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JUNE 2003 You don't rewrite your history once it has been published for the world to read and photo's to see. As promised the site is getting a well deserved facelift dealing with broken links, poor quality photos, and updating some misinformation. The "tale" below is how this "country bumpkin" made it to the pages of Playgirl
I moved to Los Angeles in 1989. Jeffrey Sanker hired me as a dancer at STUDIO ONE and asked me to model for his new club called ARENA. It was March 1990 and the photographer Richard Armis asked me if I ever thought of modeling for Playgirl. You could only imagine my response, spun around on my heels! We shot over 2 days and was accepted only to become the January 1991 PLAYGIRL CENTERFOLD. A cute story I love to tell about the shoot was It's no secret that I am an exhibitionist, but I had a hard time with the frontal nudes (no pun intended). I remember Richard telling me to go and "fluff Up" so I went into the bathroom and did my hair. You figure out the outcome. Anyway after my “fame” with PLAYGIRL I drove to San Diego with to work for INTERNATIONAL MALE. I was told I was too "husky," a kind word for "fat". So I told them if I got washboard abs and lowered my bodyfat would they be interested, they said yes. So I had 2 months until I did the GENRE swimsuit layout with my girl MADONNA on the cover for her album erotica. I sent in my new look and was hired by INTERNATIONAL MALE and UNDERGEAR. The UNDERGEAR photo is probably my favorite cover. Why? Because I was not suppose to get it. You see we shot that day and it was quite cold and windy. The model they wanted on the surfboard whined about the water being too cold so they asked me. ....THE REST IS HISTORY...... I worked for them for a year and caused a lot of controversy for they claim I am not the most masculine person in the world, not to mention I was proud to be openly gay which is a big no no in HOLLYWOOD even though it is run by GAY MEN & WOMEN. After that I worked for MEN'S WORKOUT for 2 years as an independent model. They had done a expose on my career and workout tips. They forgot to mention my HIV status. I was not angry but thought they would have put it in. I approached TWT "This Week in Texas," a gay magazine, and told my story to them. I was Mr. Gay Texas 1987 and they thought it was a great idea. So this press helped launch my HIV OUTING. This is where POZ magazine came in. They profiled me in Feb/March 95 and my mission and foundation OPEN YOUR HEART got the attention it deserved.
I can remember being in Los Angeles and someone approaching me at MUSE and telling me that they went to London and there I was with the caption "THOM COLLINS 12 YEARS POSITIVE AND LOOKING GOOD" I knew I was doing a promo but had no idea it would be a billboard. I opted to end my contract with the agency in 1996 - just before I did the GENRE coverstory - for creative differences. Keith and I did not see eye to eye and I have always been one to beat to a different drummer. I have a hard time when people try to change anything about me. Though I have made some bad career choices and lost out on many things, I stand for something and that is BE YOURSELF. I miss him and only wish his agency much success for they did a lot for me. After GENRE, I did Jeff Palmer's Aids Benefit Calendar, WET Formula's PLATINUM ADS. Not to mention the infamous CIRCUIT NOIZE COVER. I am currently working on my own calendar, a book, as well as my work with aids through the OPEN YOUR HEART FOUNDATION. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported my career in modeling. However, to those who support me and my mission against aids and HIV education I must say I could not have done it without GOD. As for the agents, agencies, promoters, magazines, endless photographers like RICHARD ARMIS, ANDREW MELICK, BRAD HAHN, etc. I love you all. Thom |
I started my portfolio at 16 and always dreamed of becoming a PLAYGIRL centerfold. I started male dancing at 16 and got my big break at 18 when I worked for Chip-n-Dales' traveling male dance troupe. The guys were straight and we all talked and even lied about being centerfolds to increase our tips. 