This is Me: Jayson Blair

You have done numerous one episode appearances on some of the most prolific TV shows, from CSI and "Criminal Minds," to "Glee," and "Heroes." What was it like dipping in and out of these shows?

I loved having the opportunity to play on such great shows. I was a big Heroes fan, so booking that job was very exciting. Though the highlight had to be working with Forest Whitaker on "Criminal Minds."

What is it like now, to be a regular on The New Normal?

Becoming a regular on The New Normal has been a dream come true for me. Working on a show with brilliant material is such an honor. Also, I learn so much working with the cast. They're all so doggone talented.

You grew up in Detroit, Michigan. What is it like now living in LA? What do miss about home, and what do you appreciate about LA?

Not being in Michigan is bittersweet. I miss my family and friends madly, but I have to be in LA for work. My family and I used to have dinner every night at home, I'd say that's the tradition I miss most. Some of the highlights of my new home are the food, friends, weather, women, opportunities, and having everything at your finger tips. I owe a great deal of I am to both places. Detroit shaped the mold for the person I've grown into today.

You're often praised for your great taste in fashion and sense of personal style, what does fashion mean to you and how do you approach dressing yourself?

Oh brother, I'm so all over the place with my fashion. I feel like our clothing is an extension of our personality. That said, my fashion choices change often. But no matter what, I always try to go with simple stylish and classic pieces. You can't go wrong with with classic.

Your shower scene kiss on the Hard Times of RJ Berger has been described as every gay teenagers dream, what kind of experience was that?

The shower scene was really important to me. Playing a bully on the show and knowing the problems people struggle with due to that made me approach it with care. That was the first real moment my character had, so I wanted to make sure it was done right. It was a great way to end the second season. I will say this though, that water was pretty damn chilly.

You character Clay in The New Normal was introduced to us as a slimy cheating husband, what are your opinions on monogamy and relationships, and marriage?

I think relationships are special and I do not believe in cheating. I see how someone can do it though. We can be so insecure at times, feeling neglected, fighting with our partner. Those things can make you run into random arms. The trick is loving yourself enough to know that you're just having a weak moment and respecting the person your with enough not to give away something real for something that is new and shiny that you THINK is real at the time. Marriage, I would love to get married someday.

How do you feel about Mormon-owned KSL-TV's refusal to air The New Normal in Utah?

I think the refusal to air "The New Normal" is a primitive way of thinking. Not to mention how fair it is to all beliefs. I think the show is important for current events and they're missing the point.

What, for you, would be the ultimate accomplishment as an actor?

The ultimate accomplishment as an actor would be winning an Oscar. That's it, the pinnacle.

If you were to star in a remake of a classic film, who would you want to play?

If I got to star in the remake of a classic film, I'd be Rick in "Casablanca." Every time I watch it, I'm blown away by how cool Humphrey Bogart is. Shoot, I aspire to be like that in real life.

What do you do outside of acting? Do you have any hobbies?

When I'm not acting, I love playing tennis, reading, and am always up for a good art show. When I'm not working, I try to expand my mind to make up for all the lost time in my teen years. You know, when I was a badass.

What is on your iPod right now?

Funny you should ask. I just landed in NYC and am listening to my favorite song by The Talking Heads called This Must Be The Place. Love it!

What are your favorite TV shows at the moment, other than your own?

My favorite shows are "Homeland," "Downton Abbey," "Breaking Bad," "Game of Thrones," "Louis CK," "Episodes," "Shameless," and "Newsroom."

Do you have any pet peeves?

Yes actually, I do have a pet peeve. Who doesn't use a coaster of its on the wood table right next to where you set your drink!? AHHHH!!!

What is one thing you make sure to do every day?

Okay, this is going to sound cheesy... Because it is... But it's true... so here goes. My father always told me to "tell the woman you're with every single day how beautiful she is to you. So, every day I do just that, without fail.

Photographer: Vince Trupsin Groomer: Amber Bruehl Wardrobe Stylist: Adeel Khan

Credits

First Look Floral Polo & Corduroys: Ted Baker Watch: Cartier Shoes: Royal Elastic

Second Look Blazer: Etro V-neck Sweater: Ted Baker Jeans: John Varvatos

Third Look Hat: Vintage Turtleneck: Ted Baker Trousers: Life After Denim Socks: Etro Shoes: Royal Elastic

This is Me: Edwin Hodge

Edwin, this feature is simply to learn new things about you - we want to discover more about your career and about your personal life as well. Could you tell us a little bit about where you grew up (New York)? What was the atmosphere like? How do you think growing up where you did, affect your decision to become an actor?

I split most of my life on the East coast between New York and New Jersey. It wasn't the most polished lifestyle, but my mom did a great job to make sure that we stayed on a straight path to maintaining moral values and making sure we lived a life filled with a variety of diverse opportunities to become the person we wanted to be. My environment didn't really affect my decision to be an actor. I kind of just fell into it along with the different sports I've played, instruments I've tried to learn to play and whatever else sparked my interest.

Your younger brother Aldis is also an actor. How did you both get started in acting? Did you begin your acting career before him or after? What are the good and bad aspects of having a family member in the same industry? Is there ever competition? I started my career at the age of three and my brother followed a year after. I don't think there are any bad aspects to having a sibling in the same business. At least not for us. We've always been very supportive even when we were each others competition. Our main goal is to support our family and that trumps any jealously that one would probably have. We've been very different actors from the beginning. If anything, we've helped each other more by learning from one another.

