Sam Sarpong: Star of the Moment

Written By Cheryl Hines (who normally writes for The insight Fashion magazine)

Supermodel Sam poses at the Louis Vuitton Series 2 in Hollywood California

Sam on the set “Average Dad” a series he’s co starring in with Actress Jamie Pressly this year

Sam Spotted in London at Hotel Verta with model London it girl at the moment Lauren Cofi and celebrity stylist Raphaelle Marshall

Sam and UK model Lauren Cofi fashion shoot at Hotel Verta in London both wearing all Long Boy clothing Sam Jewelry by KD LUXE

I’m sitting on set at Stream TV studios in Hollywood, California, where brother and sister combination Sam and June Sarpong are doing an in depth interview for their documentary “Sam and June Across the pond,” which is being produced by Rynixbay for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network. This is my second day on set. Yesterday there was a communication mix up and June was a no show which caused the bro and sister to have their first blow up argument in over a decade. June has been a Television Superstar in the UK for well over a decade and is known as one of the most influential people in pop culture and politics in the duration of her career. Prime minister Tony Blair once stated, “June would be a perfect replacement for me but we need her on Tv.” AS we watch Sam and June interact and joke during the interview it appears he is the more flashy one and June is the more quiet and laid back one.

Sam and Sister June filming for their documentry airing next year “Sam and June: Across the Pond”

Sam arrives on set with 6 cameras following him. They are filming him for his 15 year documentary “Life of an Entertainer,” which he has spent upwards of over $400,000.00 in production dollars over the years and is now being fought over by every studio in Hollywood. “God gave me this idea years ago when there was no reality TV, but I knew people would see my journey and struggle and be inspired one day and now we are getting calls left and right for distribution, it’s awesome.”

Sam and his trainer Carmela enjoy his 5am workouts at Barry’s Bootcamp

Sam and Actress Cortney Palm close the Andre Soriano Fashion show

Exclusive shot for La Splash magazine

Sam Sarpong is a Male Supermodel/Actor/Television Host/ and recording artist and as I did my research for this story I soon found he’s one of the most well diverse talents this industry has to offer. He started his career as a struggling actor in Highschool doing bit parts until one day his manager sent him on a casting for a new Tommy Hilfiger campaign. Tommy was the hottest designers. Singer Aaliyah, Naughty by Nature and Lenny Kravitz were just a few celebrities working with the brand at the time. “I had never modeled a day in my life or ever thought about being one. I was a little skinny kid from Africa in my head. Guess God had other plans.” Sam stated. Joy Maine who was one of Sam’s managers at the time states, “He always had the it factor where when he walks in a room Sam changes the dynamic with his presence. You can’t teach that, you are born with it.” Actress/model Patricia Bryant who did the famous Levi’s vintage classic shoot with Sam states, hes ‘s one of her closest friends in the industry, “Sam is an amazing man with natural charm and it’s very hard not to fall for him, but he is so respectful of women and has this mystique about him, that’s why I love him so much. Just a good human being.” Drew Sidora who along with Dreamgirls star Keith Robinson, Sam calls his two closest real friends in the industry, stated for entertainment blog Celebrity pop culture, “I ask Sam for advice on anything big that has to do with the industry. He dressed me in his Chosen One collection for my TLC press tour and I’m the official brand ambassador for chosen one whether he knows it or not,” Drew said while cracking up.

Sam and Producer Adam Cook arrive at Louis Vuitton Series

Sam and Supernatural Actress Chelsea Hobbs attend the star studded 2015 Tom Ford Fall Collection Fashion show

Sam and Louis Vuitton Talent relations Marco Mailo at his private tour at the new store in Beverly Hills

Today I’m following Sam at the Innovative film festival in West Hollywood where his movie/TVseries “Life of an Entertainer” is the headline film along with Soprano star James Gandolfini’s movie “Club Soda.” I arrive early and it’s very apparent to me Sam’s main fan base is women, as we see tons of female fans outside who claim they were invited to the screening via Facebook. “Sam knows me one tells the lady out front with the list” and the more and more crowded it gets with real industry invited guests the more people walking by try to get in. Sam finally arrives to do the carpet, no entourage, no model, just him and his $20,000.00 dollar custom bike made for him by Masterworks Wood Cycles. In all my thirty-five years as a journalist covering it all from the Emmy’s, Grammy’s, Rolling Stone, concerts, Jackson’s victory tour, this was one of the most creative entrances I’ve ever seen. Tonight’s screening has executives from Lions Gate Films, OWN Network, BET, production companies who have all come to see a taste of what Sam and his executive producer Adam Cook from Rynixbay have been working on. “We don’t sugar coat anything on this show,” says Adam. The documentary also focuses on his career as a male Supermodel and one of the most recognisable and consistent faces in fashion the past decade.

