Pictured: Chris Cohen. The cast of the second season of Make Me a Supermodel. Photos courtesy of Bravo
Bravo is starting its second season of Make Me a Supermodel this March, and Chicago's own Chris Cohen will be competing. He posed this week for his close-up with Windy City Times.
Windy City Times: So you grew up in Libertyville on the North Side of Chicago?
Chris Cohen: Yes. I grew up in Libertyville and then I moved downtown right out of high school. I am living in Chicago now but before the show for the last four years I lived in Los Angeles.
WCT: What made you audition for the show Make Me a Supermodel?
CC: I came across a posting on Craigslist for a model competition. They didn't say what it was but I just sent in my picture and profile and got a call back the next day. I just went from there. It was really exciting.
WCT: What was the audition like?
CC: It was a lengthy process. We had to do everything that was expected of a model: pictures, walking down the catwalk, all of that.
WCT: You work at Zara? I fell in love with that clothing in Argentina.
CC: Yes, I currently work for the Spanish clothing company Zara. There are stores all over Europe and U.S.
WCT: On the show you referred to yourself as androgynous. Do you get that a lot?
CC: I definitely have more of an androgynous look. More of a European look, which I feel is my market—high fashion.
WCT: Was it uncomfortable working with someone anti-gay in a glass box suspended in the air on the first episode?
CC: I wouldn't call Brandon anti-gay. He was just not exposed to certain kinds of things. It was good to be in a situation where you learn more about yourself and other people. We became better friends as the show went on. We had to work together and make it happen. It was difficult because the box was so tiny. I am 6'2" and Brandon is 6'4" so we couldn't even stand up straight in it! [ Laughs ]
WCT: That was a tough first challenge for you guys, then. The last person I interviewed for this show, Ronnie Kroell, went all the way to second place. Do you think you have the stuff to get that far?
CC: Ronnie is a pretty sexy guy so I knew I needed a lot to bring to the table. It's really about a lot of things—your look, how you walk, how you are in front of the camera—so that makes a decision on how far you go.
I was just excited to be part of the whole thing. You are not only working to be a supermodel but it's reality television as well, so you are putting yourself out there. Hopefully, [ you're ] being an inspiration to other people so they can identify with you.
WCT: Ronnie is now trying to have a singing career. Do you have any hidden talents?
CC: My academic background is in fashion design so I have always been about clothes. This ties into modeling for both industries. Other than that, I am really trying to focus in on my modeling.
WCT: Last year, Ronnie was nominated for Windy City Media Group's "30 Under 30" awards, so maybe we could get you involved with that this year.
CC: I always stand behind the place where I grew up. Chicago is such a great city to be in. If people in Boystown have not checked out West Hollywood, though they have no idea what they are missing.
WCT: I know what you mean; I have been there before. What's your favorite Chicago gay bar?
CC: I like Roscoe's or Hydrate. I really like Berlin now that I have been back recently.
WCT: What do you see yourself doing if they can't "make you a supermodel?"
CC: I see myself being in the fashion industry regardless. That is something that I am very passionate about. I am very confident about my future in modeling. I have a career there and I am going forward with it.
WCT: I guess we will "watch what happens!"
Season two of Make Me a Supermodel premieres Wednesday, March 4; for more info, visit www.bravotv.com .