East. Back home to be with my family for the holidays.
PHOTO CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHY Mitchell Nguyen McCormack
STYLING Kimberly Goodnight
GROOMING Dylan Michael using Oribe Fiber Groom elastic texture and Giorgio Armani silk Foundation
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