Mike Ruiz will be joining several celebrities for the upcoming Logo reality series The A-List: New York. This Canadian photographer shows the world how to not shoot straight.
Windy City Times: Hi, Mike. What is your nationality, first of all?
Mike Ruiz: I am Spanish. My father is from the Spanish contingency in the Philippines. My mom is French/Canadian. There is a bunch of other stuff thrown in for good measure.
WCT: Did you study photography in school?
Mike Ruiz: No no no, I was a late bloomer. Ironically my dad was a photography buff. I don't know if it was out of rebellion but I could not be less interested. I was a model for years. When I was 30, I got a camera for Christmas and then became obsessed. I was shooting everything in sight. I taught myself everything and voilà instant career!
WCT: Have you had a favorite subject?
Mike Ruiz: I have had so many. I love all my subjects! I spread the love equally. I just worked with Kelly Rowland again. She is so sweet and unassuming, just really warm, very touchy-feely. I love that girl. She is so giving, creatively. We did a crazy transformation on her that was for a Dune futuristic-inspired sci-fi shoot.
WCT: Are you making any more music videos?
Mike Ruiz: I just wrapped an Erika Jayne music video. I did one three or four months ago and this is the second video that I did. I am actually directing a video for a really good friend of mine Brian Kent.
WCT: What made you want to do the A-List?
Mike Ruiz: They asked me and I gave it a lot of thought. I was cast from Facebook, much like Betty White for Saturday Night Live. I thought it was a rare opportunity. I had TV stuff of my own in development and I thought what better way to learn the inside of television production than to do a show? That is how I learn everything. I just do it.
WCT: Well, that is one way to do it.
Mike Ruiz: I am not trying to be Meryl Streep or anything. I get to show my skills as a photographer on the show. I have a positive message. I have developed some responsibility to be a decent role model for people. As a gay man I try to conduct myself with a lot of integrity. I think it is important for people to see that being gay does not mean only one thing. It can mean a lot of things.
WCT: Explain the show to people who don't know about it.
Mike Ruiz: I don't know either. [ Laughs ] It is a drama about a bunch of guys living the dream in New York City, having fun and getting taped for TV. It is entertainment and show biz. The dynamics are engaging. We are not looking to change foreign policy with this show. It's light, fluffy and entertaining. There is some catfighting and bickering. It wouldn't be a TV show unless there was.
WCT: You have a photo studio in L.A., correct?
Mike Ruiz: Yes; in fact, I am sitting in it right now. I live in New York but I am out here filming RuPaul's Drag Race.
WCT: Oh, for season three; that show is fun.
Mike Ruiz: You don't even know. It is 50 times better. They have taken it up thousands of notches. I am hoping The A List is the same. People thought with Drag Race that it would be over-the-top and campy, with a bunch of queeny gay guys dressed in drag. I can't tell you a lot yet but yesterday we were all sobbing, and there is definitely a much deeper message.
WCT: I look forward to seeing both shows.
Mike Ruiz: I am very proud of both things and my contribution to them.
WCT: Is there anyone that you want to photograph but haven't?
Mike Ruiz: I have been thinking that I want to shoot people that inspired me from a really early age, like Phyllis Diller with a celebrity transformation. I would do something very fashion-forward with her, edgy and cool. That's what inspires me these days is to take people out of context and portray them in a different way that is jarring to people. Lady Gaga is very inspiring to me; she is fierce and I love her whole message, but what could I bring to her table? I like to re-invent people. As much as I want to meet her, I am not sure that I want to shoot her.
WCT: I get that.
Mike Ruiz: Maybe Morgan Fairchild or Prince. I was just having a conversation about Prince last night. He molded me on so many levels. Just to be in the same room, let alone trust me to shoot him, would be mind-blowing.
WCT: That would be. You have such great opportunities.
Mike Ruiz: I am hoping that the younger generation will take away from the show many things. I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks with no support and no encouragement. I had a lot of things backed up against me. I listened to my heart and my head and followed my dreams. I hope people will see that you can really accomplish everything if you are not crippled by fear. That is soapbox-y. Let's talk about some bitch fights!
WCT: Well, let's talk about that hot cover on your old movie, Latin Boys Go To Hell.
Mike Ruiz: I am still haunted by that, but it was a really cool time in my life and gave me first looks into a whole other world. I am experiencing it now on a broader scale. That was prepping me for things to come.
The A List is on the Logo Channel Mondays at 9 p.m. Visit www.mikeruiz.com and www.logotv.com for listings and information.
