The sky was so brilliantly blue and the sun so incredibly bright at PEOPLE’s April 23 shoot in New York City that it’s safe to assume Mother Nature is a Bravo fan. By the rooftop pool of the Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel are the network’s most eligible bachelors.
Sure, there are some red flags, but after just a few hours on-set, we got a glimpse of what lies beneath their incredibly attractive (and tall!) surfaces — and it’s easy to see how they’ve captured so many hearts.
Here Shep Rose, Jesse Solomon, Carl Radke, Fraser Olender, Tom Schwartz and Tyson Beckford (who’s new to the Bravo-verse) get real about their quests for love. Says Olender: “We’re all looking for the one.”
The transcript below has been edited for length and clarity.
How’s the single life? Is everyone out there dating?
TYSON I’m dating.
SHEP I’m dating. It’s fun, and it’s also exhausting, because most of them aren’t all that great, but you’re looking for that diamond in the rough.
CARL I’ve been dating a little bit, but I’ve been really focused on work.
JESSE I’m not really dating right now. I’m taking a bit of a breather but open to finding someone great.
Anders Overgaard
Brooks Brothers vest, sport coat & shorts. Silhouette sunglasses. Lagos rings & necklace.
TOM I’m hoping I’ll get to put a ring on it one more time. I’m a sucker for love. I got one more in me, I think.
FRASER I’m not not dating. I’m picky, and I’m traveling 24/7, so it’s tough.
What’s it like dating as a Bravo-lebrity?
TOM It takes away the need for small talk up front. There’s an instant bond because they’ve seen you at your worst and your best. If they’re still willing to talk to you after 11 seasons of Vanderpump Rules, they’re probably a keeper.
SHEP You’ll meet someone, and they’re like, “I know you’re on TV, but I don’t watch your show.” But then they’re like, “In season 3 . . . ”
CARL Or when there’s a group of girls and some know who you are and are very excited, but the ones who don’t are like, “I don’t know you.”
Tom Schwartz, 42
AS SEEN ON: Vanderpump Rules seasons 1-11 and The Valley seasons 1-2
WHY HE’S A CATCH: “I’m easy like Sunday morning.”
IDEAL MATCH: “Someone who knows what they want but isn’t too rigid that they can’t grow with you.”
BOXERS OR BRIEFS? “When I moved to L.A., Jax [Taylor] and Tom [Sandoval] were like, ‘Bro, you can’t be wearing boxers anymore.’ I started wearing briefs, and I’ve never looked back.”
JESSE Is it bad if someone is a fan, and they’re just up-front about it? It’s a good show! You can’t hold it against them.
TYSON There’s definitely a line. I’ve met people and I’ve seen their phone and they’re looking me up on Wikipedia.
Anders Overgaard
Polo Ralph Lauren shirt & trousers. Lagos necklace & bracelet. Talent’s own watch.
SHEP There’s something called hidden DMs. Unless I follow you, it doesn’t pop up on my phone. But if I do some digging, there’s a treasure trove and they’re mostly insane. But if you’re in a dentist office, you’re like, “I’m just going to get into this hidden section here.” It can be quite entertaining.
FRASER I get DMs with parts of the body I didn’t realize humans had.
Tyson Beckford, 54
AS SEEN ON: Kings Court
WHY HE’S A CATCH: “I can cook. I’m good at cleaning. I don’t mind doing laundry, and I love to iron.”
IDEAL MATCH: “A woman that works remotely from wherever we are because I definitely want a partner that travels with me. I need a bestie that loves to fly.”
BOXERS OR BRIEFS? “Visible seams are a no-no. If I’m in tight pants, I do briefs. It’s something you have to figure out amongst yourselves and depending on how tight your pants are.”
Do you have a rule about dating a castmate?
TYSON I’m on a dating show, so I was forced to!
FRASER I don’t get put with people who are compatible sexuality-wise. Otherwise I’d be so game. Casting producers, please find me someone, because you’re not doing anything at this point. That’s why I’m single.
Anders Overgaard
Vineyard Vines shirt. Michael Kors jeans. Silhouette sunglasses. Lagos bracelet. Talent’s own pendant & watch.
CARL If you’re feeling the chemistry with someone, and they’re on the same show as you, go for it, have fun with it. You only get one chance to do this.
Carl Radke, 40
AS SEEN ON: Summer House seasons 1-9
WHY HE’S A CATCH: “I’d like to think that I’m a good listener. I’m very supportive. I show up for my partner. I really want to see them succeed and be successful.”
IDEAL MATCH: “Someone who is smart, is good with their family, and likes to be a little silly and giggle.”
BOXERS OR BRIEFS? “Boxer briefs. I like the feeling of my parts being held tightly together.”
Is it hard to have strangers dissect your relationship online?
SHEP Being in a relationship on Bravo, the hit rate isn’t exactly very high. Usually they disintegrate under the bright white lights.
JESSE I’m going through a breakup on Summer House right now, which happened eight months ago. It’s not fun that people are pretty upset and calling me names. It’s hard. But as much as you can, you just ignore the noise and know that you tried to do the right thing. Your family and friends love you, that’s what matters.
Anders Overgaard
Vineyard Vines shirt, blazer, pants & belt. J.CREW pocket square. Allen Edmonds loafers. Talent’s own watch.
