We’ll have more pics on the Dorchester site as soon as we’re able to load them. Christie Craig served as our official photographer and owns a camera much better in the low light than mine. But a zillion thanks to Lisa Cooke for snapping these shots while I was judging. Click on each photo for a larger version (and the ability to zoom!).
The show was divided into three sections: Casual wear, portrayal of an assigned character, and formalwear. Four judges–Marketing Manager Erin Galloway, American Title winner Marie-Claude Borque, attendee drawing winner Julie Floyd, and myself–marked contestants on a scale of 1 to 10 in each round.
I can’t speak for the other judges, but mostly I was looking for how well their looks would translate on a cover. Did they seem versatile? Knowledgeable of how to pose for a shoot? Would they work well for a photographer? But answers to audience questions done during the casual section and their definition of romance, which was read as the walked the runway in their formalwear, did come into play as well.
- Franco D’Angelo play’s Lisa Cooke’s gambler hero Dyer Straits from TEXAS HOLD HIM. Stefan takes on the angst of the hero from Jade Lee’s DRAGONBOUND, his favorite book ever as he assured us.
- Konstantinos reveals his inner animal as he portrays Sir Nico Wulfson from Kathryne Kennedy’s ENCHANTING THE BEAST
- Jimi Gaskin plays Bonnie Vanak’s title character from THE LADY AND THE LIBERTINE. Or Libertarian as initially announced.
- Jeremy Rivenburg didn’t need much of a costume to play Angie Fox’s Harley-lovin’ shape-shifting griffin Dimitri from THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR DEMON SLAYERS
- Charles Paz takes a turn about the stageEric Truglia in formalwear
- Konstantinos chooses all black for his formal ensemble
- Stefan in his formalwear
Between rounds with the models, we were entertained “Dancing with the Stars” style.
- Siblings show off the Hustle
- Heather Graham does the rumba
After all three rounds, the scores were tallied and the results:
Contestants’ Choice: Franco D’Angelo
Readers’ Choice: Charles Paz
Mr. Romance 3rd Place: Jeremy Rivenburg
Mr. Romance 2nd Place: Stefan Pinto
Mr. Romance 2009, winning an all-expenses-paid trip to New York and photo shoot and appearance on a Dorchester cover: Charles Paz
- Charles Paz with both his trophies, which were presented by Mr. Romance 2008 Chris Winters
- The whole gang
April 28, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Leah, what a tough job you guys had, judging the Mr. Romance cover model competition. LOL.
And Christie snapped some great pics. Can’t wait to see them all posted.
Faye
April 28, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Love them! Thank you, Leah.
April 29, 2009 at 8:43 am
Hi Leah, I’m glad some of the pics I took actually came out. It was hard working that camera while I was drooling (the camera kept getting slippery)
What fun times!
Lisa
April 30, 2009 at 10:22 am
Well Leah, I must say the GR (Golden Rooster) is a bit miffed that he was not crowned king of the Faerie Ball. Even if his wings did not light, and were not bejeweled with ribbons and glitter – they did work. Having his picture snapped with you did mollify his crushed ego. Now he’s ready to journey forth with the Romance Bandits in pursuit of fabulous romantic reads.
April 30, 2009 at 11:09 am
Leah, that Golden Rooster is one randy bird! We Bandits have trouble keeping him in line, especially at conventions. But he’s such a world traveler and debonair bird, all the ladies love to capture his attention. You are not the only one non-immune to him!
April 30, 2009 at 11:19 am
That GR is a total charmer, let me tell you!
April 30, 2009 at 11:53 am
That bad boy gets around, doesn’t he? I’m glad to see you got a picture together. I only had him for a few minutes in Orlando because he was so busy.
April 30, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Woooohooo! Check out the Golden Rooster! Wow, Leah, you know how to pick a leading man, don’t you? Grins. And what lush pix of all the other contestants as well. And go Heather on that Rhumba. :> I wish I could have made it this year, but seeing the pix is almost as good. Of course, the International Rooster of Mystery from the Romance Bandits is always seen with the BEST of company…
April 30, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Leah, I had heard about you and the Golden Rooster, but to see the photodocumentary evidence is…well…a bit shocking. He definitely looked like he had designs on you. I hope you emerged unscathed, with no tell-tale beak marks on your neck? He’s been known to leave marks…
April 30, 2009 at 9:03 pm
There will be no living with the chook now! Leah, just check to be sure you still have your car keys…I’m just sayin…
May 16, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Well ladies and Gentlemen it was an experience,what can I say.
I learned things I didn’t know these 5 days.
I learned that it was not obligatory to stay in the hotel like the rules were saying,and I could have stayed at my friend’s house and save the money.
Like the fellow contestant Mr Stefan Pinto that stayed in his uncle’s place during the whole convention.
I learned that not the best man always wins but the one with the best connections.
I learned that if in your resume have chippendale experience(like some past Mr Romance winners)or you’ve been featured in a porno magazine is like a romance diploma.
Must be Romance=Sex…………
There is so much more to learn.
It was an experience though!