Red HotGird your loins folks, the first images of everyone’s favourite annual calendar have been revealed and they are something to behold.
Now in its sixth year, the Red Hot project has been consistently transforming the old, tired stereotype of redheads and ginger haired people by updating, revamping and generally showing them off in all their natural glory.
For its latest calendar – Red Hot American Boys – the team headed to Muscle Beach, Los Angeles, bringing together the ‘hottest ginger jocks’ from the across the United States for their 2019 edition.
Using social media to track down their models, photographer Thomas Knights and art director Elliott James Frieze had the difficult job of narrowing their search down to 12 flame-haired adonises.
The project has been successfully rebranding the ginger male image since 2013, with 5 previous calendars, 2 coffee table books and a global touring exhibition. So far, the team have raised over £55,000 for various charities including: The Diana Award, Terrence Higgins Trust, Elton John Aids Foundation, and The Anti-Bullying Alliance.
This year’s Red Hot calendar raises funds for Athlete Ally, a charity that believes that everyone should have equal access, opportunity, and experience in sports — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Their mission is to end homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQ equality.
Ahead of the calendar’s official launch next week, here’s a first look at some of the calendar’s red hot pics:
Craving some more? Check out Red Hot 100’s Instagram page here.
Of course, the calendar isn’t just being released quietly, oh no. Red Hot are launching their American Boys calendar with an ‘even hotter American-style house party’ in Soho, London.
‘Explore this unique opportunity to party with the worlds sexiest ginger boys,’ they write, ‘in a hazy maze of secret rooms, superstar DJ’s, peep shows and famous faces.’
The exclusive house party, officially called Gaydar & Meanshappy.com presents Red Hot American Boys, has a very limited number of public tickets, with a VIP option for those who desire to upgrade their experience and attend the special Red Hot dinner in the swanky L’Escargot restaurant prior to the main party at 9pm.
They explain:
VIP tickets include: 1 x Dinner (6:30-8:30PM) with red hot models, notable guests & celebrities. Spend more time getting to know photographer Thomas Knights and the models. Full access to the party including exclusive use of the VIP lounge. One guest allowed from 9pm
You can buy the Red Hot American Boys 2019 calendar right here.
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.