TYSON I’m worried that old ladies in the supermarket will be like, “You did that girl wrong. What do you think you’re doing?”
SHEP No, everyone in person is completely polite.
Shep Rose, 45
AS SEEN ON: Southern Charm seasons 1-10
WHY HE’S A CATCH: “I love having a good time. I’m up for whatever, I love saying yes.”
RELATIONSHIP MUST-HAVE: “I want to get a good feeling when they walk into a room. I love feeling lucky to be there. And they have to feel that same way to a certain degree.”
BOXERS OR BRIEFS? “Boxer briefs. I was just boxers forever, and now I like a little tightness.”
What is it like to watch yourself make out with someone on TV?
CARL It could be a turn-on. When they flashback to a make-out I had with Ciara blindfolded, I was like, “That was a hot make-out.”
Anders Overgaard
Brooks Brothers T-Shirts. Banana Republic pants. Vineyard Vines belt. J.CREW loafers. Lagos bracelet & cuff.
FRASER It’s really helpful for future reference. [Laughs] My form is always fantastic, I have to say. It’s just good practice for “the one.”
TOM That’s the only time I’m aware of the cameras, so it’s probably not my best work. I pride myself on being a good kisser, just for the record.
JESSE I was like, “I keep my eyes open a little too long, probably should have shut them there.”
TYSON I’m very nervous because I got some make-out scenes. There’s a point where I forget the cameras are there, and then I am reminded because otherwise I was getting undressed.
What do your families think about your reality show fame?
TYSON I didn’t tell anybody I was doing it. I just did it.
JESSE I’m lucky that my parents are so supportive. The only feedback I’ve gotten from friends is, “It’s so funny, you’re the exact same.” And I’m like, “Yeah, I’m myself.”
Fraser Olender, 32
AS SEEN ON: Below Deck seasons 10-12
WHY HE’S A CATCH: “I think mystery is really attractive, so I don’t give much away. The less you give, the more people want.”
IDEAL MATCH: “I like someone composed who has their life somewhat in order. People think that I’m looking for someone who’s super uptight — that’s me. I’m not looking for me per se.”
BOXERS OR BRIEFS? “It depends on the day — and the outfit.”
CARL My mom would say watching me back was watching me on steroids. Now I was partying a lot and all that, but I now appreciate how Jesse’s friends are saying, “It’s like actually seeing Carl.” I’m a little awkward, I’m a little goofy. My friends are now seeing me, which is I think a true compliment.
Anders Overgaard
John Elliott shirt. Guess Tank. Brooks Brothers pants. Lagos bracelets. Talent’s own belt.
FRASER People always ask how my mum is because in one season, for 12 seconds, I had a phone call with my mom and everyone’s obsessed with her.
What advice do you guys have for someone like Tyson who’s going through this for the first time?
CARL Use it as an opportunity to learn about yourself and grow from it. I think you might see some things that you’re not proud of, but being honest about it, taking accountability and I think growing from it is actually how you make the most of this environment.
SHEP Ignore the negative comments, because there’s a ginormous amount of people that really enjoy the show you’re on. You provide entertainment, they forget about their troubles.
JESSE The haters are people that you probably wouldn’t even be boys with anyways, so who cares what they think?
Jesse Solomon, 32
AS SEEN ON: Summer House seasons 8-9
WHY HE’S A CATCH: “I like to have a good time. If you want to date me, it’s going to be a blast. I also want to be a good dad, and build a nice life for my family.”
RELATIONSHIP MUST-HAVE: “Communication. Something I have not been perfect with but will definitely bring into my next relationship.”
BOXERS OR BRIEFS? “I wear a lot of Calvin Klein boxer briefs. I like some support.”
If you met your perfect match, but she refused to be on TV, would you walk away from the spotlight?
CARL It’s kind of hard to put the genie back in the bottle, especially if you’ve been on as long as some of us. Even as it stands right now, when I hopefully have a family at some point I feel like there is going to be a conversation with the kids about seasons one through four.
JESSE There’s not a lot in it for anyone who’s dating us and not on the show. We get all the good opportunities and they just get potential downside. I had a bad experience recently where I met a really lovely girl at a bar and we were talking and she had no idea I was on the show. And then she went and talked to her friends, and an hour later circled back. She’s like, “Why are you on a reality TV show? That’s so stupid. You don’t need to do that.” And I was like, “This is my biggest life choice in what I do.”
CARL She wasn’t meant for you then.
SHEP There’s a lot of good girls for whom reality TV is just a nonstarter, and I totally understand.
TOM I would negotiate, find a happy medium.
Credits
Photographer Anders Overgaard
Cinematographer Jonathan Cortizo
Groomer (Carl, Jesse + Shep) Ariane Victoria / Make Up For Ever, First Aid Beauty, Uncommon Beauty, Shark Tools, R+Co, California Born / The Only Agency
Groomer (Fraser) Natasha Leibel / La Mer, Babybliss, Tom Ford Beauty / The Only Agency
Groomer (Tom + Tyson) Valissa Yoe / Dior skincare, R&Co BLEU/ SEE Management
Wardrobe Stylist Julia Golden / Honey Artists
Tailor Nataliia Guller
Prop Stylist Summer Moore / Honey Artists
Location Gansevoort Meatpacking & Seven24 Collective Private Membership Club
Read the original article on People
