Ronnie Kroell

Born at Ravenswood Hospital in Chicago and raised in Skokie, Illinois, Ronnie Kroell burst into the public eye with the Bravo reality show "Make Me a Supermodel," where he entered into a bromance -- dubed "Bronnie" -- -- with fellow contestant Be DiChiara. He won the title of "Fan Favorite" despite placing second.

After the show, Kroell went on to perform in several independent movies along with a successful modeling stint in New York City. The sexy model then bared all as the cover model for the June 2010 issue of Playgirl magazine.

The just-turned 29-year-old Kroell has recently moved to Los Angeles, by way of New York City, as he continues to persue his dream of acting.

ChicagoPride.com caught up with Ronnie Kroell to hear about his new home and exciting projects for 2012.

JN: (Jerry Nunn) Hi, Ronnie. Happy birthday!

RK: (Ronnie Kroell) Why thank you.

JN: I have never asked you... how did the modeling career get started?

RK: One of my best friend's mothers was in the industry. She was the personal assistant to Victor Skrebneski, who is Chicago's darling. He is big name in photography and fashion. I used to go with her to Victor's mom's house. She would bake us cookies and we would make sure she was okay. I would flip through his portfolio books. I became fascinated with the fashion industry.

JN: When did you start modeling?

RK: I started breaking into the business when I was about fourteen or fifteen years old. I got represented by Elite Chicago, which used to have a men's board but is now chosen by the director David Love.

JN: Now how has life been after the big move to Los Angeles?

RK: I have been laying a little low just adjusting in the past four months and getting my bearings. I am seeing how Hollywood works and getting out and about. I am networking and meeting people. I am figuring out what I want to do. Much of time is spent on my entrepreneurial projects.

JN: What are these projects?

RK: One is a bottled water company that I will hopefully launch this year.

JN: Are you doing more acting?

RK: I was just signed on to play the Ghost of Christmas Past in the new independent film Scrooge & Marley. It will be filmed and produced in Chicago. I will be in Chicago for two weeks at the end of April.

I will be traveling to Austria to take place in the Life Ball. It has been going on since 1992. It is a very large celebration and fundraiser for HIV/AIDS awareness. I will be going there to document the activities for Davey Wavey and Haley Star's blog. We are going as a trio to raise awareness through our collective blogs, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.

JN: Sounds like you are keeping busy.

RK: In my spare time I have joined forces with my friend in California Greta Rubens who has a company called Faces by Greta. She has clients like Leonardo DiCaprio and business types. She is launching three different sprays that all around health and beauty. One is a Miracle Mist that helps you tighten and tone your skin. There is a Fit & Slim spray that helps people curb their appetite. The last one is a Leibe-Do spray that increases sexual orgasms. They are all organic and very cool products she has designed with her chemists. We are launching them in March in conjunction with a cancer charity to raise money for women that are going through chemo treatments.

JN: I am glad things are treating you well out there.

RK: I am very happy here. Yesterday was the coldest day and it was 50 degrees. Coming from Chicago and New York this is nothing! I will call my mother and tell her I am hanging on the beach reading my journal and its 75 degrees.

JN: We don't like to hear that kind of talk around here! Have you seen any celebrities that you have been blown away by yet?

RK: Jane Lynch, absolutely. I went to her book signing and have many close mutual friends. I have become close with Bruce Vilanch. We are having him come on board with us for Scrooge & Marley. Chad Allen and Dustin Lance Black I see around. They are everywhere out here. I can't keep up!

JN: That is fun.

RK: I have been very blessed with my dealings with the community and going out to social events. People like Betty White who I look up to that I never knew I would be sharing the same airspace with. I just had a political conversation with Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen.

JN: That must be surreal.

RK: I think living in Chicago grounds everything. There is a mystique about it. When you live in New York and LA you are surrounded by it. It is an everyday thing. You might roll up to a red light and be next to a car with Ashton Kutcher behind the wheel!

Ronnie Kroell will star in "Scrooge & Marley" an independent film being shot in Chicago this May. The flim is based on an original script by Ellen Stoneking, Richard Knight, Jr. and the late Timothy Imse. It will be directed by Knight and Peter Neville.