HEYBOY x VTEEN Exclusive Interview with Neil Gitlis

Model Neil Gitlis @neilnge scouted by HEYBOY photographed by Norrel Blair @nrrlblr. Check out part two of this exclusive interview for Vanity Teen online and Hey Boy over at heyboymag.com

Q: You have a very unique style! Who or which brand inspires you the most in the fashion world and why do you think you are drawn in to this specific person/brand.

A: I’ve always had a wacky sense of style but a lot of my current style influence comes from 90’s high school movies and old streetwear magazines. I have been following this girl named Shy (@sl33zyskiz) on Instagram since I was in eighth grade and she is definitely a huge inspiration for me as I feel like she knows what she’s doing when it comes to layering and color coordination.

Q: Do you play any games to pass time? If so which game has eaten up most of your free time!?

A: I used to obsessively play Minecraft and Fortnite until I realized I could surely be doing better things with said free time. I find that in the long run, video games tend to make me a little depressed.

Q: The internet can be a scary place, we can only imagine how this affects kids currently in school. How do you view social media? Could you make a list of positives that outweigh the negatives, or how would you say social media needs to adjust a bit?

A: Social Media is great, but the negatives definitely outweigh the positives. It’s a great space for people like me who want to portray themselves in a very specific way and for people who have a hard time socializing in real life. Nonetheless, it is all very scary and every day I see things that cause a spiral in my brain. Kids are posting everything and anything, and being exposed to things they shouldn’t be exposed to. Social media can really uplift someone but it can definitely deeply destroy someone as well. It’s almost like with social media there’s no going back, everything you post and say can and will be held against you.

Q: Biggest pet peeve?

A: Probably people who think they know everything. I hate when I have something exciting to say to somebody and they downplay it as if they already know or are sick of hearing from me.

Q: If you could snap your fingers and have one thing just magically happen before your eyes, what would you wish to come true?

A: I would be performing my original songs on a world tour for people that love and support me and my art.

Q: Top two favorite songs you keep on replay currently?

A: Lonesome Town by Ricky Nelson & Les filles désir by Vendredi sur Mer.

Q: After you are finished with school, do you have any main goals set in your mind you hope to achieve, even if those goals seem distant? 

A: I switched to online school permanently halfway through my sophomore year to focus on my music. My main goal has always been to be a successful artist.