When fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch revealed its 2020 ‘Face Your Fierce’ campaign last month – to promote its various ‘Fierce’ fragrances – much was written about the diversity of the models featured.
In a noted move away from A&F campaigns of yore, the line-up included a mixture of body shapes, gender identities and sexualities. Well-known LGBTQ faces included the athletes Megan Rapinoe and Gus Kenworthy.
Related: Megan Rapinoe, Gus Kenworthy, Ryan Russell star in Abercrombie campaign
But not everyone boasts a slim, athletic physique, and Abercrombie is now keen to promote itself as welcoming all, regardless of size. The campaign utilized body positivity advocate Halle Hathaway and plus-size male model, Michael McCauley.
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For McCauley, to be asked to be featured in the campaign was a dream come true. The 29-year-old, who stands 6’1” and 260lbs, has only been professionally modeling for around 18 months.
“It was funny because when Sergio [his agent] called me, he said it’s for Abercrombie, and I laughed and asked, ‘Have they got the right Mike?’ because there’s another Mike at LA Models who’s perhaps a more traditional Abercrombie model. And he was like, “No, they definitely want you.”
McCauley’s modeling career began when he met the aforementioned Sergio of LA Models at a party. The agent and talent scout suggested he do a test shoot.
“The photos came back. I was signed, and I think within a few days I applied for my first job. Since then I’ve also signed with Options up in Portland. And I’m looking at some other ones internationally.”
McCauley grew up in Portland, Oregon. He now lives in Los Angeles, California. Modeling, at the moment, remains a sideline. His day job is working for a company involved with programmatic and mobile advertising. He talks via Skype from a hotel in New York City, frantically trying to iron a shirt before dashing off to a work meeting. He is also pursuing potential acting roles.
Before being signed, professional modeling was not something he’d ever considered.
“No! I never thought it was possible. I mean, let’s be real, there really aren’t guys like my size who are models. There’s only a handful.”
Related: Colton Haynes’ new Abercrombie photos aren’t half as hot as his others
The Abercrombie campaign is a sign of changing times. The brand is still best remembered for its campaigns from the 90s and 00s when it promoted a strict aesthetic for men of washboard abs and hairless, toned torsos.
In fact, back in 2006, the brand’s then CEO, Mike Jeffries, told Salon, “A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely. Those companies that are in trouble are trying to target everybody: young, old, fat, skinny. But then you become totally vanilla.”
“They haven’t had the best track record, you could say,” McCauley concedes, “but when I got to the set, the team there were just the nicest people.”
He showed up expecting to be kitted out in the latest A&F fashions. He wasn’t expecting to pose shirtless.
“That was never really the initial plan. We’d been shooting for the entire day and at the very end of the day, they had one last picture for me [to do].
“The photographer asked me if I’d be comfortable taking my shirt off for a couple of pictures, and I was like, ‘Absolutely, of course.’ I’d always had it in my head to do something a little old-school Abercrombie. I dreamed of an opportunity like this, so it was pretty unreal.
“My only stipulation was we have to cue to music. We needed some energy, so we put on a K-Pop standard, “DDU-DU DDU-DU” by BlackPink,” he laughs.
Suitably re-energized, McCauley turned in poses that will now grace displays in Abercrombie stores nationwide.He says his image has already prompted plenty of feedback.
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“I’ve seen tons of messages, DMs, people just so excited to see representation of guys like them in modeling. Especially in Abercrombie. I’ve had probably over 100 messages from people saying they’re, ‘going to go to Abercrombie to see you in the store’.”
Rewind to the 1990s and it was a very different story. McCauley remembers how his mom wouldn’t let him shop in A&F stores or own the brand’s catalogs.
“They [the catalogs] were very suggestive and hypersexual,” he says. “So just thinking that I could have gone into the store and seen a guy like me, that it was OK to have your body like that, and that’s sexy too … that would have been a powerful message to me growing up.”
