Meet Will Higginson — The Passionate British Model Turned Plumber and Newly Daddy in VT
Estimated Time of Arrival — Issue #17 Chilling on the beach in a tuxedo, doing a line off a stranger's back and rasing a child.
Aloha baby! How’s the week treating ya?
Welcome to E.T.A.H, your weekly newsletter where yours truly, Paula Romeu-Garcia, introduces the hottest up-and-coming artists from around the world and asks them uncomfortable questions…
It’s a freaking icy Wednesday in New York City, people, but the heart feels warm counting all the blessings in my life.
Also thanks to this little gem called “5-minute journal” I keep by my bedside table and can’t recommend enough (not sponsored ad…yet 😉 ).
What are three things you’re grateful for this morning? Let me know in the comments ♥️
One of my gratitudes today besides this lovely cuppa I’m sipping on and having Snoop Dogg by my side as I type, is counting my next guest (and his incredibly inspiring wife) as my friends and supporters.
I was talking about the role of friendships with a friend yesterday and how I’ve been truly enjoying these E.T.A.H intimate moments with my closest pals, discussing these big and interesting topics and getting to know how their minds work outside of regular day-to-day chat.
Friendship might be the secret ingredient that makes everything better.
Thank you for being here and supporting the journey 🚀
Anyway, emotional tears aside, our next guest and I go a looooooong way. Back to when I lived in England and I’d just started dating who’d become my ex-husband (keep reading for a saucy anecdote of the first time we met. LOL)
Him and I always got on well, we partied, travelled, worked together, and chilled, until one day, we had a big row. It was nasty. A lot of ego was involved on both sides and then we grew apart in separate parts of the world. I thought that was that.
It wasn’t until my marriage imploded and we happened to both be living in the States that we randomly got back in touch.
I was weary and suspicious but he approached me with a total open heart.
He showed me kindness and generosity like I haven’t experienced often in my life. Him and his wife bought me a ticket to Vermont, watched me cry and lick my wounds, fed me, loved me, gave me some serious pep talks and got me back on my feet. I learned so much.
I wouldn’t be the woman I am today and wouldn’t have healed from that experience so fast if it wasn’t for them. For that, I’m eternally grateful.
I’m delighted and grateful to introduce Will Higginson, model, dad, plumber, and devoted husband as our next guest at Estimated Time of Arrival.
As usual, trip safely and enjoy the ride 🚀 ✨
Introduce yourself and describe how we met.
Hello, ladies and gentlemen.
My name is Will Higginson, a passionate Englishman living in a beautiful country called America. I have a beautiful wife, a beautiful baby girl, and in doing that, I have made my dreams come true. I'm in a very happy place.
I have been a model for the past 12 years, but I'm settling down a little bit, getting a more consistent job that isn't so crazy, so I’m training to be a plumber. Everything is groovy.
And I met you, P, in London in a toilet stool somewhere, and I think I did a line off your back.
What bugs you about the world around you but feel we're not allowed to talk about? Or we're not talking about enough?
Many people love to be a victim. And many are offended for other people when that shouldn't be the case.
The internet has been one of the most wonderful inventions in the world but also one of the worst because it has amplified so many things like misinformation.
Take for example, Flat Earthers.
Back in the day, Jeff would be in the pub and he'd be going on about the flat earth and saying, yep, I believe that the earth is flat, and everyone would go, “shut up Jeff. You're chatting shit”. But nowadays, Jeff goes on the internet and says, I believe in flat earth, and gets some traction which can be very dangerous.
Do you believe we have free will over falling in love/lust or are those feelings totally out of our control?
I don’t think you can’t control it, and the more you fall in love, the more uncontrollable those feelings become.
But if you practice enough you can distract yourself from those feelings if you think they’re not gonna be good for you.
Favourite swearword?
Fuck fuckity fuck fuck fuck. Absolutely fuck. It's fucking fun to say. It emphasizes everything. It's fucking awesome. Fuck all the way. Fuck me sideways.
This is a research question for my upcoming short film “So Much Laundry So Little Soap” — “Polyamory”. What’s your experience with it? Thoughts on it? Or what have you observed in your circles?
I believe in being in one relationship.
There is an argument to be made about all this other stuff, but I wouldn’t want to try and open relationship. Sounds far too complicated.
What’s your experience and thoughts on psychedelics?
Absolutely awesome.
Everyone should try it at least once. It is amazing. I don't even think you have to be in an artistic environment to enjoy microdosing.
I'm a huge history buff and if you go back to the tribes of ancient England and Britain, Celts were running around with painted bodies and swords and shields to protect their homelands, but in their tribes, there were these “wise men” that were highly respected and would eat mushrooms, get really psychedelically high and converse with the spirits, and they'd spout out knowledge….
Tell me something curious about yourself you don’t usually tell people or you haven’t thought about for a while.
I do overshare quite a lot sometimes.
What’s the most useful advice you’ve ever been given?
A relationship must have balance, if you give too much you have nothing left for yourself.
If you had a time machine and could go back 10 years and whisper something into your younger self’s ear, what would you say?
Learn more, slow down, do more stretching, eat better stuff, wear sun cream,…
The main thing would be slow down, don't hurt yourself, don't injure yourself, look after your fucking back, you cunt! HAHA!
Describe the world today in 5 words or less.
Holy fucking what the fuck.
What’s the last film or series that moved you? And why? (It doesn’t have to be your favourite, just that made you feel something and what)
I’m such a sucker for the sob stories and I find it easy to relate to them.
There’s this game show, amazing race-type thing called 007: Road to a Million on Amazon Prime.
In one of the episodes, there’s a father and son, the father works on an oil rig so he didn’t spend much time with the kid growing up. Then on the show, they’re doing this thing together… I had a similar situation as a kid with my Father being away a lot so that made me feel emotional and sweet.
Self-promo station! Go to town! — What are you working on right now? What do you have coming up Where can people check out your work?
I've been a bit of a social hermit recently.
I've just been looking after my eight-month-old baby girl and it has been a beautiful experience, but it's also one of the toughest jobs ever. Tougher than I thought it was gonna be.
As a model, I'm doing a shoot for David Donahue in Savannah, Georgia. This is gonna be a fun little experience. Chilling on the beach in a tuxedo.
What artist/s do you love and wish them even more success in their field?
I'm gonna say it, Taylor Swift.
She's an amazing woman and businesswoman and a good role model.
If you had one message to share with the world what would it be?
Chill the fuck out, do your own thing, and don't fucking hurt people.
I'm Will Higginson, you can check me out on Instagram at Will_Higginson. I like to think I'm a funny person. Big love everyone. Have a great Christmas and holidays and whatever you're doing.
If you’re reading, talk to me so I know you’re alive.
Just hit reply on this email or leave a comment on substack, tell me where you’re reading from, how’s the weather there? What are your dreams and aspirations? Are you an artist, would you be on the show?
Spread the love.
Paula x