Sam and london’s it girl model Karina White arriving at the Velsvoir 2015 Fall Men’s collection

Sam interviewing Jack Black backstage at Staple Center the two contested a charity event for the LA Sparks basketball team

Sam recieves BMW & Men Style Fashion Star of the Year award in Beverly Hills CA

His first year as a Tommy Hilfiger model he won five fashion awards including the Details Magazine “New Male Model of The Year” award. He then later the same year won the prestigious MAA Magazines “Agency Association” award for “New Male model of the Year,” being the second African American male model besides Tyson Beckford to win that award. In 2004 along with Jared Leto, Leonardo DiCaprio and Taye Diggs, he was named by the popular teeny bopper magazine YM as one of the fifty most beautiful people in the world. Sam’s career took off for the next five years. He was everyone’s roundup hot list from Paper Magazine to Vibe, they all featured him. “It was a great time in my life to go from High school to buying my own place and living with my childhood friends and going to the best A list parties.” While his modelling career took off, acting soon followed getting his break in the film “Street Kings” playing opposite Selena star Jon Seda in which he won the AFI independent film award for the best supporting actor in 2002 for his first lead ever. He then went on to star in such films as MTV’s “Carmen the Hip Hop Era” with Beyonce, “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” with Nick Cannon, “Keepin Up With the Steins” with Jeremy Pivins and “Masked and Anonymous” with Penelope Cruz and Jessica Lang. Last year Sam received the BMW & Men Style Fashion magazine “Star of the Year” award and the “Icon Fashion Award” at the BEFTTA Awards in the UK. Today I meet Sam on set of his latest gig, he’s playing Thomas Saltz this season on the Fox hit “Bones,” which is in it’s 10th season. Sam plays an x-con who’s now trying to live his life straight and raise his son, but still there is that temptation of the quick easy money he once knew. We are on location in Culver City and I’m watching Sam get his fake tattoos on in the makeup trailer. As Sam gets into discussion with the makeup artists about relationships, I can see why women are fans of his. He offers a very interesting real perspective from a male point of view and why they think how they do.

Sam and Emily Deschanel on the set of Fox’s “Bones”

Sam with Actor David Boreanaz on the set of the fox hot “Bones” he will be playing Thomas Shultz this season on the show

Sam snapped leaving the set of Bones outside Fox Studios

Now we are back in Sam’s trailer where after being here for three hours, having lunch with him and going through hair and makeup, he says he only has fifteen more minutes with me because he has a big scene coming up with Bones star David Boreanaz and “I have to give it to him in the scene so I gotta go get focused.” 2015 is Sam’s breakout year, ask anyone who’s important in Hollywood and they will tell you so. Ken Kokin who produced the legendary film “Usual Suspects,” “Way of the Gun” and the award winning documentary on Toms Shoes says, “it’s been a long time coming, he’s one of the hardest working people I know in our industry and the possibilities are endless for him.”

Sam on his The best me i can be tour highschool tour

Sam performing on his BOY LONDON “Mr Fashion” Tour in Los Angeles

Sam hitting the red carpet for the People Magazine Awards, which aired live on NBC

Sam attends the Rolling Stone magazine 2014 “Hot 100 List” party sponsored by Fiat

This year Sam was named to the Rolling Stone magazine “Hot 100” list last year and was also recently awarded the “Renaissance Man of the Year” award by the Elite Man magazine. Exactly two weeks after I see Sam on the Bones set I meet up with him at the Brix restaurant downtown LA where he’s filming interviews for his documentary, “Life of an Entertainer.” Today he is way more calm and laid back than the Sam I interviewed three weeks ago at the Stream TV studios. His beautiful publicist Lucie who looks like Charlize Theron and could be a model herself says, “we are really selective with Sam’s career choices. Now he’s building an empire Books, Tours, Music, Clothing and Films. The next two years are so crucial.” Sam’s personal manager Steve who has been on board with Sam from the beginning says, “He will make big money in 2015. We have so many deals on the table, especially for the book and his motivational speaking.” He also knows the biggest profit for Sam will be his Chosen One Collection. He sold-out boutiques in hours in Asia on his group “The Leagues” “Alta Ego”’ tour. Scream Famous a celebrity hot spot in Los Angeles for buying the latest trending fashion owner Jonan says, “We can’t keep his custom jackets in the store more than a day or two, they sell out at $600 to $700 dollars a pop because they’re one of a kind.”

Sam on set for his video music video “Make Through” always handling his business

Sam and Ex-Pussycat Doll Vanessa Curry in the recording studio

Sam and We TV American it Girl star Rahi Mannai spotted in Los Angeles filming for his up coming documentary series “Life of an Entertainer” Both walked in Andre Soriano’s show for LA Fashion week
photo by Yana Kovas

Sam and his good friend. actor Arnold Oceng from the hit film “The Good Lie

Sam states, “My main focus is the Chosen One Collection this year. I’m going to blow it up so big by 2016. I’ll have my Flagship Chosen One concept store, which will also carry other hot brands that I discover from my travels around the world, and I also want to help break new hot designers like my friend Petra Dahlin, my sweedish friend who designs for Chosen One, but also has her own collection, she’s amazing.” Given his track record in fashion, his fashion line being worth over 100 million dollars by 2020 is a realistic dream. He helped turn Ed Hardy into a multi million dollar company by being the spokes person for the brand for five years and touring with Ed Hardy owner, Christian Audigier across the country to department stores, clubs and trade fashions to get the name out. “Sam helped me build my empire. He was the first supermodel/celebrity to come on board with me and he helped me get my clothing on other celebrities. He knows branding. I was very blessed to have him from the beginning, especially my first runway show.” stated Christian Audiegier while being interviewed for Sam’s “Life of an Entertainer documentary.

