(Print Issue N.01) DYLAN SPROUSE: le nouveau dandy
DYLAN SPROUSE:
le nouveau dandy
PRINT ISSUE N.01
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PANERAI x L’BEAUTÉ HOMME
Photography BENJO ARWAS Talent DYLAN SPROUSE Production and interview ANTONIO MONTAÑO Editor-in-chief STEPHANIE AROUESTY Art Direction ALEXIS LÓPEZ Styling RIMA VAIDILA for FORWARD ARTISTS Grooming SUSSY CAMPOS for ART DEPARTMENT LA Video and post-production TYLER GURD Assistant Photographer CHRISTIAN SCUTT Styling Assistant JULIA SEIGEL Location LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
He knew how to harness the popularity that Disney gave him when he was a teenager, and so now Dylan Sprouse knows how to strategically pick the roles he plays while keeping a low profile, and a very private personal life. Right after the premiere of Beautiful Disaster, his latest film, we talked with the actor about how he managed to transform his physique overnight, the secret behind a successful romantic relationship, and his future projects.
One of Disney’s main goals is to entertain kids with productions that have simple, fun plotlines with characters played by the industry’s youngest actors. This was the case for Dylan and Cole Sprouse, who starred as Zack and Cody respectively on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody back in 2005 when they were just 13 years old. A big part of the series’ success came from the duo’s charm and charisma, which over time has proven to know how to choose the right path and carve out successful personal careers.
While his brother decided to continue on in the world of television productions, Dylan decided to venture into the cinematic world. After having starred in several movies, he’s now presenting Beautiful Disaster, a film that will surely entertain any audience and by playing a role for which he had to make considerable demands on his body in order to look like a young man who secretly boxes at night.
Despite having risen to fame at a young age, leading a stable and solid professional life, and being able to boast his engagement to Barbara Palvin, this young man just might be the epitome of the new dandy: he’s relaxed, charming, and effortlessly cool; all qualities that were caught by Benjo Arwas’ camera during this fun photoshoot in Los Angeles, California. A cover story joined by Panerai with pieces that prove how luxury watchmaking can adapt to the trends and demands of the modern-day gentleman.
L’BEAUTÉ HOMME We’d like to thank you for starring in our first edition of L’Beauté Homme. We chose someone that represented our DNA: irreverence, mental agility, and an effortlessly cool factor, and when we saw your profile, making this collaboration made sense in every way.
DYLAN SPROUSE Wow! That’s the best compliment I’ve received.
LBH We’ve noticed that you’re very selective with the characters you portray, and so we’d like to know what caught your attention about Travis Maddox, the role you play in Beautiful Disaster, your latest movie.
DS When I read a script, part of my process when choosing a character is seeking discomfort. I always need a challenge, of any kind, and I enjoy doing things that I’ve never done before. The opportunity of portraying a bare-knuckle boxer is something that I had never had before, especially because I’m known for being someone that likes to stay at home playing videogames. That’s why I loved the idea of being subjected to rigorous training and boxing classes. I’m very happy to have played Travis because it’s changed my lifestyle into a more active one.
LBH And what did that rigorous training that you mention entail? Did you follow any particular regimen?
DS Training lasted for three months, which is really not that much time and the reason why it had to be so intense. I trained for a month in Los Angeles with Patrick Murphy, who’s a very famous trainer, and with two others in Bulgaria. I would spend four hours at the gym every day; two hours boxing and two more doing strength training. However, the hardest part was the diet. You need to eat quite a lot if you want to gain muscle. I would eat tons of fish, broccoli, and rice. And the worst part was you can’t season anything!
LBH Aside from the physical part of it, what other challenges did you have to overcome for this movie?
DS The physical aspect of it was definitely the hardest part, I had always accepted roles that didn’t demand anything on my body. However, there were many scenes in which I had to be shirtless, and so filming during winter in Bulgaria also became a challenge. You can’t concentrate that easily and say all your lines right when all you want is to keep warm.
LBH Do you think that your relationship with your body changed after transforming it for this role?
DS Totally! I wasn’t as conscious of my body as I am now. I could even say I had inverted dysmorphia; I would look in the mirror and not care about how I looked, I would always just think: “I look good!” This perception is something I wish everyone would have about their bodies but in my case, it was coming from a wrong place. I was very permissive with myself, I never left my comfort zone, which is why I didn’t care for it as much. After having played Travis, I realized that I can always demand my body a bit more and how good it feels to work out every day. In the same way, this role really helped my mental health.
LBH Who is this movie’s target audience? Who should watch it?
DS The movie itself is fun and dynamic so I’d say everyone will enjoy it. I don’t believe it fits a specific genre, though, because there’s action in it, as well as romance, comedy, and a little bit of drama. That’s the true strength that this movie has and what makes it an excellent piece of cinematography. And I’m glad to see that critics and experts agree.
LBH We’ve also noticed how you’re not very active on social media. Is there any specific reason for that? How would you describe your relationship with them?
DS I’d say I was a little late to them and that I never really jumped on that bandwagon. I’m not on TikTok and no longer use Twitter. I use Instagram in a very loose way that is not as curated as it used to be. This is the reason why I’m having more fun with my profile and social media in general, because I’m no longer concerned in portraying a perfect lifestyle that doesn’t exist.
LBH What do you enjoy doing when you’re not filming? What’s a normal day in your life like?
DS I really enjoy watching television, movies, anime, and playing videogames. But I also like to read, paint, and spend time with my girlfriend, my dog, and my cat. I think actors that really last are those that can create a stable personal life and that’s what I’m trying to do by keeping a low profile, and it’s working. I recently started to grow carrots, potatoes, and onions, and I’m really enjoying that as well.
L’Beauté Homme Now that you mention her, congratulations on your engagement to Barbara Palvin! How did you two meet?
Dylan Sprouse We met six years ago, at a vanity Fair party in New York. She walked up to me on the red carpet and said I looked like a hot dog salesman because I was wearing a white and red striped shirt. I immediately fell in love with her after that comment. We spent a lot of time together at that party, talking and having drinks. Then I lost track of her for a few months until one day, she texted me unexpectedly to meet up. I immediately texted back, but I told her it was terrible timing because I was about to move to China for six months to film a movie. After texting back and forth and talking on the phone every day, she came to visit me on set, had a proper date, and the rest is history…
LBH Generally speaking, what do you think is key to have a successful romantic relationship?
DS It depends on who you’re with and what kind of relationship you’re both looking for. The only advice I could give would be to get to know yourself and your partner. If you do that, you’re already halfway there.
LBH What would you be doing if you hadn’t become an actor? What would you be doing?
DS I would be a Master Brewer, something I’m already doing. Or a farmer.
LBH Your twin brother Cole’s hidden talent is photography, what’s yours?
DS I know how to play the hurdy-gurdy, a medieval musical instrument, and I know how to yodel. Don’t ask me to yodel, though, because I won’t. (laughs)
LBH What upcoming projects are lined up?
DS My debut as an executive producer. I made a film in Indiana with a group of close friends during the pandemic. It’s been in three film festivals since it first premiered and I’m very happy with that accomplishment.
LBH What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say “Mexico”?
DS My favorite food! As a matter of fact, I really want to visit Oaxaca because I’m a big fan of mole.
LBH And when I say “beauty”?
DS Barbara.
