River Viiperi: "They criticize Paris out of jealousy." (Translated from Spanish)

Translation by Norma Hernández

He is a successful model. He is Spaniard, born in Ibiza 22 years ago. Since he was 17 he has given the fashion world much to talk about. He's walked for top international brands like Versace, Calvin Klein, American Eagle, Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, and has starred in many of their spots. He has also graced the covers of fashion magazines. From Russia to Japan, (to the United States of course) the country in which River Viiperi has lived in for a couple of years.

There, in New York Fashion Week, he met celebrity -in the best sense of the word- Paris Hilton. They have been a couple for a year. Since then, his popularity outside the fashion world has increased exponentially. He is followed by tens of thousands of people on both Twitter and Instagram.

They are one of Los Angeles's fashion couples, where they live when they aren't traveling. He loves her, supports her, and protects her. Now he answers my questions all the way from Bulgaria. Paris and him are there because she has been invited to appear in Bulgaria's Big Brother, but not to participate as a competitor, as some media outlets have assured. River, besides, talks to us about the television shows they both like and lets us know his girlfriend better.

Is there any truth that Paris Hilton -your girlfriend- and you are going to participate in Bulgaria's Big Brother?

I have no idea what Paris is going to do exactly, but neither one of us are going to stay in the house, nor will we be part of Big Brother, and we haven't asked for a king sized bed or anything. We are in Bulgaria in one of the Hilton hotels. They have hired her to act as a host and give the competitors in the house challenges and a bit more. That is, she will spend time with the competitors for a bit. I've come with her to support her and be with her on the trip.

Can you imagine yourself in one of these reality shows? And your girl? You think she would like it?

I have imagined many times participating in a reality show but it would have to be something different, innovative and interesting. Something  like, for example, the reality show "The Simple Life" of Paris. But of course, if it's something different, fun, innovative, and interesting not only would it she like it but I think everyone would too.

You are a top international model, very well known in the fashion world and every time known more by people in general. Have you thought about doing something related with television?

Let's drop the concept of "Top". I am an international model. I have never like the expression "top model.". If you are a model, you are a model independently of how well or how bad you do.

I have several projects in  mind; one of them is in Spain, precisely. It involves a film, "Lluvia Tóxica" (Toxic Rain), the first directorial job for Jaime Vaca the script writer of the series "Física o Química" or "Los Serrano". It's a comedy with musical touches and my character is very good looking.

Many people, especially journalists, talk about Paris without knowing her. That she is a party girl, that she is a rich girl without any worries. Does this bother you? Why are the people who think like this mistaken?

Of course it bothers me and I'll tell you why. Everyone talks without knowing, don't ask me why, it is something that I have never understood and never will. I call it jealousy. Who doesn't like to party? Who doesn't like to be rich? Having money doesn't mean not having any worries. It is true that at an economic level you don't have them, but there are more worries in life besides money.

Paris is a person who works really hard. I don't know anybody who works as hard as her. People think that she doesn't because she doesn't have a fixed schedule or an office job, including because her job is not an ordinary job, but I assure you that she works for a lot more hours and works harder than many other people. I don't know anybody else that works as much as Paris.

Now, similar things can be said about you: that you are a pretty boy, a moocher, that you go from party to party. However, those who know you-and I include myself amongst those-, we know that it has taken you a lot to be where you are. What's harder: having to deal with these types of comments or everything that you have already had to deal with?

More of the same. The opinions of people who don't know me directly don't matter to me [he laughs before getting serious]. It's been hard to get to where I am and it's going to be hard to get to where I want to be. That's the hard part, but it is something that everyone does to reach their dreams, or at least, that's what they should do...instead of worrying so much about other people's lives.

In another interview that I did with you, you said that in the fashion world you have to take a lot of shit. Has your life as a model improved? What has been that hardest thing you have had to deal with since you were 17 and left to London?

My life as a model has improved infinitely because I don't have to take shit from no one anymore. Now it's me who decides if I want to do something or not, I am my own boss. This is the point I have always wanted to reach. Now I can concentrate on my other projects without worrying about losing a job that I didn't want to do in the first place. The hardest thing for me has always been being away from what I know, going into a world in which you know nothing or no one and having to quickly adapt.

