Michael Abatantiono: Hi. My name is Michael Abatantiono. I recently changed my last name to Abatantiono to honor my great grandmother who passed away not too long ago.
Rychael: Aww. I'm sorry for your loss. That's very sweet of you. Can you tell me a little more about yourself?
Michael Abatantiono: I'm twenty-one years old and I'm turning twenty-two next week. I was in the military, in the United States Coast Guard and I'm looking to go back into the military, depending on how my career flows with modeling or finishing up with school. I'm going to school for Business Administration and Healthcare Administration. I played football in college but suffered one too many concussions so I gave that up. I'm really big on fitness and got active in it when I was a kid. I just saw that as my way out. Whenever I was stressed out I just went to the gym or went running.
Ever since then it's became a big part of my life. I'm actually looking into getting my certification so that I can start training. I actually want to be my mom's trainer and compete together with her in our first competition. I started doing photography at fourteen. I had a couple of opportunities throughout high school but they involved me having to miss school and my parents would not allow that. I like acting as well. I've been approached by a couple of friends advertising companies. As of recently, one of my biggest accomplishments has been giving my life to Christ.
Rychael: Wow so awesome! Where were you born and raised?
Michael Abatantiono: Charleston, South Carolina. I lived with my mother and step dad, and brother and sister. I'm the middle child of us three kids. We all played sports and are versatile athletes. My little sister is the last one in high school. She's playing softball and volleyball.
Rychael: Okay so a family full of athletes, nice! What made you want to pursue a career in modeling?
Michael Abatantiono: I love being in front of the camera and just expressing myself.
Rychael: I see. Do you have any modeling projects that you are currently working on?
Michael Abatantiono: Well I have a few photographers who want to fly me out to New York, Utah, and L.A for photoshoots but I'm trying to look into getting an agent just because I'm a little skeptical, because a lot of photographers want me to do nude modeling and I'm starting to understand that comes with consequences.
Rychael: Well that's completely understandable. And I agree, it's best that you get an agent to help you when booking jobs. Michael what makes you stand out as a model?
Michael Abatantiono: I'm not just a pretty face. If you look under my Instagram photos there is an inspirational quote under each one. I've gone through some troubled times myself before and I realized that I can get a positive message out to other people who may be going through something as well.
Rychael: Absolutely! I agree with you on that! Okay, so what motivates you?
Michael Abatantiono: Well I'm recently going through a divorce but I can honestly say that my divorce has humbled me. Watching my ex wife and my mom and how they motivate me to do better, and just seeing how independent they are and how much they do for others around them is my motivation to be a better man, better future husband, and a better child of God.
Rychael: Wow that's great! So you were married at a young age?
Michael Abatantiono: Yes ma'am. I joined the military and married the love of my life. But I did some things wrong in my life that I'm not proud of.
Rychael: I understand. We all make mistakes in life. Best thing to do is learn from those mistakes and grow as we move forward. How long have you been modeling?
Michael Abatantiono: I haven't really done any paid gigs but I've modeled a couple of clients' shirts. I've been shooting since I was fifteen years old though.
Rychael: Oh okay. And do you like doing things to give back to your community?
Michael Abatantiono: Yes ma'am. In high school I was in the National Honor Society. I had over one hundred and seventy volunteer hours when I graduated. Now I'm actually looking to do a non-profit organization with Austism and really with special needs in general. I run a local gym with a friend and it's big enough to run mini camps. One of the camps I want to do is for special needs. My first experience with volunteer work was with Toys for Tots when I was sixteen. I saw one lady break down and cry when we brought all the toys in and that opened my heart up to realize it's not really about us but it's about helping others.
47