What are your first thoughts upon waking in the morning?

I’m generally a good sleeper and don’t mind getting up. My first thoughts are to get up, get outside, and have a nice coffee. It depends on whether I’m working, traveling, or just at home, but I usually map out my day and try to stay off my phone too much first thing.

Do you drink coffee or tea?

Coffee—heavily, though I’m cutting back a bit. I start with a cortado, then either an Americano or espresso throughout the day. That said, I’m slowly being pulled back to tea in the afternoon and evening under the influence of my family, my girlfriend, and her family. So we’ll see.

Do you sing in the shower? If so, what was the last song?

Not every time, but surely everyone has their moments, right? Lately, I’ve found myself singing Madonna’s Like a Prayer quite a lot.

Your face (and body) are known globally. Which photographer photographed you first?

The very first was Pat Supsiri in Australia a long time ago when things started for me. Then, back in Europe, it was Mariano Vivanco for GQ.

What are you working on at the moment?

There’s been a nice transition into some smaller acting roles that I’m looking to continue, along with a series of hosting and interviewing gigs that I’ve absolutely loved—red carpets, after-parties in London, Milan, Paris, and New York, as well as other hosting projects. It’s so much fun, and I love getting people to show their personalities.

What inspired your book A Scrapbook of Conditioning Workouts?

This happened pre-COVID. I traveled a lot and focused on staying fit on the road, so I wrote all my workouts down in a notebook to map out my sessions. People kept asking me about them, so I eventually just typed them up into a PDF.

What accomplishment are you most proud of at the moment?

Walking for Giorgio Armani in Milan this January was really cool and something I thoroughly enjoyed. Buying a house last year was also a nice accomplishment outside of work.

A fictional hero?

A bit out of left field, but let’s go with John McClane. I absolutely love Die Hard—I rewatch it every Christmas, and any man who saves multiple Christmases is a hero. It’s really sad to see what has happened to Bruce Willis.

Any humbling moments from your first time on the runway?

Other than the nerves, not particularly—although you’re in a room with dozens of other guys, most of whom have done it before, and you’re just trying to fit in.

A heroine?

It would be wrong to say anyone other than my grandma, to be honest. She turns 98 this February, still lives alone, is still healthy, and goes on daily walks. She’s the queen in my eyes, and we have a very special relationship.

What would be your superpower?

Probably teleportation. It would be nice to get anywhere in the world without having to travel. Or maybe the ability to fly.

Do you read books? If so, what was the last one?

I do read a lot. The last book I read was The Courage to Be Disliked. It was an interesting read. I also recently read Black Box Thinking, which I loved—it’s about learning from mistakes and feedback loops and includes tons of real-life case studies.

Is there a quote that speaks to you?

“Not trying killed more dreams than failure ever did.” I’m not sure where I picked that up, but it has always stuck with me. It’s a good reminder to commit to something if you really want to do it and not worry about failing along the way.

Talking or texting?

Talking—always. There’s far less room for things to be misconstrued.

How would you describe your personal style?

Simple. A straight-leg trouser is something you can never go wrong with. I tend to lean more toward smart than casual.

Motorcycle or car?

Car, definitely. I have an ongoing relationship with Mercedes-Benz, and I’m heading to Scotland with them in February.

What does your grooming regimen look like?

Hyaluronic acid, serum, moisturizer, and then an SPF. I occasionally use face masks, but other than that, I drink a lot of water and eat well. I feel like taking care of sleep and hydration is the foundation for good skin.

Do you think it’s important for a man to be sexy?

I think it’s important for a man to take care of himself—physically and in how he presents himself. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

In this Story:

 1-4. James Yates wears black hoodie and joggers, classic logo white briefs POLO RALPH LAUREN 5-10. James wears red jumper KENT & CURWEN and classic boxer shorts POLO RALPH LAUREN

Photography ARNALDO ANNAYA-LUCCA, Model JAMES YATES at MODELS1

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