McCauley is gay. He says coming out to his parents as a teenager was relatively smooth: “They are super understanding and super loving.”
Encouraged by their support, he decided to come out to his whole high school during his senior year.
“I was supposed to help out with planning our diversity assembly, [and] in the back of my mind I’d been wanting to profile a gay person.”
Given then he was gay himself, and his parents had been OK with it, he soon realized he might have to do it himself.
“So in front of 2,000 kids, I came out to my entire high school at the assembly. I told my whole story and basically confronted the bullies right in front of their faces. I didn’t name names but kind of referenced people and some things that had happened.
“My mom had been very ‘I don’t know if this is a good idea?’, and my dad was like, ‘Yeah, you should do this,’ but when it all came out, it had a really good effect on our community and I never got any trouble for being gay again after that. No-one’s going to make fun of you for something that you’ve already put out there.”
Putting himself “out there” is intrinsic to McCauley’s new career path. He says friends and family are supportive of his modeling and other ambitions.
“They’re loving it. I think my mom was a little bit concerned at first … she’s always a little bit concerned. She’s a mother, right? She’s like, ‘Are you sure you want to take your shirt off? You look really nice in your clothes?’ But I think once the campaign came out, she got the messaging behind it. And the rest of my family and friends have really got the message.”
Another pillar of support is his boyfriend, Kellen. They met on Tinder, and McCauley says they work a lot together.
“We travel a lot together. When you’re seeing stuff on Instagram, a lot of the photoshoots, he’s often behind the camera or he’s helping me with content and editing… even just driving to auditions and go-sees, because LA can be a parking nightmare. We’re definitely a team.”
Is McCauley now having to cope with thirsty DMs in his inbox?
“Honestly, like, there’s comments and people send messages,” he laughs, “I’m very flattered, but I just ignore. I don’t hook into it. I’m very much in love and very happy.”
The Abercrombie campaign is opening doors for McCauley and he’s looking forward to seeing where modeling might take him. If he can challenge people’s notions of beauty along the way, all the better.
“This year I really want to circle into more acting, but keep up the modeling, obviously. I’ve been loving, loving it, so definitely more modeling.”
Update: March 16, 2020
After our interview was published, some users on Twitter shared two social media postings reportedly posted by Michael McCauley when he lived in Portland, Oregon concerning the organization Black Lives Matter. One message, posted to Facebook and captured in a screenshot, said, “A group called ‘Black Lives Matter’ is blocking the street downtown and just made me late for a crucial meeting. Thank you for making your point – I’m glad your life matters more than mine.”
A second posting appeared to be a response to someone else’s message, instructing them to, “spend 10 minutes researching blm and come back and talk to me lol. It’s a group of extremists that don’t really represent the majority of the black community.”
The screenshots were undated. We have approached McCauley to comment on these postings.
Update: March 20, 2020
McCauley posted a six-minute video to his Instagram yesterday to apologize over past social media postings that had come to light in the last few days. “I’m really, really sorry about all the comments that have come out recently from my past on Facebook,” he began. “And I just want you guys to know, I don’t agree with any of that stuff that I said.
“It’s really shocking to see myself say those kinds of things. And I want you guys to know that is no way the person I am today.”
He said that at the time had made the comments, people had reached out to challenge him about them, “and I was really able to educate myself on the Black Lives Matters movement, to realize just how wrong and privileged those comments are, and why they’re racist, why they’re not a joke. And I don’t in any way stand for things like that.
“With my platform, I try to just spread a good message, I try to show people that you can be the best you can be, and you can change yourself. I’ve changed and come so, so far since those things.
“I just want people to know I am so, so, so sorry… I don’t want people to think that’s anything I stand for today or believe in.”
He went on to say he was reaching out to his local Black Lives Matter chapter.
