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February 21, 2005
Jon Jonsson's 2 Month Singapore Stint
Freshly coiffured and styled he was, but surfer dude Jon Jonsson looked spaced-out last Saturday at the office of Ave. Management modelling agency.
"I have been sleeping loads but I'm still pretty jet-lagged since arriving in Singapore three days ago, "said the 22-year-old Icelandic-Thai winner of Manhunt: The Search For America's Most Gorgeous Male Model.
The eight-part reality TV series premiered in the United States on the Bravo TV network last October and is now airing in Asia on Star World.
With his wavy tresses and exotic good looks, Jonsson walked away with a four-year US$100,000 contract with the prestigious New York-based IMG. He was also offered a two-month overseas stint in a city of his choice.
"I chose Singapore, I love the heat, I love the humidity," he said. His distaste for New York's cold weather has been well-documented on his personal blog previously.
"It's so near to Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, with all their rainforests and beaches - I may never leave this region," added Jonsson, whose only other trip to Asia had been to Songkhla, Thailand, 17 years ago, to visit his Thai mother's relatives.
His mum teaches Thai at the Defense Language Institue in Monterey, California, while his Dad is an atmospheric research scientist at the Naval Post-graduate School in Monterey.
Thanks to his genes, perhaps, it seems Jonsson is no himbo, as he's pursuing an astrophysics degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Born in Iceland, the resident of Carmel, California, is the second of three sons. His family moved to New York and then Colorado before settling in California in 1994.
Turning serious, Jonsson rued that Manhunt's producers "tended to blow up the drama a little too much". For example, the 1.8m-tall hunk says, "if someone cried a little, they would make it out to be a real big deal".
"The producers kind of forced things upon us which were not in the terms of our contracts with Bravo TV - like the nude shoot they asked me and Rob to do," he said, referring to the series' finale where he and law undergraduate Rob Williams were asked to bare all before the camera.
Also Jonsson learnt later that he had been secretly selected as the winner two episodes earlier. All that might explain why he does not relish taking part in another reality TV show.
Shortly after filming for the show ended last August, he broke up with his art student girlfriend Jilian Kunysz - primarily because he had to leave for New York for his contractual obligations while she wanted to stay put in California.
So, despite winning the Manhunt title, Jonsson said what he really longs for is a meaningful relationship.
"You may be a hot model and all, but beyond that, it's really important to have someone to share your life with."
Given his newly minted celebrity status, he is surely in prime position to romance and be romanced. As he put it: "I take to female attention very kindly."
Posted by queerclick at February 21, 2005 03:39 PM
Posted to: Famous Faces
Comments
u a the best!!i'm ur super fan now!
Posted by: fion wong at February 26, 2005 09:15 PM
Dear Jon,
Always work hard to be at the top for yourself and your family and always be true to your, and one day you will find your true love. Good Luck!!!
Posted by: K.Devi at March 2, 2005 07:18 AM
Dear Jon,
First of all "Congrats"! on your victory. You deserve to win and I respect you for holding up to your principles. We just can't do something we are not comfortable with.. All the best wishes to you and future undertaking.
Posted by: Rodney O'Brien at March 2, 2005 01:31 PM
I really love u as a person, ur cool kind nad natural. Just wanna say gud luck! Im a fanatic of urs reli! supa dupahhhhh
Posted by: Elvi at March 2, 2005 02:06 PM
Dear Jon,
My biggest dream rit now(possiby an unaccomplish dream ever) is to meet YOU in person!!! really fell in love by how u carry ursef. i watched the final epi o manhunt in beijing at 1-2 am and was daydreaming throughout my morning flight home to singapore today. my daydream was further fired up when i learn that ur here for 2 months! so i search the web and finally found this page and after reading wad u said bout having someone to love...YOU melt my heart. not only u hv e ultimate look, u also hv e brain, and most importantly in a man is the respect and love towards the gal of ur dream! nowadays men like you are nearly extinct! those whose either rich or handsome always think they're to be shared amongst women. i respect and look up to u like a role model [although ur younger than me:( ]. when Carmen said the girls love you...she's rit! HAVE FUN MODELING AND WISH U FIND YOUR LOVE OF YOUR LIFE!
Posted by: marianne at March 2, 2005 05:55 PM
damn! i cant view ur profile in friendster :( tats if tats really ur profile
Posted by: PiNkFaeRY at March 2, 2005 06:06 PM
Dear Jon,
Can we ask for a picture of Jillian Kunysz?we're just curious who your lucky girlfriend is....:D btw, congratulations on ur win!
