2009

The best model in the world is Spanish

He is Jon Kortajarena, going around the world half the year and stating rotoundly that "my heart is in Bilbao because that is where my people are". When he struts Cibeles backstage, clad in jeans, a t-shirt and black straw shoes, that image of the tough guy flowing every time he hits the runway fades away. Face to face he is just a 24-year-old boy, shy and smiling, who tries to go unnoticed, something almost impossible thanks to his huge green eyes and 189 cm height. "It´s just that I don´t like being worshipped or admired for being a model. This is a job where it seems we are above and I am just a model who tries to do his job properly, that is, sell tendencies. I am not a doctor, I have not saved anyone´s life or else". So states the man who is nowadays, the most sought-after male model in the world.


E: How many days a year do you spend in Bilbao?
Jon: Uff, few, very few. If I sum up a whole year I will be about a month and a half there. The rest of the time I am here and there but this job is like that, I guess every job has its drawbacks.

E: What do you miss most about your hometown?.
Jon: My mother and my sister Lucía, undoubtedly.

E: Where do you consider you have your home then?
Jon: Physically it is hard to say since I don´t remain much in the same place, but I am one of those who thinks my home is where the people I love are, so it is clear where my heart is: in Bilbao.

E: You have lived in several cities, Bilbao, Barcelona, Madrid, NYC, which one do you like best?
Jon: Each has something special and unique. My family and memories are in Bilbao, my friends are in Barcelona and in NYC...many of the best experiences in my life, part of my personal growth and a certain point of view about things you can only get in New York.

E: A model´s life is so lonely as you state?
Jon: Yes, it is among the things I tolerate the worst. You come and go and in the end you can only count with other models´ company you find in the shows.

E: Is the relationship among models so ideal as it seems?
Jon: Not at all! Do you know a place where absolutely everybody is a friend? No, right? because that´s impossible, this is exactly the same, you get along with some and others are just co-workers. There are good and bad people in all professions, fashion world is not an exception.

E: Do you realize you are earning more money than most people your age?
Jon: Yes, of course I do, but it is also true that I am earning a quarter of what I would get if I were a girl. But for male models this career lasts longer. This work is not forever, I will think of some other things to do in the future. The good thing is that you can learn a lot from fashion world and it opens lots of doors for you. .

E: Do you think you have missed things on the way?
Jon: Of course. Being more time with my friends, seeing my little sister grow up...but this is my job. I like it and it is also giving me lots of good things.

E: In your website there are links to ONGs which work with Camboian children or Darfur refugees. Is it a responsibility for celebrities to support good causes?
Jon: I am not telling others what to do. I only say that if someone enters my website, sees those good causes and get interested in any of them, that would be perfect.

E: Top models are also humans, and, only sometimes, they indulge in some excesses. But Jon is quite moderate, isn´t it?
Jon: I usually drink diet coke or lemon beer. I enjoy going out with my friends but I also like having a drink with my mom, we get along really well. I love having tapas on Sunday mornings in Bilbao, walk around El Arenal, La Plaza Nueva, Siete Calles. That´s something I really miss when I am abroad.

E: Surprise us with a location you never tire of.
Jon: Lanzarote. I was living there for some years and there are some spots in the island I used as a shelter, and I think I will continue using them for that.

E: Does this crisis affect models as well? Have you thought of doing something else such as TV, cinema...?
Jon: Crisis is affecting everything and this is one of the biggest in the century so we are suffering it too. But fashion is a luxury field and it is not so serious as other people´s daily struggle to keep their jobs.

E: I see you have worked with Tom Ford, that´s really high. What about Marc Jacobs? Does his work attract you?
Jon: I don´t think I have the looks of the boys he uses for his campaigns. But I love what he does and I would be delighted to work with him, it does not depend on me though.

E: Do you feel your career has affected your personal life in a big way...your family, friends?
Jon: When you have this work pace everything changes. It is hard to keep a relationship, be near your friends and make your family feel loved. But you end up developing certain skills to combine your family and working life.

E: You appeared in El Mundo´s supplement of 500 most influential people, among one of the 25 most influential trend setters, did it please you?
Jon: Yes, lots.

E: What do you value most in a woman, what do you look for? and do not tell me you could go out with a non-attractive one because I won´t take it.
Jon: She should arouse me in a way that others couldn´t.

E: Andres Velencoso and yourself are considered two of the best male models in the world, and both are Spanish...do you get along fine? I guess so, two beauties like you can only get on well.
Jon: To me Andrés has sometimes been like a brother. The first time I got to NY he was a very important support. He offered me his house and his friends. In this profession I have found few people I love so much as I love him.

E: How do you take care of yourself, physical and psychologically?
Jon: I have a wonderful psychiatrist and physically I eat properly and do exercise.

E: Did you ever imagine when you were a child that you would end up being a reputed model? what were your plans?
Jon: Not at all, my plans were very varied but none had anything to do with fashion. I spent my childhood fantasizing about becoming a wall painter, fire-fighter or supermarker cashier.

E: I read an interview where you were talking about beauty and said that when you were born you were considered a bit uglish by your mom. They say beauty is inherited, are you the most beautiful one in your family or are there others still more beautiful?
Jon: I am the only boy and that´s why I stand out more but I am not the most beautiful at all. My grandmother is impressive and so are her four daughters, included my mother. The cream of the cake is my nine-year-old sister, a real princess.

E: I think one of your grandparents comes from Andalusia, are there any of his features in you?
Jon: It´s my grandmother, the one I told you about in the above question.

E: I think you enjoy literature, cinema and photography. Which are your favourite authors, films, books and why?
Jon: One of my favourite books is The Wheel of Life, by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, this is a book you should have nearby along your life to refresh its message. Cry to Heaven by Anne Rice is just a treasure and films...there are so many.

E: Regarding photographers, who are the masters for you?
Jon: I like the works of lots of them but I could stand out Terry Richardson, Nico Bustos, Steven Meisel, Tom Ford (his latest campaign was shot by himself), Ferrater...

E: You are 24 years old, with a very successful career and a bright future ahead, does this make you nervous or more positive?
Jon: More positive, I think I have a special star within and I am working hard and right.

E: I imagine you´ve got almost everything or most of the things you dreamed of, and I mean both objects and dreams or experiences.
Jon: Most of the finest things in life are unexpected, that makes them special. About my private life I will keep it to myself, that is something only mine, but professionally wise I still want to do lots of other things, try out other fields I find attractive and buy a house in Lanzarote one day...

E: By the way, which is luxury for you?
Jon: Being happy with what you´ve got without giving up what you wish to get.