When it comes to bringing out that glow, the guys who fill most of the following pages—celebs like George Clooney, rising star Heath Ledger and R&B singer Tyrese—have an advantage over other folks: namely, professional assistance. So we decided to level the playing field. We sent half a dozen stylists toting bags of designer clothes to visit the winners of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire—six fellas far more likely to be found gazing into a computer screen than a mirror. (In fact, says writer-reporter Jennifer Wulff, who e-mailed the invitations to participate, all but one of the men answered within an hour.) The assignment: Give these overnight millionaires a look to match their handsome portfolios.
Although the makeover recipients came in all shapes and sizes, the toughest challenges were attitudinal, not physical. Miami millionaire Dan Blonsky's take was representative: "I'm a wash-and-wear kind of guy," he says. "I don't really try to be sexy, and I think I succeed." When Georgia schoolteacher Bob House tried on a $450 Burberry sweater, his daughter Shelby, 5, objected: "Daddy, you look like a girl!" Off it came. Newfound wealth notwithstanding, several of the subjects balked at the cost of their accoutrements. "I'm just not a big spender on clothes," says Tennessean Kim Hunt. "I usually shop at Wal-Mart."
Despite such misgivings, the millionaires—photographed by George Lange, whose subjects usually include stars like Jim Carrey and Denzel Washington—were pleased with their transformations. Aspiring screenwriter Joe Trela bought the suit he modeled. And, much to his surprise, Dan Blonsky liked the way he looked in the purple shirt that stylist Gail Ann Markowitz coaxed him into wearing for the shoot.
Still, for the most part, Trela, Blonsky and their fellow game-show Midases remain as indifferent to appearances as they were before striking gold. "I haven't significantly upgraded my wardrobe," says Blonsky, "though people think I have. It just goes to show that you look better to people if they know you have money."
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
