Model-turned-actor hones craft in new thriller

    Ronnie Kroell made a name for himself appearing on Bravo’s “Make Me a Supermodel” and doing a nude Playgirl spread. With his starring turn in the locally shot “Into the Lion’s Den,” now out on DVD, Kroell is embarking on an acting career. In the engrossing thriller, Kroell plays Michael, a heartbroken Los Angelino stuck overnight in Pennsylvania’s Amish country. Traveling with two queer pals, the gay guys run afoul of the homophobic locals.

    On the phone from Los Angeles, Kroell spoke about getting naked and getting into character.

    PGN: Let’s start out as the characters in the film do, playing Never Have I Ever. Never have I ever seen “Supermodel” or your Playgirl spread. But I did catch you in “Eating Out Drama Camp” and now “Into the Lion’s Den.” What can you say about your budding acting career? RK: Being a model since I was 15 and following that dream to New York, and “Make Me a Supermodel,” I wanted to dig deeper and find new emotional and intellectual honesty. The model wanted to speak, and start telling stories. “Eating Out Drama Camp” presented itself, and that was fun to do. I auditioned [for “Lion’s Den”] and got a lead. It was really trial by fire for me. I have had some acting training and classes. I want to be considered a legitimate actor after doing a reality show. I have no regrets at all with “Supermodel,” but with anything in life, it comes with pros/cons, and there’s a challenge to gain respect with my peers. So I’m working on my craft.

    PGN: You seem to enjoy showing your penis in your films and photo spread. But there’s an uncomfortable full-frontal scene in “Lion’s Den” involving a needle … RK: I’m comfortable in my own skin. I don’t think that I did anything gratuitous. I had creative control for the Playgirl spread. With “Den,” our director/producer knows his stuff. He’s into blood and gore and props. The needle pricked my prick a bit, but it’s not real.

    PGN: Your character is described as “quiet, mysterious,” but also easy to coerce. Is that how you are in real life? RK: I’m probably one of the most extraverted introverts you’ll meet. I don’t need to be the center of attention. I gauge the temperature of the room and listen. I enjoy learning about others and see what makes them passionate and what excites them.

    PGN: Michael is heartbroken and looking for a new start. What’s your relationship status? RK: I’m single. Heartbroken, but not necessarily looking for a new start. I’m a serial monogamist. I’m learning to date me. It’s important to not need to be with someone. It’s nice to be loved, and have someone to bear witness and support you, and I want that relationship when it happens. I’m interested in dating, but it’s nice not to rush into it. I’m learning more about myself, and what I deserve and have to offer.

    PGN: The three gay guys are real fish out of water in Amish country. How have you handled experiences where you were out of your element? RK: When I was at Roosevelt University, I was into vocal jazz. A guy said, “If you want to learn how to sing, come to my church in the South Side of Chicago.” This place was outside of my comfort zone, and I took the adventure. I went to this huge church and was the only white person there, and felt out of my element until this one couple came and introduced me, and welcomed me. I wonder if my church would have been welcoming the odd person out.

    PGN: What about the film’s depiction of gays? Michael and his friends are described as “different,” “eccentric,” even “Californian.” Everyone knows they are gay, but talks around it. Do you think Michael and his friends are gay clichés/stereotypes? RK: Not necessarily a stereotype … We wanted to show that the stereotype isn’t the only thing that people should know about gay people.

    PGN: One of the characters has to disclose his HIV status in the film. What are your thoughts on that situation? RK: The character has to deal with and disclose it and figure out what it means. It’s important to have this message that [HIV] still exists. We have to be aware of it, and de-stigmatize it, and have conversations about it. You see two opposite reactions [to the disclosure]: a loving, caring one, and a very different reaction from another character. It reminds us how much more work needs to be done to educate people.

    PGN: What can you say about your drunk scene(s)? RK: [Laughs]. Oh my God. It was kind of ri-donk-ulous. I was really drinking. I had a couple of shots to loosen me up. They are difficult to play.

    PGN: You have a notable sex scene in the film, not just because you’re with a woman, but because you’re tied up at the time. How was that to film? RK: [Laughs]. I’m a gold-star gay. I’ve never had sex with a woman. This was the closest I got.

    PGN: The film certainly plays on fears. What is your biggest fear? RK: I think my biggest fear is spiders, because I was bitten by a spider when I was on “Supermodel,” and I didn’t know until a week later when I couldn’t feel my arm and had a 104-degree temperature. Every time I see a spider now, I scream like a little girl.

    PGN: Michael is both hunted and a hunter. What can you say about those scenes of him running shirtless through a field and the kill, wound or-be-killed action? RK: Running in the field half-naked, I was allergic to the brush, and broke out all over and had to stop and put on cream. Then I found out I got chiggers, which are mini-spiders. And I didn’t get combat pay!

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