Jockstraps, titty bars, grinding, spilling out and edging! It’s all in a day’s work for our DNA supermodel Kyland Brown. Photography by Blake Yelavich
How did you break into the world of modelling?
It was something I aspired to do at some point and always sat in the back of my head. I thought it would be cool to do some fitness modelling in a magazine or supplement somewhere. I didn’t know how that would ever happen, but I just kind of fell into it when a friend of mine did a shoot with Blake Yelavich and mentioned me. Blake looked me up, reached out to do a shoot and things went on from there.
You’ve featured several times in DNA. How do you feel about being in a gay men’s publication?
I’m pretty grounded, but I also know everyone’s going to have an opinion and something to say. I wasn’t too concerned with it but just grateful for the opportunity to get in front of a lens. I’d been working hard for a couple of years grinding in the gym and felt good and confident about it. When I had the opportunity, I didn’t think twice! In fact, I kind of wish we had done a bit more risqué stuff. I mean I’m only going to have this physique for so long! I might as well live it up while I have it, right? It’s a case of taking every opportunity – to squeeze all the juice I can from that fruit!
Image by Blake Yelavich
What do your friends and family think?
Everyone’s been very supportive. I had a few friends from the past that have raised eyebrows thinking, “Wow! What is Kyland doing?” Some have maybe said things that weren’t all that nice behind my back. But at the end of the day, this was a dream of mine and something I wanted to do. Blake helped me do that and I’m very grateful to him. I love Blake.
“I love guys, even though they aren’t my preference sexually, I do love them.”
Tell us about working with Blake. Have you established a rapport and trust?
Blake was my first introduction to all of this when I was wet behind the ears and nervous. But he was always so comfortable directing me on work locations and with poses. He would let me steer some of that in a direction I felt comfortable with. That also led me to push boundaries with his shoots. I explored my sexuality a bit more through the camera lens. I trust Blake, whereas had I had somebody different I may have been more hesitant and not gotten some of those great shots. Sometimes we’ll just jump in the car and find places to shoot at, jetting out to the salt flats or into Nevada to find some cool structures and graffiti walls. If I needed to change underwear, I’d just do it! It didn’t matter who was around (laughs). We’d make it work.
Image by Blake Yelavich
Does appearing in a gay magazine give people a perception that you’re gay?
Absolutely. I get it all the time. Or they see my Instagram page and the type of modelling I’ve done and assume right away. It’s funny but I find it more meaningful to get compliments from men than from women. Even though I’m straight I know that when another man compliments me, he means it. It’s raw and genuine and he’s probably going outside his comfort zone to tell me. I love guys, and even though they aren’t my preference sexually, I do love them.
Do you have close gay mates?
Yes, I have quite a few gay friends. I train with them at the gym and others that I work with in some capacity or another and others I’ve known for quite some time. Some I’ve met through my journey with modelling and Blake who is one of my closest friends.
Image by Blake Yelavich
Have you ever been out clubbing with your gay mates?
My first experience was in my early twenties when I went to a gay bar with some friends, two of whom were gay, and all these gentlemen kept buying me drinks. My friends were laughing behind me, and at one point I turned around to see them holding their index fingers up like rulers to indicate that I’m hung pretty good. These guys were trying to get lucky because my buddies were telling them how big I was! That was embarrassing but fun at the same time. I got all my drinks free, so I can’t complain!
“He asked me to pull my trunks down, so I did, and my penis flopped out!”
Is there some truth behind all that?
Let’s say I stack up just fine. Plenty of the shots can attest to that!
Has anyone ever come out to you?
Yes, my oldest daughter. I’ll always remember the phone call. She lives in Oregon where she just graduated from school and now has her own place. This was about six years ago, and she said “Dad, I have something to tell you”. I knew it was going to be heavy because of the tone. I said, “Whatever it is sweetheart, you can tell me. Everything will be fine”. So, she told me she was gay and asked if I could accept that. I said, “Absolutely! You’re my daughter and I love you regardless of what your preferences are”. From that point on we grew closer because I realised, she was able to confide in me. I also told her I was also happy because I wouldn’t have to deal with her dating any dudes!
Image by Blake Yelavich
Have you ever witnessed homophobia, such as back in school?
Some of the kids who were quiet or reserved got picked on and then a certain set of behaviours usually fall in line with that. But I’ve always been the kind of person where it didn’t matter to me who someone loved. You can’t control who you’re attracted to, and I think it’s a beautiful thing anyway. Who am I to stand in their way?
What’s your irresistible burn the dance floor song?
Any Nineties Hip-Hop will do it. I just want to get out there and shake my ass! Get Low by Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz with the Ying Yang Twins was a great one – Window to the Wall!
“Occasionally, I’ll have them edge me and they’ll ask if I do my own beard.”
Who’s your ultimate music diva?
Nicki Minaj is cool. I like her style and I think she’s bold and raw. I love Super Bass which was one of her first big hits. That came out at a time when things were quite lovely in my life and that song takes me back there. I’ve liked her ever since.
Image by Blake Yelavich
This is our Sexiest Men Alive edition. Who do you think fits that bill?