The world of modeling and catwalks is a very anonymous world. People know the names of great actors, their faces appear in movie posters, but in the case of models, very few times do their names appear in a photo shoot. The fact that, since you started dating Paris, your fame has increased, has this hurt or helped you in your career?

That has always been a problem for me. When I started to work as a model I made a Twitter account and I have always been exposed to the public. My agents would always tell me that I was overexposed and that the clients wanted exclusivity, but despite that I made off with that to reach the top doing what I thought appropriate and not doing what they told me.

Today, many clients want to get most out of the model they hire and they achieve it in part by hiring models with many Twitter followers. From that perspective, I have benefitted from being with Paris because many of her followers have started following me. On the other hand, many clients also see me as a "celebrity" - which I'm not- and that affects me because the true "celebrities" are the ones who take on the big projects.  Still, I do not give it any importance. I have many projects in sight, modeling for me has always been a transition to be able to achieve my dreams.

I've reached the top doing what I thought to be appropriate and not by doing what they told me.

Oddly enough, you are are a guy who can boast with a great body without making any big sacrifices in diet or the gym. Is it still that way or do you kill yourself at the gym daily?

Before I barely had time to go to the gym...imagine now... [Laughs]. At the moment I can get away without killing myself too much. When I can I'll go to the gym, I do pilates, I go for a run...whatever I can.

You were a big fan of "Entourage", what do you tend to watch on television? And what about your girlfriend?

I was and I still am, I am waiting for the movie [Laughs]. The series that we watch now (write it down because they are many) : "Suits", "American Horror Stories", "Arrow", "Do No harm", "Revenge", "Burn Notice", "Family Guy", "Breaking Bad", "Homeland", "Bates Motel"...just to name a few [Laughs]. I still haven't named them all.

How was your summer been?

Our summer has been incredible. A summer to remember: returning to Ibiza (which is where I was born) to see my girlfriend DJ in Amnesia was spectacular. I enjoyed the time there, the beaches, the food, etc. Simply amazing.

Besides Ibiza, we were in Malibu for a month surfing, barbecuing with friends, Hawaii, Las Vegas...it's been a very good summer and we have had a great time.

Summer is already ending...what projects await you?

Now that I live in Los Angeles it is summer year round to me [Laughs].  The project that I'm looking forward to the most right now is starting my own clothing line: shirts, sweatshirts, and such at the beginning. Later shoes, hats, and jewelry. I am finishing the deals and a few other things and I'll be on my way.

Besides this project I have many others on standby, the majority are collaborations with apps, online pages, etc. You'll see, this is the beginning! [Smiles].

Has it been a long time since you visited Spain? When will you visit Spain to see the Real Madrid, see the family, friends...?

Like I mentioned earlier, we were in Ibiza for the entire month of August. We were also in Barcelona. Before summer I stopped by Madrid for a few days to see my friends. I don't go much but when I do I don't think about it twice.

Are there things you miss from your life in Spain?

Of course I miss things, but it wouldn't change anything, everything happens for a reason. My friends will always be my friends, my family will always be my family. I miss them, but I know they will always be there for me when I need them just like I will always be here when they need me.

What is it that you value most about a person when you decide to trust them and consider them part of your circle? Are there a lot of people in that circle?

I appreciate people who are not fake, that always tell the truth no matter what happens, that don't beat around the bush and get straight to the point. That's what I most appreciate in people because people like that are scarce. That doesn't mean that I will let everyone who is like that into my "circle"; and even less now. I know who my friends are and they know it. I will meet new ones, obviously, but they won't be too many.

Are there a lot of lies and fake people who try to take advantage in the world you live in?

A lot. Fake people that will try to enter the circle no matter what, acting in a particular way, and when you give them a sign of trust they stab you in the back. That is something I do not tolerate.  My circle is basically closed. There will always be exceptions, but they will be few.

What's your wish for the future?

To not forget who I am, where I come from, and where I want to go. Happiness, health, and peace.

Artículo original en español River Viiperi Entrevista

River Viiperi Interview with abc.es (Translated from Spanish)

Translation by Norma Hernández

River Viiperi "My girfriend's fame does not intimidate me."

