For one Michigan man, the big boost his career needed came in the form of a video of himself seductively eating a chocolate bar. And chances are, you've probably seen this handsome young man somewhere on the internet or in videos, movies, commercials, etc.
Real estate agent and part-time fashion model Donnell Blaylock Jr. was swamped with messages and job opportunities since posting the 17-second “teaser video” to his Facebook page.
The video, titled “Is this too much chocolate ladies?,” featured the now 29-year-old Blaylock winking at the camera before he slowly unwraps and bites into a Hershey’s chocolate bar as R. Kelly’s “Seems Like You’re Ready” plays. Back then he was a young 23-year-old just starting out. The video was produced by photographer and publicist Marvin Bienaime, the clip amassed over 1.7 million views in it's first week.
Bienaime thought the best way for Blaylock to break into modeling was to make a video that just might go viral. The sight of the former Foot Locker salesman eating chocolate on camera with an inviting smile to “the ladies,” posing in a floral shirt, baring his chest in his sweats — 17 seconds in all — has caught the interest of millions since it went online.
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After an alleged 2.5 million hits and 50,000 referrals, since being posted on September 26, 2015, Blaylock was busy fielding both real estate and modeling opportunities at the same time. Now, he's able to focus on modeling and acting.
You've probably seen him in R&B singer Ella Mai's breakout hit, Boo'd up, along with a host of other appearances in music video and shows.
“The whole purpose of the video was really just building my portfolio,” Blaylock told Michigan Live.
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Blaylock said the video, which came about because he’s been labeled as “chocolate,” has been so effective that it’s garnered him inquiries from out-of-state buyers and sellers. Watch the video below:
It’s also netted him romantic attention from admiring females, of which the career-focused bachelor said, “To a certain degree, I have to tune it out.”
According to his LinkedIn profile, Blaylock says, "my responsibilities are to basically keep my body's physique presentable as far as being ready to shoot, Eating the right foods to keep my body healthy and lean, study successful models who have a look similar to mine, continue to have practice shoots to become a better model and lastly just to stay focused on my goal to become signed with an agency."
“I’m just trying to focus,” the chocolate model said.
And focusing on his body is just what he's been doing according to his social media. Blaylock has been collaborating with a company called Body Contourz for an Ultra Slim Treatment.
He initially went to them to get rid of his beer belly he'd gained during quarantine. The model says he's had 4 ultra slim treatments and 3 lymphatic massages and burned an impressive total of 17,000+ calories.
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Bienaime said back in the day, Blaylock's real estate office used to treat the young agent like a...
... celebrity. “The fact that they have someone on their team who has gone viral — it looks good for their brand, there is a lot of potential there for them,” he said.
“Even when he goes out in Michigan, everyone recognizes him and they exchange information,” said Bienaime.
Thanks to all the attention, the self-acclaimed real estate newbie is receiving listing offers from Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and beyond. He has been advised that the best way to deal with these is to refer them to brokerages in these areas and to collect a referral fee.
“I’ve only been licensed since January 2015; I’m a rookie,” he said. “Of all the people they could contact, they are contacting me,” he said in a wondering tone.
The overnight sensation said he went into real estate because he was interested in becoming a real estate investor. He got his license through Coldwell Banker and then moved to JGR in January. His business at JGR has been largely first-time buyers, and houses are selling within a day or two of listing in the West Michigan market, he said.
For more on Donnell, check out his instagram here.
