The Hunk from New Zealand

If the name Laurence Mossman rings a little bell, that’s thanks to his appearance in the Kapamilya soap Dolce Amore with Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil and in Atlantis’ Fun Home with Lea Salonga. Laurence, 27 (Virgo, born on Sept. 2, 1990), is also a member of the group Primo whose regular gig at the Resorts World was rudely interrupted by the tragedy that hit the resort/casino/hotel Friday last week.

Laurence is cast as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots, directed by Bobby Garcia for Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group and Metrobank Card Corp., to be staged starting on June 30 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Other members of the cast are Nyoy Volante as Simon/Lola, Yanah Laurel as factory worker Lauren and Tricia Canilao as Nicola.

Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Kinky Boots features a joyous, Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper and a hilarious, uplifting book by four-time Tony winner, Harvey Fierstein. 

The story revolves around Charlie Price who has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration from Lola. A fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos, Lola turns out to be the one person who can help Charlie become the man that he is meant to be. As they work to turn the factory around, the unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible and discovers that, when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. (For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.)

Laurence was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. His mother is from Leyte and his father is from New Zealand.

“I have two older brothers, both live in Australia. One is an actor, the other is a hotel manager,” shared Laurence.

He went to Dilworth School, a boarding school, where he discovered his passion for singing, studied classical/opera singing for four years at University of Otago, and graduated with (honors) with a degree in Music. He did a couple of musical theater shows in school and, after graduating, performed in Mamma Mia.

Laurence knows where he’s going, so unlike Charlie whom he described as “a simple small-town guy who doesn’t quite know what direction to go in life and hasn’t quite found his passion,” adding, “I’ve always been a singer since I was a kid, but I didn’t take it seriously until high school when I started singing lessons. It was there that I fell in love with performing.”

At 5’9”, Laurence weighs 165 lbs.; and wears medium-sized shirt, medium-sized briefs and size-9 (US) shoes.

How do you keep in shape?

“By having regular gym workouts four to five times a week. Lots of dumbbells and cable machines.”

What kind of diet do you follow?

“For me as an ectomorph, I’m a naturally skinny guy, so five to seven meals a day when working out seriously to build muscle.”

What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Any snacks between meals?

“Oats, protein shake and coffee for breakfast. Tuna, rice for post-workout. Camote, chicken breast and mixed vegetables for lunch. Pasta and ground beef for dinner. I mix these up depending on how I feel so it doesn’t get boring. I snack on almost anything when trying to gain weight. Popcorn, chips and cashew nuts. But if I want to lose fat, I stick to fruits and try to cut out junk food as much as possible.”

What workout do you do?

“Usually a five-day split of heavy lifting. I follow Kris Gethin’s programs on bodybuilding.com. They have great workouts and information for any level of fitness.

What’s your favorite sport?

“I love watching rugby, the national sport of New Zealand.”

How much water do you take per day?

With Kinky Boots co-stars Nyoy Volante (in drag) and Yanah Laurel

“Two to three liters, sometimes more depending on how much I sweat and with an increased food intake.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

“Probably my biceps and calves.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

“My voice cords since I sing every day. Other than that, I lose weight really easily so I have to keep working out and eating regularly.”

What part of your body is your favorite?

“Shoulders and triceps because they are easy for me to grow.”

What part of a girl’s body do you look at first?

“Her face and curves.”

What else in a girl turns you on?

“Someone who appreciates wine, a sense of humor, and if she can sing, too, that’s a bonus!”

And what is in a girl that turns you off?

“If the conversation seems too forced and not natural. Nothing too fake.”

How’s your love life (any girlfriend)?

“No girlfriend, still single.”

How’s your sex life?

“I like to keep that private, but I am a very giving kinda guy.”

How many pillows do you sleep with?

“Two and they both end up on the floor.”

Favorite sleepwear?

“Sando and boxer shorts.”

Do you ever sleep in the nude?

“All the time, especially in the hottest months.”

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“Take protein shake, brush my teeth and occasionally set my alarm clock.”

And what’s the first thing that you do as soon as you wake up?

“Fall back to sleep.”

How do you unwind, cope with stress (massage, music or movies)?

“Drinking wine with friends. Usually, I keep my stress to myself so I listen to chill-out music or watch movies.”

Favorite hideaway?

“Anywhere outdoors in New Zealand.”

Three women that you find sexy (have nice bodies)?

“Pia Wurtzbach, Scarlett Johansson and Yassi Pressman.”

Using only body language, how would you make a woman know that you admire her?

“Eye contact and confidence are the key. Neither of which I am particularly good at, hahahaha!!! But when I really want something, I go after it.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)