So people have been asking how I ran into Billy Reilich, aka “Nick the Gardener,” this past weekend in L.A. Truth be told, he's a buddy of mine, albeit one I was meeting in person for the first time.
Billy is in a mock boy band called The Cream Pies, a group that had my attention early on because one member is Stevie Brock, who was a kiddie solo artist I used to work with at the teen mag I edited. Billy caught my eye not only for his muscle mass, but also his sincerity. He is that rare combo of serious bodybuilder and down-to-earth dude, as humble as he is massive.
Had to go back twice to Billy's job to get the perfect shirtless pic-with! (Thanks to Todd & Tom)
After some online mentoring (he's straight, so that's about as intimate as it's gonna get!), I was finally able to meet up with Billy on my Burbank trip.
I took him to lunch for his 24th birthday the same week his Ellen appearances had come to a head—he's on the verge of a real shot at being in Magic Mike XXL and who knows what else. Lucky him—when a famous lesbian falls for you, you konw you don't have to put out!
Billy's bandmate Stevie, as he appeared when I worked with him (L) and now (R)
In the gallery above, check out a few snaps I took of Billy at his night job and at our lunch. More (and better) coming if I get back out there in the near future. If I wait too long, I have a feeling he'll have become the next Channing Tatum and will be unavailable!