Now, you have a new film (The Purge) coming out. Could you talk to us about your experience filming that movie and what it felt like working alongside some well-known actors like Ethan Hawke? It was truly the first time I felt like a I had a say in how my character should be portrayed and how he should guide the film. Ethan was very generous in allowing my opinions to be heard, which is unheard of with some actors I've worked with. The whole cast was amazing to be honest. The director, producers, and crew simply made the experience of working on this film one that will set the tone for how I would like to work on the rest of my future projects.

What are some life-changing lessons you've learned throughout your experience as an actor? The biggest lesson I've learned is to stay humble. We are privileged to do what we do as entertainers and I respect the fact that it is the fans that keep our careers going. We touch people's lives in ways we never think we could and it's our duty to uphold a positive image outside of our career though we may portray negative images within our career. We can be here today and gone tomorrow. Staying humble has gotten me far and I plan on staying that way. It makes the work environment that much better for me.

Where do you live now? How does it differ from home? I live in Los Angeles now. It's different in many ways when it comes to lifestyle, people, food and its environmental influences. I'm not knocking LA, but I'm a New Yorker at heart and forever will be.

Tell us, what is a seemingly typical day for you? Do you have some sort of routine that you abide by from morning to night? If I can be on a golf course seven days a week, that would be fine by me. I love riding my motorcycle, cooking, writing, and simply being spontaneous. A typical day for me when I'm not auditioning would be sitting at home with the golf channel or cartoon network on and writing screenplays. I love to hang out with my friends doing simple things like going to the movies and pot luck dinners. I'm a simple guy. I'm not really into the club scene or being everywhere the cameras are. I like my privacy.

You must have a lot of favorite things to do -- I mean, what kinds of hobbies, TV shows, etc have you been enjoying? Have you been obsessing over the Election? I'm so happy that the election is over! I seen a lot things I didn't like in this election and even lost some friends over it. It's sad, but ignorance is bliss for some I feel. I'm addicted to watching The Mentalist, The Walking Dead, any PGA Tournament and of course my brother's show Leverage. Adult Swim is my guilty pleasure.

If you could have been a part of any movie of the past, what would it be and why? How do you think that expresses who YOU are? I think I would have like to have been involved in the Beetlejuice film. It was my favorite film growing up and it's simply a classic in my opinion. It's was funny, creepy and who doesn't like to dance to that iconic song every time it comes on!

Are there skills you are dying to achieve? Such as playing guitar, etc. Becoming a scratch golfer would be an ultimate goal that I'd love to achieve one day. I'd addicted to golf. Seriously! I'm also learning how to play the bass guitar, drums, and produce music with a friend of mine.

In the next 5 years, where do you see yourself? What are some of your goals? I would love to be an accomplished writer and own a lounge one day. I want to start a family in a few years and hope that at the end of it all and the choices that I've made that I achieve happiness for myself and those around me.

Photographed by Vince Trupsin Groomed by Angie Miller

Styled by Edwin Hodge

Christa B. Allen of "Revenge"

Christa B. Allen, also known as the younger Jennifer Garner, has been making headlines for years and now successfully molded herself as a critically acclaimed actress in ABC's "Revenge."

The anticipated second season of Revenge just started, how would you describe the show for anyone who hasn't seen it yet? "Revenge" is kind of like an hour-long film on your television every week, with the same thorough line of vengeance. It's watching a woman do all of the things you wish you could do to get revenge in your life- from martial arts, to breaking into buildings, to breaking people down emotionally. But it also has a redeeming quality, because this woman is doing it all to avenge the wrongful death of her father.

The first season was a difficult downward spiral for your character, Charlotte. What can we expect from her this season, a new resilience? Or will she be thrown even more curve balls? A bit of both, I think. Last season tested Charlotte; it actually pushed her to her limit. She nearly died! I think anyone who has gone through something like that comes out the other side hardened, ready to fight. Charlotte will certainly be tougher this season, and I think that means people will be testing her limits!

What kind of experience has it been working on Revenge, with its big ensemble cast of great up and coming actors? What a treat! Madeleine and Henry are amazing to look up to and learn from- with such vast experience and wisdom. Emily is disciplined. Ashley, Gabe, Nick and Josh are super fun, and Connor has such a great mind. They're all fantastic in their own way and respectable actors- I mean that, truly.

Revenge has probably been your biggest role to date, how has your life changed in the last year or so? Well I certainly work more months out of the year than I used to, so there's a discipline that comes with that. I've gotten to connect with more people from all over the world thanks to this show- and nothing makes me happier!

Your first noted role was as a young version of Jennifer Garner’s character in 13 Going on 30, how do you feel you have progressed as an actor since then? I think with more life experience, one is able to more fully understand a variety of characters. An actor should only develop more tools as they age.

Where would you like to see yourself in five or ten years? After "Revenge" I will focus on film, as film was my first love!

What, for you, would be the ultimate accomplishment as an actor? There is no ultimate goal; I'm not after any awards or specific roles. Truth is, there are many roles that really get me going. To set a target would mean that once I reach it, I go back home. I want to be doing what I do until I can't do it anymore!

  Are there any actors that you dream of working with? Al Pacino.

If you were to star in a remake of a classic film, who would you want to play? I'd like instead for somebody to answer this question in 50 years with a role that I will someday have played.

I heard that you and Ashley Madekwe are planning a Halloween party together - what will you girls be dressing up as this year? I can't give away her costume, but I'll say she kept it in the Disney family! Mine will be something with feathers, I think. I have such a thing for feathers at the moment.

You come from a big family of boys, has that had any impact on you? I am now amazing at dodging tickle attacks.

What is the best advice you’ve received from an older actor? Jennifer Garner said her best advice is to always keep a life outside of Hollywood. I think there is some truth in that.

Photography by Vince Trupsin Interview by Francesca Nicol

Makeup: Sarah Uslan Hair: John D. Styling: Sean Knight