By Martin Bianchi /Madrid/ January 12, 2013

The Ibizan model that won over the American heiress talks exclusively with ABC about his childhood, "top model" career, and his dream of succeeding in film.

At 21 years old he is already one of the most sought after models in the world. Labels like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, or H&M trust him to sell their products and big photographers like Juergen Teller or Mario Testino have photographed him for the most prestigious fashion magazines. However, River Delfin Canomanuel Viiperi (Ibiza, 1991) has reached international recognition thanks to his high-profile relationship with the even more high-profile American heiress Paris Hilton. Since their relationship was made known, in September of 2012, Viiperi has become one of the most sought after people by the "paparazzi".

"Media pressure? It is a matter of getting used to it, although it is true that sometimes I wish I could go to the beach peacefully", he tells ABC letting out a laugh. "But it is a job and if you make it easy for the press the more space they will give you", the innocent faced model with an Olympic athlete's body adds. He also does not feel intimidated by his famous partner. "I do not judge people for who they are or for what they have, but in the way they are and what their values are. I met my girlfriend  under normal circumstances and we connected in an incredible way, her fame is part of her job and I do not see why that should intimidate me", he says.

With a Spanish father and a Finnish  mother, Viiperi was born in Ibiza and at only six months old  he moved to Canarias. After living several years in Finland and other European countries, he returned to Spain and spent his adolescence in the Madrid neighborhood of Aravaca. "I have traveled a lot since I was small, wherewith I do not miss Spain as a country, but I do miss my family and friends...and homemade food and the ham, I would not miss that", he says from Los Angeles, his place of residency with Paris Hilton.

There, at the foot of the Hollywood hills, he is planning his next step. "My dream has always been to become an actor, it is one of my projects for 2013, but my next step is to design clothes. I do not mean creating a brand, simply to design clothes for me, I am tired of going shopping and never finding anything that I like", he says.

Spectacular rising

What is certain is that the future does not keep him awake. "As James Dean said, 'Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today.'" The future does not worry me at all, I have gone through life alone and I have gotten to where I am without help", he admits. At 16 years old he decided to follow in his mother's footsteps, model Rita Viiperi, promising to never look back. "I left school and my studies for my career and I have never regretted it and I never will. Another one of my motto's is 'Never regret anything because at one point it is was exactly what you wanted.'"

According to Models.com, one of the reference websites for the fashion industry, Viiperi is one of the 50  best paid models in the world. "The legendary Spanish charm is seen very strongly in River Viiperi, a young man with a dynamic personality that captivates everyone", says the ranking in Models.com, in which he occupies the 34th position. "Since his first job for Heid Slimane to his recent role in the Calvin Klein CK One spot, his rise has been simply spectacular."

But how difficult is it to stay at the top of the industry? Viiperi says that the grand majority of the world thinks his job is a "joke", and clarifies that it has its pros and cons like any other profession. "The male fashion world is not that competitive...that's what I think. I am always happy for friends that get a couple of jobs. But I am sure that there are many people that think of it as a competition although it is not."

The two lives of River

"There are no secrets to succeed in this, simply work hard, be likeable, and give off good energy. People appreciate personality. A tip my mother gave me that I will never forget is when she would tell me "River, after your shower look into the mirror for a little everyday and practice your facial expressions". Back then I found it ridiculous, but I later grew to appreciate it", he says with a contagious laugh.

Now, Viiperi offers his best pose to whoever wishes to photograph him. He even offers up free personal photos of him and Hilton through his Twitter account: Cooking Cocido Madrileño, backstage at a fashion show, together in their trip to Aspen or traveling in a private jet to Miami.

"I have spent a long time alone and, whether you like it or not, when you feel alone you tend to look for an outlet. Mine was social media. There is always a fan thinking of you and wishing to write to you, so I like them to know that I appreciate their support and what they want is to gossip", he admits. And how does he protects his personal life from media hounding? "Well, I wouldn't know how to explain it but I know that I have a private life that nobody knows about and I think that suffices."

Artículo original en español Entrevista con River Viiperi

Nota:

¿Alguien sabe la traducción de "Sentir se siente, sufrir no siempre"? No sé si esto es un refrán español. 

Also if anybody has any corrections send them in and I'll take them into consideration. Thanks.