Danish Born Canadian model and singer Paris Black was born to ballerina/equestrian Paulina Haraldsen, and noted sportsman/model Norman Johanssen in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Emigrating to Canada via London, England in early childhood, as a teen traveler, Paris was discovered in New York City by an agent of the esteemed Wihelmina Modelling Agency, ushering in over 2 decades as a model and singer touring the world, including China and Japan.
MODELLING
Paris’ modelling career featured him in Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair, and countless others, representing Amani, Versace, Guess? and other various couturier labels.
He spent over a decade in Miami as a fashion and fitness model, which led him to ads for Body Body beach wear, as well calendars including the cover of ‘Mr. Man of Steel’ 2009.
As a multimedia celebrity, Paris has been been voted #1 number on many lists of ‘Sexiest Men’.
His classic physique and ability to remain still in deep contemplation led to being contracted by many casinos world wide as a human Adonis statue, including Ceasar’s Palace, Orleans Casino, and the Wynne Casinos of Las Vegas.
Sponsored by Eureka Global Arts, he was invited to appear on a month long promotional tour of Hong Kong and mainland China in Feb. of 2012.
In Sep. 2013, Paris posed for ‘The Ideal Man: Masculine/ Masculine’ exhibit at the Museum d’Orsay in Paris, France.
Later that same year, he was awarded First Prize for Figure Modeling at the prestigious Louvre Museum in Paris, in one of the world’s biggest International art shows.
Paris regularly models for prestigious professor’s classes at the Gallery School in The Art Gallery Of Ontario, The Arts And Letters Club, Seneca College, York University, Sheridan College among other notable art institutions.
He was featured as the exclusive model for the entire three month duration of the Early Rubens exhibit at The AGO. Virtually, Paris is seen around the world modelling via Zoom sessions from his state of the art home studio.
Paris is also an established artist of some repute, focusing on commissioned portraits. Identified as a gifted prodigy in childhood, Paris Black’s artwork has been displayed at galleries around the globe, including The Louvre Carousel Exhibit in Paris, France.
MUSIC
Paris’s vocal coach is the esteemed Elaine Overholt, who trained John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Richard Gere, Sean Mendes, and many more.
Paris’ early involvement in the music industry launched him unexpectedly into the role of Teen Pop Idol, which featured him on the Much Music channel countless times as a performer and regular segment host for programs such as ‘Video Hits’, ‘Youth Focus’, ‘Rock N’Talk’.
Paris went on nationwide promotional tours, with appearances on the CBC, American network television, and live concerts, where his dynamic stage performance and vocal range landed him a recording and dIstributIon contract with Sony Music/AMG.
In 1987, his debut album ‘Secret Seduction’ was produced by Grammy Award winner Steve Sexton, and saw three songs reach Canada’s top ten charts: ‘Buried Alive’, ‘Lover’, and ‘Better Get Ready’.
Paris Black’s self-titled sophomore LP was produced by the legendary Mark Berry, who was concurrently producing Madonna, Billy Idol, Duran Duran, etc. At the same timr, and featured the single ‘Conspiracy’, co-written by Michael Bolton, which reached number one on the CanCon charts.
Paris was featured on the cover of major music magazines the world over, culminating in three Gold Records, one of which was presented to him by legendary 007 actor Roger Moore. Paris toured China, Hong Kong, Italy, France, Germany, and at legendary venues in major cities across Canada and the United States.
Paris’ 2009 single release of ‘Take Me Home’ was EMI’s number one download, again produced by iconic Mark Berry, who also engineered Carly Simon’s ‘You’re So Vain’.At this time, the buzz around Paris was intense, attaining management by Jeff Burns, then head of Sony Canada who later had a Juno Award named after him.
Paris was being represented legally by top entertainment attorney Paul Schindler, who is retained by Madonna among others. Paris was quickly signed by Jorgen Kramer, head of Universal Music worldwide, after an electrifying showcase at leading music industry conference Midem in Nice, France.
* PAUSE due to family illness and tragedy… Fast forward:
Paris’ versatility in Pop, Rock, and Reggae garnered him hundreds of thousands of views on Youtube, with loyal fans demanding that he continue the momentum, perform and finally release his long awaited LP, ‘The Profound and The Profane’.
Paris operatic vocal skills were honed, rehearsed and recorded during 2017-2018, and performed with members of Opera Atelier in the summer of 2019.
That same year, Paris appeared in the Broadway musical called ‘Four Chords and a Gun’, based on the story of punk band The Ramones, receiving rave reviews, and was invited to tour with the play as special guest for the final show in New York City.
Paris is now adding the finishing touches and mastering the album, which will be another major release on Sony AMG, again produced by music industry titan Mark Berry (Madonna, Drake etc.) and engineered by Jim Zolis (Celine Dion, etc.) both of whom have worked with Paris since the very beginning.
The LP will include members of bands such as Foreigner, Platinum Blonde, Turbonegro, and many others.
The first single will feature Paris’ long time collaborator Phil Naro, who has recorded with such legends as Julian Lennon, Brian May of Queen, and will include the single ‘Wrecked’, co-written by Taylor Dayne.
FILM and TELEVISION:
As an Actor, Paris is a full member of Canada’s screen performers union A.C.T.R.A.
Television appearances include featured roles in soap operas such as ‘Days of Our Lives’, ‘Passions’, and starring roles in the films ‘Club Utopia’ directed by Frank Caruso, and ‘Allergic to Reality’ directed by Eloha Bouchard.
As a TV host, Paris hosted and guest hosted shows on CBC, Global TV, Much Music and Fox as well as many more affiliates.
Highlights include interviews he conducted with Mohammed Ali, James Brown, Iman, Roger Moore, Mick Jagger, Martha Stewart, William Shatner, Pamela Anderson, David Hasselhof, Montel Williams, etc.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES:
1988-1990: “People With a Purpose” host and spokesperson
1990-2001: co-founder “Chillout”, 100% of funds towards the homeless, with tour across Canada for “Project Jobs”
2001-Present: Activist and performer for hundreds of various charities including The Hospital For Sick Children, Covenant House, ‘Save Our World’, ‘Unity One’ and many more.
Paris is now focusing on animal related charities, such as ‘Victory For Animals’, and his independently produced podcast ‘Animal Magnetism’, which focuses on rescued animals, such as the many which he lives with and cares for with his wife, art collector Viva of Viva Group/MAC Viva Glam, at their home/shelter in High Park, Toronto.
