The Hard Times of RJ Berger's Jayson Blair on Bullies, Sexting and Detention with Zombies
By J. Everette Perry
Photographs by J. Everette Perry
Jayson Blair may be know for his role as a bully- jock on MTV's sex comedy The Hard Times of RJ Berger, but the Michigan native says he's much more into keeping the peace than starting fights. That is, with the living. You can soon see Blair warding off zombies in the upcoming campy horror flick, Detention of the Dead, slated for 2012. Here, he chats with us about his Hard Times role, zombies and his stance on sexting.
What's your favorite thing about being on MTV?
My favorite thing about being on MTV... is that I'm on MTV. I used to watch MTV all day, every day when I was younger. It's super-cool being a part of the network that was such a major part of my high school years.
Can you describe The Hard Times of RJ Berger in three words for us?
It's funny, shocking, and special.
Your character, Max Owens, is a high school student. What was your biggest insecurity when you were a teenager?
I always wanted to be someone else. The taller guy, the guy with blonde hair, the guy dating that girl, with that body, etc. Then I grew up and realized that we all have our own special sauce. Everyone is different and that's what makes us all so amazing.
Max is the quintessential bully jock. Do you relate to him or find anything likable about him at all?
The only thing I have in common with Max is that I happened to be popular in school. That's where the similarities start and end. Had I gone to school with Max, I may have kicked the shit out of him. I'm not into fighting, but I wouldn't stand around and watch him hurt people. OK, that was a little aggressive... maybe he just needs a big hug? With my fists!
We're assuming you weren't bullied as a kid, then.
I'm a lover not a fighter, if you get my drift. I was bullied a bit when I was in the 6th grade by an 8th grader. Fortunately, I have an older brother and he has my back.
Since you're on a show that mostly revolves around sex, we have to ask -- how old were you when you had your first sexual experience?
14. I know, way too young. It was one-stop shopping for me, meaning I had my first sexual encounter and lost my v-card in the same day. Let me tell you, though, it wasn't the most romantic day of my life. I'll spare you the details. Looking back, I wish I did the whole "waiting for the one" deal everyone talks about.
Do you have any thoughts about sexting? It's been in the news so much lately...
Do I have any thoughts about sexting? I think it can be pretty darn sexy. If you're an adult and in a relationship, I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping things exciting. I do however think that you should use you best judgement when doing said "sexting." I mean, if it's that easy for you to send to someone, it's just as easy for them to send to other people. Make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Trying to get someone to like you is not one of them.
Have you ever sent a compromising photo of yourself to someone?
A gentleman doesn't sext and tell.
Can you tell us a little about Detention of the Dead?
I like to describe Detention of the Dead as being what you'd get if you put Shaun of the Dead and The Breakfast Club in a blender. It's a major tribute to the John Hughes movies from the '80s and the characters are all similar to those in The Breakfast Club. We're all in detention and next thing you know the school is being overrun by zombies. It will make you laugh, cry, and scare the poop out of you. We had such a blast filming in Michigan. I can't wait to see it.
Do you have a favorite scary movie?
My favorite scary movie is Don't Look Now. It's from the '70s and stars Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland in their heydays. It's listed as a horror film, but I feel like it's more of a psychological thriller. The acting and story sare amazing and character-driven. Not like all this crap we see today. I need a good story and the right people to tell it to get me invested.
OK, now I'm going to ask you a bunch of random, getting-to-know-you questions. What was the last thing you downloaded?
The last thing I downloaded was a book called Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. I'm almost done and can't put it down. It's gotten to the point where I'm not getting much done in life because I can't stop reading it. Nothing like a good book!
What are your favorite three possessions?
My three favorite possessions are my iPhone, iPad, and my blender. Don't ask.
What was the first concert you went to?
The first concert I went to was Outkast. It's one of my favorite concerts to date. They're truly fantastic performers -- you rarely see musicians get the crowd as into it as they did. I really wish they'd make another album.
What was the last concert you went to?
The last concert I went to was either Adele or Beach House. I took my parents to Beach House and we had a blast. When my parents visit L.A., we like to get down and have a good time together. It's kinda funny seeing your parents let loose and cut a rug.
What's something about you that nobody knows?
Nobody knows that I love to write poetry. I only do it when I'm having extreme ups and downs. I think words are beautiful and, at the root of me, I'm a very sensitive guy. The only way I can truly express myself sometimes is by writing.
Who do you trust most in the world?
Myself. There's things I do that I don't tell anyone about, because I don't like my business getting around, or worse, being used against me. If nobody has any ammo to use on you, then they don't have ammo to use on you. People tend to judge too easily.
You're in awesome shape -- do you have any tips on staying healthy?
It's pretty simple, really -- if you burn more calories than you consume, you'll lose weight; if you eat more calories than you burn, you'll gain weight. There it is, the big secret to staying in shape. If you don't know what you're burning and eating, get a Bodybugg. I used a Bodybugg for a little while to see what I was eating and burning in a day. Let me tell you, you'll be very surprised at how healthy you're being, or not being when you have the numbers in front of you.
What's your ideal role?
The ideal role for me would be a story that makes a person change their life, or at least their perspective on it. I would like a role that holds a mirror up to reality and says, 'This is what it's really like -- what are you going to do about it?'
Photos by J. Everette Perry
Styling by Melissa Triber
Styling assistant: Jennifer Lower
What's your favorite thing about being on MTV?
My favorite thing about being on MTV... is that I'm on MTV. I used to watch MTV all day, every day when I was younger. It's super-cool being a part of the network that was such a major part of my high school years.
