Supermodel John Pearson on Hot Yoga, Ayahuasca, and Losing His Vintage Omega
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You could say John Pearson has benefitted from great jeans. The 58-year-old, regarded as the world’s first male supermodel, was discovered at age 18 while managing a denim shop in his hometown of Hull, in northern England. Three years later, in 1986, he moved to New York, where he worked for everyone from Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein to Levi’s and Gap, often shooting with photographers such as Helmut Newton and Mario Testino. A “good day in the office” moment: starring alongside Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, and Christy Turlington in the music video for George Michael’s Freedom! 90.
In the nearly four decades since coming to America, Pearson has appeared in over 100 commercials and countless magazines. But perhaps his most personal project is the one he cofounded in 2020, the lifestyle and mental-health website Mr. Feelgood. “It’s like a campsite chat,” he says of its insightful interviews. “We all need to try and learn to open ourselves up to new experiences and new perspectives.”
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What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
We live in an Ed Niles house, and I can look at the sunrise over Hidden Hills [California] from our bed. And then I say, “Thank you. I’m grateful for being here and for having another day.” And then I make coffee.
What apps on your phone do you use the most?
Well, I’ve stopped using CNN. It’s just too depressing. I’m so embarrassed to admit it, but I use Instagram the most, just because I’m trying to do it for Mr. Feelgood.
Do you have any personal rituals?
I do meditation. I started with Transcendental Meditation, but now I just find 10 minutes to be still.
What have you done recently for the first time?
An ayahuasca ceremony. One of my older sisters passed away unexpectedly a year ago, and it was a terrible shock. And after coming back from England, I spent six months grilling a friend I’ve known for 40 years about it. I had an extraordinarily gentle, beautiful, connected experience. It was a good 14 hours, and I didn’t look at my phone once. I don’t want to get too hippie-dippie, but it made me realize that death is a part of life, and you have to surrender, to some degree, to the flow of life.
What in your wardrobe do you wear most often?
Cucinelli pants. And a lovely, lovely navy-blue corduroy cashmere suit by Thom Sweeney that I’ve been wearing daily and feel great in. And I’m working with this designer in New York called Stephén Seo. He’s made me an exquisite cashmere coat, and when I travel, I take that with me.
Do you have a uniform for certain occasions?
I’ve just given you three designer names, but I’m pretty unfashionable. I’m the guy who lives in Buck Mason T-shirts and keeps it very simple.
What do you crave most at the end of the day?
Peace. Lightness. Knowing that my family are all OK. And knowing that I’ve done my best.
How do you find calm?
Meditation, breath work, and definitely my true church, which is walking by the water at Point Dume very early in the morning or at sunset.
What’s the most recent thing you’ve added to your collection?
I just received a wonderful print from John Alexander, who’s a photographer, of tribes in the Mongolian desert. It’s exquisite.
What’s the most recent thing you regret not buying?
I saw a really beautiful 1958 Triumph motorcar—not motorbike—in London. I love the idea of an open top in California, being a gentleman of a certain age, and having to really work to get through traffic.
What’s the most impressive dish you cook?
I’m really good with soup. I do a great lentil soup. I do a pretty good watercress and potato soup. My fallback used to be Bolognese, but I’m not eating that much meat anymore.
What’s your exercise routine, and how often do you do it?
I go through periods of absolute intensity with hot yoga. Ninety-minute sessions at 107 degrees with 26-plus postures. Sometimes four times a week, but it depends on whether I’m traveling.
How do you get to sleep?
I tend to get into bed quite early, 10 or 11, and then I try to put my phone down and read.
What does success look like to you?
Financial independence. Health. A positive, joyous, inspired attitude. Curiosity. Growth. Imagination. A rich, all-encompassing existence.
Do you wear a watch?
I don’t. When I was 18, I inherited my father’s Omega dress watch. And when I was 21, I lost it in a bar in Paris. Every time I’m in Paris, I go to the flea markets to look for it. I have this feeling that one day, it’ll come back to me.
What car are you most attached to?
I had a ’67 silver Karmann Ghia for 30 years, which I got when I was 21. And when we moved back here to California in 2009, I left it at the Classic Car Club in London.
What’s your favorite hotel in the world?
The Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland. It looks quite imposing, but they’ve managed to create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.
What’s your email etiquette?
I respond swiftly. I do not ghost. That’s one of my pet peeves: people that don’t respond to you.
What’s always in your hand luggage?
Books. Right now, I’m rereading Michael Singer’s The Surrender Experiment, which came out about 10 years ago.
What’s the last film you paid to see?
Poor Things.
Last box set or Netflix binge?
Beef.
What sort of music makes you happy?
Dub reggae makes me happy. It makes me chill. But also, Bowie inspires me. Yeah. Big David Bowie fan.
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