Michael Rainey Jr. On Fashion, Future roles, And Forging His Own Path
Michael Rainey Jr. may be well-known for his role as Tariq St. Patrick on STARZ’s “Power” and its spin-offs, but the actor’s other moves prove he’s not slowing down anytime soon.With a boohooMAN collection also on his resume, Rainey stepped fully into the fashion world with a ’70s-inspired line that blends nostalgia with his modern-day streetwear flair. From knits and corduroy to faux leather staples, the collab reflects his personal style and creative vision. In this exclusive conversation with REVOLT, Rainey opens up about his love for fashion, runway ambitions, dream movie roles, and what keeps him evolving. He also looks back on the woman who helped launch his career, and the bold future he’s carving out on his own terms. Read what he had to say below.
Your boohooMAN collection has a clear ’70s vibe with knits, corduroy, and faux leather. What drew you to that era, and how did you put your own spin on it?
I personally like watching period pieces, like films or TV shows that are based in, like, an older time, like [the] ’80s, ’90s, ’70s. That kind of was my inspiration behind everything…Even, like other brands, we work and re-innovate the older eras of fashion and bring it into modern time.That’s kind of where my inspiration came from. And also, I feel like it helped bring a different type of look to boohooMan itself.
Why boohooMAN?
Well to be honest, I feel like they give a lot of a lot of creators, just people th
Lil Nas X on Modeling, Style Icons, and Future Acting Roles
Lil Nas X is expanding his creative horizons, and he’s diving headfirst into the worlds of modeling and acting. He finds a surprising familiarity in the world of fashion shoots, noting, “It’s kind of similar to film and TV in that way, like just being on set all day, shooting for eight to ten hours a day… I find it enjoyable.” He’s especially drawn to the visual aspects, mentioning an interest in “locations and match[ing] colors from certain locations with whatever outfits or look they’re capturing.”
When it comes to modeling goals, Lil Nas X is aspiring. “You gotta go GQ,” he states,ready to tackle everything the industry has to offer. Runway is also a major aspiration, though he admits to anticipating some nerves. “Runway is pretty fire… I’ll probably be overthinking my walk or something.”
His style icons are a diverse mix, spanning generations and genres. He fondly recalls a childhood obsession with Michael Jackson, even identifying with the star after his passing: “I was like, ‘Damn, twin.’ Like that’s my twin.” He also pays homage to New York fashion staples like Jim Jones, Cam, Bloody Osiris, and Buddy Dior, alongside influences like Jimi Hendrix and his love for ’70s style.
Looking ahead to acting, Lil Nas X is eager to break away from roles he’s previously played. He’s particularly excited about action – “real action, like crane shots, all type of crazy stuff” – and comedy, including romantic comedies. He’s open to exploring a wide range of characters,”literally everything other than just being a dark sociopath.”
One director he’s particularly keen to collaborate with is Spike Lee, whom he’s admired since childhood as a New York Knicks fan.”Growing up… always seeing Spike at the games, and obviously just knowing Spike and all the legendary work he’s done. I would love to do something with spike.”