Coverboy: Julian
Julian is an artist, a music manager, a bartender, a man of many ideas and many trades
It came as no surprise to Julian’s family when he revealed he was gay. “It was the fact that I liked crayons instead of football,” he laughs, adding, “The only reason I watch football is for the free food that typically comes with it — and the butts.” Born in Norfolk, raised in Hawaii, the 24-year-old is an artist, a music manager, a bartender, a man of many ideas and many trades. Upbeat and positive, Julian sees life as an opportunity waiting to explode.
Currently, he’s managing Prince Airick, an emerging gay rapper. “We’ve got big things in store,” he says, noting, “I don’t think we’re going for a heterosexual audience. I feel like as gay men, we are our own audience, so we’re initially going to target us. I feel like we are more open to hearing what we have to say.”
He’s annoyed by the country’s current political situation and is begrudgingly supporting Clinton. When it’s mentioned that Trump’s supporters recently hung a Confederate Flag at a southern rally, Julian is dismayed but hardly shocked. “It’s a tell of the times,” he says. “It shows where we are as a country. In many ways, I love that Trump has shown America for what it is. He’s not the only person that’s thinking like this or saying these things. He’s just one of the head guys that’s able to bring it out of people and bring those people into the forefront. As a black man, I don’t respect it, but there will always be ignorance.”
What’s on your nightstand?
Coconut oil, a book called The 48 Laws of Power, and a cockring.
You don’t have to whisper cockring. Is it rubber or metal?
Definitely rubber. Metal is not the way to go.
What do you have in your nightstand drawer?
There’s so much in there. Lube, more coconut oil, old photography prints of mine, money, underwear.
Underwear? In your nightstand drawer?
There’s underwear everywhere in my house, honestly. There’s underwear in the kitchen. I have an underwear fetish. I change my underwear 3 or 4 times a day. Going to work, going to the gym, going to the car….
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
The ability to be invisible. I think there’s beauty in mystery and I would so much rather not be seen and be the guy that shows up on the scene to handle the job and nobody knows who did it.
What did you last binge-watch?
I just finished a show called Stranger Things on Netflix. It’s okay, if you like The Goonies.
Who was your first celebrity crush?
Are we talking men or women? I’ve had both.
Up to you.
Between Usher and Chris Brown, I think.
What about women?
Really weird, but I had a crush on Pippi Longstocking for forever.
That is weird. Name three music artists you’re currently listening to.
The artist I’m managing, Prince Airick. Erykah Badu. Oh, and there’s a new Australian band I’m obsessed with — Hiatus Kaiyote.
What are your three favorite night spots?
The couch, the bed, and if I’m feeling like going out, Le Bain in New York. It’s one of those really weird New York clubs where there’s the Jewish guys in business suits on one side, then you have the gay boys vogueing on the other side, with girls twerking in the middle.
What makes an hour happy?
Definitely be a mixture of cocktails and conversation. If you’re coming to happy hour and not speaking, I think you miss the point of happy hour.
What’s your drink of choice?
I’m a whiskey guy. Jameson.
Pick three people living or dead who you’d like to have whiskey with.
The Dalai Lama, because I would love to talk to him about the future and how to balance yourself. Kris Jenner, because I admire her marketing and her PR savviness. She literally brought a family with virtually no talent and made them the forefront of American mainstream media, and I think that’s genius. Beyonce, because I love the persona she’s built around herself. Her ponytail is robotic. I don’t know if you’ve seen the new video that surfaced, but it was crazy. She did the hair flip and she has this new ponytail and her ponytail swings around her head and lands on her shoulder exactly as she looks back to the crowd. It’s crazy.
That’s digital.
That’s the devil.
What’s your pet peeve?
I am a very nice person, but I don’t like people getting too close or too touchy, too quick. Don’t touch me in my face.
What’s your favorite food?
Definitely liver and onions. I told you, I’m weird.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
A wolf. They’re fearless. They know when to join a pack, when to stray away and to be on their own and find new opportunities.
Boxers, briefs or other?
Other.
You said earlier you had an underwear fetish. How could it be other?
Given the choice, I would so much rather be naked. That’s why there’s underwear everywhere around the house.
Grindr, Scruff or in person?
In person, without a doubt. I was meeting the wrong guys constantly on either. I need to see the look in your face. I need to see your mannerisms and everything that 140 characters can’t tell me.
What’s your biggest turn-on?
A very self-assured person. I’m a sucker for a good smile as well.
What’s your biggest turn-off?
Bad breath and ginormous egos. Can’t stand them.
Describe your dream guy.
I feel like I’m with him right now. Someone who’s both nice and mean at the same time, because you can’t have someone that’s too nice. They have to be a little mean underneath. Someone who’s loyal, faithful, compassionate, who’s down to go on adventures. I hate boring guys.
Define good in bed.
If I have to touch myself to make myself come, then you’re bad.
Where’s the most unusual place you’ve had sex?
In an abandoned car wash. It was me and my first boyfriend and we were just like rabbits.
What’s the most memorable pick-up line you’ve ever heard?
They’re almost never memorable. I don’t like pick-up lines. I like names and a good handshake.
What’s your dream vacation?
I just want to go to an island and be immersed in a completely different culture.
Apple or Android?
Apple.
Marvel or DC?
I’m going to say Marvel.
Guardians of the Galaxy or Suicide Squad?
I love Guardians of the Galaxy.
Star Trek or Star Wars?
That’s the toughest thing you’ve asked me so far. I grew up watching Star Trek with my grandfather. One thing Star Trek was missing was just the diversity of aliens and they really don’t focus a lot on the other races, and that’s what I love about Star Wars. So I’ll say Star Wars.
Beyonce or Lady Gaga?
Beyonce of course. I love Lady Gaga, don’t get me wrong, but Beyonce always wins.
Salt or pepper?
Salt. I’m a little salty.
Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton?
Neither. They’re both robots.
Someone’s got to lead the country. You don’t have a choice. So, which one?
I’m definitely voting for Hillary because it’s the obvious choice. If I were to go to the polls and vote for Trump, I would personally ask you to kick my ass.
Which of these daddies would you like to get a spanking from? George Clooney, Hugh Jackman or Idris Elba?
Idris Elba. He’s the daddy of all daddies. Hugh Jackman can get involved, though, if he wants.
What’s your greatest fear?
Dying lonely.
Does size really matter?
Yes and no. If you are with someone because you love them, then size shouldn’t even be a question. But if you’re just in it for a fuck, then yeah, I want the biggest or the fattest.
What would you like to be remembered for?
For my art, my vision and my mind because those are the only things I’ll leave behind.
What do you like best about your life?
I love the people that I’ve surrounded myself with, from my best friends to my family to my boyfriend. They just all really keep me motivated to continue.
What do you like least about your life?
I hate my shoe size.
Would you rather live long or be wealthier?
I’d rather be wealthier. I’d rather have everything that my parents and my parents’ parents didn’t have, just so I could give it back to them now. Show them that a little gay boy from Virginia could actually turn out to be something.
Who’s your idol?
I have two. One is Robert Greene, an author. He was behind The 48 Laws of Power and The Art of Seduction. Also, as an artist, I would say Salvador Dali.
Finally, what’s your motto?
Know yourself, know your creator, love them both, wear your crown, watch your tongue, balance yourself and be humble.
Vote for the 2016 Coverboy of the Year!
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
