Omar Ayuso

Luis: I know that one of your main appeals is that you’re a young person…with hair. Let’s talk about your famous eyebrows. Have you ever plucked them?
Omar: Very rarely. I don’t really like it. That’s why I haven’t done it for a while.
Are you aware of the hair appeal? Or do you not care?
Now that you mention it, yes. But there’s also lots of people who aren’t into it. People criticize my eyebrows all the time. I don’t really care, though.
Right right. But do you groom your unibrow or anything?
It’s groomed at the moment, but it goes through phases. There are times when it’s completely connected and then others when I shape it. Right now it’s like this because for the musical series I shot earlier this year — ‘Mariliendre’ — they waxed it and I liked how it looked. If I don’t do anything it becomes one single brow.
I’ve always loved that.
There’s something quite beautiful about making childhood insecurities into things you really like about yourself as an adult. That’s what has happened with my eyebrows.
They were an insecurity?
When I was little, yes. Yes yes yes. I used to pluck them. When my mom went to the hair salon, I’d go with her and the esthetician would pluck my brows. There are photos of me at 15 with completely plucked eyebrows.
The whole brow, hair, underarm thing…it’s kind of your superpower.
Yeah, I suppose.

Some of your Instagram photos that show a hint of pubic hair…you know those get more likes, right? People are really into that.
I’m into it, too. I prefer men with body hair. Infinitely more.
And if one day you lost your hair, would you get implants? Would you go to Turkey?
(laughs) I’d probably struggle with it. At least initially. I wouldn’t wear a wig — they’re way too painful. This year, for that series ‘Mariliendre’, I had to wear a wig and I assure you I’ve never had such a bad time filming. (laughs) But I do consciously work on accepting physical changes and the passage of time. I don’t want to battle against nature because that doesn’t seem very healthy. Personally, I find a lot more peace and joy and growth in acceptance.
Yes, but you take care of yourself. You work out, for example.
Yes, I exercise, but then I’ll go and eat tons of sugar. I have the biggest sweet tooth in the world. Also, I smoke a lot — a pack a day. But that’s the only drug I do.
Well…that and sugar — how do you eat it?
Everything! Pastries, candies, chocolate bars, ice cream, fruit, cereal, everything. I wake up every night at 5AM because I need something sweet, then I go back to sleep. I’ve heard it’s called “night eating syndrome”. I keep secret sugar stashes around my house — like those classic Kinder bars.
So you’re not into dark chocolate.
No, I like milk chocolate.
How would you describe yourself?
Soy como una “Mocatriz”: cantante, modelo y actriz. (laughs) But my friends say I’m like an elderly person because I tend to have the habits of an old man. I prefer the simple things — getting up early and enjoying the morning. Working out. Drinking coffee. Smoking a cigarette. Reading. Walking. Seeing my friends. Going to the movies.

Were you always this way?
You know, I’ve had these “old man” habits since I was a little kid. I always imagined myself as an old man with a cane and a white beard. I’ve always enjoyed the day much more than the night.
And you’re still young. How have you changed since ‘Elite’ became an international sensation?
I was completely overwhelmed by that level of success. The exposure was very intense and sudden, you know? Experiencing such a radical and overnight shift at 19 wasn’t easy. It’s the time in your life when you’re still building an identity as an adult. For many years, I was completely disconnected from myself, living very superficially, basically on autopilot. We live in a world that doesn’t teach us to look at what’s happening, it teaches us to look the other way.
Do you believe that?
Yes. I think the current trend in the world leads us to disconnect. I think it leads us towards getting high in multiple ways — cell phones, work, sex, shopping, money. And I think this is because we’re very afraid to be alone.
Have you gone to therapy?
Yes yes. I go to therapy. Initially, it wasn’t as much a conscious decision as it was a necessary decision. I was barely surviving.
It’s interesting… I’d think, ‘Look, he’s doing the show, earning lots of money…’
At that time, I did a Calvin Klein campaign and they put up a huge billboard with my photo on Gran Vía in Madrid. But I never actually saw it in person… I was at my mother’s house, very depressed. I could barely get out of bed.
Oh wow. But you’re now in a good place, right?
I’m infinitely better. Obviously, I’m not 100 percent at peace with myself, but I’m very close to peace of mind. It’s currently a good moment in my life.

That’s good to hear. So what does a man need to have for you to fall in love?
Honestly, I don’t know. One beautiful thing about falling in love is the mystery of why it happens. If there’s one beautiful thing about love, it’s this — not knowing.
Are you more of a relationship person?
I think so. But I haven’t been in the right mindset in recent years to be in one. If I imagine the future, I see myself with someone, living in the countryside. It’s such a cliché, but it’s true. I’m from a small town. I miss the calm of opening a window and seeing the countryside, you know?
Kind of unrelated — what are your favorite movies?
‘Bad Education’ by Almodóvar, ‘The Piano Teacher’ by Haneke, ‘Mommy’ by Xavier Dolan and ‘Christiane F.’ by Uli Edel.
Have you ever met Xavier Dolan?
We follow each other on Instagram, but I haven’t met him in real life. I admire him a lot. It’s a shame he’s stopped making films.
So what do you prefer — leather shoes or sneakers?
Sneakers.
Boxers or briefs?
I’m more of a briefs person myself. It’s what I’m most comfortable in. I’d like to wear those looser, skater-style boxers though. When I see a guy wearing them, I find it very hot.
Do you like to dress up?
Yes, I’m very particular about how I look in my day-to-day. My friends laugh at me because I iron my clothes before leaving the house and spray on a ton of cologne, even if I’m just going to the pharmacy.
What’s the part of a man’s physique you like most?
Legs.
You have very nice legs.
Muchas gracias.
What do the ideal man’s legs look like to you?
Hairy. And in all kinds of shapes and sizes. I find a lot of beauty in the diversity of bodies. I can admit that my conception of beauty is not very conventional, you know? I’m not into Ken dolls. I much prefer other types of physiques.