Vincent Alfonso Jamal Interview

Today I had the chance to sit down and speak with Mr. Jamal (better known as the “Spider”) and I have to say that this guy is a class act all the way around. As a writer we tend to become a bit jaded over time. We do these kinds of interviews and it’s almost as though you know the answers before they ever drip from the person’s mouth. But Spider surprised me today. He is genuinely a good guy and I had a blast talking with him.

And now, I get to share it all with you. Check it out!
CW – So Vincent, how did you meet Terry?

VAJ – Um, I think that it was from an online posting looking for models. I saw the add and gave him a call. One thing led to another, and there you go.

CW – What was your first impression?

VAJ – He’s a great guy! One of the first times we ever worked together there was this other model on the shoot. She must have been like 21 and kept asking me how old I was. At first I played it off, but after awhile it came to be kind of a running joke. Over the course of the shoot Terry and I realized that we are close to the same age, and we just hit it off. Now, he’s damn near family!

CW – That’s great! I have to say I think he’s a pretty good guy as well. But Terry aside, how did you get your start in modeling?

VAJ – Really it sort of chose me. I had tried to model for years, but I never had the right “look.” Then over time the industry as a whole broadened and opened up to different kinds of people. My main job is that I play arena football and through that do quite a bit of work with local kids. So, at the end of one season the league was honoring me with it’s humanitarian award. A photographer apparently saw this and contacted me about modeling for him and from there things kind of exploded.

Now I have done movies, music videos, and some amazing shoots. I’ve really been lucky.

CW- Movies! I’m so jealous! What movies have you been in?

VAJ – Mostly small films that you probably haven’t heard of, but they did shoot the Kingdom out here. I was also on a short-lived show for the CW called Hidden Palms and have done some work for Spike TV.
CW – So with all of the amazing things that you have done, what would be your favorite?

VAJ – Wow, that’s hard to say. Let’s go with two. The first would be a music video that I worked on with a Ugandan Pop Star. That was crazy fun!

And the second happened just recently. I mentioned the I play football and this season I set a record for scoring a 99.9 yard touchdown. Not bad for being over 35! So now all these kids that walk in and call me “Gramps” and everything else under the sun have to hold their tongues for a while!

CW – You are too funny! Tell me, how does a sports star feel about seeing his own pictures plastered everywhere?

VAJ – Bashful. I have always thought that it was crazy that you could make a living from having your picture taken. I mean most of these people who want models could find 100 people willing to do if for free just to have the experience, but they are willing to pay me.

It does make me feel like I have accomplished something!

CW – Anything that you like to steer clear of?

VAJ – Nudity. With all of the work that I do with kids I just don’t feel like that is the right choice for me. You have to be careful what you put out there because you never know who it is going to reach. I don’t know if I told you, but I am a recording artist as well. And I have even tried to stop swearing when I rap. I might throw in some adult humor that the kids don’t get, but you not going to hear me rapping about how much money I can throw at you. Actually I rap about not having money!

CW – Almost done now! Just a few quick response questions to throw at you now. First up, what is your nickname?

VAJ – Spider

CW – Worst Movie Ever Made?

VAJ – One that I did where it started out as a music video and ended up being this weird soundless film shot in grainy black and white. Terrible!

CW – Words to live by?

VAJ – I love my haters!

CW – Nice! Thanks Spider for your time today. It’s been a real treat.

VAJ – No problem, just let me know if you need more.