02/06/2008
Valentino Wanted to be John Barrowman's Sugar Daddy
In the February 2008 issue of UK magazine Heat, Torchwood star John Barrowman reveals that recently-retired fashion designer Valentino once tried to be his sugar daddy, but Barrowman says he wasn't interested in being bought.
Said Barrowman: "I haven't had relationships with famous people! I've been approached by famous people, but I've said no. They wanted me for other reasons. As a trophy. And I don't want to be a trophy. I want to have my own trophies. Valentino courted me for quite a long time. I wanted to be his friend but I don't think he wanted a friendship. He sent me Rolexes. He gave me a 1959 Rolex but I'm not going to boast about how much it was worth because I actually took it to Christie's and auctioned it. I didn't feel comfortable keeping these things. When I was on his boat in the Mediterranean, he gave me this diamond cross with sapphires in it because he said he wanted to see my eyes sparkle against the sapphires as I was swimming in the sea. It's a different world. As you step aboard his yacht, you get a Bulgari watch given to you. I was 21 or 22 and he phoned me at the theatre where I was on and made it look like I was going to model clothing for him... he saw me in Speedos on his yacht but I've always stood by the fact that I've never slept with someone to get anywhere."
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Posted 9:50 AM EST by Andy Towle in John Barrowman, News, Valentino | Permalink
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Yoo hoo! Valentino! Over here!
Posted by: David D. | Feb 6, 2008 9:52:57 AM
That cracked me up, David!
Valentino kinda' looks like the butler from "The Nanny".
Posted by: Michael W. | Feb 6, 2008 9:58:21 AM
All these years, I always thought Valentino was asexual. Glad to hear the maestro also feels a tingle in his gold-plated and diamond encrusted loins and he can get his skank on as well.
Posted by: gabe | Feb 6, 2008 10:04:50 AM
John Barrowman is so yummy. Andy--you should post more pictures of him here.
Posted by: Jeff NYC | Feb 6, 2008 10:17:56 AM
There was only one great Valentino, and his name was Rudolf. Who is that old man?
Posted by: Derrick from PHilly | Feb 6, 2008 10:24:40 AM
I would buy a rolex for anyone who brings me a pic of John in a speedo at 22. Frick, even a speedo now would be smokin.
Posted by: secretagentman | Feb 6, 2008 10:30:32 AM
GaWD. No FAIR! I was in ALL the wrong places in the early 90s. Barrowman is indeed smokin' hot. Secretagentman, you can go to his "official site" at http://www.johnbarrowman.com/
If you check the Portfolio section and browse by Stage Appearances, you can find a hum-dinger of his fineness during a performance in a production of Hair while wrapped in some facsimile of a loincloth. Happy Hump Day...jeebus.
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Feb 6, 2008 10:52:56 AM
So, when do WE get to see Barrowman in a Speedo? Lord, I love that man.
Say what you will about Valentino, the man has good taste in picking up men!
Posted by: Chris | Feb 6, 2008 10:59:32 AM
hmmm... would i pull down my panties for a rolex... try me...
Posted by: the queen | Feb 6, 2008 11:04:11 AM
How does someone who "wasn't interested in being bought" end up Valentinos yacht in the mediterranean, in a speedo at age 22?
And the gifts? Auctioned or not. There was a benefit there. They may not have had a sexual relationship but John was obviously enjoying this mans affections. And then to talk about it in a magazine. Tacky. Some friend.
Posted by: JJ | Feb 6, 2008 11:06:35 AM
It's not that evident in this pic, but Barrowman looks a lot like John Edwards, n'est-ce pas?
Posted by: LD | Feb 6, 2008 11:09:28 AM
Oh...the Barrowman guy is gay. Oh, I see now. I understand now why y'all make such a fuss over him. But he still aint no Rudolf Valentino, and neither is that wrinkled fashion designer. If I had that fashion designer's millions-- would I "keep" young handsome men? Not for long periods of time. You'd only get your heart broken, and have to have the young hustler dealt with...like Norma Desmond did.
Posted by: Derrick from PHilly | Feb 6, 2008 11:15:11 AM
i once came across talk that he had complained in a doctor who magazine (of all places) about the inconvenience of (his) having a large endowment, but have never been able to find confirmation of this tidbit, but, ah, does it fuel fantasies.
