Hey Outstagrs and Couturians, are you ready to meet Gerard Rivers? Well, he is definitely ready to be introduced. This 24-year-old has been on a whirlwind since his win of the title of Mr Couture in September at the 9th Annual Mista Couture Style Contest that was held at Womens Club of Hollywood.
Below is our Q and A with this handsome, rising talent.
OS:Where
are you from?
GR:
I lived in the inner city of Long Beach/Lakewood, California during
my elementary school years.
OS:
How was it growing up in that city?
GS: Those
were some of my most favorite times because there was always
something to do. We had lots of family and extended family/friends
around to make life fun. But, as
I got into middle school, my parents decided to move us to the high
desert area of Lancaster, CA which is about 1 hour north of Los
Angeles. They were concerned about the school system in
Long Beach and the housing was more affordable in Lancaster so our
entire immediate family moved at the same time in 2005, my
grandparents, uncle/aunt along with my cousins. Life in Lancaster was
not as exciting but we adapted and since it’s a smaller town, I
take pride in being quite the personality around town. I’m mostly
known for basketball here whether at the gym or “that dude that
went to play in the Big East.” LOL
 |
| Rivers during his basketball days at Point Loma Nazarene University Class of 2014-15 (Photo courtesy of Loma University Athletics) |
GR:Basketball started when I was five and hitting the winning shot in the game. That feeling was incredible even at that age! My first passion was swimming, however. I was junior Olympic qualified at the age of 10 and won two silvers and a bronze in the California State games at that time as well.Even though I wasn’t planning to make basketball my career, in middle school I was the tallest on the teams so I played a lot.
Things changed in high school at Paraclete Catholic High since I stopped growing at 6 feet. But, I still was the star 3-point shot combo-guard who dreamt of going to play D1 ball. Because my school wasn’t big on recruiting for basketball, I didn’t get the looks that others here in the valley got. I was All CIF-1st Team, All League and team captain and believed I could walk on at St. John’s University in New York and I did! I’ve also played in San Diego at Point Loma University and in Canada. This past July I was selected number 22 out of 80 players in Vegas to compete for an overseas spot and was hoping to secure a contract. Then came the Mista Couture contest and my attention moved in a different direction.
 |
| Rivers in formal wear during the 9th Annual Mista Couture Style Contest (Photo courtesy of David Tonelson) |
OS: .When did you start to become into being stylish?
GR:It used to be that I was trendy. I look back on some of those big t-shirt/jean styles when I was younger and laugh because I can’t believe I thought that was cool. Maybe then it was, but since high school, I came to realize that style is unique. You make it who you are. At prom, I rocked some pink accessories with my suit that stole the show! Even my sister will ask my opinion before rocking a new look.
Honestly, it’s about how you carry yourself in your attire that makes the style attractive. At this year's Fashion Style Week (in Los Angeles), I met a man whose fashion was extremely eccentric and some might think weird. He mixed patterns and colors that were so busy it bordered on a thrift shop vibe, but dude had so much swag it convinced me that I could pull that off too. You must be fearless!
 |
| Rivers on the red carpet during first appearance as Mr Couture at Opening Reception of Style Fashion Week at Avenue L.A. October 2017 (Photo by Dedee Holloway) |
OS:Whats
your favorite attire to wear and why?
GR:It seems there’s never enough reasons anymore to suit-up. I love sporting a nice suit ensemble whether it’s casual, professional or After Five. There’s intense power behind a man in a suit that demonstrates the look and
attitude of prominence. When not in a suit, I like a nice pair of jeans, a button-down shirt, and a pair of boots. I might even top it off with a fedora if the mood hits me. Wardrobe must call to me as I’m shopping and most times it’s easy to pull together something nice no matter where you shop. Just always shop for you, not the trend.
 |
| Rivers after winning the Mr Couture title. Pictured from left are YOURS TRULY, Ma'at Atkins (creator/co-producer of Mista Couture Contest) and 2017 Mr Couture Winner Donald Miles (Photo Courtesy of David Tonelson) |
OS:Why did you decide to enter the Mr Couture Contest?
GR:I didn’t even see the “Mista Couture” contest information (on Casting Networks) until about two weeks before the event. My sister was in a showcase a few years back and was, in my opinion, the winner. She won every category except Miss Black Antelope Valley. How does that happen? Well, that inspired me to give it a shot.
With seriously zero preparation time, and not really knowing what to expect, I just dove in believing. My nanny used to always say, “That boy could fall in a pile of shit and come up smelling like a rose!” I carry those words with me as conviction that in the end it will all work out in my favor. Besides that, I have the BEST support system anyone could have. My family, and I mean everyone, has even traveled across state lines to encourage my dreams.
OS:Were
you surprised when you won?
GR:
It wasn’t as big of a surprise to me that I won as you might think
it should be. You have to believe in yourself with passion and NEVER
doubt if you want to succeed. People think that’s being cocky, but
it’s not. It’s trusting that as Philippians 4:13 says, “I can
do ALL things through Christ…”. When you have complete faith,
there’s no room for doubt. I am infinitely grateful at the same
time however.
 |
| Rivers in picture pose modeling some of his Mr Couture prizes including logo tee and PRASM armband, belt and socks. |
OS:
What are some of your hobbies?
If you say you CAN or you WILL, then that’s what happens. If it doesn’t, then something didn’t line up and that thing is not meant to be, but something else better is on its way just for you. No matter what you must stay in an atmosphere of peace, strength, love, and belief. Try to never let your harmony with the universe be disrupted. I’m also a dog lover. My family calls me the “dog whisperer” because I study how to interact with them so they usually will listen to me.
OS:
So what's next up for you?
GR:Right
now, my focus is to develop my craft. Since I’ve chosen to move
away from basketball, acting and modeling is where I’m heading.
I’ve been acting since I was about nine-years-old and was in a
couple of commercials and videos. The video that’s easiest to look
up is from a band called “The Fray” and the song is “How to
Save a Life” (from 2009). Yep that’s me in the beginning in back
right with the big Afro and at scene 1:01, 3:27 and 4:01 with the
ugly cry on YouTube.Yep that’s me in the beginning in back right
with the big afro and at scene 1:01, 3:27 and 4:01 with the ugly cry
on YouTube.
I’ve been employed as an extra lately on different productions such as “Lip Sync Battle”, “Lucifer”, “America’s Funniest Home Videos”, commercials, and even Marques Houston’s soon to be released new joint called “Always and Forever”. Soon I’ll be acquiring more national commercials and speaking parts, along with completing my modeling portfolio.
I’ve been employed as an extra lately on different productions such as “Lip Sync Battle”, “Lucifer”, “America’s Funniest Home Videos”, commercials, and even Marques Houston’s soon to be released new joint called “Always and Forever”. Soon I’ll be acquiring more national commercials and speaking parts, along with completing my modeling portfolio.
(Go
to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjVQ36NhbMk to
see video)
OS:So,
what do you see yourself doing in five years?
GR:My
aspiration for the future is to secure my position in entertainment
as a well-known entity whose drive shoots him straight to the top! I
AM THAT NEXT NEW DUDE! During
this next year I intend to represent the “Mista
Couture” brand
with pride here in Los Angeles and anywhere else this journey takes
me. For me, this is a proud, major accomplishment.
OS:How
can people contact you as far as booking you for modeling
opportunities?
GR:For bookings please contact rivrs24@gmail.com, gerardrivers on IG, my cell 562-208-4827, or my manager Dedee Holloway at 562-208-4967.
