Jonathan Bond

Height : 6’2″ | Waist : 32″ | Pants : 32″ x 32″ | Chest : 40″ | Shirt : Medium | Shoes : 12 | Eyes : Hazel | Hair : Brown

Based in Chicago, former D1 athlete Jonathan Bond is a fashion model with all the quality to become the next top model. He is currently signed with Select Model Management (Chicago, Miami, and Atlanta), and Independent Model Management Milan. Jonathan has been published in publications and campaigns such as Bello magazine, Period Magazine, and of course, HUF Magazine. HUF Magazine has an opportunity to speak with Jonathan to and out more about him.

Where do you live and work? What’s it like living and working there?

I live in Chicago and love it! Because I grew up in a small town a couple of hours west of the city, living here has allowed me to stay close with my friends and family while pursuing my career as a model. Chicago provides me with consistent work while allowing me to fly to other markets with its central location easily. A wonderful perk of living in Chicago, and being a model, is the proximity to both O’Hare and Midway airports allowing me to travel wherever I need to for work. Some fun things I like to do in Chicago are spending time on Lake Michigan, going out on the town with a group of my closest friends, and trying out new coffee shops. This city is gorgeous with its architecture and parks; it’s hard not to fall in love with this city.

Can you tell us how you got into modeling?

I was actually very shy about becoming a model. It wasn’t something that was regularly pursued in the small town where I grew up. Back in 2007, my good friend Zack and I did a photoshoot using the headlights of his pick-up truck in a public park, while I stood there in a speedo. Yes, go ahead and laugh, but this is where the spark came from. After that experience, the thought of becoming a model stuck with me!

Do you remember your very first professional photoshoot?

I can remember my first professional photoshoot like it was yesterday. It was nothing glamorous but it was an incredible experience, nonetheless. It was an ECOM photoshoot with an early morning call time around 6 am. I couldn’t sleep the night before because I was so excited. I remember pouring my morning coffee and starting to sweat because I was so nervous about doing well during the shoot. When I was sitting in the makeup chair, the team mentioned I’d be trying on around fifty articles of clothing over the next few hours. You can imagine how that played out in my mind trying to do the math. I was really happy with the final result. Seeing myself online for the first time at a store that I regularly shopped at was such a surreal experience.

How long did it take before a model agency signed you?

It didn’t take me long to get signed by an agency. It took about a month to get my body ready, and the courage built up to walk into an agency for an open call. I went in to see Factor Chosen (now Select) and met with David Love, the men’s agent at the time. That day he sent me home with a contract to read through and sign. I am forever grateful that he saw something in me and gave me the chance to pursue something I had dreamed of for so long. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today, working with the fantastic team that I have around me.

Which photoshoot is your favorite photoshoot that you have done so far?

To be completely honest, the photoshoot I did for HUF Magazine was my favorite. I promise you I’m not just saying that because this interview is for HUF Magazine. The reason is because Zack Baker (my childhood best friend that I mentioned earlier) was the stylist for that shoot, he has been my best friend since I was seven years old. To be featured together in a magazine means so much to me and our friendship.

You are a former D1 athlete. What sport was you in? Do you think being an athlete helped your modeling career?

I was on the swim team at my university. Swimming D1 is extremely competitive and takes so much dedication and hard work in and out of the pool. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be the model I am today without swimming. I did it for most of my life and learned many valuable lessons that transfer well to modeling. I am easily coachable, take direction well, a true team player, and athletic. Being an athlete allows you to be in tune with yourself and your body, which is extremely important when modeling.

You have been published in quite a few magazines, even on a cover. How do you feel about that? And how do your family and friends think about it?

It’s very rewarding! Being in a magazine, especially on a cover, has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager. My family and friends couldn’t be more supportive. They have been with me every step of the way, cheering me on. One of my favorite things is when I receive a message about an advertisement that someone I know has seen me in. Also, I loved it when my parents went
to a department store and saw a large picture of me on the wall and had a stranger take their photo next to it. Sometimes it’s the small things that mean the most!

How do you stay fit?

Fitness and nutrition have always been an important part of my life, so I take it pretty seriously. I work out five or six days a week for at least an hour. I would say I spend most of my time in the weight room, lifting heavy weights, but I also do a lot of cardio and highintensity full-body workouts. My goal is to be as well rounded as possible when it comes to fitness and not just focus on one thing. I don’t follow a specific diet, but what I try to focus on is a high fat, high protein, and low carb diet. I avoid sugar as much as possible, try to eat whole foods, and do my best to shop on the perimeter of the grocery store. You may catch me with a pint of ice cream or a glass of wine from time to time. Ultimately, it’s all about balance and enjoying life. This is all top secret, so don’t tell anyone! [Wink]

What’s your ultimate goal for your modeling career?

Ultimately, what’s most important to me is that I grow personally and professionally. At the end of my career, I want to be able to look back and see how much I have developed along the way as a person.