Straddling, mounting and embracing a distressed, denim clad Rihanna throughout the singer’s headline-grabbing music video, boxer Dudley O’Shaughnessy is the London model who found love in a hopeless place.
Crossing paths with a modelling scout whilst he was out shopping with his mum in Old Street, aged nineteen, dressed down in a grey tracksuit, Dudley never had any aspirations of making money out of his looks. He was too focused upon his career in the ring, throwing punches as opposed to striking poses. A self-professed lover of anything sweet, the NEXT signed, London-living, bleached-haired Adonis didn’t consider himself beautiful until he was thrust face forward into the limelight. Considering his career in front of the camera a stop-gap until he got his big break as an actor, Dudley’s aspirations lie more in motion pictures. Recently finishing filming a documentary which closely follows Dudley’s life and work over the past twelve months, charting his win of the national boxing championships, up until his sudden leap to fame, Mr O’Shaughnessy is soon to be recognised for being more than just a pretty face.
Preferring to keep things looking natural and low-key, he considers his mum the ideal women, stays in shape by always opening doors for hot girls and considers his dad his hero. i-D online squared up to the resident hottie to chat about his designs on today, tomorrow and all that comes after.
How do you feel when you see yourself in a magazine? Surprised, kind of like “wow that’s actually me” it makes me laugh.
Do you remember the first ever shoot you modelled for and how it felt to be on set? I was proper nervous and confused with what was going on. The only variation on pose I knew was to cross my arms and stand straight looking at the camera. Now thinking back it makes me realise how far I’ve come far!!
How do you feel when you look in the mirror? Depends, most of the time it’s “Erghhh! I need to drink more water, WTF is going on?!?, I need more sleep”. But then sometimes it’s “cool”. Or sometimes I just pretend I’m two people talking to each other.
If you were to take i-D on a date where would we go and what would we do? Well, i-D is proper Landaaaaan so you gotta keep it real and local, don’t wanna branch out too much on the first date, might think I’m trying too hard. Firstly I’d come pick up i-D from its gaff with a bunch of flowers and pick & mix, then we’d go Brick Lane for a bagel and a walk in the park, have a good old stroll and chin wag, turn the pages and read and learn. Then I’d take i-D for some pie and mash or Nandos, whichever she prefers, then maybe to the cinema. Then take her home and give her a kiss and a cheeky wink, I know she loves a cheeky wink.
How do you let a girl know she’s caught your eye? It’s not like I’d do it on purpose, but I’d end up smiling for no reason and not be able to stop.
What is your favourite film? Ooooh there’s too many, but seeing as we’re on this whole lover’s tip, it’s gotta be Romeo & Juliet.
What is your favourite food? SWEETS, a good old old roast, lasagne, pie and mash, Jerk chicken with rice & peas!
What was the last dream you had? I got arrested, that’s all I can remember .
When did you first get into acting? About 6 months ago, but I’ve been interested in it since school, but never took it seriously because I was more into boxing and I wasn’t that confident, then things changed and now it’s what I want to do .
What ambitions do you have for your acting career? To build from what I’m doing now onto a big film .
Name the top 5 flirting techniques every girl should orchestrate to catch your eye? Look at me, not too much so you look possessed but so I know you’re looking, don’t play that not interested malarkey, otherwise it won’t happen. Smile. Wink at me like the beautiful ladies on front covers of i-D!
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Text: Milly McMahon
Featured Image Photography: Karina Twiss, Styling Russel Harris. © William Richard Green
