Behind The Scenes Video With Thomas Worrell At His DNA Cover Shoot
Photographer: Christian Scott | Instagram
Model: Thomas Worrell | Instagram
Brand: ThePack Underwear | Website
Ever wanted to come to behind the scenes at a DNA cover shoot? Well, now you can! In a video by photographer Christian Scott for DNA #297, cover boy and gymnast Thomas Worrell showcases his incredible strength and flexibility as he poses on the aerial hoop. The video offers a glimpse into the world of a professional aerialist and the hard work that goes into creating stunning visual performances.
Thomas is a talented aerial hoop performer who has graced stages in shows like Briefs, Happy Endings, Dirty Laundry, and Cirque Bon Bon. In his interview with DNA, Worrell opened up about his passion for circus arts and his experiences as part of the LGBTQIA+ community in the entertainment industry.
“I fell in love with the circus after watching it,” Worrell said. He took a chance and auditioned for the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), and the rest is history. “The first few weeks were the hardest of my life, but I’ve never looked back.”
“We are encouraged to be ourselves”
Worrell found his place with the Briefs collective, a queer, alt-cabaret, burlesque ensemble. “It’s a very collaborative environment so there is a lot of each member’s ideas in every show. It’s a privilege to get to do what I love and be unapologetically myself while I do it.”
When asked about the controversy surrounding the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony and its representation of queerness and drag queens, Worrell had this to say: “That’s just people choosing to be offended. There were drag queens and campness at the Sydney Olympics 24 years ago, so why are people suddenly surprised?”
The Magic of Cirque Bon Bon
His latest show, Cirque Bon Bon, offers an intimate theatre experience that blends modern circus with elements of Cirque du Soleil. While not explicitly queer-oriented, it features queer artists, adding a layer of representation. Thomas appreciates how theatre has evolved to allow performers to be their true selves on stage.
Beyond performing, Thomas has also worked as an aerial coach for productions like How To Train Your Dragon Live and Moulin Rouge The Musical. Sharing his knowledge and helping others improve their skills is something he deeply enjoys. His teaching philosophy emphasises respect for the art form and pushing boundaries to create more impressive performances.
Love and inspiration
When it comes to his personal life, Thomas gushes about his partner Sean, who he met just before the pandemic. “Sean and I met just before the pandemic, and we laugh about how he met me once at a Briefs show. He even got a photo with me, and we followed each other on social media. Then we ran into each other and started a relationship. We now live together and he’s my biggest cheerleader.”
To read the full interview with Thomas, and see all of his daring DNA shoot, get DNA #297 – The Entertainers here.