“I really hope you guys can see past these comments and know I’m doing my part to make this right. I’m reaching out to my local Black Lives Matter chapter here in LA and I’m going to make sure I am educated as much as I possibly can on everything their movement is about, and if there is any way I can make this right and apologize directly to them, and potentially use my platform to make sure that other people don’t think this kind of language is OK, and understand why what I said is so offensive, and so hurtful and racist … because that’s not the world I want to live in and I don’t want to ever put that message out there.”
Chrisk
I miss the days of going into Abercrombie store just to look at the hot naked guys. 🙁
bonbon
He’s a really handsome guy with clothes but without that body is quite the eyesore.
PolishBear
“Eyesore” is a bit harsh, don’t you think? I understand if he’s not your type, but his boyfriend obviously doesn’t think of his body as an “eyesore.”
evanxx
Put your photo where your mouth is……let’s see YOUR shirtless pic. _ Don’t be shy!
marion
Some Tig ass bitties right there,
Ricanthony
Eyesore? Show yourself, boo. This dude is hot.
ShiningSex
Eyesore? He has a beautiful body. Too bad you don’t show us your thing you call a body. Sit down queen!!!
frapachino
Gotta love advertisers, it’s one extreme or the other , unattainable beauty or this! Why not try something in the middle? I see hot guys at my gym everyday that would never qualify as a “model “but are still very hot and they also look nothing like this out of shape guy!
zaksousa23
He’s literally the average look and weight of the gay and straight male American male. Not sure what planet you’re on that everyone is skinny as a pole
ShiningSex
Your comment is out of shape and boring. All body types are beautiful. Most “gym bunnies” are boring looking. All look the same. zzzzzzzzzzzzz
nelsonpibe
he’s lovely
Larry
He is hot and hairy!! Both HUGE +s for me. We ALL are different. Let’s celebrate it!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
As a Personal Trainer and nutritionist I have issues with overweight persons being celebrated. I spend most of my professional time working with people trying to get to a proper BMI. Too many health issues that occur in the majority.
However to each his own. He seems comfortable in his skin and happy so am not going to fat shame him nor call him the usual uncalled for epithets. He is a good looking guy I only offer guidance. He is out and proud so I say good on him
Jared MacBride
I agree with you about celebrating obesity, a category claimed by about 42% of US citizens. It’s a very serious medical problem.
sanfranca1
“… I have issues with overweight persons being celebrated.”
That’s not body shaming? Sounds like it to me.
AnthonyS23
Everyone should be celebrated, you superficial jerk.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
AnthonyS23:. Oh looky!!
A new low life troll just slithered in from the troll farm!!
Raphael
AnthonyS23 don’t mind him. Anyone that disagrees with his opinions is a “troll”… His nickname is the definition of hypocrisy.
Michael
Hmmm I can see what your saying on some of these points but as an overweight guy, yes I agree that being somewhat overweight we can have more risk of weight related health issues. But there are more overweight people than gym bunnies, who decided that svelte skinny guys get to decide who’s attractive is really bugging me. Why shouldn’t we be celebrating a larger body type? No one is promoting being overweight he’s advertising clothes, big or small we all need them. A&F are just being inclusive of everyone (even though I think they’re just after the cash)
I’ve friends who are regulars at the gym yet I eat more vegetables than some of these guys, my health problems began before I was larger I was 180Ibs and 6’ 2” it now means I can’t exercise without causing additional health problems. That’s partly why I’m bigger, it’s not an excuse – but yes I do love food and even without health problems I’d probably be a bit larger. I don’t drink that often the odd glass of wine and I don’t take drugs – food is my one vice. Would I prefer to be slim with a six pack and bulging pecks – No, I’d prefer to be 30Ibs lighter (currently 250Ibs) which happens every so often when I’m having a good patch but I don’t want to live in the gym, spending 1 or 2 hours there every day or every other day or even 3 times a week, eating nothing but lettuce and kale & skinless chicken, craving a snickers bar yet eating a stick of celery fretting if my bmi goes up by 1 point. I’m miserable if I can’t eat a chocolate bar or have an ice cream or a cake when I feel like it. My life choices might shorten my life by a year or two (all my family have been bigger but lived well into their mid 70’s) but I’d rather live it being happy than skinny and miserable & judging others just because of their size. Your comments weren’t fat shaming but they were still quite judgmental – a bit like mine above are about gym bunny’s. We’re all different, different body shapes, sizes, tall, short, larger or thinner let’s celebrate who we are rather than what we look like.
