A Hunk With a Christmas Presence
Rick Edwards couldn’t find his $175 Armani sunglasses. He searched under chairs, on tabletops, inside a caterer’s warming tray. He even stuck his head underneath a raised stage where minutes earlier the 33-year-old former Chippendale dancer stood victorious, Christmas-wrapped in a red banner as Hunky Santa 2002.
But as St. Nick’s studly alter-ego--6 feet tall, 175 pounds, cropped brown hair, chin stubble and beefy biceps--Edwards faced his first image crisis as Santa. He was shamefully shadeless.
After all, this was L.A.--not the humbling North Pole--where the Beverly Center’s sun-kissed rooftop terrace, the Hollywood sign in the distance, made for a fitting backdrop for the mall’s recent third annual Hunky Santa pageant of pecs and personality. The winner begins his yuletide rule the day after Thanksgiving and only works nights--all the better to indulge the Santa fantasies of giddy grown-ups.
“We mostly get young, single people and a large population of gays shopping here. We practically have no kids,” said Barbara Bach, the center’s marketing director who came up with the Hunky Santa idea.
We’re not talking your grandfatherly St. Nick. Think St. Narcissus. The 11 chiseled contestants did, many of whom couldn’t resist falling in love with themselves as they passed by glass doors and saw their tattooed, tanned and toned reflections--and often teased the audience with, well, their assets.
No wonder the crowd of 100 acted at times as if they were there to see “The Full Monty.” Instead, they settled for flex and the city as the hunky hopefuls--most of them actors and models--chased the chance to reach the rank of almost famous, even as an alternative Mr. Claus.
Outgoing Hunky Santa, Richard Peters, 31, landed a theatrical agent--after years of unsuccessfully trying to get one on his own--and is busy with soap opera acting and modeling for fitness magazines.
“I had fun with the whole experience,” Peters said about playing the part last year for kids as well as adults, most of them single women and a fair share of gay--and bold--men. “One guy came up to me wearing a boa and sat on my lap. Hunky Santa has to be an open-minded guy,” he said.
And prepared for anything, which explained why contestants this year, unlike in the past, were put on the spot with zany stunts to perform.
Darren Rick hopelessly Hula-Hooped, unable to rotate his hips with enough momentum to keep the toy up.
Jason Grutter attempted to spell “draggle.” “D.” Pause. “R.” Pause. “A.” Pause forever. Look at your feet. Stare at the judges. Make puppy eyes at host and comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, who took pity and announced: “That’s good enough!”
LaGrande Powe, whom Vilanch quickly nicknamed “The Big One,” handily completed 25 push-ups, halfway through raising a leg behind him. He later placed third runner-up.
And a blindfolded David Rountree, who nailed first runner-up, beat the clock as he jumped into a Santa suit. He struggled with drawstring pants, which kept dropping to his ankles. But ever the quick thinker--hey, he teaches at Los Angeles Trade Tech College--Rountree cleverly executed a handstand to loud applause.
The men also answered questions--sometimes bordering on the risque--from a panel of five judges. Naturally, none of the responses was about wishing for world peace. And a few were right up there in the Anna Nicole Smith where-did-I-leave-my-brain-today department.
For Joe Galvan, a shoe salesman: “How would being Hunky Santa change your life?” Answer: “I’d get to wear tank tops all the time.”
For Rountree, came the query “Boxers or briefs?” Answer: “It depends on what time of the year. But, sometimes I just go commando.”
For Shea Pesz, “What do naughty people get for Christmas?” Answer: “Well, Hunky Santa is very forgiving, so I’d give naughty people forgiveness.”
For Cyrus Siminpour, who claimed second runner-up: “What makes you the best candidate for Hunky Santa?” Answer: “I have a jolly attitude. I’m open-minded,” and then quickly lifting his shirt, he shouted with glee (what else?), “I have a great six-pack!”
The crowd played into his hands. Um, make that, abs. “You’re a hottie!” shouted a young woman who was too embarrassed to reveal her name but confessed, “I believe in Santa again! Oh, yeah, baby!”
Got a Date Out of It
Pam Potts, 23, who just moved to L.A. from Missoula, Mont., even made a date connection with contestant No. 4, brown-haired, blue-eyed Jason Miller, 24, who swiveled his pelvis like Elvis when asked, “How would you convince a shy person to sit on your lap?”
“Now that guy has talent,” Potts cracked, who gave her phone number to Miller. “I thought he was hilarious, great-looking and the best candidate for the job. You can’t go wrong if you’re hooked up with a Hunky Santa finalist.”
This year’s search attracted more than 100 men in July at an initial call for contestants via fliers at gyms and from casting agents. Though the paid job is a part-time gig, there are other benefits: news spots beamed around the world during the holidays, maybe being spotted by a casting agent strolling through the mall looking to launch a new face and the potential for snaring plenty of dates.
Even at his farewell party after the finals, women circled around Peters chatting him up and checking him out. A stranger slipped her phone number into his hand and disappeared into the crowd. “What can I say?” shrugged Peters as he read the business card, smirked and socked it away in his pocket.
Spotted at a Party
Katie Taylor, who owns a casting company, takes credit for finding the new Hunky Santa. She spotted Edwards, who lives in Marina del Rey with his dog, Friday at a private party where he was bartending--one of his many part-time jobs. “Look at him,” she said as Edwards, who works out 2 1/2 hours every morning, posed with women for photos and signed autographs after his victory. “He’s got that pool-boy look that women love. Of course, kids will just think he’s a superhero,” Taylor said.
Mindy Burbano, entertainment reporter at KTLA Channel 5 and a judge for the event, couldn’t have agreed more. “He had confidence. He wasn’t trying too hard,” she said about Edwards’ winning style. “And he has beautiful eyes, great abs and chest. That smile. That great behind.” Down, girl.
Edwards shrugged at the thought of being a sex symbol, especially during the holidays. “I’m just a regular guy from Ankeny, Iowa, a small town outside of Des Moines,” he said. Yeah, right, a regular guy, who a year ago was a dancer for the girl band Pop Starr, and before that was a touring Chippendale in a construction worker get-up.
Soon, in a red tank top, flannel drawstring pants and trendy Italian boots, he’ll sit in an overstuffed purple chair, mug for the camera, shake hands, listen and talk about holiday wishes--and instead of candy, he’ll hand out bottled water.
“For four years I had to pose for photos and meet and greet people,” said Edwards of his Chippendale experience. “And I also know how to hold a smile for an hour-and-a-half.”
At the top of his very own Santa wish list? Digging inside a nearby trash bin, he replied, “Sunglasses.”
