by Jeff Katz

Combining brains and beauty, cover model Ryan Winters hopes to compete to be America’s Most Smartest Model.

Our cover boy, Ryan Winters, is more than just a pretty face—and he may soon get the chance to prove that with a stint on VH1’s America’s Most Smartest Model competition. But while the 27-year-old Bostonian waits on Hollywood, he’ll keep enjoying the San Diego sun, building up his portfolio and looking for that right guy with the perfect mix of looks and depth.

So what is going on with this America’s Most Smartest Model deal?

It was a really, really random opportunity. I had a friend who said I should sign up for it after seeing my portfolio. So I had seen the show, and thought, why not? It could be a fun opportunity, but I honestly didn’t think too much of it. So I get my profile online, and they rank you each day, and the first day I was number 2,000-something out of 3,000. And within a week I jumped up to 600, and suddenly it’s like, well, maybe I have a shot at this. I’m originally from Boston and have a lot of family and friends back there, so the next thing you know, one e-mail chain leads to another, and now I’m number seven.

Did you watch the first season?

Yeah, and I am an educated guy. I went to Suffolk University in Boston, Mass., and they actually posted something on the school website to get people to vote for me. I’d like to be on the show because I think I can handle myself pretty well. I’m not the ditzy model!

You’ll be the smarty-pants model.

[Laughs] Exactly.

How long have you been modeling?

It’s actually pretty recent for me. I’ve been doing it for about seven or eight months now.

You mentioned college; what did you go to school for?

I actually went to school for criminology. I come from a family of cops and firefighters and originally thought that was the path I was going, too. … But when I graduated, I took a random opportunity and moved to San Diego … so here I am.

And how does Beantown stack up against SoCal?

My heart is in San Diego. Boston will always be home to me, but I love San Diego. The beaches, the weather. ... I think I’m more fit for the laid-back attitude. … I live in Hillcrest, so it’s the center of everything. I’m a big runner and love to go to Balboa Park and the beach, boating in Mission Bay. Anything outdoors, I’m all about it.

Check out Ryan’s contestant profile (and vote for him) at www.smartestmodels.com/people/bostonryan