Edward:  JULIAN FANTECHI, welcome back to Connex 247 family again! Give usan update.

Julian:  Well let's see I was born on Feb. 16th in California. My parents met while my mom was studying art and my dad was studying law at the University of Firenze in Italy. Dad was Italian and mom was American.

They fell in love and out I came. I grew in NY and San Diego and attended NYU where I eventually received my masters in occupational therapy in 2000. I started modeling to help pay my way through school when I was "discovered" in a club in NY. I have done a lot of modeling for Men's Health magazine, lot's of editorials and consumer products, some fashion, tons of underwear, including Claiborne and Intimo and I was a Saks 5th Ave model.

Edward:  Definitely your appearance on the ABC sitcom Ugly Betty sitcom was really amazing. Tell us how did all happen? Do you intend to pursue a career as an actor?

Recently I have been trying to take my modeling to the next level by getting into tv. I had a small part on Ugly Betty which was an amazing experience and just fueled my tv aspirations.

I just did a skit on the Colbert Report on Comedy Central in front of a live audience. That was a great learnng experience and I had so much fun doing. More fuel for the fire. I am looking at my options right now and exploring my opportunities. Any casting directors out there? hint hint,lol.

Edward:  As a model, you have the opportunity to travel a lot. Share with us some of the most fascinating places you´ve already been  And what about the cultural and political aspects you´ve have faced in these countries?

Julian: One of the reasons I love modeling is because of the travel. My favorite place is Hawaii. I am so in love with the Polonysian way of life. They really appreciate living. They live life for the joy of it. Has to be the fact that they live in such  a beautiful place. They are so in touch with the land and sea. I love to surf and bodyboard. They do it everyday out there and know each wave, each wind. That is amazing.

I also recently shot my PlayGirl man of the year layout in New Orleans. It was great seeing the city pull together and bring things back to normal. I caught a parade out there that very politically charged. They were poking fun of the govennor and mayor. Great to see thing back to normal in the Big Easy. But also just by taliking to the locals you can feel their spirit, their drive. That was great!!!!

Edward:  Do you think we now live in a better world  concerning issues like human rights, sexual behavior, religion,and free of speech?

Julian:  I am very concerned about what has been happening in my country. I just read that I we have spent over a trillion dollars with the war in Iraq. Do you know what we could have done with that money. How many low income homes we could have built, how many day care centers we could have funded, how much we could have put towards finding alternative energy sources. We really need to heal our planet.

Global warming is real and we need to do something about. We are so selfish in this country. We drive big SUV's, we leave the A/C on all day when we are not home, we don't recycle. Seems like we don't care. No wonder the world thinks of us so poorly. Our arrogance needs to stop. I love my country and want to see us move forward not backwards. We had the technology to develope hybrid cars years ago.  Why weren't they...?  One word. Big oil companies. And who made their money in oil? The Bush family.

Edward:  Julian, some months ago the media published some notes about you concerning your posing for Playgirl Magazine. What really happened?

Julian:  Yes I had quite a controversy this year when the New York City news media picked up the fact that I was a PlayGirl Centerfold and I worked as a pediatric occupational therapist with NYC school system. Really there was no controversy until the media made it one. The issue came out in Aug, 2006. They didn't report it till March 2007.

See Julian on The Insider

I had also cleared everything with my job first. As long as I didn't mention my position I was fine. Well it was on every news channel, paper and radio station.

It was the hot topic of New York for weeks after. I was getting recognised in the street. People were asking for autographs.It was crazy.

Edward:  It´s time for a new quick questions for quick answers

Julian:
Eating: Fish or meat?
  fish
Vacation: Beach or the mountains?
  both mountains and beach
Fashion campaign: clothed or underwear?
  naked as I can be
Dating: ask or get asked?
  ask out
Music: Rock, classical, R&B, Hip HOP...?
  All types of music
Politics: Democrats or Republicans?
  Democrats
Best season: spring, summer, autumm or winter?
  autumn
Your main motto:
  Live life to the fullest. Life is love, learning and sharing

Photos are by P Michael Perez, Arnold Flores, Annette Batista, Byron Atkinson