Posted by: rouquinricain | Feb 6, 2008 11:32:03 AM
I think it's slightly cruel (or at least in poor taste) to be revealing Valentino's deperation to the world. If Barrowman felt so strongly about not being "bought," he should have returned the gifts.
Posted by: Paul R | Feb 6, 2008 11:32:21 AM
I agree with JJ. Barrowman may not have walked around wearing the 1959 Rolex, but he still accepted that extremely extravagant gift, sold it, and kept the money. He's a beautiful man to be sure, but accepting expensive baubles from an old man whose affection you don't return makes it difficult to take the high road later. One can't accept gifts like that and then say that one "can't be bought". Whether he put out for Valentino was irrelevant. Frankly, I have no problem with the "kept boy" phenomenon, as long as the arrangement is by mutual agreement and is to the benefit of both parties. But once you become the recipient of such gifts, you have to own it forever.
Oh, and his willingness to discuss this publicly reveals a basic tackiness that makes his physical beauty a little less impressive in my book.
Posted by: The Milkman | Feb 6, 2008 11:37:18 AM
ok, as someone who was also pursued by wealthy older gentlemen, i'm trying to work this out in my head.
i can see that he is taking the high road because he was enticed to appear under the false pretenses of modeling the clothing, and who wouldn't accept an invitation to do that on the private yacht for the designer? and he did say that everyone gets expensive gifts as soon as they board. i'm sure the whole first day was quite a thrill. there were probably a few other models on board in speedos as well, no?
but when he realized that a longer term reciprocation was to be returned, he must have said no, and then was told to keep the gift, which he then took to christy's. had he not needed the $, (he was a young struggling actor i presume), he could have donated it to charity or something, but it probably went to pay many months rent, or some finer threads.
the only fault is that he has told a reporter of valentino's proclivities which the world will interpret as desperation. that is not in good taste.
one can't be too careful when speaking to journalists, for when they do their job well, and get their subject to talk openly, this is what happens.
it's probably very likely that mr. barrowman regrets the outcome of the interview. the whole topic should have been cut from the story, or at least valentino's name. very strange indeed.
Posted by: voodoolock | Feb 6, 2008 12:03:52 PM
Oh, how common. A proper girl should never, ever, kiss and tell; or sell.
Posted by: Princess Superstar | Feb 6, 2008 12:12:23 PM
Among a certain set, it is not at all unusual at large yachting parties for all the guests to receive expensive gifts as they come aboard, or in their cabins.
Valentino's yacht is notorious, his parties legendary, I have been aboard a couple of times years ago. The man liked to be surrounded by young good looking guys.
So what, if he was straight and liked young women no ne would blink twice.
Posted by: Rob | Feb 6, 2008 12:27:30 PM
"... having a large endowment, but have never been able to find confirmation of this tidbit ..." There's a picture of it on billymasters.com, in a hamburger bun (seriously).
Posted by: Phillip SD | Feb 6, 2008 12:32:57 PM
ROB, so very true. i'd guess that the double standard arises from the notion that all men are supposed to be independent, and not kept at all, especially by other men. so if someone tries to buy himself one, then he is a fool, because real men can't be bought. heartache is sure to follow.
if a woman buys herself young men, then she is just exercising her well earned power.
money and physical desire make the world so complex.
Posted by: voodoolock | Feb 6, 2008 12:35:47 PM
Thanks Fizzie! Those pics are tasty!
Posted by: secretagentman | Feb 6, 2008 2:20:14 PM
thanks for the info phillip sd, i'd love to see barrowman's bun and co., but paying for a gossip website? not my cup of tea.
Posted by: rouquinricain | Feb 6, 2008 4:22:17 PM
Having twice slept with Barrowman, YEARS ago, I can tell you that he is no Boy Scout and there was definitly a vibe about him in such that it would not surprise you that he would accept the Rolex, sell it, and talk about it later. Don't get me wrong, he is hot, more of a nice guy than people realize...but not a high roader either. He was very agressive wooing me while he was in a play on the West End while I was there on extended business (we met through a mutual acquaintance). No Pollyanna that one. And while he is large, he is not 'porn star large'.
Posted by: Trasker | Feb 6, 2008 4:42:20 PM
The photo of him as a bartender looks a little weird...why does his face look so waxy and pale?
Posted by: tommy | Feb 6, 2008 5:29:09 PM
Trasker! Thou mightest heed yon comment of Princess Superstar, forsooth!
Posted by: Kile Ozier | Feb 6, 2008 5:30:24 PM