‘Jarlos’ Signs With Fusion Models as a Couple

We last spoke with John Tuite and Carlos Santolalla (a.k.a. 'Jarlos'), the artistic-model couple who rose to Instagram famedom by partying with the likes of Harry Styles, for Out's February's Love Portfolio. They met at a casting call, and Santolala said that it was the realization that Tuite might be gay that first caught his attention.

"The weird thing about models--something that nobody really realizes--is that they're all straight," Santolalla explained. "That's what makes the fact that they've just been signed to Fusion Models as an openly gay couple so incredible."

Tuite says that, in the four years he's been pursuing modeling, he's been confronted again and again with the unwanted advice that he couldn't be open about his sexuality. "There is an unspoken rule of modeling, at least in NYC--even if you get signed as an out model--the first thing any agent tells you to do is to dress butch and talk about girls so no one 'finds out.' "

Upon getting signed, Tuite shared his optimism with Out:

"Finally being represented as an openly gay man, let alone a couple, is a huge milestone for the industry, and the whole gay community. We hope that this will send a message to younger generations that it's possible to succeed without compromising who you are."