Posted by: Eidelweiss at March 4, 2005 07:58 AM
I was very surprised to learn that you happen to be intellectual and insightful of what is going on in the world today. Honestly, I thought you were just a pretty face and only cared about surfing. I'm glad you proved me wrong. I just hope and pray that you would be happy in your chosen career and wish you the best on whatever life has to offer. I'll be in sigapore for the holy week, maybe I'd get to see you in person then... Ciao! =D
Posted by: Happy at March 4, 2005 10:15 PM
Dear jon,
just want to say "CONGRATZ!!!!!". Irealy hoped that u would win the manhunt and thankfuly u did (u totaly rock!!!!!!) when i heard that u r in singapore i was so exited but sadly i live in the philippines. u r realy i nice person and ur pictures r so great, i couldnt belive that u r so good. well i hope u will enjoy ur stay in singapore and continue making gread pictures.
Sarah @};-
Posted by: Sarah at March 5, 2005 01:13 PM
Dear Jon,
I liked you since the first episode of Manhunt aired in Indonesia.
I like you even more when I found out that you were so not like other models who all their care about is their body.
And on top of that, you are so faithful to your then girlfriend cause I value the same thing in a relationship.
I heard you really want to go to Indonesia.
I hope I can see you here and I'd be glad to be your guide and interpreter, for FREE!!!!!!!
When you read this, can you give me your personal email address so I can contact you in person and tell you how great Indonesia is.
Good luck with your job and study.
Lots of love
Posted by: maria constantia at March 5, 2005 06:50 PM
Dear Jon,
just want to say congratz, you deserve to win.
i like u as a person, a cool n natural.
good luck on modelling and hope someday i can really meet you.
when you will come here to Indonesia?
i,m always waiting for it.
Good luck man !!!
Posted by: Anita at March 8, 2005 10:00 PM
Dear Jon,
I'm gald that U win!Honestly when I saw U in the first expose,I definity thought that U must be the winner!Actually,I don't know that U're the surfer at that time but your outlook giving me to know that.U're so charming,warming smile,sunshine boy.U have a kind of power to make people feel sub-tropical passion.
Hope U'll be the sucessful male model in the world & having wonderful life with your girlfriend!
Posted by: venus at March 10, 2005 11:59 AM
http://digital-elation.net/jonjonsson a website for Jon Jonsson, check it out
Posted by: Dabsky at March 10, 2005 09:16 PM
ohh my gosh,i dont know what to say.u know what?the first time i saw manhunt.it was like matt who captured my mind,but then i finally realized that im beggining to like as the show goes by.and was jealous when u said that u really love ur gf jilian,well i wish i were her and i just want to congratulat u for winning the manhunt contest.i knew then that u'll be the winner of it,i love u and hope u can see my message and pls email me ok bye bye muahhhhhhh
Posted by: andrea at March 11, 2005 02:24 PM
i thought i saw you once around orchard area in singapore...wearing a coloured singlet and a boardshorts and a bag...you were talking to some ppl..maybe your co-workers...it was on a monday though...
Posted by: hukahoka at April 1, 2005 09:07 AM
YO JON, YOURE LOOKIN GOOD AND GREAT AS EVER...MY DUDE...HOPE TO SEE U SOON IN NEW YORK....LUV U MAN
Posted by: marc at April 1, 2005 10:37 AM
You took a pic naked! I can't believe that!
Posted by: Ciarian at April 10, 2005 07:58 PM
Hi Jon!! I think you are so gorgeous and you look very nice.I'm Thai girl and I'm very pround that you've Thai.^-^
I'am your Fan ^-^^-^
Posted by: Noey at June 19, 2005 06:52 PM
Pls pls.... if anyone knows when Mr Jonsson is coming back to Singapore...pls let me know.I missed the chance of getting his autograph the last time he was in my country.
Was hoping he would come back.......and do some more shows here.
Posted by: Melani at June 28, 2005 05:18 PM
No comments.. Just loads of ego-boosting congrats to you.. Not that you are one.. But still, you sure are BEAUTIFUL jon....
Just keep yourself grounded and seriously, I think you are inteligently smart, outspoken and modest. Rare qualities in the now-modern world...
All the best in your carreer and again.. Damn! You are one hot sexy beautiful man I've ever seen in my life!
Posted by: Alexandra at January 26, 2006 03:06 PM
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