By contributing writer Jason Kelly
You’ve
seen him bumping and grinding on stage as part of the world-famous
Chippendales dance troupe. He made it all the way to the finals last
season as runner up on CBS-TV’s “Amazing Race.” More recently, he
launched a campaign to help fund his own father’s fight against cancer.
Now Jaymes Vaughan will serve as the first ever White Party Ambassador
for Uber-party producer Jeffrey Sanker’s annual desert
extravaganza, White Party Palms Springs, California March 29-April 1.
For more information, visit: www.jeffreysanker.com
We
were able to catch up with the booty-shaking, globetrotting,
philanthropist to find out a little bit more about what makes him one of
the hottest out and proud stars on the scene today.
Here’s what he had to say….
Your moves seem so effortless on stage, but what’s the most difficult part of being a Chippendales dancer?
Well
I'm the host and singer of the show so unfortunately my "moves" aren’t
what I’m known for (I’m so not sexy). Yes there's a singer in
Chippendales. I know it takes a second to adjust to the fact that it's
not the same show it was back in the 80's with guys in leopard print
thongs greased up workin’ a stripper pole, but it's actually a
full-scale multi-million dollar production show with a singer, rapper,
musicians, and of course those world famous Chippendales. So don't worry
you still see skin. Just in a different much, much better way.
As
far as the hardest part of being a Chippendale...without a doubt that
is having to look like a Chippendale. I grew up mad dorky with
everything a teenage kid doesn't want against them. Bad teeth, bad hair,
bad skin, and was about 140lbs soaking wet (at 6'4"). So having to
fight that off, when that's still the kid I see in the mirror everyday
is definitely the hardest part...
Yup, hardest part of being a Chippendale...having to look like the photo-shopped version of me. That damn guy.
What advice would you give other gay men or lesbians hoping to compete on “The Amazing Race?”
A
race around the world is not about your sexuality. So don’t stress that
element. Its 2013, be yourself and go kick ass. I went on the race with
my best friend who has a girlfriend. I on the other hand, have a
boyfriend. And that difference plays ZERO in your ability to race well.
We both were just as good, and unfortunately at times just as bad at is
as one another. The only thing you really need to know is to fully love
yourself and who you are, so you can be yourself without any
reservation. Because that is when you be able to be your best and
compete your best.
Holy
Crap, Jeffrey Sanker knows who I am? THE Jeffrey Sanker? Pretty sure I
said "yes" before he even finished asking the question.
Are you a White Party virgin?
I
have never been to White Party before. So I have absolutely no idea
what I am getting myself into...but I'm really excited about it!
Are
you looking forward to working with your White Carpet co-host, Adriana
de Moura (Real Housewives/Miami) & “MADAME? We hear they are BOTH
VERY excited to meet you!
Wait,
they know who I am too? That's probably the coolest part. That Adriana
who has millions of fans and is on TV every week and Madame who was
hugely iconic in her own time knows who I am and wants to meet me? I
still am definitely not used to this 10 million people a week watched me
on TV thing...so having anyone at all know who I am is beyond
flattering and so damn cool. People come up to me at Burger King and are
like "I’m sorry can I take a picture with you?" and I’m like
"Are you kidding me? Don’t apologize, this is so cool!" I kinda feel like a Kardashian.
How long will you be staying White Party weekend? Will you be enjoying all that Palm Springs has to offer?
I've never been to Palm Springs or White Party so of course I want to check it all out!
Will your White Party white carpet outfit be as revealing as what you wear on stage?
I
can't dress myself...at all. So I'm open to suggestions. Maybe I'll
just find a white bow tie since that's what I'm used to wearing to work
at Chippendales.
Do
you run your own twitter account? Will you be tweeting LIVE from White
Party? (Here is a chance to shamelessly plug all your social media!)
Of
course I run all my own social media. I ain't cool enough to have
somebody do that for me. I'll definitely be keeping everyone posted who
isnt there, but then again, why would anyone not be there?! So follow me! Twitter: @JaymesV Facebook.com/JaymesVaughan
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s White Party Palm Springs?
The
energy - I hear from friends who have performed at White Party in the
past that the best part about it is the atmosphere. Everyone is there to
have a great time...and this guy loves to have a great time.
How is your Dad doing? How is his cancer treatment going?
Thanks
for asking. It means so much knowing our community has his back, and I
think those positive energy and prayers really do help.
Dad's
a fighter. That's the best answer I can ever give anyone. Because it’s a
down day in and day out fight. But that's what my Dad does best, FIGHT.
And he has such an amazing attitude about it. He's still fighting, so
we are still fighting doing everything we can to help emotionally and
financially through forgetcancernow.com
because after all that's the whole reason James and I even went on The
Amazing Race. To help my Dad. And that's what we are gonna do.
What’s next for Jaymes Vaughan?
My
new single "Tonight" comes out in February and I'm pretty stoked about
that because music is and always will be my number one passion. But
amazing, amazing things have come our way since the race ended and I'm
so blessed and grateful to have them. James and I's own show will
hopefully be on your TV screens by the Fall Season as well. It's called
"What The Hell Do We Do Here?" and from the episodes we've already shot I
can tell you it's a lot of fun.at least to make it. Hopefully it's just
as fun for y'all to watch. .
And finally, what all of our readers will want to know if they meet you White Party Weekend - are you single or taken?
I
truly believe there is someone for everyone and I waited a long time to
be able to say this..but I'm 100% without a doubt head over heels fairy
tale kind of love, taken. I'm a very, very lucky guy.
