Watch Out for Matt Riddlehoover

MATT RIDDLEHOOVER IS KIND, SMART, MODEST, GOOD LOOKING AND SEXY AND HE IS A BUBBLE OF TALENT. THAT IS ALL WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME THE LATEST HOLLYWOOD SENSATION. ALL THAT, AND A HEALTHY DOSE OF GOOD LUCK. NOW WE CAN ALMOST SEE YOU RAISE YOUR EYEBROWS. MATT RIDDLE-WHO? SO PLEASE HEAR US OUT AND SE FOR YOURSELF. MATT DEFINITELY HAS DEFINED HIS SPACE, SO WATCH OUT, MATT RIDDLEHOOVER IS ON THE MOVE.

Born in Bermuda and raised in Charleston, South Carolina since he was five, Matt Riddlehoover moved to Nashville about four years ago to do what every other guy in his early 20’s does. Going to school, keeping up with his friends and exploring the magical cyberspace of the Internet. And that is where it all started. In 2006 Matt wrote, directed and starred in To A Tee, a seriocomic about a gay playwright who feeds off his stubborn attraction to the wrong type of guy, best described as Annie Hall Meets Will & Grace. The theatrical trailer of the film was posted on MySpace and in no time it became the most watched video and ended up being the MySpace User’s Choice Award. Matt Riddlehoover’s name was made and he is on an unstoppable course to the top. Reason enough for BeautifulMag to look him up.

Matt, who is Matt Riddlehoover?
Matt: Mmm…never heard of him.

So it all began on MySpace, Matt…
Matt: It certainly did. ☺

Tell us about To A Tee.
Matt: To A Tee is a little black comedy in which I portray a gay playwright who finds himself attracted to the same dark and handsome, and difficult types of guys over and over – which, more often than not, end up making great material for his plays. And it’s also about what happens when a close friend introduces him to her dark and handsome, and difficult boyfriend. It was a feature I made while I was still in school. It wasn’t a project, it wasn’t for a grade, it was something I’d written and felt like I needed to produce at that time. Everything concerning the film happened so fast: I wrote the script in two weeks around Thanksgiving, had it cast by New Year’s and started shooting before Valentine’s Day. And after we wrapped in April, I threw a trailer for the film up on my MySpace page and just days later it was in the running for the User’s Choice Award.

And you won?
Matt: And I won. It was a total surprise. I didn’t realize what it meant or that it would snowball into receiving media inquiries, acquisition offers and just overall continued exposure. It was the first time I really felt like a filmmaker, because I didn’t have to look for an audience, they’d found me. And I think it’s a shame that MySpace has become more of an AdSpace now for distributors. I think because distributors saw the attention To a Tee and all the other User’s Choice Award winners received, they’ve turned MySpace Film into their own bankable market campaign. Now you’ll see things like Artist on Artist or exclusive clips from upcoming multiplex fares. So unfortunately, other new directors won’t receive the opportunity I did, because the award I won doesn’t exist anymore. Nonetheless, MySpace is still probably the best and easiest way to network today, because we’re all on it.

And now Watch Out. Tell us about the film.
Matt: It’s outrageous. It’s based on the novel of the same name by Joseph Suglia and was adapted and directed by Steve Balderson, who I think was perfect for the material. He did Firecracker a few years back with Karen Black and Mike Patton, which was such a visually rich film. I think it’s an eye like his that really makes a movie like this work. The story centers around my character, Jonathan Barrows, who, to the outside eye, is a complete narcissist. He’s convinced that he’s the smartest, sexiest, greatest person that’s ever walked the planet. However, we find him applying for a position at a community college in a small town in Michigan. So, apparently the world he’s living in is completely unaware of his supreme greatness. Unless of course we count the desk clerks, bar flies and punk rockers he meets along the way that are intensely attracted to him. But it makes no difference, because Jonathan Barrows is only attracted to himself. He falls in love with himself, literally. Seriously! He totes around a blow-up doll that resembles him for Christ’s sake; so it’s extremely hard for him to resist several glances when passing a mirror.

