Diego Barrueco (Murcia, 1991) started his career on his own: he was posting pictures of himself and his colleagues on Tumblr, what he felt like posting, what he liked at the time, and there he was scouted. After moving to London and signing with Established Models, his rocket was already up in the sky. He has worked alongside Ellie Goulding and for brands such as Nike, Puma, Pull&Bear and Calvin Klein, among others, and while he is still modelling, his shadow grows unstoppably on social media as well, where he holds almost 700k and a legion of fans ready to stand up. The freckles, the hair, the moles, the body, all build a strong image for Diego and make him a sexual power ready to be followed – and dreamed about. Gracing this issue’s cover, we talk about obsessions, sexuality and philias, about emotions and connections, and a powerful idea comes in between my questions and his answers, between the fandom and the likes of it all : feeling confident and going for what you like. Why is – his – sex selling so much, we wonder. I ask and he replies. And the library is open.
Being rated #4 sexiest man in the world by HEAT Magazine and having a fan base of more than 670K, you are considered quite a sexual power. When did you start – if ever - noticing you had an effect on people?
When I started posting silly photos of myself and my friends on Tumblr, probably around 2011 or so. People started reblogging them like crazy, which was a surprise.
- We live in a showing off era, where the body and the soul are constantly exposed. As a model and influencer, both your body and some of your thoughts are out there. That takes confidence. Do you consider yourself confident in a physical/sexual way?
I’m pretty confident I’d say, now more than ever. It’s a matter of staying true to oneself, which can be hard in this shallow world. We all have some things we don’t like about ourselves, we just have to embrace them and realise no one is perfect.
- Is that the best way to keep the self-esteem up in this challenging world of ours?
I think it’s about realising everyone is different and that’s great. Beauty canons are there to be broken: what you might hate about yourself is what makes you unique. Many people are self-conscious of their moles, I love being covered in them – same with birthmarks. My right arm is full of them, shoulder to fingertips, and I love it. It’s something no one else has.
- What do you find attractive in others? Any physical and personality treats you care for?
I love people who show confidence and don’t worry about little silly things, those who have ambition and do things they love instead of going for the easy job that makes them hate every Monday. Physically I have a thing for nice skin, eyes, hair and also a good .
- “How wonderful it is to be beautiful and to know you are”. Share your thoughts.
It’s wonderful to realise everyone is beautiful in their own way. Sounds very cliché and all, but if you pay attention to that you will understand how true it is.
- You were discovered on Tumblr, and your beauty took you to the modelling industry and from there to fandom. Did you ever think that was possible?
No way! I was just posting shit quality photos of me and my friends, not posey at all. I guess it’s the genuine aspect of them what made people love them. It was the early days of social media. Nowadays everyone tries to post the most pretentious photos, acting like they are not posing. That is corny as fuck.
- How has your life changed since then?
A lot. From studying at uni in Salamanca, Spain, to living in London doing things I love. I am so grateful for that.
- Why do you think sex is selling so much?
Cause everyone loves it! Society is finally accepting it as a good thing instead of censoring it like many religions have been trying to do for centuries.
- Your fan base is young and strong. What kind of relationship do you have with them? How does having 670k people rooting for you make you feel?
It’s nice to feel loved, obviously. I still post whatever I want, as I’ve always done. That keeps things real and I think that is what makes people follow me. It’s easy to post just half naked selfies all the time, but that is just not me. You follow someone because you like what they post, you can’t force them to post whatever you – as a follower – want. If you don’t like their posts don’t follow them in the first place. It’s not just about likes to me. For some people this is hard to see.
- You are a confessed fan of music. This leads me to wonder two things. The first one is related to sex and music: what music has been played in an epic sexy moment of yours and what kind of music never fails?
Of course. The Weekend’s first albums,and also Jeremih is a good one for that.
- For the second one I am going to take three sentences taken out of lyrics and I want you to let me know what they inspire in/suggest to you:
- “If you have it babe just show it, while you are young and free.” (Petite Meller, Barbaric)
True, or yolo as Drake would say.
2. “While I am standing over your body like a python, and you can’t keep your hands off me or your pants on.” (Lana del Rey, National Anthem)
Lana is a good source for sex music too, that is for sure.
3. “We sex again in the morning, your breast is my breakfast.
We going in, we be all night” (Beyoncé ft. Jay Z, Drunk in love)
Morning sex is the best sex.
- Let’s talk about passion. Have you ever felt an instant sexual connection with someone? A burning fire.
Yeah I have, but the more love is involved, the better the connection for me.
- Moving to flirting. Do you feel comfortable when setting sights on someone? What do you do?
I’m the shyest when it comes to flirting. I’m never the first one saying something, fear of regret is real here haha.
- Ever felt rejected? If so, share an elegant way to overcome a failed sexual move.
Who hasn’t? Haha, that is why you shouldn’t give it much importance.
- Do you have any obsessions you could share?
I have a thing for calves! Is that weird!? I guess it’s because it shows how active a person is.
- And what is the most erotic/sexiest thing someone has ever said to you?
Some people get turned on when they find out I’m Spanish, apparently Spaniards have a good fame abroad. So when they compliment me for being Spanish is always very sexual haha.
- Working in fashion, you are familiar with the body image and sexuality as a way of selling. How do you see it from the inside, as a model?
For some shoots it can seem that sexuality/body image is really important. As a result fashion can appear a very shallow industry. I think this can help to fuel a model’s own insecurities. If you are being looked at simply as an object, just a body or face, without your personality being taken into account, it can be really tough. I think it is especially true when you are starting out, but I guess over time you get used to it. Otherwise it’s not the right industry for you.
- You have designed some clothing for RUFFLR. How did that happen? Are you planning to explore a bit more in that direction?
I have been into fashion since I was 16, always wanted to design things that I would wear. It was a good experience, but sadly I didn’t have much time to focus on it properly. Maybe in the future I will give it a good chance. I’m immersed in another fashion project at the moment.
- What projects do you have for the near future?
I just started an online sneaker store with two other friends, so I’m 100 per cent focused on that. It’s called Peng Point. It makes me so happy, I love sneakers so much and everyone who knows me know it is perfect for me.
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