Can you describe The Hard Times of RJ Berger in three words for us?
It's funny, shocking, and special.
Your character, Max Owens, is a high school student. What was your biggest insecurity when you were a teenager?
I always wanted to be someone else. The taller guy, the guy with blonde hair, the guy dating that girl, with that body, etc. Then I grew up and realized that we all have our own special sauce. Everyone is different and that's what makes us all so amazing.
Max is the quintessential bully jock. Do you relate to him or find anything likable about him at all?
The only thing I have in common with Max is that I happened to be popular in school. That's where the similarities start and end. Had I gone to school with Max, I may have kicked the shit out of him. I'm not into fighting, but I wouldn't stand around and watch him hurt people. OK, that was a little aggressive... maybe he just needs a big hug? With my fists!
We're assuming you weren't bullied as a kid, then.
I'm a lover not a fighter, if you get my drift. I was bullied a bit when I was in the 6th grade by an 8th grader. Fortunately, I have an older brother and he has my back.
Since you're on a show that mostly revolves around sex, we have to ask -- how old were you when you had your first sexual experience?
14. I know, way too young. It was one-stop shopping for me, meaning I had my first sexual encounter and lost my v-card in the same day. Let me tell you, though, it wasn't the most romantic day of my life. I'll spare you the details. Looking back, I wish I did the whole "waiting for the one" deal everyone talks about.
Do you have any thoughts about sexting? It's been in the news so much lately...
Do I have any thoughts about sexting? I think it can be pretty darn sexy. If you're an adult and in a relationship, I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping things exciting. I do however think that you should use you best judgement when doing said "sexting." I mean, if it's that easy for you to send to someone, it's just as easy for them to send to other people. Make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Trying to get someone to like you is not one of them.
Have you ever sent a compromising photo of yourself to someone?
A gentleman doesn't sext and tell.
Can you tell us a little about Detention of the Dead?
I like to describe Detention of the Dead as being what you'd get if you put Shaun of the Dead and The Breakfast Club in a blender. It's a major tribute to the John Hughes movies from the '80s and the characters are all similar to those in The Breakfast Club. We're all in detention and next thing you know the school is being overrun by zombies. It will make you laugh, cry, and scare the poop out of you. We had such a blast filming in Michigan. I can't wait to see it.
Do you have a favorite scary movie?
My favorite scary movie is Don't Look Now. It's from the '70s and stars Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland in their heydays. It's listed as a horror film, but I feel like it's more of a psychological thriller. The acting and story sare amazing and character-driven. Not like all this crap we see today. I need a good story and the right people to tell it to get me invested.
OK, now I'm going to ask you a bunch of random, getting-to-know-you questions. What was the last thing you downloaded?
The last thing I downloaded was a book called Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. I'm almost done and can't put it down. It's gotten to the point where I'm not getting much done in life because I can't stop reading it. Nothing like a good book!
What are your favorite three possessions?
My three favorite possessions are my iPhone, iPad, and my blender. Don't ask.
What was the first concert you went to?
The first concert I went to was Outkast. It's one of my favorite concerts to date. They're truly fantastic performers -- you rarely see musicians get the crowd as into it as they did. I really wish they'd make another album.
What was the last concert you went to?
The last concert I went to was either Adele or Beach House. I took my parents to Beach House and we had a blast. When my parents visit L.A., we like to get down and have a good time together. It's kinda funny seeing your parents let loose and cut a rug.
What's something about you that nobody knows?
Nobody knows that I love to write poetry. I only do it when I'm having extreme ups and downs. I think words are beautiful and, at the root of me, I'm a very sensitive guy. The only way I can truly express myself sometimes is by writing.
Who do you trust most in the world?
Myself. There's things I do that I don't tell anyone about, because I don't like my business getting around, or worse, being used against me. If nobody has any ammo to use on you, then they don't have ammo to use on you. People tend to judge too easily.
You're in awesome shape -- do you have any tips on staying healthy?
It's pretty simple, really -- if you burn more calories than you consume, you'll lose weight; if you eat more calories than you burn, you'll gain weight. There it is, the big secret to staying in shape. If you don't know what you're burning and eating, get a Bodybugg. I used a Bodybugg for a little while to see what I was eating and burning in a day. Let me tell you, you'll be very surprised at how healthy you're being, or not being when you have the numbers in front of you.
What's your ideal role?
The ideal role for me would be a story that makes a person change their life, or at least their perspective on it. I would like a role that holds a mirror up to reality and says, 'This is what it's really like -- what are you going to do about it?'
Photos by J. Everette Perry
Styling by Melissa Triber
Styling assistant: Jennifer Lower
Grooming by Joshua Ristaino
Shot at The Standard Hollywood
Tie and tie clip by Gentry
Suit by Diesel
Dress shirt by Tommy Hilfiger
Tank, sweat pants and t-shirt by H&M
Hat by Stetson
Jacket by Levi's
Sunglasses by Persol Steve Mcqueen
Shot at The Standard Hollywood
Tie and tie clip by Gentry
Suit by Diesel
Dress shirt by Tommy Hilfiger
Tank, sweat pants and t-shirt by H&M
Hat by Stetson
Jacket by Levi's
Sunglasses by Persol Steve Mcqueen
Your Comment
Posted at 3:41 on Jul 19, 2011
This guy had me Laughing so hard through-out our shoot. Such a great heart and a killer smile. Can't wait for his new film.
Posted at 4:20 on Jul 19, 2011
Love the images!