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In
the Hot Seat - The sky's the limit for U.S.A. Mr. Gay, Grant Ermis
In the end, it was the interview that did it. Not the fitness routine, not the swimsuit competition, but the personality factor that earned Grant Ermis the U.S.A. Mr. Gay title last Friday. The 23-year-old, part-time Sacramento resident scored the sash in a competition in Palm Springs after previously winning the local title, and his national win bought him a slot in the international contest the same weekend, where he came in as first runner-up. "My mouth probably hit the floor, and I was just excited and humbled at the same time," he says of his national title. "It was amazing, it really was." But for the agricultural education major at Chico State, the entire experience was not only a chance to focus on his personal development and leadership skills but also to consider giving modeling a try. Next up: Enjoying prizes that include a Caribbean cruise and pursuing an enthusiastic-if-as-yet-unformed plan to use his national title for something worthwhile. "I'll go to the sky's limit if they'll let me," he says. We put the new champion in the Hot Seat. QUESTION: What's your middle name? ANSWER: Lee. My dad wanted my initials to be the same as his, and his middle name is Lee. The two guys that I live with, their middle names are Lee, as well. Q: What was your most recent meal? A: Mongolian barbecue. Q: What would you do with a spare $100? A: I'd like to think that I'd save it, but with my spending habits, that probably wouldn't be the case. Q: What was your childhood ambition? A: In middle school, I really wanted to be a veterinarian and take after Ace Ventura. I love comedy. Good comedy, I guess I should say. Q: Signature karaoke song? A: "I've Got Some Oceanfront Property in Arizona." It's (lyrics from) this song by George Strait. I like his music, and it's something that I can just randomly spout out in the shower or in the truck, and it just comes naturally to me. Not that I'm good at it. Q: "Miss Congeniality" or "Little Miss Sunshine"? A: "Miss Congeniality." I love Sandra Bullock. Q: For the swimsuit competition, Speedos or shorts? A: I guess you call them boy shorts? They're kind of Speedos, but not. Q: Describe Sacramento in one word. A: Busy. Cities are like amusement parks to me -- I like to visit, but I don't like to stay. |
