Photo Courtesy Nate Webster

February 2010

I braved the bitter winter weather as I walked to lunch with my mentor, Shaun Proulx. At the time I was one month into my internship at Shaun’s radio show The Shaun Proulx Show. Giant snow flakes violently hit our faces as we rushed to our favourite burrito joint, Chino Locos, located in the heart of Toronto’s gay village. The second we sat down, after a stomp of our feet and shake of our hair I got right down to business.

“We have to get Kelly Cutrone on the show.” I said, all 32 of my pearly whites displayed in a grin.

“For sure… who is she?” asked Shaun.

Our burritos arrived at our table and I spent the majority of the lunch educating Mr. Proulx on one of my greatest teachers. I told him she was the founder of People’s Revolution, a fashion public relations, marketing and branding firm that have represented Valentino, Longchamp (love my bag), Thierry Mugler, Vivienne Westwood, Jeremy Scott (love my angel wings Swatch designed by Scott), and many more notable and influential names. I told him I had first been introduced to her as Lauren Conrad’s boss while watching an episode of The Hills on MTV. It was love at first sight. She was my black leather licorice in a world of blonde bubble gum. In a show where characters uttered one word sentences, Kelly Cutrone spoke volumes. I never saw her as the guilty pleasure bitch boss from hell my friends saw her as. I saw her as my teacher. Every week I would tune in to gain a nugget of knowledge that I could stick in my back front pocket. Her no-nonsense approach when it came to running her business inspired me to be a better intern – a better person. Who knew The Hills would become my Mr. Rogers?

Anytime I fall in love with a book, I take it everywhere with me. Any quiet moment, the book comes out and I re-read sections that truly spoke to me. So when Shaun asked to borrow her first book “If You Have To Cry, Go Outside”, I whipped it out like magic.

I was on Facebook that night. I typed in her name and clicked the top result. I clicked “Send Message”, bypassed the body of the message and clicked “Record Video”. If I wanted to get her attention, I’d have to offer something different to the hundreds of messages she must receive on the daily. I spoke from the heart for about 3 minutes, pouring out my love for her book as well as the dream it would be to have her on the show. I pressed stop, then send. I closed my lap top and turned off the light.

More Nate Webster.

Our Man of the Hour is one of the most recognized faces in the Toronto party scene. Check out Matt Sims’ TMI Questionnaire below and if you attend one of his fab parties, tell him we sent you.

JUST THE FACTS

I’m a Cancer Leo cusp.

I’m 23.

I was born: Kingston, ON

I am an Event Producer.

My fave colour: Red

Passion: The idea of creating a shared experience through multi-media art forms.

Fantasy entourage: ME ME ME!

Turn-ons: guys who are independent, who have dark features & guys who are expressive and look like real life anime characters

Irresistible in a mate: someone who fucking gets me and who isn’t diluted by the crazy party life and image.

Phrase I most overuse: Dope!

Most people would be surprised to know I: have a musical background – For my whole teens and childhood I played piano, the violin, studied classical composition & I was in the choir.

Fictional best friend:  Ziggy Stardust

Talent I wish I had: the ability to approach guys

When I order a cocktail I ask for: cocktail? I ask for 2 shots of tequila!

GUILTY PLEASURES

TV: Skins and Keeping Up With the Kardashians

Song: Inside Out by Britney Spears

Greatest extravagance: going to the Opera

WEAR APPARENT

Jeans: Cheap Mondays or Diesel

Footwear: Anything that I can kick somebody with.

Watch: My iPhone

Eyewear: Well pretend that I still have my 3 pairs of missing Ray Bands.

Casual: black skinny jeans and a T-Shirt, silver neclace

Formal: bow-tie

Perfume / Cologne: Dsquared Wood

BEAUTY DUTY

Shampoo: any purple shampoo for Blondes

Face wash: Clinique

Moisturizer: Clinique

Body Lotion: St. Ives

Indulgence: Teeth Whitening

GOTTA GETTA GADGET

Gadgets:  iPhone & my Mac

On my music player now:  Britney Spears’ new album on repeat and video game music

I always PVR: Celebrity Rehab & Skins

CULTURE VULTURE

Last book read: If You’re Gonna Cry Go Outside by: Kelly Cutrone

Last movie seen: Battle of Los Angeles

Last concert: Die Antwoord

Last play: We had a Christmas Pageant at the office

OBSESSIONS

Current obsession: Hey Rebel!

Past obsession: Hey Rebel!

Future obsession: Hey Rebel!

CRYSTAL BALL

The next big thing will be: I think for the next couple of years viral videos will drive pop-culture itself and musically I think Dupstep will become much more mainstream. After that we will have a new, more electronic incarnation of rock music which will become really popular like it did in the 90s.

AND FINALLY …

Words of wisdom: Don’t be a drag just be a queen!

Tonight is the largest party brand I’ve ever created called Hey Rebel. It’s an all ages mega party geared towards alternative youth. It’s the only party of its kind in all of Canada and tonight is our March Break edition at Lot 332. You can find more details, the full flyer and ticket info @ heyrebel.com.