I’ve always liked Johnny Depp’s style. I think he’s a cool character. If he went out on the dancefloor to some Nineties Hip-Hop, man I’d walk with him for sure!
What person inspires you the most?
Arnold Schwarzenegger has always been a big one for me. Also Flex Wheeler and Michael Jordan. They are the guys I grew up idolising and respecting. It goes beyond the physique. I think what makes a man a man, including being sexy and whole is when he’s well-rounded. Being able to concentrate not just on the physical being but also the emotional and spiritual. I also have to say my mother inspires me too. She’s always been solid for me and a rock that I can rely on and look up to. She always seems to have the answers anytime I’ve needed them.
Do you have a favourite quote?
“Fortune favours the bold”. I heard it in Gladiator, and I’ve liked it ever since. It’s been a bit of a mantra for me.
Image by Blake Yelavich
Tell us about your tattoos.
I have a ram on my chest which signifies I’m an Aries and it’s realistic looking rather than an astrological image. On my left arm, I’ve got a Scandinavian armoured piece with Thor, Odin on the back and some rope knotwork. There’s more work to be done on that! On one hand, I have my daughter overlooking some chess pieces. I taught her how to play chess and it’s something we do together. On my wrist, there is a double eleven which is a good luck thing and then I have October 8 which is the day both of my brothers passed away. It also has a leaf to represent the fall.
Image by Blake Yelavich
That’s very sad. And the same day?
The same day but decades apart and both from suicide. It’s been hard. We lost my youngest brother three years ago and my eldest brother passed away a couple of decades before. For many years I spent a lot of time working with recovery centres with individuals who have addiction issues, mental health issues and suicidal tendencies – all kinds of different social dilemmas. I worked as a support, and it’s been a very rewarding experience.
What photo shoot has been the most outrageous for you?
Some of your photo shoots have included wearing a jockstrap in the middle of an active dirt bike track, in the middle of a high school football stadium and an open working titty bar! Has any stood out for you?
Image by Blake Yelavich
Those are all top of the list. Another that comes to mind is when we did a shoot inside an aeroplane. A van with ladies happened to be driving by and saw me posing, so they pulled up, ate their lunch, and watched the whole thing. They had a blast! The dirt bike arena was at a remote spot, but they were all out there buzzing around while I was all the way naked – apart from my Modus Vivendi jockstrap! They were stopping to watch too. A whole audience was collected in the parking lot. There was a graffitied abandoned bus nearby which became my makeshift changing room. It was also quite funny at the strip club shoot because my friend Dita came along, and we had to invent a story to get into the club. Blake had a few magazines with my images, including DNA and Dita held them out telling them she was editor-in-chief for a major magazine. The guy at the door said, “No problem”. But after half an hour a manager came along and showed us the door! We ran out laughing, but we got the shots we wanted.
Image by Blake Yelavich
What has been your biggest wardrobe malfunction on a shoot? Has anything ever come down – or out?
(Laughing) I was doing a shoot where Blake had me posing in a weird position. At one point while I was trying to position myself, he asked me to pull my trunks down, so I did but too far and my penis flopped out! I hurriedly put it back and looked over at Blake who was laughing. I said, “Did you get a good picture?”
Such a picture would be handy for your next free round of drinks!
Right! I could slap it around a bit, wake him up for a couple of good pictures and then go to the bar! Sounds awesome!
When you do a shoot, are you playing a character or is it a chance to be the real you?
I’m playing a character. It’s an exaggerated character in my head full of confidence, almost feeling like a celebrity of sorts and I must rise to that moment. It’s about not letting anxiety or anything get in the way of being able to exude that confidence and sex appeal. It’s a kind of over-confidence that spills out into the photography.
Not everything spilling out though!
(Laughing) Only sometimes.
Image by Blake Yelavich
Do you have a grooming tip?
I’ve been doing my beard by myself for so long and I always get compliments at the barber’s shop. Occasionally, I’ll have them edge me and they’ll ask if I do my own beard. They’re always super impressed but I guess I’ve just gotten good at it. My tip is that if you can pull off looking good with a short beard, then go for it because they’re so much easier to keep.
A lot of our readers will like the idea of being ‘edged’ by the barber!
(Laughing) I’ll drop you the pin!
What about waxing? Do you do that through bodybuilding or is it a personal choice?
I never really thought about my body hair until I competed years ago, but I would say it was born from competing and then it just became a preference. I’m not a huge fan of body hair. If it’s too much it can distract from lines of definition and cut out some muscularity. Being too bushy can take away from those things. I work hard for my physique, and I don’t want to hide it with a bunch of hair.
Image by Blake Yelavich
On the beach do you wear board shorts or Speedos?
I usually pack one of each because I can do both.
Including what Australians call budgie smugglers.
Oh yeah, the banana hammock!
In your line of work, you’d be an underwear expert. Are you briefs, boxer briefs or a free baller?
Almost always boxer briefs. Anytime I wear something else, either the seams, material or even my thighs will rub the wrong way. Especially when I do cardio and they rub together, and I’ll get chaffing down there! Boxer briefs just keep everything where it needs to be!
Follow Kyland on Instagram @kyland801
Follow Blake on Instagram @blake_yelavich
Image by Blake Yelavich
