It was the opening of a new resort named The Surf Lodge in Montauk L.I. My now good friend (Jamie Muholland) and the lovely when she wants to be (Jayma Cardoso) (also part owner of Lavo NYC) opened up the venue after much years of success with Cain NYC and Goldbar (Bottom pic).. Just the thought of me being in the hamptons area was enough for me to get out there. Always heard about the celeb scene and the good looking women. Though the small (Alcohol town with a Fishing problem lol) wasnt exactly the hamptons it was still a known hotspot for tourists. I got to make friends with good people out there such as Steve Kasuba (Owner of Banzai Burger in Long Island), Celebrity Chef Sam Talbot (Semi finalist on Season 2 of Bravos Top Chef), and Marc Wesley ( Works at Ralph Lauren, Interior Designer, and hell of a dancer).
So 2 weeks in and my partner (Nevel Storer) gets into a conversation with Mark. I join in and we ended up talking about modeling after observing a few models walk into the establishment. He mentioned that his good friend Tyson will be here today and I kind of resemble him through my eyes. He mentioned that he was thinking about making a show on how the eyes are now a popular thing in modeling. He told me that his mother even has a agency but he could'nt recall the name of it. It was the day the surf lodge was promoting Don Julio tequila and I was posted to the front of the main doors. I remember looking around and hearing footsteps. I turn to my right and I see a muscular dark skinned man with a deep V neck red American Apparel Tshirt and dark shades . He had the deepest ripped cut in the middle of his chest I had ever seen in my life. Then some one say's "oh hey thats Tyson!" My body felt weird, my heart was beating fast, I couldnt talk for a few seconds, I couldnt breathe properly for a little while, I was Star Struck..........
For someone that did'nt know as much as I knew about the man now, I still felt his aura as he walked past me. I studdered to my partner on the microphone "yo Nev its its its Ty Tyson Beckford..... He He's Here!!...). I was eager to look at him again as the people crowded around him to take photos and shake his hand. I asked my partner to hold my post and (Jayma Cardoso) stops me. She said "hey you look just like him" "You have similar eyes, a little taller, you should model". That was the turning point of my decision to take modeling seriously. I said to myself for me to look like the only famous Male Super Model in the world, I can't take that for granted. Next thing I know she says"Im going to go tell him that". I saw her walk all the way to Tyson taps him on his shoulder, whisper something in his ear. She then points at me and then he points at me, and again my heart starts racing. I fleed out of the room and told my partner what happened. I saw her a few minutes later and I said "What did he say?!", she said "He said maybe he does look just like me".
The day goes on and random people occasionally came up to me to say "hey you kind of look like him, are you two related?" All of a sudden a man needed to find him and asks me where is he for he needed to talk to him. So I thought here is my chance to walk up and say something to Tyson. Mark mentioned he might be staying at the lodge that night but I had to say something in this rare oppurtunity. The only thing that came to my mind was to ask him how to get on his show that was playing on (Bravo). So I escort the man and all of a sudden I hear "Hey whatsup black man!". He shook my hand and I was in utter shock, just didnt know what to say. I forgot about what I was initially was going to ask him but finally got the courage to force out" Yo Tys I gotta something to ask you but I'll tell you later". He said" Nah man, you better say it now man. I'm not gonna be here all night" With brain freeze I couldnt conjour up any counter reaction before Jamie told me to get back to my post. The only thing I thought of doing was to come to Jamie and ask him if I can get his autograph. He said no but I asked well then can you get it for me please? He said ok.
As I'm looking at the autograph Tyson walks past me. I could tell with the way he was walking he knew who he was, with the upmost confidence as he should have. I took notes in my mental note pad and vowed that the gym will become my new best friend. I had the oppurtunity to meet him again in 2011 and a store called Kiehls. Located on 3rd ave and 13th st NYC, it was a skin care event with alot of motorcyclist and celebs in attendance. Just like before when I saw him, (I was Star Struck) and again with the "hey you look like him" from random people. I didn't know what the event was for before I worked it, but I just happened to be catering for that event. When we were in the same room he gave me a fist bump when we were standing next to each other. I'm sure he knew what people were saying but not sure if he remembered me.
Then in October 2011 he hosted a weekly party at (Chrystie 141) in the LES of NYC. A old friend/promoter Michael James (Epic Group/Facebook)was responsible for the event. I was able to attend this event thanks to photographer Daniel Perry (www.DanielPerryStudios.com ). This time I wanted to take a picture with him and when I came up to him to ask, he told me he doesnt take pictures. So I said "ok but I just want to say thank you for making my life so much easier". He said "why do you say that?" I said "because people say I look just like you". We were both laughing and as a end result we ended up partying together that night. ... I shook his hand and told him"its always nice running into you" I wonder if he will remember me the next time he sees me...
Through out the night while at his table, I showed him this picture which is my screen saver on my cell. I said "Remember this". He said "Wow man thats old man!!" "That was like 2006 right there!"...........
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