Beyond the Face: Colby Melvin

Colby Melvin has become a staple in gay world, known for how he wears a pair of underwear. Having been able to get to know Colby, I have gotten to see that his baby blue eyes are just the tip of the iceberg and his spirit is just as sexy as his abs.

SS: Colby thanks for being here, let me ask first, just who the hell are you and how did you get in here?
CM: I’ve been asking myself for years. The “Colby Melvin” people have come to know over the past couple of years has been the result of me trying to figure out who I am. In 2010/2011 I worked in the oil industry. It was during that time that I figured out I was gay. Shortly after, the company I worked for figured out I was gay. I was fired, they attempted to blackmail me by threatening to share my new found sexuality with friends and family. Living in Mobile, Alabama, the thought was quite terrifying. So I was left with nothing. No job and the task of reforming My identity. I decided I wanted to be a role model for all of the other LGBT in my position.

SS: Hot damn in the morning that is quite a story! Is that what promoted you to head out west?
CM: I moved out west because I was ready to put myself in an environment where I could thrive by being my (newfound) self. I saw porn stars and drag queens, that was my entire exposure to the gay community back in Alabama. So I wanted to be somewhere in between. To hopefully give hope to all the LGBT people in small towns like I was. The modeling and underwear promotion world just sort of happened. I never expected to get into any of it.

SS: When you first got out to WeHo were you modeling right away or did you land the Andrew Christian gig and things took off for you from there?
CM: I moved out here and starting modeling immediately. I had just landed my first National campaign with Covermale underwear, so I had my feet wet in the industry.

SS: Once you started being seen more and more you star begin to soar, how did life change for you personally and professionally?
CM: Having people track my every move and receiving pictures of the back of my head from people saying they saw me was quite a change from my simple life in Alabama. It’s hard sometimes when your personal life becomes work. You never get to shut off and people always feel entitled to know your business. But if what I’m doing is helping LGBT in small towns across the country to be brave and stand up for themselves then I’m going to keep on. I get more messages thanking me for my work in the community over messages about sex or genitals, so that’s gotta be something.
SS: That really is fantastic how much you care especially since your story has helped so many and will continue to do so.

SS: You are one of the premiere models in our community with a vast resume, so tell us, what is your favorite experience you have had being a model?
CM: I’ve been able to travel across the world thanks to this opportunity. I have to say. You learn to be VERY comfortable in just underwear. Even if you’re in the middle of time square…in the middle of winter.

SS: Colby, what did clothes do to you that makes you hate wearing them so much?
CM: The underwear industry is about conveying confidence and being comfortable in your own skin, but people don’t respond as well when you’re covered up. I love clothes too! That’s why I started my own line.

SS: That’s so exciting! How did that come about?
CM: I taught myself to sew and started making the clothes that I wanted to wear but couldn’t find. I have been lucky enough to have one of the most amazingly talented designers as my mentor, Marco Marco. He’s been amazing in my path to create my own collections.

SS: What inspired your clothing line?
CM: My clothes are meant to inspire confidence and accentuate the amazingness inside of everyone. I want people to feel like they just gained super powers by putting on one of my shirts, so I like fun and playful, lots of bright colors and prints. I like making clothes that reignite a childlike zeal for life. I want grown ups to use their imaginations again.

SS: I am a long time comic book nerd, some of my favorite looks of yours have been when you’ve put your own spin on a superhero. Colby, can you confirm or deny rumors floating around that you are actually a huge geek?
CM: I am without a doubt a huge geek. I have quite an extensive collection of capes. Which I wear around my house casually, paired with underwear of course.

SS: While so many models focus on being as skinny as possible, you went the other direction and have focused on the more muscular look. Have you always been muscular or is that something you have worked to achieve?
CM: I’ve had to work very hard. Gaining weight has always been hard for me. I started working out to combat my chronic fatigue syndrome. Working out and eating healthy is the only way I can keep my energy level up. I am very happy with my progress. I don’t really obsess about my exact size. I think eyes and a smile say a hell of a lot more than a six pack.

SS: Considering you are, at any given moment, surrounded by some of the most beautiful men on the planet, are eyes and a smile the sexiest thing about a guy to you or is there another X factor?
CM: Absolutely. Hot bodies are of course nice. But if you want to catch my attention you’ve got to have a glowing positive smile and check the attitude at the door. I’m a very fun loving person that doesn’t take myself seriously and I only like guys who feel the same. They’ve got to be a goofball.
SS: YOU HEAR THAT GUYS?!

SS: I hear you love to fu….vote….tell me more about your latest campaign to fu…vote.
CM: It’s what we like to call vote bait. No one wants to sit and watch a video about voter registration so naturally we pair it with their favorite topic: Sex. I’ve been called a whore, sex crazed monger…sorry….sex crazed lecher, and many other things because of my approach to activism, But the reality is, this type of activism actually reaches people.

SS: Who has time to come up with all of these lovely descriptions?
CM: Typically log cabin republicans

SS: Why do you think that is?
CM: I think people are scared of their sexuality and my demographic isn’t very engaged in politics so I have to reach them any way I can and that means speaking a different language than Washington is used to. If we followed the mold then the same people would be reached. It’s time to engage the 20 something generation.
SS: Amen my brother…amen!
CM: It infuriates me when people dismiss me or anyone in the community. Just because I’m in my underwear doesn’t mean I don’t have a voice that deserves to be heard. But that’s our message with full frontal freedom. Complete transparency. What you see is what you get. You’ve seen me in my underwear, there’s not much room to hide anything in there

SS: Your voice is heard all over the world but WeHo is your home base? What keeps you here?
CM: Weho is like gay mecca, it’s a city run by LGBT for LGBT. People all over the world follow what’s going on in weho as an escape from their current location. Paris has already burned. Now it’s weho that’s burning and I intend to ride it out until the tide has changed in our community and we have full equality.

!!!LIGHTNING ROUND!!!

SS:You ready?
CM: One way to find out.

SS: Who is your gay icon?
CM: Chad Griffin

SS: What is your favorite 90s song?
CM: Bitch by Meredith Brooks. I love the 90s and actually host Totally Nineties Tuesdays at Mickys.

SS: What should people NOT do to you at a club?
CM: Grab my ass, slap me, bite me, get offended when I don’t recognize them for following me. Grab my dick, throw things at me, and don’t try and get my attention by burning me with a cigarette.

SS: What is your favorite style of underwear?
CM: Low rise brief….or jockstap, but that’s just for looks.

SS: Where is your favorite place?
CM: All you can eat buffet next to a pool with an open bar

SS: What is your favorite piece of advice?
CM: The only thing keeping you from being exactly what/who you want to be is yourself. You become whatever you believe and allow yourself to be. If anyone tells you otherwise, smile, kindly tell them to fuck off, and continue shining bright like a rock star. Never let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough.

SS: Colby, at WERRRK.com we have a rule if you aren’t plugging something shamelessly…you aren’t trying,what would you like to plug and how shameless can you be about plugging it?
CM: Well, the Men of Los Angeles calendar is on sale now. If you like pictures of men in underwear then you’ll love it. I’m on the cover and my clothing designs are worn by several models, proceeds go to LA Gay and Lesbian center. you can buy Vote/Fuck shirts here, But don’t be an asshole and buy the shirt but not register to vote, I’ve got a lot of traveling coming up but always check my FB page and twitter for updates. If you’re more visual check out my instagram!

SS: Colby, this has been as awesome as it has been enlightening. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today, as well as literally EVERYTHING you are doing.
Colby smiles
SS: You’re the only guest that can end an interview on a smile and it be better than a closing thought.

Keep geek.

-Sidney