John Pearson is recognised as the first male supermodel, having worked with top designers and appeared in high-profile campaigns.
He played a significant role in redefining the role of male models in fashion and is often credited with paving the way for the modern male modelling industry. John is also a close friend of Neem, and we had the opportunity to sit down with him to learn more about his experiences and insights.
Question 1:
What are your favourite Neem products right now?
"Without a doubt, I may get the technical terms wrong, but I absolutely love these trousers—the chinos. They're so comfortable that I've been wearing them for about four months straight. Just yesterday, I wore them for an 11-hour flight from Los Angeles, took a shower, and then hopped on a bike to get here. They’re that good. I’m also a huge fan of the ZQ Merino T-shirts. I love how soft they feel, and the fact that they don’t hold any odour, even after a long transatlantic flight, is a game-changer."
"I’ve also got a real appreciation for the white T-shirts. They’re simple but have such a perfect silhouette. After 35 years in the fashion industry, I’m always searching for the perfect white T-shirt, and I have to say, the one from Neem is a standout, especially with that little cross detail. I love it."
Question 2:
What's your go-to podcast right now?
"Mr. Feelgood.com is my magazine, a platform for men where I have great conversations with all kinds of individuals—actors, directors, professors, scientists, and experts in wellness. Aside from a bit of self-promotion, I’d have to mention Rich Roll, who’s a legend in the field of wellness, mental health, and physical health. I spent two hours with him on Sunday, which was absolutely wonderful. He’s a dear friend and runs an excellent platform called 'Voices for Change,' where he brings in other thought leaders, creating a cross-pollination of ideas to reach a larger audience."
"I’m passionate about anything related to mental health—things that make us feel good, that help us vibrate at a higher level, instead of feeling depressed or miserable."
Question 3:
Who is your favourite photographer right now?
"I’d have to mention my friend Beau Grealy, who I work with at Mr. Feelgood and who also works with my wife at The Hollywood Reporter. He’s Australian and a true master at bringing 20 people together, photographing them beautifully in action, all while staying calm and completely egoless throughout the entire process."
Question 4:
What's your favourite book right now?
"The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov is one of the finest novels I've ever read. But Lolita is also an extraordinary book. I think The Unbearable Lightness of Being and The Book of Laughter and Forgetting by Milan Kundera are brilliant as well. There are just so many great works. I read everything—fiction, biographies, nonfiction."
"One book I think everyone should read is Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. It can be a bit intimidating, but Yogananda was an extraordinary guru, and the stories in that book will enlighten you and make you reflect on the bigger picture. Elvis read it. The Beatles read it. Steve Jobs read it too—it was the first book he ever put on an iPad. He read it every year from the age of 21 until the year he died."
Question 5:
What would be your favourite ever shoot you've done?
"Spending three weeks in the Seychelles and learning to scuba dive was incredible. Racing cars across the desert and jumping out of planes have also been amazing experiences. I've had the privilege of working with some of the greatest photographers, like Peter Lindbergh, Helmut Newton, Steven Meisel, Peggy Sirota, and Bruce."
"I've truly been spoiled by the quality of the people I've worked with."
"But you know what the secret to a great shoot is? You show up with a great attitude, you're willing to give, you're not afraid to be a fool, and you just enjoy the moment. When you do that, you lift everyone on set, and that energy becomes contagious."
Question 6:
Where would be the best place to recharge and regather your energy?
"It’s tough because I feel at home in so many different places. I’m a water person—I love being on the ocean—but I’m also drawn to the desert and the mountains, anywhere close to nature. Especially these days, when we’re constantly glued to our phones and information 24/7, I think it’s so important to stay grounded. I take off my shoes and socks whenever I can and just sit under a tree to reconnect."
"Recently, I was up in Highgate, near Hampstead, and it was so lovely to escape there. Or I'll head to Richmond Park, just to sit and breathe in the beauty of that wide, expansive landscape."
Question 7:
If you had to give your 22 year old self, a bit of advice, what would you give?
"Don't be afraid to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them. Be kind to yourself—be your own best friend, especially in the toughest times. Give yourself the same compassion you'd give to the person you love most, whether it's your child, partner, or spouse. Just be kind. Be kinder to yourself. Allow yourself the time to process things and live according to your own rhythm."
"Don’t try to imitate others, because there’s no one else in the world like you. There never has been, and there never will be. So, wear your own personality and character with style, confidence, and authenticity."
Question 8:
What would be one philosophy or lesson that you live by, that you wish other people would adopt or other people would follow?
"I don’t want to pontificate, but life is constantly unfolding, always changing. You're different at 13 than you are at 22, and that keeps evolving. So, just be kind.
"Lead with love. Be kind. I love that Shakespeare sonnet:
'As the waves make towards the pebbled shore, so do our minutes hasten to their end.'
"That line doesn’t feel morbid to me—it's a reminder that life is finite. So, be present, and don’t be afraid. As long as you’re not hurting anyone else, don’t be afraid of your own power."
"The only thing I truly know for certain in life is love. It’s all about love—whether it’s for friends, for nature, for music, or for you. Even the way you say hello to a stranger in the morning. That’s the only thing I’m absolutely sure of in my simple philosophy."
"That’s where it starts, and that’s where it ends. And that feels good, right?"