Actress, author, and androgynous model, Milon V. Parker puts her heart into everything she does. She began her modeling career at the age of 26 working for Journey Creative Design Studio posing for the Hard Candy Stud Calendar. In July 2009 she starred in Laurinda D. Brown’s Bois Don’t Cry in Atlanta. Later that year she won first place, as the only female finalist, in the summer model search for Chicagopride.com. Parker’s movie THE LIES WE TELL BUT THE SECRETS WE KEEP, based on her book of the same name, is set to premiere on Friday June 24th at the Portage Theater located at 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago at 8:00PM. In an interview with PrideIndex she talks about the movie, modeling and Taking Over The Runway an LGBT fashion show and competition.
PRIDEINDEX: You’re having a successful career as model, author and now filmmaker breaking all the rules regarding the stereotypes of what a stud is supposed to be what do you attribute your success to?
MILON V. PARKER: It’s my motivation and determination. At first people didn’t take me serious as a stud (androgynous) model because they had never exposed to it here in Chicago but as time went on they saw that I wasn’t going away and it began to generate a lot of buzz in Chicago’s modeling industry.
PI: Where did you find the inspiration for the book “THE LIES WE TELL BUT THE SECRETS WE KEEP?”
MVP: Inspiration came from watching TV and noticing how people were quick to criticize men for living “on the down low” but never mentioning that women do it as well. I think that it’s not fair. It’s like they praise women for playing with other women and men’s emotions while playing both sides of the fence while not being honest about it.
PI: What was it like to see this book come to life on the big screen?
MVP: It was amazing! Honestly every time I think back to when I first started writing then filming and now watching how far I’ve come while not really knowing that it would actually come together like this in the end, I get a little emotional. It’s like a dream come true.
PI: Filmmakers often use their own interpretation when adapting a book into film; however fans of “THE LIES WE TELL BUT THE SECRETS WE KEEP” have the good fortune of having you serve as its Executive Producer. Does this mean you did not have to make any changes your original vision?
MVP: No! That doesn’t mean that at all {Laughs.} We did have to make a few adjustments to the movie because we were not able to find the right locations.
PI: Describe what was it like to collaborate with filmmaker Coquie Hughes on the movie?
MVP: It was a beautiful experience. I say that because she’s serious about her work, just as I am. Every morning we’d call one another on the telephone and ‘say Buddy we’re making a movie today,” mind you it would be around 5:00AM or 6:00AM; every morning! But it was beautiful because we were both on the same page.
PI: Name at least 3 people who have most affected your artistic style?
MVP: Hum 3 you ask? Let me think. As far as a modeling goes I would have to say Tyson Beckford. Books: Laurinda D. Brown and Zane, and as far a films goes I would have to Tyler Perry and Charles Stone III (director of Paid In Full.) I like how “Paid In Full” was reality based on what the average person might experience when it comes to money and greed.
PI: Why did you write “THE LIES WE TELL BUT THE SECRETS WE KEEP?”
MVP: I wanted to inform the public that a lot of people live on the down low. In my movie I touch bases on a few people of them, not just the main characters. I wanted to do that because society doesn’t address the issue.
PI: Tell us about any notable challenges you faced to bring the movie to the marketplace and tell us how you overcame them.
MVP: There were conflicts in actresses and actors schedules but we overcame this by doing whatever we needed to do to get the movie done. It was slightly rushed but as an indie film sometimes it’s like; time waits for no one especially when it’s a small budget film.
PI: What is your earliest memory of being a writer and when/where were you first published?
MVP: I began writing back in high school. I used to write poetry and as time went on I began writing short stories. I self-published, “Who Is She,” on Lulu.com using Create Space.
PI: Will there be sequel film? If so when?
MVP: Yes, it’s already in the works; it will be out sometimes next year.
PI: Tell us more about your Taking Over the Runway Fashion and competition show, how did you come up with the idea?
MVP: Yes. Taking Over The Runway Fashion (TOTR) came about because I was the first androgynous model in “Remix the Runway,” one of Chicago’s biggest fashion shows. Although I must admit it was a beautiful experience I really felt like they didn’t give me a fair chance at winning. I am an androgynous model, so why then did they have me to compete in the feminine women’s category? I am pretty sure I had the most votes but I didn’t win. It encouraged me to do my own show for the LGBT community. I want TOTR to showcase the designer’s clothing, creative abilities and to showcase other up and coming androgynous models on the runway.
PI: Have you considered taking the competition show on the road and expanding it into a national competition?
MVP: It’s in the works I’m networking and will to take it to Atlanta, Rockford, Los Angeles and Detroit where I have connections.
PI: What other projects are you currently working on?
MVP: I am a model for the Hard Candy calendar, a women’s calendar featuring studs. It was created to help raise funds for cancer research. I’m also a runway coach for Lez Elegance, an LGBT magazine based in Chicago. It features stories on the positive people in the LGBT community. I am also working on a few new films this summer.
PI: If one of our readers were interested in hiring you for a modeling gig or other work what should they do?
MVP: They should email me at milon317@gmail.com and check out my website www.themakingsofMVP.com for addition info on me.
PI: What advice would you offer young ladies who would like to follow in your footsteps?
MVP: I would tell them never, ever give up even when you feel like you want to. You will be tested but it’s only to see how strong you are so follow your heart and dreams. And never let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do and most importantly thank God as much as you can. And because as easy as you will/can make it he can easily take it away.
PI: What advice would you offer young ladies who would like to follow in your footsteps?
MVP: Never, ever, give up even when you feel like you want to. It’s only a test to see how strong you are. And follow your heart and dreams never let anyone tell you what you can’t do. Most importantly thank God as much as you can when you succeed because he can easily take it all away.
For tickets to see THE LIES WE TELL BUT THE SECRETS WE KEEP or Taking Over The Runway visit www.themakingofMVP.com.
To purchase the Hard Candy Calendar visit www.hardcandycalendar.com.
