A Teenage Discovery Led to a Record-Breaking Payday
His career began in Milan when he was barely 14. While working out at a gym, he caught the attention of renowned Photographer Oliviero Toscani, who told the teenager he should become a model.
Discovered at just 14 years old, the iconic romance book cover star quickly became one of
the most recognizable faces in the modeling world. In this photo, he posed at The Roxy in New York City, New York, in 1990. | Source: Getty Images
Discovered at just 14 years old, the iconic romance book cover star quickly became one of the most recognizable faces in the modeling world. In this photo, he posed at The Roxy in New York City, New York, in 1990. | Source: Getty Images
The young athlete did not know who Toscani was, so he simply gave the photographer his father’s telephone number. Toscani
called, secured permission to hire him for a major campaign, and launched a career that would soon carry the teenager far beyond Italy.
At 19, the future heartthrob arrived in New York City and walked into the Ford modeling agency without an appointment. He left with a contract.
He walked out of that meeting with a lucrative contract in hand. In this photo, the iconic romance book cover star attended the “Pauly Does Dallas” premiere after party at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, California, on August 26, 1992. | Source:
Getty Images
He walked out of that meeting with a lucrative contract in hand. In this photo, the iconic romance book cover star attended the “Pauly Does Dallas” premiere after party at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, California, on August 26, 1992. | Source: Getty Images
Another major opportunity appeared the following day when Photographer Barry McKinley hired him for the Gap’s American launch. As the model later recalled, leading men in the industry could earn about $120,000 annually at the time, but his first American assignment paid close
to $150,000.
“So I set new standards.”
Another opportunity came just as quickly for the male model. In this photo, the iconic romance book cover star attended the “Pauly Does Dallas” premiere after party at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, California, on August 26, 1992. | Source: Getty Images
Another opportunity came just as quickly for the male model. In this photo, the iconic romance book cover star attended the “Pauly Does Dallas” premiere after party at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, California, on August 26, 1992. | Source:
Getty Images
Before most people knew his name, he was already earning more from one job than many elite male models made in an entire year. Work with Versace and other recognizable brands followed, but a far more surprising form of fame was waiting in bookstores.