Gigi Gee
@PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS — Re: “Sorry your name absolutely does NOT fit you.” Pot, meet kettle. #ohtheirony
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Raphael: And yet ANOTHER smcubag troll!!
Raphael
Sweetie… When you keep having constant tantrums in the comments, they lose their dramatic effect. Maybe you should try some other way to get attention.
ShiningSex
As a personal trainer, SIT DOWN. It’s annoying to hear alleged “healthy” people claim others are unhealthy and yet many “in shape” people died of heartattacks etc.
Healthy is determined by a doctor not a dumb trainer or body shape.
ingyaom
A handsome man with a great coming out story. Imagine being another gay boy at that high school – he must have been an inspiration.
Bromancer7
Since when does A&F makes clothes in his size?
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
Since the day it becomes obvious that twinks no longer make enough money to keep them in business and they had best broaden their customer base for survival sake. This is clearly a guy who works with his hands and MANY of them have a lot of disposable income just waiting to be tapped.
ShiningSex
No one with tastes shops at A&F or Hollister. Those are douchebag stores. That aside, he’s very attractive.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
Congratulations. Its rare a good looking guy who clearly isn’t a wimp and loves a second piece of apple or sweet potato pie with a bowl of ice cream gets mentioned. The majority of you whores starve yourselves to death just to make heads turn for all of half a second where as he can do it naturally and probably can’t stand bed decorations (gym/thong queens).
ducdebrabant
Grand. If I ever start aspiring to look like Mr. McCauley, I’ll sure shop there.
justgeo
First ads pro anorexia now obesity. Lordy lordy do!
torresrj
I am really bothered by the personal trainers comments. There are millions of big guys in the world who are very healthy and live longer than some of these muscle men. Not everyone who is big is unhealthy, just like not everyone who is skinny and muscular are healthy. This body shaming crap needs to stop. The bearish community has always been looked down upon for generations. We need to embrace solidarity and celebrate AF’s transition to realism. As long as they are not exploiting it, I am all for it!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
“As a Personal Trainer and nutritionist I have issues with overweight persons being celebrated. I spend most of my professional time working with people trying to get to a proper BMI. Too many health issues that occur in the majority.”
Please reread the last sentence. “In the majority” I stated which is 100% true. Everyone knows the maladies overweight people face include diabetes, hypertension, gout, the list is long and unfortunately fatal in many instances. I did not shame and am very accepting of all flavors of the Gay. Some people live long happy lives being overweight and happy. Unfortunately they are in the absolute minority. I have had many success stories as well as quite sad cases where good people who could have had decades more life were gone too soon as a result of diseases which could have been prevented.
Those are facts…..
Hdtex
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS ….shows us daily that she does not.
She’s a nasty, superficial, bitter queen. Ignore her.
RickHeathen
He’s pretty handsome! I’d date this guy in a hot minute.
IAMSONICE
Body shaming by a “personal trainer”… shocked I am not. People suffering from mental health issues related to their perceived body issues will look at his sexy hairy titties and love to see themselves represented. All you self important kale eating schmucks have the whole world to reinforce your ideal attractiveness, so back off and let the people be fat and sexy.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Sorry your name absolutely does NOT fit you. I did no “fat” nor “body” shaming I simply pointed out FACTS that morbidly obese people in the majority of cases have a shorter life span and the life they live are burdened by preventable diseases.