Sam Sarpong opener big for LA Splash magazine article

TVRadio personality Kerri Kasem wears long sleeve italian leather Chosen One

Sam and Scream Famous owner Canan Ayer Fraser at the store where his Chosen One Collection is sold filming for his show “Life of an Entertainer”

“The three ways in fashion your clothes take off are to have a good product, great marketing budget and most important know celebrities who will wear the brand and I have all three.” Steve said it best, “he’s helped make all these companies such as Tommy Hilfiger, Ed hardy, Enyce and Jean Philippe millions and millions of dollars. Now it’s time to do that for his own brand.” As I sit down with Sam at the Brix restaurant I asked him, “you have all this but what makes you happy?” Without even blinking he says “My Chosen One The Best me I Can be Tour,” where he travels across the country and speaks to Jr high, high school and college kids. I accompanied him to one of his tour dates earlier in the month where he spoke to 3000 USC college students for the United Negro College Fund and Wells Fargo bank. By the time he left professors and parents were all singing his praise. “Everything I do in entertainment is for this motivational speaking is my calling and the industry just gives me the platform.” While speaking to the youth a few years ago in Taiwan, Sam’s music group “The Leagues” manager, Toney Chang said, “I see him as the Tony Robbins for the youth and with the right company behind him he’s going to be a global phenomenon.”

Sam stops by the Puma entertainment offices in London

Sam man on the road arriving at LAX from London last week as Paparazzi shoots his arrival

Arriving at the 2014 Innovative Film Festival with my new custom bike made by @martinwoodbicycle.

Sam’s management team have also brought on more fire power to make sure 2015 is the year. Everyone knows it will be. He recently signed a deal with powerhouse Kings Road Multimedia to expand his brand with more marketing and also land more major endorsement deals. He also just recently signed with the indie record label Dj Central records who will help promote four singles along with music videos and an album to follow in fall 2015 entitled “Mr Fashion.” Everything in the cards says next year is his breakout year. He will co-star in the comedy “Average Dad” opposite “My Name is Ear”l star Jamie Pressly. He will also Star in the Dish network series “Sangre Negra” with Eric Roberts and Erik Estrada where he will play an ex supermodel who now runs the top modeling agency in the world and yes, the Chosen One collection will be featured on all the models. He also was just picked to be the main host for the new BWE Studios and CW show “Hot Video Countdown” which will be a music video countdown shot at Dave & Busters at the Hollywood and Highland complex and air five days a week on the CW. “The main reason I know I’m ready to launch my brand worldwide next year is because of my project with Karen Brystedt.”

Sam birthday weekend at Playhouse and Boy London custom cake and the roxx got the the party started

Sam and Supermodel Karina White pose at Oxford Circus for Localize magazine Man about town in London issue

As a journalist who has been in this entertainment industry for over thirty years I’m very aware of celebrity photographer/Artists. Bystedt who has shot every major celebrity before they were famous and then they became famous after she shot them. The list includes Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Jared Leto and Nicolas Cage. To many to even name and she shot the very famous picture of Andy Warhol, who she’s now teamed up with Chris Brown to do a calibration with, to add to the Warhol photograph she shot. Her series on Sam will be called “Sam Sarpong the Hollywood Renaissance Man” and feature ten stylistic shots of him in his element from the recording studio, on set, speaking to kids, designing his collection and performing on stage. It will be shown this spring in an art exhibit in Beverly Hills.

Sam and Ed Hardy owner Christian Audigier at Diesel Jeans New years eve party

Sam was one of few special invited celebrity guest at the private Chris Brown and Karen Bystedt art show benefiting the Symphonic Love Foundation. Karen will be doing a series on Sam called “The Hollywood Renaissance Man”

BWE Studios and the CW announce the cast of the new show Hot Video Countdown coming fall 2015
photo by party by 5

Another project he’s excited about is his sit-down one on one interview he did with the Jackson’s at the family home which will also air next spring 2015. People will see Sam everywhere next year from his four films due out in 2015, Boy London Campaigns, editorials, CW show, three different TV series including, Bones, his music, motivational speaking tour and the documentary. “Were going, after all it’s been fifteen years in the making and the world needs to see a positive fresh light in the industry,” states his manager Steve and I couldn’t agree more. That is why Sam Sarpong is my new favorite entertainer after a month with him on and off set, I’m now his biggest fan.

Sam and Model/Actress Eugenia Kuzmina shoot the cover of the Elite Man magazine up coming spring issue

Sam and Supermodel Karina White shoot a 10 page Fashion spread for Avant Garde magazine Fashion Special

Sam and Stephanie,Nicholette, Jennifer,featured in fashion spread for YYZ magazine

Photo credit: eGlamour photography, Supa Star Flix, PMBryant Studios, Celebrity Snapshots, Estelle Marshall Party by 5, JB Pro Images, Curtis Sabir, Burris Agency, Michael Fisher, Koi Sojer, Solomon Augusteyn, Finally free media, Jack Alexander, David Kerr, Kyle B. Photography

Sam personal styling by Raphael Marshall

Mr. Fashion Icon/Super Model Sam Sarpong: The Talk of the Town for 2015 LA Fashion Week Spring Collection

Written by: Melissa Watts (The Hot Fashion Buzz)

Photos by Jovi Bontolo for JB pro images. Malik Bryant for PM Bryant Studios,Jason Jaskot, eGlamour Photography,Koi Sojer for Snap N U Photos,Curtis Sabir

I’m standing next to Sam Sarpong on the red carpet moments before he headlines the most anticipated show for the 2015 LA fashion week season . Yes, celebrity designers Andre Soriano’s ARISTOCRAT Young Rich & Beautiful show also starring child star Asia Monet Ray and American Idol international star Jessica Gonzalez. Sam arrives with his entourage which includes his business manager Sam Sr, his right hand man\security who he calls “Big Dre”, designer Prince Couture and his fashion publicist, Nyvia. Mr. Fashion himself from the moment he arrives all eyes are on him on the red carpet as other celebrities including, Shaws of Sunset star Lilly Ghalichi  and international model Koko Lee all wait to take pictures with Sam.

