It fitting that breathtakingly hot DNA model Brent Van Zant was born in a place called Paradise, in Northern California. "It's a small town and it was a great place to grow up," says Brent Van Zant. "I spent a lot of my childhood fishing and camping." Brent Van Zant now lives in Hermosa Beach, which is a 30 minutes south of LA. "It's a real board shorts and flip-flop type place. I love that kind of laid back scene."
Brent Van Zant, 26, says his much drooled-over photo shoot with DNA photographer Lewis Payton has boosted his modelling career. "The offers have kept rolling in. I'm a late starter in the business and that shoot has really improved my book. I just did a Guess Jeans campaign which I shot in LA recently. I think the DNA shoot had something to do with it."
Photographer Lewis Payton describes Brent Van Zant as being “almost painfully shy in a casting situation, which is something he's since overcome. That just made him more enigmatic and appealing. This super hot guy who is at the same time initially totally awkward and nervous. Creatively, my shoot with Brent was the easiest and most enjoyable I've worked on. He's one of those guys who everyone just likes. He's got a spark in his eye that makes you smile," says Payton.
Brent Van Zant is interested in acting, although the cut-throat world of LA is not this beach boy's scene. "LA is a very competitive place, which isn’t me at all. People here have had years of experience, so I’ll have to do some training. To tell you the truth, I really don't like LA. That's why I have to live on the beach, or I think I'd go crazy."
Brent Van Zant was a student and a construction worker before entering the world of modelling. "If you'd told me back then that I'd be flying to New York and Europe to be photographed I never would have believed you," he says.
"And there is so much of the world I'd like to see. I've travelled to Europe, but I want to see more." For a man most comfortable in a pair of board shorts, Brent Van Zant is itching to see what's on offer on Australian shores. "I've heard you guys have amazing beaches. Growing up in California all my life I'm such a beach guy. I'd also like to check out New Zealand and Asia." In the future, this down to earth Californian would like to be starting a family.
And how does he feel about being voted number two by DNA readers? "Kind of shocked and very flattered. It's a cool that people all the way across the other side of the world have voted for me. I'd have to agree though that Brad Pitt deserves number one."