Does this gorgeous face look familiar? We bet you’ve crushed on it before.
You may know Lamon Archey as Eli Grant from popular daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, as Mason Wilder from The Young and The Restless or from a very special cameo in Destiny Child’s “Cater to You” video (alongside Queen Bey, of course). No matter how you got to know him, one thing’s for sure: you can’t forget this face.
The handsome and talented actor made his industry debut after being discovered and persuaded to begin modeling. Archey, who was working as a carpenter at the time, took the offer, which soon led him to an acting career, and the rest is history.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Archey to our surprise, had no plans to ever even grace our television screens. In fact, if it wasn’t for being scouted, Archey would probably still be a carpenter or a veterinarian technician, which were jobs he took on before entering the Hollywood scene.
“When I moved out to Los Angeles, I was a carpenter and I was installing and refinishing hardwood floors, it wasn’t something I cared too much about, it was a job that paid the bills. I was also a veterinarian technician, which became a 50/50 job while modeling, I always had a love for dogs so that was a big reason why I did get into that job, but besides acting, it was always just something that continued to pay the bills.” Archey shared.
Lucky for us, Archey was indeed scouted and his whole life changed because of it. Now we get a weekday dose of Eli Grant eye candy on Days of Our Lives. Yum!
While Archey continues to bring passion, drama and lots of sex appeal to the screen, in real life, the hunky star is much more complex. Not only is he an incredible actor, he’s the fiancé of fellow actress Mercedes Cornett and father to three beautiful children, which he says “is the best thing that ever happened to him.”
We spoke with Archey about how he feels about being labeled a “sex symbol”, fatherhood and his offscreen romance. Here’s what he had to say.
What is it really like being labeled a “sex symbol”?
There’s good and bad to being considered a sex symbol. It’s very flattering. It always feels good for someone to look at you and have warm fuzzy feelings (laughs) but at the same time I can’t help the inevitable of getting older so you start to look at yourself in the mirror and you want to keep up and stay looking the same, so people will still feel the same way. I’m getting older, and sometimes I look at myself like I don’t like this anymore or I want to change this. So it has it’s good and it’s bad, it can make you look at yourself a lot longer in the mirror
Maintaining a sexy physique sounds like a full-time job in itself, so how do you stay fit?
It really is a full-time job! Now whether I’m actually working on that sex symbol physique depends on if I need to be shirtless at work or not. I try to workout out at least four times a week eat three healthy meals a day. I also drink a protein shake before bed. It’s easy for me to lose weight but at the same time keep all my belly fat. So yes, making sure I don’t get “skinny fat” is definitely a full-time job.
Although you play the sexy Eli Grant on Days of Our Lives the love interest of Lani Price or Gaby Hernandez on any given day, in real life you are a taken man. Tell us about your love for your fiancé Mercedes, and how that love has changed you as a person.
We’ve been together 12 years, so she has definitely been a huge part of my growth from a wild boy into a family man. I know I drove her crazy for many years, but the love, loyalty and support she has shown me throughout the years has taught me how to be the man she deserves. Also, I’ve never been a real affectionate person and she’s the opposite so I’ve had to make some changes in that department. Relationships are give and take and they’re an easy way to find out what your good at giving and what you’re good at taking.
What is your perfect date night plan?
Well, we could start with a kid-free night! I think a simple dinner w/ drinks at a nice restaurant would be really nice. I feel like we use our babysitter for work, and work related events so much that we never get to go out just for us. So something simple would be a nice start.
Being that you’ve been in a committed relationship for years, what would be your advice on keeping your relationship fresh and sexy?
I’d say making sure you don’t get caught up in a routine which can be easy to do. That routine can consist of sex only at certain times and places or sticking to the same positions etc. I also think it’s good to save somethings sexually for special occasions. That way you have something to look forward to. I would also say try and treat at least one day a month like it’s Valentine’s Day. Make your partner feel special on a random day. That’s just 12 special days a month so in hindsight that shouldn’t be hard at all.
You’ve shared your family life and fatherhood with your fans, take me through a regular day when you’re not busy at work?
I’d start by getting the kids ready for school and dropping them off. I try to go straight to the gym from there and then back home to shower and hopefully take a nap. I’m sure I’d have some random errands to run, but other than that that’s about it. No bells and whistles on a regular day for me, but that’s actually how I prefer it.
What has fatherhood taught you about yourself?
Two of my kids actually live with me, they’re 8 and 6, so they’re young and they’re wild. From bouncing off the walls, (laughs) and homework, it’s a lot you know. So I’d definitely say fatherhood as taught me patience, which is something that I think we all need in the world.
You may like
Read More
Get The Essence Newsletter and Special Offers delivered to your inbox!