After doing interviews for twenty minutes on the carpet, he’ is taken inside the tent to do interviews with Andre as they are being followed by over ten different cameras. Celebrity Designer Andre Soriano became an overnight sensation when singer Rihanna handpicked him for the Bravo hit show “Styled to Rock” and he has not looked back since.

Celebrity Designer Andre Soriano does press with Asia Monet Ray and Sam on the red carpet before his big show

Shaws of Sunset star Lilly Ghalichi and Sam do press together moments before he headlined the 2015 collection Andre Soriano Aristocrat Young Rich & Beautiful show

Arriving in style to LA Fashion week in the new 2015 BMW i3. Shout out to my sponsor BMW in Beverly Hills

Andre has been filming his reality show since last march which is being produced by P & L Media. One of the most successful production companies in television the last twenty years. Sam has also been filming his own reality show entitled  “The Chosen One” about his life as a male Super Model, Designer, Rapper, and BET television host. When you put the two together, you have a Rolling Stones Concert with cameras, beautiful models, non stop action and fashion. “I was so honored Sam was going to headline my show since he has walked for every major designer. It was very humbling” stated Andre moments before the show.

Sam filming with childhood friend, Kerri Kasem and Actor Jesse Kove at Good Vape in Beverly Hills for her up coming reality series

2015 Collection Concept Show cm2K by Designer Cheryl Koo Sam backstage after the show

2013 New York Fashion week Sam hosts Bulova watches launch party for new watch line Caravelle New York.

Sarpong who seems to be enjoying a great transition in his career is definitely the man of the moment. “I’ve been through so many ups and downs in my career so nothing fazes me. My dad taught my sister and I that.” Sam’s sister June is one of the UK’s biggest TV presenters. She has also built a fan base in the US co-hosting the hit series “Conspiracy Theory” with Jesse Ventura.

Sam’s fashion career started when he got his break as the international face for designer Tommy Hilfiger over ten years ago.  He’s modeled for Levi’s, Louis Vuitton, DKNY, Gucci, Banana Republic, Gsus Denim, Jean Philippe, D&G, Diesel and many others. In a world that is so fickle Sam and his mentor Tyson Beckford, who were both born on the same day, Dec 19th. God knew what he was doing creating two male models who have been able to make the transition into the entertainment world.

Sam closing Skin Tone clothing 2015 Spring/Summer collection show for Style Fashion Week

Sam and Patricia L Bryan Localiez Magazine 2014 Who’s Hot in Hollywood issue

Sam with Viggo Fashion owner Gina Itor

Sam also has three films due out the first quarter of next year including the highly anticipated “Crossed the line” a modern day set it off in which he plays opposite Ice T and Vanessa Williams.  He’s also starring in the new comedy series “Average Dad” next spring with My Name Is Earl star Jamie Presley in which he plays the young, hot dad that all the teachers and parents have a crush on.  Actress\ model Patricia L. Bryan who’s one of Sam’s closest friends in the industry,  has known him for years and worked with him on the Chris Brown “Don’t Judge Me” remix video and the 2012 Levi’s Vintage shoot campaign “Shoot States” says “Sam is so cool and down to earth it’s hard not to fall for him when you work with him. He’s so respectful and professional which is what I love about him.”

Sam plays the male lead opposite Ice T in the up coming film “Crossed the Line” due out early 2015

Sam filming for the Documentry film”A perfect 14″ due out next spring about the fashion industry.

Sam has been building his acting career for over a decade and has appeared in over sixty films and fifty five television shows. In 2012 he received critical acclaim for his portray of Paul Onanga in the Cannes and Toronto film festival favorite “Anchor Baby” and received a best lead actor nomination from New York International Film festival. He recently enjoyed his best LA fashion week of his career headlining in eight different shows including, CM2K, Skin Tone, M the Movement, Horse of Arabia, Paris Homme, to name a few. Last year he received the Fashion Icon Award at the BEFFTA’s in the UK for ten years of excellence in the Fashion industry. He was also named by Men Style Fashion magazine as it’s 2013 “Star of The Year”.

Sam takes home the Men Style Fashion magazine 2013 Star of the Year award

Sam Honored with Fashion Icon Award at 2013 Beffta in the UK

Next month he will receive The Elite Man’s Magazine “Renaissance Man of the Year” award here in Los Angeles.  He will also grace the cover with Super model Eugenia Kuzmina for the 2015 first Quarter issue. The Elite Man editor, Chief Paul S. said “we picked Sam because he’s broken so many barriers in the fashion industry and always re-invents himself to stay current. No other male models besides Tyson have been successful at it . That is definitely true, we saw him help turn the 90’s brand “Boy London” into now one of the biggest pop culture brands in the world. “Four years ago I met with the owner Staphane Raynor and I told him my crew “Future Stars” starts trends worldwide and I would go to the LA hot spots where they would hire me to host a night and I would show up with beautiful models girls and guys wearing all Boy London gear. Next thing you know it was everywhere. Then all stars who I would interview on carpets would see me rocking it and it caught on.” states Sam. Today Boy London can be seen at celebrity hot spot Kitson’s and in every cool hip store in Los Angeles. Sam is getting ready to do a new shoot with super model Eugenia Kuzmina for Boy London and The Elite Man magazine cover. Eugenia will also be the lead girl in his music video for “Mr Boy London” the single and video will be released right before Christmas on Sam’s birthday, December 19th.