Please take your ignorant false troll comments elsewhere…
IAMSONICE
Hahaha well if I am a troll, then I am here to collect my toll. I charge per assholes so I’ll need to charge you double.
Aires the Ram
I do not think “Plays Well With Others” was body shaming at all, just presenting the potential pitfalls of being overweight, that any medical doctor would tell you. That being said, I’ve always wished that A & F would just go away.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Tyvm
Bob LaBlah
“That being said, I’ve always wished that A & F would just go away.”
Be careful of what you wish for. Last week their (A&F) stock hit the single digits and Macy’s is still in the single digits with The Gap following close behind. JCPenny is close to being listed on the penny stock exchange (no pun intended). It hit a low of thirty five cents per share last week and hasn’t been over a dollar in nearly two months. This is a desperate attempt to attract whomever has money in their pockets, to hell with just the skinny ass little twink market. I’ll bet all of them are in talks with Lizzo for a possible jeans line. As ol’ Bertha and I have been warning all of you this Corona virus is going to be hit every corner of our way of life. Two days ago I went to five (FIVE) store before I found one that had five loose rolls of toilet tissue left. So help me god I felt like a predator running to get them.
angel4790
Honestly this is pretty disgusting, I don’t want to walk in a store that has a huge dimply stomach poster right in front of me,
Abercrombie what the actual fck were you thinking
wufpupster
as opposed to some emaciated person who looks like they can barely walk down the street without fear of being blown over by a stiff breeze… or someone who is so photoshopped they barely look human anymore?
Fact of the matter is this is what a majority of Americans look like — and my guess is that A&F is trying to appeal to that demographic in this single ad campaign, instead of just kids that have access to mom and dad’s credit cards.
angel4790
And this is teaching kids that being unhealthy af is okay, that’s my point and the only point I need
ShiningSex
you’re worried about teaching kids that he’s unhealthy? what about teaching kids to accept other’s differences (DUH like being gay). You just sound ignorant. Sit down Angel. I mean Devil.
butchie54
MICHAEL, I couldn’t have said it any better. I also have travelled your journey and currently trying to get the weight down to a reasonable level.
Being on Weight Watchers has helped me lose the first 32 lbs. of my intended 63 lbs so that I can feel more healthy and better self esteem, even at 66 yrs. old. Depriving yourself of food you love doesn’t help either. If I have a craving then I cut back later to even things out. Thanks for your comment and best of luck in your weight management.
PugsBuddy
He’s beautiful. How’d you like that laying on top of you, crushing you to dust. I’d like that just fine, thank you very much.
michael379
do not think “Plays Well With Others”
BubbleB20
I have followed him on Instagram for a while now and unfortunately I am very disappointed in the comments he made regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. I know that these comments were made a while ago and because I find his energy and his current vision seemingly so progressive on equality and positivity for all identities I would be open to believing he has shifted to be more inclusive towards others. I do appreciate his acknowledgment and posts made apologizing for these comments but I do not like the fact that he has now disabled commenting on all of his posts. I think he needs to creatively find a way to take feedback and questions. I think a lot of people are very disappointed.
Redmage
Reading his comments.. I didn’t find anything racist.. Black lies uh I mean Lives, Matter is complete trash, and there are many black Americans who feel this way as well.. Including me. I am also sick of haring blacks bitch and moan, as if it is the past..
I have had those group of thugs threaten me, said some vile, and racist stuff over the fact that I am gay, and my partner is not only white, but a cop.. The ones who ACTUALLY came to my house, quickly learned, I fully support the 2nd amendment.
He shouldn’t have apologized, but people are so afraid of being cancelled.. Silenced by the little nazi (the left)..
ShiningSex
You calling that movement trash shows your racism. Sit down queen.
ShiningSex
The story seems blah in terms of “racist” comments. BLM is a great organization, but some do take advantage of what it means and its goals.
I didn’t see his comment as racist, just upset and ignorant.