PAUL MONTOYA

///PHOTOS BY RICK STOCKWELL

HI PAUL! THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING GET OUT! MAGAZINE TO PUBLISH THESE MORE INTIMATE PHOTOS OF YOU. YOUR PHOTOS SHOW YOUR WARMTH, FUN AND ENERGETIC PERSONALITY, AND YOUR SMILE BRIGHTENS OUR DAY!

You were born on the Island of San Andres, San Andres y Providencia. You also lived on the Mainlands of Colombia in Medellin, Cartagena and Bogota. How long have you been living in the States? What made you choose to come to New York?
I came to the States in 2006, first Miami then Chicago. Toward the later years while in Chicago something reignited my passion for acting and I started to taking acting classes again and worked on a musical. So I knew that it was time to make a change in my life, and that’s when I moved to New York to make it happen.

I see that you’re a dancer for the upcoming Matinee Las Vegas for Memorial Day Weekend?
Matinee is a huge NYC Gay Pride and a worldwide event. Is this your first time dancing? Will this your first time to Vegas?
Yes, and beyond excited about it. This is my second time in Vegas and also dancing with Matinee. My first time was a couple years ago in Bogota. I’ve danced for different venues and parties here in New York.

You’re a bartender at Boxers on the weekends. We have featured many of the staff from Boxers, and each and everyone of them have such great personalities. It seems like a great time to work with such fun and energetic co-workers. How do you like working there?
Boxers has been an amazing experience. I feel comfortable, happy. I love working with these guys. In other words, we can say I’m in the right place. By the way, stop by and visit me!

Besides a day job, going to the gym, hanging with friends, family and working at Boxers on the weekends, you are also an actor. Can you tell me more about your acting career?
I started at a very young age. Went to school for production of TV and photography and of course acting, based more on the stage training adding to that my years in Chicago learning the “Meisner Technique.” Talking about acting is something passionate for me. It’s my life, it’s the most important part of me. I’m so thankful because ever since I moved to New York many doors have opened for me, and I’ve been working on stage for two years already. I’m currently working on what’s going to be my fifth play, Reyes y Reyes, the Spanish musical version of the William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Or What You Will. Reyes y Reyes is the first Latino musical that goes deep into the relationship between gay couples. And I am very proud to be part of it. The show runs from Thursday, May 29, until Sunday, June 1. For more information and tix visit e3outlawsproductions.org, ticketderby.com or Facebook me at facebook.com/plmontoy. Go and support arts.

What are your plans in the next few years ?
Right now I’m focusing 100% on my career. I’m also working in association with one of my best friends and amazing actress Caridad Del Valle in our own theater company named “La Caja de Los Prejuicios” (The Prejudice Box). We already have our first project “Delirio Furioso” (Furious Delirium) coming this fall. I want to keep growing as an actor and explore other sides. For example, I would love to do movies and why not TV?Family is very important to me. I would love to get married and create my own family anytime soon. There’s more Paul Montoya on the way. Your cover will be out for Mother’s Day week.

Would you like to send a special message to your mother and family back in Colombia?
I grew up in a house full of passionate, strong-willed women. The man I’ve become is all thanks to them. I would like to take this time and thank all the women in my family as well as all the moms in the world because they truly have the hardest job, and you are so good at it. God bless you and happy Mother’s Day, today, tomorrow and always. “Mama hermosa, te amo, feliz dia, hoy, mañana y siempre.”

10 things that you should know about Paul Montoya:
1) My birthday is on December 24 (Christmas Eve).
2) My favorite color is Yellow like SpongeBob.
3) My favorite food is Bandeja Paisa (Colombian dish), even though I love sushi.
4) I absolutely love Skittles.
5) I have one tattoo (means eternity) on my back.
6) I am a nerd about super heroes and comic movies.
7) One of my biggest dreams would be to be part of one of Pedro Almodovar’s films.
8) I have a really huge family (I have 8 siblings)! My mom is one of my best friends.
9) I’m in love and I think I found the right one. Luis Weber, I love you!
10) I’m a very shy and quiet person, and people always think that I’m just rude.

Describe yourself in one word?
Dreamer.

Thank you Mike Todd and Get Out! magazine for this amazing opportunity, and Rick Stockwell for the great pictures. Always a pleasure working with you!