AJ English, actor and model, 20, photographed overlooking the Hollywood Hills

Shirt and pants Adam Kimmel

On Yogurtland:
I fully believe the weather is far more important than many people give it credit for. It encompasses your entire life—from the second you awaken the state of things outside will dictate everything from what you wear to how much Yogurtland you eat. I have found in Los Angeles, more than any other place, a virtually perfect environment that allows for minimal distraction and ultimate productivity due to never really being uncomfortable. I know New York is this crazy inspiring place where everyone is hustling 24/7, but it's just too fucking humid.

On the service industry:
I had been in L.A. for about two days when I landed a job at an infamous rock and roll Thai restaurant in Hollywood called TOI. The owner is this tall platinum blond rocker fossil who just happened to be eating there when I stomped in seeking employment, looking almost identical to him. I started the next day and served Quentin Tarantino and Morrissey simultaneously! I was living in the dining room of a big house Bukowski owned right off Sunset Blvd. and would roll out of bed around noon to skateboard to work in a Black Flag tee... Why would I ever go back to Boise?

On the surreal life:
First off, I'm straight edge, so things are usually pretty chill. It was really amazing to be shot by Ryan McGinley. I was picked up and driven out to the beach in Santa Barbara right as the fires were ravaging the area for a few days to shoot. The one day that sticks out the most is when Ryan had me run behind a truck on a dirt road until I was breathing mud and my legs collapsed underneath me, I was laying on the ground gasping for air and I look up at him smiling snapping away. He made up for it with a nice hour of jumping into a lake. but what stand out to me most are the simple connections with souls that make my life feel surreal, from sitting next to Beyoncé at some party and asking for tickets to her show the next day (and getting them!) to driving out at 2 a.m. to Venice just to sleep with a beautiful girl on the beach to laying in bed with my best friend Chad watching Pete & Pete all night. I still struggle with separating dreams from reality sometimes.