Tyson Beckford says it's 2008. And anyone who has a problem with gays is just super-stupid

Don’t hate Tyson. He’s beautiful and gay friendly.

Tyson Beckford can make women and men weak at the knees. Don't believe that? Just watch as he makes his entrance on "Make Me a Supermodel," Bravo's new competition reality series that's hunting for the freshest camera-ready hotties.

When co-host Niki Taylor introduces Beckford, the boys and the girls practically gush. One male contestant's jaw drops.

The show blends "America's Next Top Supermodel" with "American Idol" where viewers vote on who's in or out.

During the casting special, which aired on Wednesday, producers hit Big D. And open calls for reality shows always bring out the unique freaks. In Dallas, we were introduced to an un-named sassy man with more swish than a parade in San Francisco. Along with his bleach-blonde hairdo, he decided to show his bootie-shaking hip moves. Although he promised that he was "better than all these bitches," the little fella didn't get a callback. However, 21-year-old Plano resident Stephanie Bulger did make the cut.

Beckford is considered one of the few men who's ever been considered a supermodel, namely because his is the longest-running contract Ralph Lauren has ever doled out. With men or women.

And while Bruce Weber has repeatedly begged Beckford to pose nude, he's never been photographed in the buff. However, Beckford has gone out of his way for his gay fans. In 2006, he made an autograph-signing appearance at the Red Party, a Valentine's Day circuit party in Washington, D.C.

Earlier this week, Beckford conducted phone interviews about "Make Me a Supermodel." We asked about whether or not being gay is a supermodel deal-breaker.

You really impressed your gay fans' when you did that calendar signing at a gay club in D.C.
Oh yeah, I caught a lot of heck for that, too. But in this day and era, people are still putting that gay wall up like gay people aren't cool.
Well, I'm sorry to tell you: Gay people really run the entertainment business. So you've been watching a lot of stuff that's been gay influenced, but you just didn't know. You know, it's about time.
I'm straight, but I have my gay fans and I also have my straight fans, and I do not want to ever offend either one.
I mean, what is fashion without a little gay in there?

You did catch a lot of hell for appearing at that gig?
Yeah, but that was just from the straight idiots who didn't know any better. I got a gay friend who likes to call them "stupid straight people." And I love him for that. And I tell him, "You know what? Those stupid straight people are giving me hell again." I don't see what that has to do with who we are as a person.

That appearance made a big impact about how gay people perceive you. But what did you take away from the experience?
Not to let people judge me for who I hang out with, or where I go, or what I do, or who are my friends. I've always grown up that way. My parents never raised me to be homophobic or anything like that. And I raise my son the same way. And I just wish everyone else would raise their kids like that, too. So that way we wouldn't have problems, like racism and people being gay or straight. Who the hell cares? We're humans.
It's 2008, and you're still worried about whether the guy next to me is gay.
Like I said, they're just stupid straight people ignorant straight people. So hurray to my gay fans. I love you. I love you to death. Gay people keep it real.

Portraying androgyny is often incorporated into sleek high-fashion shoots. What's been your most androgynous moment in front of the camera?
I can't say that I ever Me? My shoulders are too broad. I don't look good in a dress.

One contestant Nicolas from St. Paul got chopped. And it seemed that his biggest weakness was being effeminate. How could you coach Nicolas on butching it up?
His hair was killing me. He had colored contacts, too. And in the fashion industry, that's a big no-no. And I found out that they were [Nicolas'] seeing contacts. It would have been better if he came without them. We just want "all natural." It's easier to start with a plain white canvas than to start with with a canvas that's already been painted on.

So tone down the affectation?
Yes.

Is Janice Dickinson is the world's first supermodel or do you think she hijacked that title?
I'm trying to figure out who gave it to her. I would love to talk to that person. What about Cheryl Tiegs and Twiggy? There were so many others before her. Not to take away from Janice. She was hot in her heyday. But what she's become today? Oh, my God







This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition
January 4, 2008