Get the Here! Network on Charter Cable and See Reichen Like Never Before!
By Mike Monopoli

America’s favorite gay sex symbol ~ one already warmly embraced by our Pulse Outtakes readers for his writing, jewelry design, and laudable outspokenness on some very serious topics (OK, and for his undeniable hotness) ~ is riding a new wave of success with his new role on “Dante’s Cove” on the Here! Network. Formerly only a pay per view network, Here! Is now available as a full-subscription service channel on Charter Cable. If you don’t get it, GET IT, because you don’t want to miss Reichen on-screen. Trust me.

Lehmkuhl, who has appeared in numerous sit-coms and has hosted his own show on the Q Television Network, first entered the spotlight when he won season four of “The Amazing Race” with his partner, Chip Arndt. After winning the race, the couple ended their relationship, and Lehmkuhl began dating former ‘N Sync band member Lance Bass. The “gay power couple” commanded much attention during their six month relationship, during which Bass first came out as an openly gay man. When asked if he is currently seeing anyone special, Lehmkuhl responded enthusiastically, “Yep,” but didn’t elaborate because “I prefer to keep the details of those who are the closest and most precious to me as private as I can, away from outside scrutiny. This makes for healthier and happier relationships for anyone.”

The Hollywood hunk’s new role as Trevor on the supernatural gay soap-opera “Dante’s Cove” was filmed on the north shore of Hawaii this May. The show takes place on a remote tropical island in Hotel Dante, a grand old hotel which has been converted into apartments populated by young beautiful people, both gay and straight. The hotel is occupied by a force which influences its inhabitants and is associated with the practice of Tresum, a supernatural religion who’s prophecy will be fulfilled only by persons of non-traditional sexuality. “Trevor is a business school graduate who put himself through his courses by building and repairing houses. He comes to Dante’s Cove for a fresh start and, on his arrival, finds it odd that so many people believe in or even talk about witchcraft. As he finds out by the end of season three, it’s all very real,” shares Lehmkuhl. “He’s new in town, so in season three he’s just warming up to the other characters of the show. He’s the new friendly guy that everyone likes well enough. He has a bit of a fascination with Grace [played byTracy Scoggins] and her attitude toward the whole town.” When asked if Trevor will have any special powers, Lehmkuhl replies with a twinkle in his eye, “Not until he is ‘taken’ by the spirit of Dante’s Cove, which I’ll tell you does happen, I just can’t tell you how just yet.” Regarding any romantic interests he tells us that “Trevor isn’t committed to anyone just yet, but he definitely has no problem coming on to the guys he’s attracted to in Dante’s Cove.”

The actor was welcomed by the rest of the cast and especially enjoyed the cast poker games and nights out to dinner. “The actors on Dante’s Cove not only treated me like family from the start, they worked with me on and off the set throughout our time in Hawaii to fit in with production [and help] Trevor fit in with the rest of the characters on the show. I enjoy learning how it’s done from those around me and finding my niche. I’m always open to suggestions from the director. It’s good to keep an open mind that often times others are seeing the big picture of the scene better than you possibly can alone.”

Lehmkuhl also told us a little about his recreational ventures on the island, admitting to (understandably!) “…not wanting to leave after a month there.” While filming in Hawaii, the actor took every opportunity to spend time outdoors. “I enjoyed everything from finding private coves for snorkeling and seeing everything from sharks to tropical fish to turtles that were bigger than I am. I also took time to hike, run, lift weights daily, swim, go cliff-jumping, scuba diving, and sometimes just to sit on a rock at sunset. I’d say I enjoyed the place.” In fact, he’d contemplated buying a home there: “I found a real estate agent who keeps sending me new listings. Whether or not I would pull the trigger on buying a home there is something I haven’t fully dealt with yet!”

While the actor is happy with his success, his desire is for his career to go “…further in the direction that it’s pointed in right now,” and indicates that he’s interested in more TV and movie roles in the future. “I really want to be part of the renaissance that is happening now with LGBT film and television. The quality of programming is improving by leaps and bounds and I find it really exciting,” says Lehmkuhl. When describing the craft of acting he reports that “Scenes with one or two lines are the toughest. When I have lots to say, it’s easier for me to get involved with the characters around me and to feel like I’m the character. When it’s just a couple of words or just a few moments on screen in that scene, it’s tough for me to make that happen. It’s the same with me and auditions everywhere. I prefer auditions with lots of lines.”

In the big picture, what’s important to Lehmkuhl is “…finding time here and there to stop and enjoy life. I’m a workaholic. This year, I’ve done a better job at enjoying things that are sometimes away from Hollywood. My favorite thing this summer was when I went to Maine for a whole week and basically sat on a dock in front of a log cabin on a lake, fishing for hours every day.”

When asked how he feels about being a gay pop icon, sex symbol and gay role model, Lehmkuhl responds, “Any sort of public recognition is a privilege and I feel lucky to mean something special to others. I just always hope I’m making most people proud, which is an impossible goal, but I do my best.”

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Fly Naked with Reichen Jewelry (that we at Pulse introduced you to in our July ’07 issue!) is for sale at www.LoveandPride.com and has just been picked up by Fred Segal and will begin appearing in stored on Oct. 26. As always, 10% of all proceeds (gross proceeds, not just profits!) of all sales of Fly Naked with Reichen goes to SLDN.org (Service Members Legal Defense Network) which fights the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy and the continued ban on the open service of gays in the military.

The first annual “Lift the Ban Cruise with Reichen” heads from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas on Feb 28, 2008 for 4 days. The Carnival Cruise Ship “Elation” is reserved for the journey.

Get your tix and get involved at www.CruiseWithReichen.com

Reichen’s book “Here’s What We’ll Say” (which the author himself talked about in our December ’06 Pulse interview) comes out in paperback this fall for another round as a best-seller.