Mason Gooding Took His Shirt off Just for This Interview

Welcome to the Friday Night Phone Call series, where we conduct a cheeky, little-bit-flirty after-hours interview with a celebrity of our choosing and ask them all the hard-hitting questions, like “What are you wearing right now?” and “Candles, yea or nay?” Even more challenging? We do it all in 30 minutes. Thank us later.

There are many, many reasons Mason Gooding is the perfect candidate for this column, in which we do the lord’s work of conducting a cheeky after-hours interview with a celebrity of our choosing. First, he is an actor, with roles in Love, Victor; I Want You Back; and the majorly-successful Scream VI. Second, he is, in fact, cheeky, with an Instagram bio that reads, “Actor by day, your dad by night. Grandma’s favorite grandson.” Third, that picture up there makes him look like he’s about to tell you a sexy secret. If you’re at all curious to find out what it is, keep reading.

Mason, hello. What are you up to this evening?

I was just working out, so I’m really sweaty. I’m in sweatpants, without a shirt. But if I’m being entirely honest, you can call me at any time of day and that’s how I’ll be dressed. I’m no longer wearing my Converse though—I took those off just for you.

Okay, hot. Where are you in your house? Set the scene for me.

I’m sitting in my bedroom below a hand-painted mural of Superman, which was a gift from my family friend Shaquille O’Neal.

It’s very casual and normal to be friends with Shaq. If you’re trying to impress me, it’s working. Another bedroom Q: Are you a laptop-in-bed guy or a TV-on-the-wall guy?

It depends what I’m doing. A laptop in bed is always a good option for a cuddly vibe.

So you’re sacrificing screen size for intimacy in this case?

That’s right, yes. The TV doesn’t invite the notion of togetherness the way a laptop does.

Let’s talk nightstands. Is there anything in yours that you wouldn’t want, say, your parents to find?

I’m going to say there’s nothing on top of my night stand that I wouldn’t want them to find, and we’ll leave it at that.

Fair enough. Now, it sounds like you’re alone tonight, but if you had someone special coming over, what would that look like?

For a first date, I’d order food. Thank god for Postmates. Third or fourth date, I would try to cook because I think it’s so cute and movie-esque. I would put on lo-fi hip-hop radio so we could talk while we eat. And then maybe a movie afterward, when we’ve gotten to know each other a bit and talking isn’t as essential.

What would you be drinking?

I’ve never really been an alcohol person. I promised my mom when I was a kid that I wouldn’t drink, and it has mostly stuck, with the exception of red wine sometimes. But in a date setting, telling someone I promised my mom not to drink isn’t as sexy.

I wholeheartedly and respectfully disagree! There’s that old saying that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he treats his mom.

If you say so, I’ll take that. My mom’s my best friend, so if that gives me some sort of leeway when navigating the dating world, I’ll take that every time.

You needing help with dating is giving me real “Sure, Jan” energy, Mason. But you can still tell your date Cosmo told you to own this. We’re happy to take all the credit.

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