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“Studlebrity” Pablo Hernandez Likes It When You Watch
One could argue that Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian started it all: the trend of good-looking people achieving fame and fortune for doing basically nothing and wearing even less. Before you knew it, the Internet was saturated with young women who were famous simply for being famous. The media quickly dubbed them “celebutantes” — but where were the hot guys? And what clever name should they be given?
Thankfully, writer-director-actor Charlie David (Mulligans, Dante’s Cove) has answered those questions (and others) in his new high-paced, glossy magazine-style documentary Studlebrity, which explores the off-camera lives of male Internet sensations who live for the camera.
Among them is model, actor and bacon lover Pablo Hernandez, who began his career voicing characters in foreign films before stepping away from the mic and in front of the camera. A national ad campaign for Reebok soon followed, as did a stint modeling in Europe. Eventually catching the eye of famed fashion designer Andrew Christian and the attention of thousands of fans on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook who clamor for every fascinating detail of his life (my personal favorite: a tweeted photo of Pablo sitting on an airplane with the panic-inducing message “Last selfie for the next 5 hours”), Hernandez’s handsome face and sculpted physique have helped pave the way to fame and fortune.
And love. A large section of the film details Pablo’s tumultuous on-again, off-again romance with fellow studlebrity Murray Swanby, which ultimately leads to the model using his mug to strike a brand new pose. (At one point in the film, the lovers even try to come up with their own celebrity couple nickname. Among those considered is “Murblo.”) But underneath the hearts and flowers and the self-marketing and endlessly posted pop shots is a smart guy who seems to have, as Casey Kasem used to say, his feet on the ground as he reaches for the stars.
Pablo was kind enough to take a break from his packed schedule to give us his thoughts on fame, feedback and family. [Editor’s note: Hernandez declined to discuss a video that allegedly depicts him in a sex act that’s appeared on an adult streaming site.]
Queerty: When did you first realize you were a studlebrity? Was it intentional or did it evolve?
Pablo Hernandez: I never aspired to be famous. I still don’t. I feel that fame is something only chance and luck can bring. I’m successful, and that’s what matters to me most. The rest is just an added bonus that I’m lucky to have.
The Studlebrity press kit calls the film a “layered look at [a] unique male mayhem.” Do you see it as mayhem? Or does your Internet fame seem natural to you?
My life is not mayhem. My success and celebrity are because of my hard work and professionalism, not because I’m a wild child.
Is there anything you won’t share? Is anything off-limits for you?
Yes, don’t touch my bacon.
How do you feel about the perception that underwear modeling always leads to porn?
It’s a perception that I cannot change. I have a lot of friends in the adult entertainment industry and they are beautiful human beings. I can say one thing: If I did do porn, you’d watch.
Did you go to college?
I did.
What did you study?
I have a degree in nursing.
Excellent. Describe your typical day.
I wake up between 6 and 9 a.m. every day and get ready to head to the gym. After that, I’ll probably head to a photo or video shoot. On off days, I like to spend time with my friends at the movies, going to dinner, or hiking Runyon Canyon.
What would you be doing if you were not doing this?
I do well at just about anything I put my mind to. When I first started modeling and acting in Miami, I was also about to start training for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to become a firefighter. So, I guess I’d be a firefighter if I wasn’t doing this.
What does your family think of your fame?
At first, my family was a little thrown off by seeing me half naked in ads and commercials. Now they kind of poke fun at it — but they remain incredibly proud of my career.
What’s a common misconception about you?
That I’m just some dumb underwear model. They’re wrong. I’m also a trained actor.
How do you handle negative feedback?
I use to pay more attention to it, but I realize that everyone is entitled to their opinion of me and that letting it upset me is counterproductive to my happiness.
Are you making a good living?
I am. I’ve never been busier.
Are you investing your money?
I’m looking into several ways to invest in my career and build myself as a brand.
Murray Swanby & Pablo Hernandez
How do you feel about Studlebrity portraying the sweet side of your relationship with Murray, given that it’s now soured?
I will always love Murray very deeply. My love for him has not and will not change. We still believe that we will grow old together. There are obstacles that get in the way of our love for one another, but we realize that for the sake of the longevity of the relationship we have to overcome them.
Has the experience made you wary of future public declarations of love?
When a love is so strong, all aspects of that love are just as powerful. But I’ve learned to be a little less public with my love life. I’m an open book publicly. I try not to keep anything from my fans. However, I realize that many people are jealous of what they don’t have, and I feel that those who are envious of my love for Murray — and his for mine — couldn’t help but try to tarnish it.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I see myself being out and prouder than ever as an openly gay Latino who’s succeeding in the entertainment industry. I hope to start shifting my career towards TV and film acting.
And lastly, what accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m proud of all my accomplishments, but my proudest accomplishment is the success of my career and how I’ve never allowed it to change who I am as a person.
Studlebrity, featuring YouTube romantics Mark & Ethan, models Murray Swanby and Pablo Hernandez, and bad boy Topher DiMaggio, is available to rent or own starting December 9 via LOGO, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Vimeo, TLA Video, and others. Watch the trailer below.
Jeremy Kinser
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