Tyson meets Alton

Age?

53 years old.

Where is home for you?

I was born in the Bronx but moved back to Jamaica with my parents when I was six months old. I’ve been living in Miami, Florida, for the last ten years. I’m more of an island boy than a city boy – it’s the best of both worlds here.

How long have you been male modelling for?

I’ve been in it for over 30 years. As far as going to castings, being on runways, things of that nature, in 2008 I said, “Okay, I’m done.” I’m leaning more towards acting and producing movies and television now. But I’m not actually done; I’m just waiting for that genius designer to come through and inspire me again.

What’s the best show you’ve ever walked in and why?

I really, truly enjoy myself whenever I work for Dsquared2. It’s always exciting. Also, I have the same birthday as Dean and Dan Caten, the designers. That’s kind of crazy.

When you aren’t male modelling, what do you get up to?

I’m currently the creator, producer and co-writer for a TV show called ‘Pretty Boy’. It’s a show about my life – how I got out of the streets and into the world of entertainment. Coming up as a model back in the ’90s was crazy. We’re in the midst of looking for directors, and then we’re going to the Apple TVs, the Amazons, the HBOs of the world, to find a home for it.

Which other model do you admire the most?

Djimon Hounsou was a great mentor for me. And I want to mention Renauld White, who is such a legend. He recently passed away, and I didn’t get a chance to meet him. He was me before there was a me. I never got the platform to thank him for paving the way for young Black men to strive to be great. He broke open doors for everyone, and I think people tend to forget him. I don’t want people to think I ever forgot him. And he still looked amazing at 80 years old.

What’s your number one beauty tip?

I coat my face with aloe vera. You can sleep with it on and then wash it off in the morning. I have a plant I keep next to the sink in the bathroom. Wash your face, cut off a piece of the plant and strip out the juices and gel, and coat your face with it. Your face might swell a little bit, but it goes down. It’s a Caribbean thing. We used to wash our hair with it, and you can drink it too. Aloe vera: one of nature’s hidden gems.

How much beauty sleep do you get?

It played a much bigger role in my life when I was younger. Now that I’m older, I get way less sleep. I’m trying to get more, but it’s tough.

How do you look after yourself, physically and mentally?

Working out, getting outside, riding my mountain bike. I don’t eat red meat, more vegetables and fruit. The industry is ruthless – everyone’s pulling something from you, so you need to protect your innocence, protect your emotions, your goals, your vanity. Once it’s stripped from you, it’s hard to get back.

Do you count other male models among your close friends or do you keep your lives quite separate?

There’s a bunch of guys that still get together, and we remember good times. We were rockstars! We were household names, we were in music videos, you got to hear us speak. They weren’t just absent-minded male models who are, like, really, really, really ridiculously good-looking. It wasn’t like ‘Zoolander’.

What do you think of Alton?

Oh, he’s so much fun. He’s such a talented kid. It’s fascinating to watch him – he’s got this great feminine side to him, and a great masculine side. When I was coming up, guys who were like Alton were afraid of what people might think; they weren’t open to being themselves, whereas he strives to be himself. I want to put him in ‘Pretty Boy’. He’s actually on his way here, to Miami. We’re going to hang out and talk about some stuff. I think he gets in tomorrow.

Name?

Alton Mason.

Age?

26 years old.

Where is home for you?

My body.

How long have you been male modelling for?

I started modelling in December of 2015. Next year will be my tenth anniversary. I remember being told the career of a male model only lasts two to four years…

What was the first show you ever walked in, and the most recent?

My first was for Yeezy, at Madison Square Garden, NYC – Thursday, 11 February 2016. The last show I walked in was Vogue World, in Paris – Sunday, 23 June, 2024.

How do you pass your time between shows?

Eating hot wings, working out. If I’m not doing that, I’m in the studio being creative with music, or reading scripts and lighting candles. I’m an actual nerd, and video games will have me on lock and in that zone between a show. ‘Tekken 8’ came out this year and I haven’t put it down since. But I’ve also loved every Paulo Coelho book that I’ve ever picked up.

Which other model do you admire the most?

There are so many models that paved the way for me. I wouldn’t be the model I am today if I didn’t study this industry, and from what I’ve learnt there is no presence, power, aura or energy that can compare to Naomi Campbell’s. I admire her spirit, her loyalty, her passion and her intelligence. She has the power to bring people together and there’s something about her that’s so psychic and intuitive. She’s a gift. I truly admire her and respect all that she has accomplished in her lifetime.

Do you have a signature move or look?

My signature pose is “The Phoenix”. I spread my arms, like wings, and look to the heavens. I hit that pose when I closed Fear of God’s first runway show, in 2023.

How do you smile properly?

Smile like you want to make the other person smile back.

What kind of toothbrush do you use?

This is a weird question, lol. I just got this toothbrush from CVS the other day. They know me up in there! That’s my spot. As a travelling model you go through so many toothbrushes. Sometimes I use the hotel toothbrushes – at home I have an electric one, but I don’t travel with that. I always travel with my Waterpik though… That’s a major key to dental hygiene.

What do you think about when you’re on a runway?

Don’t think, just feel.

Describe your morning routine, from the moment you first open your eyes. What do you eat for breakfast?

I open my eyes, thank God, grab that phone, check them emails and texts. Then I get up, wash my face, brush my teeth, take my durag off and mousse my braids. Put on some music (usually Sade or Erykah Badu) and head to the kitchen, cut up some turkey sausages and put them in the air fryer. Boom. Crack them eggs open and whip ’em, put them in the skillet, add onion, tomato, mushroom, spinach and, bam, that’s an omelette. Grab a sparkling water and some hot sauce and we’re ready to eat!

If you had to estimate the cumulative distance you have walked on runways over your male modelling career, how far do you think you have walked?

Almost as many as the air miles I’ve picked up on Delta.

What do you think of Tyson?

Tyson has become one of my favourite people to work with, simply based on his humbleness and humility. Like, he’s such an OG! The type of OG that will sit in a room with you and pour knowledge, wisdom, inspiration and gratitude into you. That, coming from a Black man who made history and established himself in this industry, is so honourable. For an African-American male model it can be hard to be taken seriously, and Tyson came into the game and redefined what it meant, and how it felt, to be a male supermodel.