Photo by Jack GouldJustin Rudd is hot. And, like, perfect. It's kinda Stepford Wife-ish. Except that unlike the animatronic Katherine Ross, he has a real heart—a real big one.
Originally from Ozark, Alabama, Rudd is an all-American boy—class president throughout high school and his senior year in college, as well as homecoming king. He was a frat boy, doesn't drink or smoke, has read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and devotes his life to charitable causes and public service. Oh, yeah, and he's gay. And taken. Sorry, y'all!
Rudd organizes such admirable causes as the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup day in Long Beach, the Southern California Spelling Bee Championships, and the fund-raising Turkey Trot 5K/10K run for kids, all advertised in his weekly Just-In Times newsletter. A Democrat, he even makes room for the Log Cabin crowd without a hint of animosity. I told you he was creepy.
OC Weekly: Are you the gay superman?Justin Rudd:[laughs] I am far from perfect. I've always set high standards for myself. God's given me a lot, and I want to give back to the community—and not just the gay community. But you're so good! It's kind of weird. You even carry dental floss with you at all times.
I do. I have some right here. I'm paranoid about it—being out to eat and getting something stuck in your teeth, and no one tells you. I have floss in my car, computer desk and bathroom, too.
No fear of gingivitis then.
I also carry mouthwash with me.
But you don't even smoke or drink! You don't need it!
Not as much as some people!
So what kind of things do you eat that could get caught in your teeth, but of course don't because you're so well-prepared?
I love the Claim Jumper in Long Beach. It reminds me of home. The food is good, especially the fried chicken, and the service is fantastic. There are deer and elk heads all over, too. Which isn't great—I hate guns, even toys for children—but it does remind me of home, unfortunately!
Do you have a sweet tooth?
I love chocolate-chip-cookie dough and can make it from scratch. Zov's Bistro has great desserts, too—their peanut-butter-crunch dessert is the second best thing I've ever put in my mouth! And the dessert case is as beautiful to look at as it is to taste.
That makes me think of the recent Miss America pageant—fancy desserts in a case.
Miss Maryland was robbed! Miss Florida—I don't know how she won. She wasn't a good singer at all!
Florida cheating again. Coincidence?
Really! My boyfriend thinks someone should look into it.
You watch all four pageants—Miss Universe, Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Teen-USA—that's all you watch on TV, you say. Who's your all-time favorite winner?
Vanessa Williams, definitely. They made her resign because of the Penthouse layout. Big deal. I thought she looked hot!
You're one of those guys who really likes women—especially Hillary Clinton.
Yes, I do.
Should she run?
I think she'd be great. I can't think of a better woman to first serve in that office. I totally admire her for standing by Bill Clinton during all that scandal, too.
In your public service, you include events from all walks of life—kiddie-friendly, gay, lesbian, bisexual, religious and especially the animals.
Yes. I think it's important to recognize the importance of animals in our lives. We do a blessing of the animals on St. Francis' birthday every October. And the events for adults are many. Lesbian and gay sprint-dating are popular, and every Monday, we host a co-ed supper club of 25 to 60 people. We're going to Woody's in Laguna Beach next. We like to go to restaurants that give to charities —BJ's gives proceeds from their Pazooki chocolate-chip-cookie-pie dessert to charity. I love that.
Okay, Justin, you're making me sick now. Please tell me one bad thing about yourself so I don't have to put my head in an oven.
Well, I have a bad habit of saying “yes” whenever I'm asked to do things.
I hate you.
And I failed my motorcycle-driver's test the first time out.
Thank God.
BJ'S AND CLAIM JUMPERS ARE FOUND WHEREVER THERE'S TWO OR MORE FAT PEOPLE; ZOV'S BISTRO, 17440 E. 17TH ST., TUSTIN, (714) 838-8855; WOODY'S AT THE BEACH, 1305 S. COAST HWY., LAGUNA BEACH, (949) 376-8809. GET SOME GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE AT WWW.JUSTINRUDD.COM.