Sam and Super ModelActress Eugenia Kuzmina are snapped by the paparazzi leaving Kitson’s in Hollywood the two will appear in an high profile up coming Boy London shoot shot by Actress/Celebrity photographer Sascha Knopft

After over a decade in the industry, Sam doesn’t seem to be slowing down one bit. Next month he will start training for the new film “Red to Black” a vampire movie with Wesley Snipes due out next fall.  He will also shoot the new ad campaign for celebrity jeweler KD LUXE jewelry vintage collection. He’s currently in the studio finishing up the last song on his album “Muzik of the Future”.

As Sam and I go our separate ways after his fashion show, the number one thing that stuck with me was bigger than the lights, the cameras and the spotlight was one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met in my twenty five years as a journalist and soon the world will find that out.

2013 Sam named one of the 50 most Beautiful People in the world by on Fashion Biz magazine

Sam Sarpong and Gsus Sindustries

Written by: Jason Taylor

Follow up story to: Sam Sarpong “The Unknown Legend” [www.thesoulmagazine.wordpress.com]

The Man of the Hour -- Sam Sarpong/Photo by: eGlamour Photography

Sam Sarpong on the red carpet/Photo by: eGlamour Photography

–Friday June 24, 2011 @ Cafe Entourage

Picture this: A nice and warm night, a very relaxing venue like Cafe Entourage [Hollywood and Vine], plenty of lights and cameras, beautiful people and overall a great event that was put together perfectly and didn’t disappoint. Wait — there’s something missing from this equation. What could that be? Oh yes it’s — Sam Sarpong. He was the reason everybody was in Hollywood June 24th on a Friday night. If you weren’t at Cafe Entourage, you missed out on an epic event. Don’t worry, we will fill you in on all the excitement.

Gsus Sindustries photo shoot image

Info on Gsus Sindustries: Gsus Sindustries is a big fashion brand that has branched out in Europe and Canada and has been around since 1993. In 2011, they are celebrating their 18th anniversary and as they like to say “the rebel will officially be the adult.” After going through ups and downs and management changes, Gsus has revamped their whole image for the new decade. It all started in August of 1993 when Peter Steenstra, Angelique Berkhout and Jan Schrijver opened up the first heaven’s playground shop in the Netherlands. They started with tight and fitted t-shirts when everyone else was going with a loose and baggy look. Looking at 2011, they shifted gears and went in a whole new direction with making Jan Schrijver the Creative Director and with Jean-Pierre Reas returning as the Managing Director in 2010. They released a new logo that shows off a three spike image, resembling a crown design. The new logo represents their metaphoric change in the collection towards quality and detail. Their new focus is family, art and music which Sam currently embodies. So Sam Sarpong is the perfect fit to their summer line. [Visit the website: http://www.g-sus.com]

Rihanna in New York wearing Gsus

Gsus Sindustries photo shoot image

Back to the event:

Sam Sarpong and Gsus Sindustries came together to launch the new summer mens line and to celebrate Sam being the new face for that line. Gsus Sindustries has created very fashionable denim, which Sam has been rockin’ for 3 years now. The brand will launch in the United States and in the Caribbean in Spring of 2012. The whole night was fantastic and a lot of Sam’s friends came out to support him and his new project. Some of his friends included Meagan Tandy, who was in the movie “Unstoppable”as Denzel’s daughters and is a former Miss California, DJ EQ who was on the ones and twos all night spinning some of the hottest new music in 2011, Jason Weaver, who played Marcus in “Smart Guy,” Nana Gbewonyo, who played the role of Junior Battle in “Coach Carter,”–

• Slideshow Photo Gallery

–Bold and the Beautiful actor and star, Texas Battle, Dante Basco, who is known for his role as Rufio in “Hook,” beautiful model and rapper Selena Leath, MIA’s new artist, Rosaly Pfeffer, [one of the models  for the Gsus Sindustires campaign], Gsus Sindustries Director of

Sam Sarpong and Meagan Tandy on the red carpet/Photo by: eGlamour Photography

Operations Everton, a handful of great fashion designers, Members of Sam’s music group “The League” [purchase the new hit single “Fire” on Itunes today] and the lovely star of “The Hangover 2”, Kim Lee, who was seen with Sam the whole night. Earlier that day, Sam and Kim did a promo shoot for the party together. With all the guests that showed up to support Sam on his big day, there was none bigger than his parents.

The night was filled with excitement, great music, TONS of pictures and video. When Kim Lee arrived, everybody flocked over to see why she was there. Of course she was there to support Sam on one of his many big nights. During the nightly event, pictures from the Gsus photo shoots were displayed along with commercials for Gsus. The venue was packed out and this was no surprise. Sam spoke about his expectations in the previous interview. There were a lot of

Gsus photo shoot image: MIA artist, Rosaly Pfeffer & Sam Sarpong

dancing, Sam mingling with everyone who was present and taking pictures with fans and supporters, people networking and a lot of security to make sure things didn’t get out of hand.

