STRAIGHT MATE

Stuart Reardon.

DNA: You’ve come a long way since our last interview! What’s the secret to your success? Stuart Reardon: Modelling and being an all-round good bloke [laughs]. I’ve had some determination, too, and worked hard. Generally I’m a positive person, even when things have gone wrong, so I just follow my feet and hope for the best. Does training help to deal with things in your personal life? It does. Sport keeps you inspired and in rugby it gives you drive, competitiveness, compassion, camaraderie and pride. You get a real sense of being a part of something special. I’ve had highs and lows throughout my life and I’m thankful for it all, especially the lows because they have made me such an inspired and determined person both on and off the field. I have a ‘never give up’ approach. It seems everyone loves to look at you: women, gay men, even straight men. Do you notice the extra attention when you’re out in public? Not really. I don’t think I’m famous enough. I haven’t really noticed anyone looking at me when I’m out. Maybe a bit when I’m on holiday, like at the beach. But everyone gets in good shape to go on holiday and everyone checks everyone else out! Are there any Aussies playing for the North Wales Crusaders? Yeah, Mark Offerdahl. He lives with me and my girlfriend. He played for the Manly Sea Eagles and also in the USA. He played really well in the World Cup, so everyone in the club is excited to have him. Are you still good mates with fellow rugby player Leon Pryce? Yes, we’ve been friends since we were ten years old. He’s now playing for the Catalan Dragons in France, so I only see him when he comes back to England but we speak regularly. This is our Sports issue. What Australian sport would you love to watch or even possibly play the next time you visit? Australian Rules. I don’t think I’m tall enough to play, but I like to watch it when it’s on over here. I know it’s a massive sport in Australia. You’ve been to Australia a couple of times now? Yeah I went twice. In 2001 with England and we spent six weeks training in Sydney and in the countryside and then went to Fiji and Tonga. We came back in 2006 and stayed in Manly. I really enjoyed staying on the beach. I loved the outdoor lifestyle. There

I’ve had highs and lows and I’m thankful for it all, especially the lows because they have made me a determined person both on and off the field.

were everyday people, mums, kids, athletes all over the beach taking part in leisure activities. My girlfriend and I would love to emigrate there some day. I didn’t see any kangaroos, but I did see the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. You are now the face of [skincare line] Axiom For Men, how did that come about? That happened when I went to America to do some modelling. Mike Waxman, who is the CEO of Axiom, liked my photos and bought the collection. We had an interview and he sold me on the product. Axiom is a great product and pro-equality with a base in the gay community. Their logo is the AFM shield and it represents people’s rights and liberties. I’m really proud to be involved with it. You have quite a few gay friends now. Do you have a good understanding of the issues that affect the gay community? It’s opened my eyes a bit, yeah. Gay people should be accepted the same as everyone else. We have to get to a stage were things like same-sex marriage just aren’t an issue anymore. In another interview when asked about the Sochi Olympics, your feeling was that gay people shouldn’t boycott the games but to go and stand proud. I saw on the news that it was too late to move the games. I thought boycotting would only work if everybody boycotted and the games were cancelled. But the athletes spend four years training to compete. I think that not going would be a huge sacrifice and it’s better to compete. Then if you have success, you have the chance to speak out. When you are successful and are in the limelight, you have such a great platform to speak from. Raising your views at the Olympics would be heard by millions. Rugby obviously keeps you fit, but what do you concentrate on most to keep toned? I train with the CrossFit style. A lot of gyms here now have it, and it’s quite broad and designed for strength and conditioning. What part of your own body are you most proud of ? I’m proud of all of it, except for my Achilles tendon, which is my only weakness. I’ve had three reconstructions now. Touch wood I won’t have any more! It’s better now, but it certainly was a long injury to come back from. In my case my Achilles heel >>

On being photographed naked: “I’m okay with it. The more experience you get, the more comfortable you become. It would be tough if it was in a very crowded room!

>> really is my Achilles heel! What is your favourite part of the female body? Boobs! Boobs and bums! Can I have two? In fact, I’ll say boobs, bums and a pretty face [laughs]. You and your girlfriend, Emma, make a beautiful couple. Have you ever considered doing a shoot together? We haven’t spoken about it, but it would be nice to have some pictures together. Whether we’ll put them out there I don’t know. I’ll have to talk her into it. Does she ever mind the fact that so many people are looking at you? No, she encouraged me to get into modelling and to see how far I can go. She’s great with it all. Your bum gets quite a bit of exposure, not that we are complaining! Are you ever selfconscious about doing naked shots? Usually I’m okay with it. The more experience you get, the more comfortable you become. It would be tough if it was in a very crowded room! There have been a few teaser ‘quarter-cock’ shots. Will we ever see a full-frontal? I don’t think so. Once you start doing those sorts of shots there’s only one route to go down and I’m not looking to get into the porn industry. So no, I can’t see that happening in the future. But if I ever got asked to do a charity calendar, I’d definitely do that. Which reality show would you most like to appear on? Celebrity Big Brother, Dancing With The Stars or I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here? I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. It’s a big show in the UK and I like the jungle theme and the challenges, but I’d probably eat all the food as I’m always hungry! Is Rihanna still your diva? I like her, but I think Miley Cyrus has taken over now with all her crazy stuff [Laughs]. I’m not really into her, but she’s becoming quite the diva, isn’t she? If you could have three famous people for dinner, who would you choose? Floyd Mayweather. He’s unbeaten and the best boxer of my generation and also David Beckham who is a football legend. I’d have Ricky Gervais for some comedy, but I’d also have my amazing girlfriend Emma Hayes, too. I can’t leave her out! Do you think at some point in the future you’ll start your own underwear label? Oh, like Todd Sanfield? I’d definitely be interested, but I don’t think I’m famous enough yet. I guess if things go really well for me, I’d do an underwear label. I’ve thought about this. You could call it Rear Wear! I like that. Good idea! I’ll have to get on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here first. You pose with so much underwear, but does Stuart Reardon always wear it? Hmm… I go commando sometimes, but I usually don’t have to as I have loads of free underwear!