Ronnie Kroell and Taylor Proffitt Talk Gay Pride and New York City
SOULMATES
are hard to find.
But when it happens…you know.
Whether it is a love relationship or a platonic friendship some connections feel deeper than others, like they have been there forever. Sometimes it is just as if you “click” and other times it is like you’ve known one another your entire lives.
As Pride month comes to an end, and with New York City on a high with gay marriage passing, we caught up with supermodel, actor, singer Ronnie Kroell recently and talked about the LOVE of his LIFE, Taylor Proffitt.
“We first met at a bar in New York City. A drag queen had brought him up on stage to tease him and kind of play with him – and I thought, gosh, this guy is gonna need a cocktail – so I ordered him a drink and we chatted a bit afterwards, but I was sort of dating this guy at the time, so it was just a friendly drink and conversation.
MONTHS PASS, and our paths crossed on a dating site. But it didn’t click at first. It wasn’t until we went out to dinner, it all come together we remembered, we had already met. So the Universe, for a 2nd time, was bringing us together, and now I was ready and open for a relationship. And actually, in looking back, we realized we had connected on MySpace, even BEFORE the chance bar meeting! So three times, we were brought together by destiny. And the rest is history!
We are both “soulful”. Sex is sex. Relationships are not easy and you need so much more than sex, to make it work. True love goes beyond sex. There’s a spiritual connection; an intellectual connection; a heart connection.
There always will be give and take. There will always be compromise and I think many couples just give up when the smallest of problems arise. They just want to walk away. Communication and honesty is paramount. “
When did you realize you were gay?
“I was in sixth grade and I had a girlfriend and we used to hold hands a lot, and that was about it. Then in my sophomore year I had another girlfriend, and I just knew it wasn’t right, it didn’t feel right. Once when we kissed, she actually said to me – “Ronnie, I think you might be gay!” – I was scared. It was very hard for me accept. And the pressure of society “norms”…so it took a while for me to come to grips with all of that. It took a while for me to get comfortable in my own new skin.
I embrace it now! And I am so excited about everything going on and our visibility with It Gets Better, the Trevor Project, HRC…Google Chrome is going to feature It Gets Better! This is an amazing and exciting time! New York just passed Gay Marriage!!
When I was 16 my mom caught me kissing a boy, out behind the house! My mom started crying and we started to argue…then my Grandmother came out and said, “Charlene, you’ve got to just love him for who he is. Otherwise I am going to clock you with my cane!”
It all boils down to fear. Fear of the unknown. And in that moment, my mom felt fear. And here is my grandmother, who was like – SO WHAT? LET’S JUST LOVE HIM!
And it took time…there was lots of dialogue and communication and eventually you reach acceptance. Now my mom and I share everything. We’re best friends! And we are SO CLOSE. I am so lucky.
Taylors parents are amazing also. It’s really been a blessing.
And Taylor chimes in…”I am so thankful as well, for my family and how accepting they are. They’ve really welcomed Ronnie with open arms, and I’m very lucky to have that.
I think of Ronnie Kroell as a very wise soul. In talking with him, he is wise beyond his years. At 28, he knows more and understands the world, more than some 40 or 50 year olds that I know.
I have friends of all ages, sizes, shapes, colors…I love to connect with people and I love learning from people. I have learned many great life lessons from all of these people I have met.
I have learned you need to be open and aware as you go through life. And when you ask the Universe for something we’re not always ready to get that gift…AND the Universe does not always present us, exactly what we asked for.
I have learned you can’t always be in control. Sometimes you have to let go and give into the Universe, and just let things happen. WALK…and don’t rush through life.
Back to Taylor!
I asked Taylor, what are some of their favorite things to do in New York…..
One of our favorite things to do in NYC is karaoke! We’ll go and rent a room with some friends or just by ourselves and sit drinking sake whilst singing to each other. Best places for that are Japas 55 (on 55th in between 8th and Bway) or if you’re on the East side Top Tunes (on 53rd in between 2nd and 1st).
Karaoke is good for night time fun, but during the day time- picnic in Central Park in Sheep’s Meadow or a more recent gem I’ve found is watching the sunset behind the city along the water in BK at the East River Park.
Our go-to restaurant is hands down Merchants NY in Chelsea. We’ve eaten there countless times just to chill with friends downstairs next to the fireplace or sit on their patio in the front and have a few cocktails. The best thing on the menu is the Rigatoni Bolognese. We’re a little obsessed! It’s located on 17th and 7th ave (easy to remember!) and is open until all hours of the night.
Another great restaurant with a bit of a different vibe, is actually right across the street! Cafeteria is an awesome place that is a great place for brunch, but its also open 24 hours so its a pretty happening spot when the clubs and bars let out. They’ve got some amazing food (and green bloody marys?!) so I’d suggest to go and check it out.
Other than that, pretty simple things. The Highline park in Chelsea, the cloisters up in the heights, or getting to trek out to the Hamptons or Fire Island during the summer. đ
One thing is for sure, you can never get bored here in New York!
Taylor first hit the performing arts scene when he was 4 years old, spending years traveling with the Anaheim Ballet Company performing The Nutcracker. With this inspiration and experience under his belt, he traveled to Englewood, Florida where he starred in productions such as CATS, Oklahoma!, Seussical, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. After graduating, he traveled back to the Golden Coast to attend the American Music and Dramatic Academyâs Los Angeles campus. There he performed in several Dance Workshops and a showcase directed by Tony Award Winner Jane Lanier.
After two years of hard work, he graduated and set his sights on the Big Apple- New York City. Since, he has worked with Alec Baldwin and Tony Wal
ton in EQUUS at the John Drew Theatre in East Hampton and has been actively involved in playwright workshops at the Manhattan Theatre Source and The Playerâs Club .
And Ronnie has been busy filming a new movie, an incredible new thriller called, âInto the Lionâs Denâ, in production now. Produced by Dan Lantz and distributed by Breaking Glass Pictures, Into the Lionâs Den is a sure to keep you on the edge of your seat thriller!
Join Michael (Ronnie Kroell), Johnny (Jesse Archer), and Ted (TBD) as they embark upon a road trip from LA to NYC that will change their lives â forever. What starts out as a fun-loving and much needed adventure quickly takes a turn for the worse when the boys find themselves in an unfamiliar town and stumble â âInto the Lionâs Denâ. Imagine âDeliveranceâ meets âHostelâ meets âBroken Hearts Clubâ as this moving story of friendship and self-discovery unfolds, boundaries are crossed, and the will to survive is the only ally that you have in the face of certain death.
RONNIE KROELL official site
TAYLOR PROFFITT official site
Most Photos by Getty Images photographer Bryan Bedder.
The tuxedo picture is by Jeffrey Eason.
American Flag and Pride Parade – personal archive on Ronnie and Taylor
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