With all the love and support that Sam received, he wanted to make sure that everybody was comfortable. He took pictures with almost everybody at the event and the ONE thing he did that showed off his humble mind state was — he gave so much love to the press and allowed them inside the venue. I felt good about that because I was apart of the press. Sam continues to show that he is undoubtedly going to succeed with “Anchor Baby” premiering July 22nd and with him currently filming “No Weapon Formed Against Us.” Sam is on the verge of being a household name which is the only thing that he lacked up to this point in his career.

Sam said it best in his previous article:

“Six months from now, all those people who didn’t know me – they’re going to know me.”

“m connecting all four worlds through facebook, through my website, through everything.”

“By the time I die, I want to be a legend. It ain’t no joke to me. I want to leave my mark to where they’re like “Sam Sarpong was such a great all around entertainer.”

“While someone else is sleeping, I’m getting better.“

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Here are some clips from the Launch Party

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Stay updated on everything Sam Sarpong

Visit Sam Sarpong on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/samsarpong

Sam Sarpong next to his parents being interviewed by The Africa Channel/Photo by: eGlamour Photography

Sam Sarpong: The Unknown Legend

Interviewed/Written By: Jason Taylor

When it comes to having fame and fortune but continuing to be humble every step of the way, there is one person that embodies that image — Sam Sarpong. He has been in countless movies, graced the pages of many fashion and entertainment magazines and has strutted on several catwalks for some of the fashion world’s biggest designers. Nevertheless, he has this composure as if it’s just another day. Sam Sarpong is an all around entertainer and he hopes to be a legend when it’s all said and done. He just recently became the new face for Jean Phillipe’s Mens line and Gsus Syndustries denim line for the Summer of 2011. This is one man that won’t stop even when the wheels fall off. He will be that man that is carrying the wheels in his hand walking to accomplish his next goal. 

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–Los Angeles, Ca

The Soul Magazine: A lot of people don’t realize how big you really are. How does it feel that you have done so much for so many years but are still unknown to a lot of people?

Sam Sarpong: I’ll tell you like this. People recognize me everyday but they don’t know where it’s from. So some people will know me from “Yo Momma” and someone else will know me for being a Hilfiger model. Someone will know me for the movies that I’ve done. So what I’ve done now – I just signed with a company and I want you really plug them. It’s called Supastar Marketing. They have taught me how to bring my four worlds and make it one. Everything that has to do with Sam and making Sam Sarpong a brand, is through Supastar Marketing. Six months from now, all those people who didn’t know me – they’re going to know me. I think that’s what I was missing. For example, my modeling fans didn’t know I did movies. My hosting fans didn’t even know I did music. Now I’m connecting all four worlds through facebook, through my website, through everything.

“]

Sam Sarpong

TSM: Which do you enjoy more? Modeling, acting, being an artist or being a host?

Sam: Out of everything that I do, hosting is what I love the most. I’m a people person. The thing that makes me a good host is I can make anybody feel comfortable and I’m real. When you real, you can get answers to questions out of people that would never come up. That’s why I would say hosting is what I enjoy the most.

TSM: What advice do you have for anybody aspiring to be a model, actor, artist or host?

Sam: I would just say be yourself. Always, always, always, always be yourself and most of all never, never, never, never give up. That’s the key. That’s the key to it right there. There’s going to be more dark times than good times.

TSM: We all know a lot about that [laughs]

Sam:  I know a lot about that too [laughs]. We are on the same page.

TSM: It’s easy to see you aren’t the typical entertainer. So what makes you different from others who have let the fame overwhelm them?

Sam: I think what makes me different is that 1. I’m very grounded, I’m a chill cat. Modeling, acting and all that — that’s my job. I think most entertainers get caught up in the hype so they’re not able to separate the two. Sam Sarpong is your average cat. I’m the cat that goes to target, I’m the cat that wants to watch basketball but when I’m in that supermodel mode and I’m doing something like Versace — that’s my job. It’s a persona. Once I step away from that, I’m Sam Sarpong. Like I said, most people don’t know how to separate the two. People get caught up and I’m like “be real”. My biggest compliment is that all my old friends who see me they’re like “Dawg you ain’t changed one bit”. Even with people who hit me on facebook that I went to elementary with. I’ll be like “what up man? Remember when so and so”. It’s almost like they don’t know how to approach you because they see you doing all this big stuff. They think that you’re going to be different. I’m still the same cat.

TSM: That’s good. So what motivates you to keep pushing forward through the trials and tribulations you have faced throughout your career?

Sam: What motivates me is I want to be the best. By the time I die, I want to be a legend. It ain’t no joke to me. I want to leave my mark to where they’re like “Sam Sarpong was such a great all around entertainer.” So what motivates me is being the best. I don’t sleep. I sleep about 3 or 4 hours a night. While someone else is sleeping, I’m getting better.

TSM: I know this is a crazy questions but do you feel satisfied with where you are in your career?

Behind the scenes image from the Gsus Sindustries shoot/Photo by: EGlamour Photography

Sam: No. I have a long way to go. I want to improve a lot as an actor, that’s why I take classes. I work with my acting coach often. I just want to reach my full potential. We can only be the best that we can be but I know I have a lot of potential and I’m trying to reach that.

TSM: Now you have been on more runways than airplanes during the holidays. You are the first African American model to be on a Louis Vuitton runway and have been in many fashion magazines. How does it feel to be recognized as such an influential African American figure in the fashion world?

