June 9, 2011 |
FROM THE VAULT (SPRING SUMMER 2011)
“I am the pioneer in mobile tanning. It happened because working as an actor and model in my past, I would have greatly benefited from this type of service. I’ve learned that I have a gift. My brain is extremely creative, open, and has no boundaries. I am constantly coming up with many fun and artistic ideas. The Bomb mobile tanning kit came from my client list of Hollywood Bombshells.”
Meet Jimmy Coco, the man behind all that golden Hollywood skin.
ON HIS CAREER AS A TANNING GOD:
“I love my job because I am able to put a smile on the most beautiful faces in the world! My first un-official job was a tan for Lara Flynn-Boyle. She was attending the “I-Robot” Movie Premiere, a movie that she co-starred in with Will Smith. My first official job was with Laura Prepon for a photo shoot with Maxim Magazine. In this shoot she was to appear in a bikini on a beach and needed to be tanned and I had the pleasure to tan her.
Tanning Heidi Klum in Miami’s Fountain Bleu Hotel for the 2008 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was the biggest career highlight for me. Other memorable moments include the day Richard Simmons and Jenna Jameson called to book for the first time within an hour apart. RANDOM! Also, an impromptu phone conversation with morning radio icon Ryan Seacrest on KIIS FM the morning after the Golden Globes 2004. That year, Eva Longoria’s tan was the topic of conversation.
ON THE PERFECT TAN:
“When I was sixteen years old, I helped my uncle paint our family barn. He had told me that there were three very important things to remember when painting any object: preparation, preparation, and preparation. I apply this piece of advice to spray-tanning my clients. Perfectly prepped skin, reliable equipment, and a fresh mix of liquid tanning solution will lead to the most flawless tan.”
ON HIS ALTER EGO, JIMMY COCO:
Jim Snyder became Jimmy Coco as soon as I realized just how much people were obsessed with naked celebrities. So, to distract people from the privacy details of my work, I decided to re-name myself, Jimmy Jimmy Coco. It’s friendly and reminiscent of the Little Anthony tune “Shimmy Shimmy Coco Bop” from the 1950’s. Now, everyone sings a fun tune and forgets about the other stuff.
AND LIFE AS A MUSICIAN:
As a child, I played the piano. Growing up, my grandma taught me on her organ when I was only nine years old. I wrote “Rock the Tan” as a way to show the world the secret to how the stars really glow on the Red Carpet. Whether one has been nominated for an Oscar or is suffering from a debilitating disease such as skin cancer, we all want to look our best, to feel our best. “Rock the Tan” pokes fun at all of the silliness of a spray-tan. If “Rock the Tan” can make a difference for The Skin Cancer Foundation, then you can bet your tan line there will be more songs to come! I also want to add how spray tanning is a great alternative and a safe way to tan.”
by Natalie Dembinska
Photograph by Spencer Lowell – www.spencerlowell.com
