Christian Vincent is a Canadian-born professional dancer, choreographer, actor and model. The role that brought him front and center in the gay community was Ricky Davis on the sitcom Noah’s Arc, which chronicled the lives of four gay African-American friends in Los Angeles. Vincent has also appeared in many films, including She’s All That, Rent, Starsky & Hutch, and Sex, Politics & Cocktails and the TV series Smallville, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Arrested Development, MADtv, George Lopez, Baywatch and Cold Case. Most recently he starred in Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom, Center Stage: Turn It Up, the reality TV show Dancing with the Stars and is currently a co-star on Canada Sings.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Christian for this exclusive Hotspots interview, just a couple of weeks before his appearance at PJ’s Cocktails on Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21.
You started your career dancing for some very famous celebrities. Who was your favorite to work for and what was your favorite tour?
I have been fortunate to have an extensive dance career. I honestly can’t say that I had a favorite artist but dancing on Madonna’s Drowned World Tour was my favorite tour experience. The entire tour was on a large scale; I traveled the world and I worked with a great crew of dancers. Overall the “Madonna experience” was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Your rise to gay fame came when you starred on Noah’s Arc. Tell us about that experience and who are you still friendly with?
In retrospect I really acknowledge that Noah’s Arc was a landmark show. It was the first show that revolved around a multi-dimensional group of gay black men. I hope that a show like Noah’s Arc can spawn other shows that show people of color as being diversified. It is a shame that the show did not get to continue and develop. My experience on the show was a little surreal at times and mostly fun. I was given the opportunity to make a living in the arts and that is a blessing. My castmates were really great guys and I still keep in contact off and on with many of them.
Your character, Ricky Davis, was the sex addict. Did you get a lot of negative or positive feedback from that role?
My character Ricky Davis was the sex addict and I can’t really say whether I got positive or negative feedback. I don’t know. Maybe I got both. I noticed that some people who were fans of the show would be a little more apprehensive to approach me as opposed to some of my castmates. I was often asked if I was like my character. I am quite different from Ricky but I learned a lot from him.
Many years later when you made the movie Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom, how was it to come together with the cast again?
I felt that each of the actors in the movie were very settled into their characters at that point. Filming the movie seemed to flow and was a comfortable return. I was pleased with the final outcome of the film.
Since Noah’s Arc you have made guest appearances on too many shows to list. What was your favorite and why?
I have made several television appearances as a dancer, actor and artistic director on shows. It is hard to say what my favorite was. I did feel really fulfilled acting as an artistic director, and on-camera talent for the Canadian show Canada Sings. I used more than one of my talents on the show and it was rewarding to have creative freedom. It was one of the more recent shows I have done, as well as the show Continuum.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I think people might be surprised that while working, I am currently getting my MFA.
Describe yourself in three words.
I am kind, strong, and multifaceted.
Are you excited to be coming to Fort Lauderdale for Stonewall Pride?
I’m glad to have been invited to Fort Lauderdale for Stonewall Pride. I appreciate people who appreciate me as well.
What’s ahead for you?
I will continue to act, dance, choreograph and educate. I choose to keep my career diversified otherwise I get bored and feel stagnant. I am looking forward to staying creative, relevant and growing in my career.
For more information on Christian, go to ChristianVincentonline.com.