Is there much nudity in the film?
Matt: A lot of nudity ☺.

To what degree do you resemble Jonathan?
Matt: Well, like Jonathan, I’m definitely comfortable in my own skin; more so now, especially after doing this movie. And despite Jonathan Barrows’ vanity, there’s something pleasing and attractive, I think, about being comfortable with your body or yourself. And, I guess like Jonathan, I hate it when I don’t get my way. That might be the only child in me coming out, but we’re all like that. It’s human, we want what we want. But, on the flip side, I’m a people person. I appreciate my alone time and need a few hours to myself usually every day, but at the same time, I don’t know where I would be without my friends. And I’d definitely prefer the real thing to an inflatable love doll.

The character Britney Spears plays a significant role in the movie. Will Britney appear herself?
Matt: No. Jillian Lauren plays the pop star. And the character’s actually, at this point anyway, nameless – it’s become more of an insinuation. And I’m really glad Steve went that route because it makes it timeless. Today, to us, she’s Britney. In the 80’s, she could’ve been Tiffany. Another couple years, maybe Miley - who knows! The character personifies that kind of catapult to fame in the U.S. that’s so often – or, at least, assumed to be - based on age and appearance and sex appeal, rather than raw talent. And since Jonathan Barrows considers himself the only person worth celebrating, he uses his own appearance and sex appeal to lure the idol into harm’s way.

Now tell us a bit more about yourself personally, Matt:
What is your favorite song at this moment?
Matt: I love “Ur So Gay” by Katy Perry, or anything else of hers I’ve heard. Her singles tower above everything that’s on the radio here in the states. Really been digging Malajube and Azure Ray songs lately, too.

Favorite food?
Matt: I love rich desserts. I actually wrote trifles into the screenplay for To A Tee just so that we’d have a bunch on set.

Who is the last person you called?
Matt: I called my friend Timmy Red earlier in Orange County. His birthday was yesterday and I wanted to hear all about the party.

What do you wear in bed?
Matt: Depends on the weather. Since it’s summer, just my underwear. Boxer briefs is the answer you’re looking for, I’m sure.

Do you have a pet?
Mat: I might as well. My neighbor and close girlfriend has an adorable French bulldog, Colt, who frequently occupies many hours of my day.

What does the ideal man look like according to Matt Riddlehoover?
Matt: I’m picky, though I have actually fallen for some pretty strange-looking men. I like guys, just regular guys; the kind of guy that doesn’t care about his hair and knows how to fix things. It’s not always all about looks, but then again, a banging tan, piercing eyes and great smile couldn’t hurt.

And is there a man in your life right now?
Matt: No! I guess I’m waiting around for my own dating show to happen or something. I need to meet some hardcore contestants.

What should we Watch Out for next when it comes to Matt Riddlehoover?
Matt: Well, I’m featured in The Music Lover’s video for “Stop Turning Me On” [from the Watch Out soundtrack] as well as The Wamego Ultimatum, which is the third installment of Steve’s documentary series about do-it-yourself filmmaking. Steve is also putting together a movie camp cruise that I hope to do a couple workshops for next year. And right now, I’m writing a new film that’s episodic about the twelve months of the year - twelve vignettes, twelve genres. Other than that, I’m just taking it easy. I’ll be at the pool all summer! –B-

With photo's by Dustin Cunningham and Ethan James.

MATT RIDDLEHOOVER | BEAUTIFUL
WATCH OUT | BEAUTIFUL

Comments

[davy]

damn he his hot!!!

[Patric]

Matt is definitely smart and talented actor! Watch out is a totally cool, exciting and very interesting movie!

[Redemption Summers]

Matt is awesome! Make sure you check out his myspace page and make him a friend. Not only is a great actor/producer/etc.... he post some very funny stuff on his page and bulletins.

[Mercedes Kent]

This guy is absolutely gorgeous. Nothing I would take home to mother but someone I’d fuck.