Sam: Well for me it’s actually an honor. I’ve been in the game for a long time and I’ve been blessed to be able to do some of the biggest campaigns out there. I also give a big shout out to Tyson Beckford because when I got in the game, he was my mentor. He took me aside and really told me like “This is how the game runs and most of the time you gon be the only black dude but just prepare for it.” The knowledge he gave me, I’m now passing on to other cats. I think it’s just about brothers just helping each other out. It’s only a few of us out there that are really getting to work.

TSM: We’re glad you are doing that because it’s always great to give back. A lot of people nowadays wish they had a mentor like you did.

Sam: No doubt

TSM: You have your own fashion line “Future Stars”, how will you implement what you have learned over the years to make your own line successful?

Sam: Marketing, knowing my demographic and knowing who to target. Our stuff is cool, hip — funky. The marketing is the main thing. I learned a lot from Tommy Hilfiger and I learned a lot from Ed Hardy. Christian is a good friend of mine, I’ve know him for years and watching how him and Tommy run their business has really helped me with Future Stars.

"L.A.'s Hottest In Fashion" Sam Sarpong's Summer Campaign Launch Party with Gsus Sindustries

TSM: The red carpet launch party coming up June 24th to help celebrate your collaboration with Gsus Sindustries is both a success on your part and the fashion world. How do you feel being the new face for Gsus Sindustries and Jean Phillipe?

Sam: Gsus and Jean Phillipe are two great lines. Jean Phillipe is more high fashion, couture and Gsus is denim. I’ve been rocking Gsus for 3 years, doing all their shows for L’Oreal Fashion Week. So it’s time for them to step it up and they made me the new face for the summer.

Quotes by Director of Operations -Everton :

“Sam fits our brand because of his free spirit and attitude”-

“Sam encompass all three of our philosophies: Fashion, art and music. Because he is fashion forward, represents a fresh sound and art because he encompasses the film industry”

“Gsus is a brand that never focuses on celebrity.We only work with people that actually love the brand and Sam has been wearing the brand in his films, on tour, television, appearances and has participated in our runway shows the past three years. That’s why he is the spokesperson.”

Fact:

The brand will launch in the United States and in the Caribbean in Spring of 2012

(Photo above: Gsus Sindustries Runway image – 2010 Loreal Fashion Week)

TSM: What can we expect to see at the launch party?

Sam: Just a good time. We are going to show the summer campaign, there’s going to be a lot of celebrities, a lot of press. We’re calling it “L.A.’s Hottest in Fashion.” So anyone that’s a model, stylist or photographer and they hot in L.A., they going to be at my party. “L.A.’s Hottest in Fashion” that’s the title.

TSM: Who will be in the house that night?

Sam: I got one surprise guest that I’m coming with. Kim Lee, star of “The Hangover 2” ; she’’ll be there, my boy Keith Robinson, who was in “Dreamgirls.” Meagan Tandy who was in Denzel’s movie “Unstoppable”, she played his daughter and she’s the former Miss California.  Vanessa Evigen, very talented and young white actress. Xzibit is supposed to roll through. Yea we got some people coming through that night. It’s going to be packed.

TSM: With your fashion projects blooming, how do you find time to incorporate your music into your busy fashion

schedule?

Sam: Music is what I started with, I was doing music before anything that I’m doing now. So music is my passion, I do it for fun. My group “The League” has been huge in Asia for 10 years, touring and doing shows out there. I’m in the lab right now finishing my album. It’s called “Muzik of Tha Future” and the first single is “Fire” which is blowing up right now on the radio. We’ve been pushing that heavy.

• (Picture above: Behind the scene image from the Gsus Sindustries shoot/Photo by: EGlamour Photography)

TSM: At what age did you realize you wanted to pursue music?

Sam: 11. I grew up on LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane – classics! I’m real Hip Hop. De La Soul, Das Efx.

TSM: Tupac’s birthday just recently passed. What are your memories of him?

Sam: I was in a video with Pac. I’m in “California Love”, the one with Roger Troutman – the house party one though not the 5^th element looking one. I was right next to Pac the whole video. I got to meet him, I got pictures with him. I got a bunch of pictures with Pac.

TSM: So how did It feel to be on set with Tupac?

Sam: It was cool man. Pac was amazing; he was a real cool dude. We spent the whole day just rapping it up, chopping it up on set. I’ll never forget that day.

TSM: Tell me about your single “Fire”

Sam: Fire is dance, electro and pop. It’s fun and it’s about that dream girl. Cool girl, down to earth, family – my shorty is on fire.

TSM: How does it feel to have a European tour coming up? You know some artists don’t even get the chance to tour a city block.

Sam: [laughs] I’m about to head out to London and Paris and a few places out there. All of August, I’ll be gone promoting my music. I’m coming out to Europe with Deane Boy and The Fashionaires. Deane Boy and The Fashionaires are a company in London that hosts different fashion shows. They are having me perform on a fashion tour so at every club there will be the top London fashion designers and at the end, I perform my single. It’s going to be a real nice tour. It’s called “The Muzik of Tha Future Tour.”

TSM: Taking on so many roles, do you find it difficult to transition from modeling to music, hosting and acting?

