Reichen Lehmkuhl: Exclusive Interview

We caught up with Reichen Lehmkuhl on vacation in Hawaii to talk about his newfound celebrity, if he was really just using Lance for publicity, and of course... that infamous Perez Hilton:

Which did you find more challenging? "The Amazing Race" or "Fear Factor"?

"Amazing Race," for sure. It was harder than basic training in the military! Although "Fear Factor" was fun, too.

When did you decide you wanted to pursue television as an actor?

It's been a dream of mine since I was 12 years old. A self-fulfilling prophecy, I guess.

What was your favorite TV show to appear on?

So far it's been working on "Days of Our Lives." I really like the pace of soap operas and I learn so much from everyone on the set.

Why did you decide to write your book "Here's What We'll Say"?

I have wanted to write the book since I graduated from the Air Force Academy, but I started writing it almost three years ago, just after I signed with an agent and a publisher took the project. It was time for me to tell my story so that the people of this country could see what kinds of abuse their tax dollars were going toward.

I also had been heavily enrolled in acting classes and was, at the time, being asked to draw on tragedies in my life to spark up emotions for scenes. Remembering all that had happened to me motivated me to finally start writing. I let so much off my chest by writing that book.

Are your parents supportive of the book?

Yes, they found parts of it tough to read (because I'm still their "baby") but they stand behind my work 100%. I'm very lucky to have such loving and well-minded parents.

Was the military as supportive?

It's tough to say who "the military" really is. If it's the actual people fighting who don't care about serving next to gay people, then yes, they're supportive.

If it's the group of human rights criminals who are making policies that punish people for homosexuality that you're talking about, then, no, they have not been supportive.

Do you think there are a lot more gay people in the military than people realize?

No question in my mind... yes. And they have all written me letters... thousands of them.

Which do you enjoy more? Being an entrepreneur or a celebrity?

I enjoy making a difference in the things I care about within our community. I also enjoy making good decisions that secure my future. If that makes me successful or a celebrity, then I can embrace those titles as positive parts of my life, but they aren't my ultimate goal... nor words I would use to describe myself.

Do you think of yourself as a role model?

I view role models as perfect and, well, I'm not perfect. So it's tough for me to call myself a role model. If others emulate me and the way I speak out loud for equal-rights makes me a role model, then I'll accept that title.

How do you feel about coverage of you?

Mario Lavendeira (AKA "Perez Hilton") has been a nuisance to many people and I am only one person who finds him a bit annoying. He has been worse to many than he has been to me. I understand the fascination we all have with gossip, including myself, but we must realize this person is an accused thief on several accounts and has a fascination with drugs, as we have seen on his internet magazine site. If this is indeed true, then even more so, this is not someone we should or who I can take seriously.

The lies on his Internet magazine site go right along with the rest of his shady life. What bothers me is that he lies about things or exaggerates to make people, who have done little or nothing wrong, look bad while they continue to work in a tough industry. He also fabricates stories from scratch just to create gossip when things aren't interesting enough as they really are to get readers to his online magazine. His site is no longer a simple blog since he makes money from advertising. This is why I think it is illegal for him to steal pictures from photographers to make more money, while he tries to hide under the idea that he is a "blogger" and not a magazine. This is simply not true.

He has lied about my friends, as well as about me and my life several times, and he needs to be brought to court for his continued actions. Also, because he claims he is gay, let me point out that I do not consider Mr. Lavendeira to be gay, at all. He is merely a pervert who has a fascination with drug use, other people's sex-lives, body fluids, and what we all do in our bedrooms and private lives. He doesnt behave like any actual gay person I know. We must not confuse "gay" with what I consider "perverted".

I believe that Mr. Lavendeira has come to hurt us as gay people and to devalue our whole community to the public. I know I've shown my body to the public by modeling and some may feel this is objectionable, but I simply disagree. Modeling and doing charity work is a far cry from attacking people. So I feel justified in saying that considering him part of our gay community would be ridiculous.

So other than his accused past illegal actions, including theft, lying, defamation, libel, and slander, being answered for in a court of law, I don't really care about Mr. Lavendeira or what he does or says. I don't let it affect my life. I actually feel sorry for him. Our individual outlook on the world is a direct reflection of what we are made up of inside. His view of others' character and their motivations for working and committing to relationships are a direct reflection of what his character is and what his motivations are or would be. Its sad.

OK, so then I also ask you about Lance Bass. What do you say to those people -- including Perez Hilton -- who accused you of using him for publicity?

Wow, that's a loaded question. I'll settle this now. It comes up often and predisposes me as a "user". How can I say this really clearly? If I were actually that type of person, I wouldn't even want to be alive... it would have to be a miserable existence.

I think people who think this about me are the ones who, themselves, would "use" someone for publicity... so I wish those people, who actually think this way, would stop putting their shit on me. They need to get their own minds out of the gutter.

I pride myself in doing my own thing, having my own businesses and successes separate from those of my partner. This makes us whole people, individually. I'm happy when I do it on my own. It's no fun for a Type-A personality guy like me to accept help or for others to think I didn't get something on my own. I have a tremendous amount of personal pride in what I make happen.

