On
setting eyes on the exquisite Jay D’Engle, you can picture him donning GQ or
FHM magazine covers, but the humble down to earth chap is a surprising package.
The
determined figure who was born and raised in Doonside, D’Engle was home
schooled for his entire school career. “I completed school at 15 and left home
at 16 to pursue a competitive dance career.”
With
the experience he gained, he opened up a professional dance studio. “One of my
dreams is to travel the world. I started sailing again as this was a means to
make my dream become a reality. I took to it like a duck to water and was soon
offered a bursary to get my skipper qualifications. This is where my sailing
career started.” D’Engle says smiling.
D”Engle
who has just made a break into the international modelling world with modelling
shots of him adorning massive billboards as far away as India claims. “When I
was living up in Pretoria three years ago, I was at a beauty pageant supporting
my girlfriend. The male models hadn’t pitched and they announced that they
needed representatives, and if any ladies in the audience thought their guys
were good looking, to pull them up onto stage. I went up and ended up winning
the event.”
“Shortly
after that I entered and won a News Café Competition and then entered the
Mister Pretoria and Manhunt SA for fun and made the finals of both.” states the
chiselled frame.
It
was only in August last year that the young man decided that this is what he
wanted to do for a full time career. “This is all still new to me, but my goals
would be to feature at the International Fashion Week, and land a campaign for
Hugo Boss or Armani.” he says with a twinkle in his eye. “But eventually I
would love to get into film.”
D’Engle
comes from a big family, with three elder sisters and two older brothers, “My
family are scattered all around the country. I am a twin and I can proudly say
I have the best sister in the world; her name is Jasmine and is 23seconds older
than me. My parents are planning to sail the islands later this year, lucky
buggers!” he remarks.
He
continues, “My Dad, He is the most amazing person and utmost Gentlemen, I
inspire to be as great as him one day.” He pauses, “and maybe as good looking
but he set the bar pretty high.” A beaming D’Engle says.
D’Engle
is now based down in Cape Town juggling running his own dance studio with a
busy modelling career, “I moved down to the Cape in November last year and
started Dancerxise. It is a fitness dance class similar to Zumba except with
Latin steps incorporated. It is something I designed for myself to practice my
dancing and to keep me in peak condition, I couldn’t survive longer than
25minutes and that is when I decided it is a fantastic fitness routine.”
Asked
what his hobbies are, he responds, “Card magic, cooking – I am a strict Vegan
and I follow a fabulous diet to keep my body in shape. I don’t drink or smoke.
Every day I wake up, gym for two hours, and then hit the beach and gym again in
the evening. I am very content with my life.”
The
beautiful man has his provincial colours in sailing, as well as his U/18 Protea
Colours for Ice Hockey where he competed in the U/18 World Championships. He
qualified as South Africa’s youngest internationally qualified Latin American
dancing instructor at age 18 but says that the best event he ever won was the
Commodores Cup at the Round the Island Yacht Race held annually in Gauteng.
“I
headed up a sailing campaign for the Sail Africa Youth Development Team and
took them to a second place in the provincial championships. It was the most
rewarding seven months of my life. Something else I am extremely proud of is,
when I was seven, I was the youngest in South Africa to do a firewalk over five
meters of burning hot coal, that was a lasting memory!”
Asked
what is on his bucket list, he says enthusiastically, “Since I was a kid, I
have been dying to rollerblade 1,000km to raise money for a charity and I will
do this before I get too old.”
The
alluring, charming local concludes, “I strongly believe you have to live every
day as if it is your last, in joy, harmony and peace.”
ENDS
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