Sam: When I get into something I go into that zone. So right now this summer, I’m touring and I’m shooting three movies. I have the movie “Anchor Baby” that’s blowing up at all the festivals. We just screened at Cannes, it’s the LA premiere at the HBO at the New York Film Festival, July 22^nd. Then I’m doing a movie right now that I just started filming called “No Weapon Formed Against Us.” That’s with Tiny Lister [a.k.a. Debo from Friday]. Tiny plays my dad. The movie is a family story. My dad’s a pastor, my wife dies of a drug overdose, I have a little daughter and I play a cop. So I leave the city we live in to go back to LA where my family is so they can help me raise my daughter and deal with the racism in the police department. It’s a deep movie. Then I’m doing “Lives of the Saints” with 50 Cent, Meg Ryan, Anthony Anderson and then I’m doing a movie called “Trigger” this summer and I co-star in that. Then I’m doing my own movie called “Love at First Sight,” which is an interracial love story. That’s four flicks right there [holds up hand with 4 fingers]. I’m grinding dude.

TSM: That’s crazy, you really are. By the way, congratulations to you, the cast and crew of “Anchor Baby” for winning best film at the 2010 Harlem International Film Festival and being featured in the New York Film Festival. Tell me about your experience filming ‘Anchor Baby’

Sam: It was great. I worked with a great director, Lonzo Nzekwe. First time director but he was amazing. Also Omoni Oboli, the girl from Nigeria that plays my wife. She’s one of the best actresses I’ve ever worked with. She’s already won three awards for best actress. Yea she’s dope.

TSM: So how did it feel to play a Nigerian character?

Sam: Man let me tell you something. I put in work. I gained 20 lbs. for the role, I hired a dialect coach, I grew my hair out and I grew a beard. The first thing the director said to me before he gave me the role was, “when you come on that screen, I don’t want anyone to know that’s Sam Sarpong. I don’t want them to think of that runway cat.” I look like an old man in this movie. You wouldn’t even recognize me and I killed it. In December, I did a Nigerian tour. I went to Nigeria for three weeks and we did a whole mall tour where we did 25 malls. We would surprise the fans after the screening. Omoni and I would just pop up and the everybody would go crazy. That was a great experience — being in Nigeria.

TSM: That’s dope. You have truly been grinding since Day 1

Sam: Yup I’ve been on a mission. I’ve been really busy, Thank God.

• (Photo to the right: Behind the scenes image from the Gsus Sindustries shoot/Photo by: EGlamour Photography)

TSM: I can see that God has truly blessed you

Sam: Let me tell you something, all this – I’m nothing without God. That’s how I work. I keep God first. I’m on my knees everyday. Also, I’ve had so many down times when nothing was crackin’. So you really appreciate it when something is crackin’ because you know it could be the other way. I know that feeling when stuff ain’t happening. Nobody calling your phone.

TSM: That’s apart of the journey. So if you could work with any actor, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Sam: I would want to work with Denzel. I love Denzel because of his range and because he’s intense. Laurence Fisbourne is dope. Lou Gossett. I actually know Lou. I would really love to work with Lou Gossett because he’s a legend. He’s a great person. We have the same publicist in Canada and I do a lot of charity events with Lou but I would love to do a movie with him.

TSM: What’s next for Sam Sarpong? What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Sam: what’s next for me is my reality show blowing up. It’s called “Life of an Entertainer”. “Life of an Entertainer” is a ten year documentary that I’ve been shooting. What’s next for me is that blowing up. That will be out sometime next year. Then I want this music – this album. I really want my album to do great. If I had one wish from God, I would ask that this album to just blow. Where everybody hears “Fire,” everybody hears “Model Man.” I just want my stuff to really blow because if you blow as an artist, you can get any movie role. You can get any hosting job. You look at Ludacris, you look at T.I.; these dudes are getting jobs left and right because of their music not because they’re the best actors. So with me, I’m actually trained. I’ve been doing this so imagine if my music took off, how many opportunities I would get. It would be a wrap. That would be my greatest wish.

• (Photo above: Gsus Designer,Ursula with Director of operations, Everton and the owner of Gsus Sindustries, Jan.)

TSM: I can see that everything is coming full circle for you. That’s definitely a blessing. You are doing your thang and you are successful at it. It’s a testament to how much God has blessed you thus far. Well I’m glad that you were able to sit down with us and talk to us.

Sam: No doubt. I appreciate you guys doing the story. Like I always say, every article you do or every time you do a TV interview, that’s that many people who didn’t know who Sam Sarpong was. That’s how I look at it.

TSM: The same goes for us as well

Sam: See the thing is this, especially now that my name is buzzing, if you google me and The Soul Magazine pops up, you going tso be like “Oh what’s this?” as you are reading my other interviews. That way we both help each other.

TSM: We appreciate that because a lot of people nowadays won’t even take the time to sit down with us

Sam: That’s crazy to me. Plus the thing about me is I’ve been in the biggest magazines in the world and I’ve also been in the smallest. So to me, I treat them all the same. I would give you the same love as if People Magazine were doing this interview. It’s no different to me. It’s like a big budget movie or a low budget movie, go to work and do the best job you can for that role. Don’t think cause it’s independent, I’m going to slack off cause if you have that strong mentality all the time and you treat it all the same, you’ll always find work. A lot of entertainers don’t look at it that way. They look at things like it’s either small or big. Like they say, there’s no small parts. You can have two scenes in a movie but if you KILL it, cats would be like “oh remember that dude who robbed that liquor store? Oh yeah that dude was funny” Just two scenes, he could have had one but you remember what that cat did. That’s how I approach life. Everything I put my mark on, I try to kill it

Photo above: Sam Sarpong and The Soul Magazine: June 16, 2011/Photo by: Black Definition Photography [Jason Taylor]

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