Take my book for instance, which probably causes speculation. The book was done and set for publishing and distribution before I ever met Lance. And that's how I prefer it to be. That's doesn't exclude that his support of its mission warms my heart beyond description. Dating someone who is also in the public eye can appear a million ways to a million different people. I understand that, and I know rumors will always fly. Everyone loves a little gossip. There is plenty on me and I laugh it off. It's the only way to stay happy.

But answering these unprovoked, unfounded questions, that initially attack my character, with "how much I actually love my boyfriend to show I'm not using him" puts me in a position where I have to disclose the details of my personal relationship to prove something to people who don't deserve to know the first thing about it. So I keep quiet and hope for the best. Nice try, I'll say to them, but I remain private about my relationship and I don't owe proof of my character to anyone. I know who I am, and I know where my heart is and -- well, that's all I need to know.

What do you consider your most successful accomplishment?

Graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

- Find out more about Reichen Lehmkuhl and his book at Reichen.us.

Comments

[Vyaceslav]

Yas paparazzi goes to far in every country.

[Paisley Place]

First of all, congratulations on graduating from the US Air Force Academy. My father is a retired Gunnery Sergeant so I can relate to the pride of anyone going into a military program and succeeding.

Second, with regards to paparazzi, I feel that many DO go TOO far and YES, they will eventually be to blame for yet another death of a celebrity. If you do not believe me, then take a long hard look at the situation surrounding the death of Princess Diana. I do not care of any court in any country says, if the paparazzi had not been chasing her down, she would be alive today and would have had the chance to raise her children in the manner she wanted, not as Charles and his dear mummy wished. The Paparazzi took this beautiful, kind, generous, and loving woman away from her children, family, finance, and her fans.

Alec Baldwin became the center of attention after hitting a member of the Paparazzi and taking his camera smashing it into bits when the man thought he had the right to waltz up to Alec and his wife's new baby to snap pictures left and right of their child. This person could have been a danger to the child. A parent thinks the worst of anyone who comes around their child in such a manner. As a mother of two children, I would react the same way had someone done this to me as I was attempting to bring my children home from the hospital following their birth.

The hard part to take is that many celebrities offer extensive opportunities for the paparazzi to ask questions, receive answers, and take all the pictures they wish before opening of movies, while on the red carpet to Oscar and other ceremonies. CELEBRITIES offer these chances, IMHO, to stop some of the harassment received within their homes and yards.

Celebrities are people too. They get out of bed exactly as the average person every day. It is high time the paparazzi begin treating these people as human beings, not paydays.

[Lisa]

i honesly do think that the paparazzi does go way too far with rumors, or even truths about celebrities. Anything the celebrities do wrong is posted somewhere,somehow with exaggeration. I think they should only write about something thats improtant and true

[Pat]

I firmly believe the paparazzi has gone too far with everything they do--from "stalker maps" to pursuing families of celebrities for another close picture. I also think, some laws should be changed to protect people from these parasites. They get paid very much for the pictures they take--perhaps if a few of them get tossed in jail the harassment tactics would change.

[Charlotte Marie UK,]

Hi, jordon i think you are right i think the paperazzi have pushed too far on celebrities i think they should just let them have Privcy.

[Enid]

Yes, they go to far. the "famous" are PEOPLE and have a right and need for privacy as well. Their jobs are public, their lives should be private.

[deceza]

I think anything is possible in the world of celebrities ,because of the lime light that their work puts on them ,it comes with the territory . The media has got the power to expose them to either positive OR negative and crazy publicity, but if their lives are being threatened, and it unleashes evil things like stalkers then it has to be taking it too far.

[michael martinez]

i believe there is a time and place for paparazzi's. On the other
hand if paparazzi are taking pictures there should be distance
factor instead of crowding, being in celebrities personal space

[kevin villamala]

i wizh zomeone will pay me to shoot the paparazzi off too..they take photo shots, we'll let them take, az long az there iz zomeone will zhoot a bullet to thoze paparazzi too..they ztalk celebrity,we ztalk them too, zhoot them dead, take there photoz and publizh it on a newzpaper..
wizh zomeone out there can do that....

[D. Valdati]

I believe it comes with the territory. The ones who are hounded by the papparazzi enjoy the publicity or they wouldn't exist, like Paris Hilton, she's just a media blitz. You'll notice most stars enjoy anonymity without too much trouble. Besides the point that the public supports these publications by buying into them. Stop buying and seeking them out and see what happens. Don't go to their movies and see what outrageous action they'll take to get into the headlines again. No public, no pics, no ego boosting, and NO CAREER.

[Stephen Dunnrowicz]

May 3, 2007

Gentlemen/Gentlewomen:

I am a member of your organization and have requested and received information in the past.
Now, I would like to get the following information from you without added promotions and hype:

1. What is a good e-mail address where we can receive actor/actress information?

2. What is the business and/or personal address of the actress Gail O'Grady?

I really need the second item on the list.

Do not send me promotions and advertisements.

I just want the above information or how to get it. I need updated, up-to-date information.

I will await your reply. Thanks and have a great day.

Sincerely,

Colonel Stephen Dunnrowicz

[kim albert]

I definitely think the paparazzi goes too far...every person has the right to a normal life no matter what their profession is. All pictures/stories on celebrities should be scheduled in advance...none of the surprise/on the spot stuff that goes on...it is harassment, plain and simple. The paparazzi need to heed the golden rule...do unto others as you would have them do unto you...they wouldn't like it!