Cover Story

Machine Gun Kelly will forever be our Romeo

Dec 14, 2018 @ 2:00 pm By Mallie Koczon

Machine Gun Kelly is our first straight male cover, and it’s pretty clear why he is the best candidate.

MGK is a rapper, actor, father, and director-hopeful, meaning he stays busy and dedicated, and that he is constantly creating. The album he released back in 2017, Bloom, was a huge hit, and shot MGK to the spotlight even further than before. His two hit songs with Camila Cabello were both nominated for awards, and you couldn’t really go anywhere without hearing their collab, “Bad Things,” being played.

The rapper/actor also recently release a 9 song album, BINGE, featuring a diss track, “Rap Devil,” about his idol, Eminem, and how the rap veteran won’t really let any other young rappers step into the spotlight (bitter, much?). The track was recognized by many as a long-awaited call out of Eminem and his inability to be graceful and supportive to younger rappers that are 1. trying to just make it out there and 2. most likely huge fans of him and his work.

Aside from music, MGK recently starred in the thriller, Birdbox, alongside Sandra Bullock, which was released this past month. He also currently has 3 films in post-production, and is filming another – all which seem to be pretty big projects, including Netflix’s original film, The Dirt, where MGK stars as the iconic Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe.

Again – it’s pretty clear why MGK is our first straight male cover and a majorrrrrr Galore Crush. We are so into his hustle and his passion for all things creative.

We sat down with Machine Gun Kelly to discuss his upcoming films, his collaboration with Lana Del Rey, who he’s Netflix and chillin’ with, and much, much more.

Check out the exclusive Romeo & Juliet-inspired (obviously the one starring young Leo) photoshoot below, and read more of the interview to get some insight into MGK’s mind!

MGK Fur: Palmiers Du Mal, Leather shorts: Dzojchen, Shoes: Converse

MGK Shirt: Stylist’s own, Shorts: Skingraft, Underwear: Les Amis Homme, Necklace: Miansai, Ring: David Yurman, Sneakers: Converse

MGK Plaid suit: Vivienne Westwood, Shoes: Converse

You are our first straight male cover ever! How are you feeling about that? The girls at Galore loveee you!

Currently blushing. I love breaking boundaries, I love being first, and I love y’all, so I hope the girls enjoy our shoot.

Shooting this editorial was so fun – you embody young Leo in Romeo and Juliet. Did you watch the movie growing up, and are you a Leo fan?

It was my favorite version of the classic love tragedy. Definitely a big Leo fan. He and I have partied together a couple of times, too, which made him even more rad in my book.

You’re back into acting, particularly in film. You’re starring in four movies in 2019, with one in the bag for 2018. You star in the recently released horror flick, Birdbox (also starring Sandra Bullock). Who do you play in the movie? What is your character like? How did you prepare for this role?

I play a pill popper named Felix who’s out for a “delivery” when the epidemic breaks out. Wild fact about the house we shot in is that Charles Manson used to stay there right before he committed his murders.

The director made us all (Sandy included) sit in one room together all day until it was time to shoot. It really made us go a little crazy and bonded us at the same time, which is what happens in the film.

MGK Top: Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier, Suit: Dzojchen, Shoes: Ferragamo, Necklace: Vintage, Ring: David Yurman

Model Dress: Agent Provocateur, Shoes: Public Desire

We heard you are starring as glam rock legend, Tommy Lee, in the Mötley Crüe biopic, The Dirt. What can we expect from the movie, and will we get to see a reenactment of the infamous Pam and Tommy sex tape?

No reenactment of the Pam and Tommy tape, but, after 2 months of band practice, learning how to play drums, and 4 months of filming in full prosthetic make up, airbrushed skin (to cover my tattoos), a wig, and rooming with my costar, Doug Booth (who plays Nikki Sixx, Tommy’s best friend and band mate), I promise you it’s going to be the most insane rock and roll movie yet. The opening scene (laughs). I cant wait.

Have you ever made a sex tape?

Many. I think we’re all turned on by watching ourselves be bad. Especially in this generation.

Your other movie, Big Time Adolescence, is headed to Sundance Film Festival! That’s huge, congrats. What was it like growing up in Ohio and getting into music and finding yourself? Does your character in Big Time Adolescence hit home to any personal teenage memories?

I was a skater kid growing up. If you saw the movie Mid90’s, that was pretty much my day to day in middle school. I was listening to music my dad didn’t want me listening to, and hanging with all the kids he didn’t like. I grew up in towns with cold weather, grey skies, and nothing to do, so peer pressure was huge in my teenage years.

Big Time Adolescence is a film about that kind of upbringing — it’s all about finding yourself. My boy, Pete Davidson, asked if I’d come out to Syracuse for a week to be in a scene for Big Time Adolescence with him, and after I got there, Jason Orley (the director) wrote me into a bunch of the other scenes. Now we’re all going to Sundance together. Crazy shit.

Machine Gun Kelly XXMAS looks like it’s gonna be LIT AF!

Who are you gonna Netflix and chill with when these movies debut?

I’ve been touring and filming so much that I forgot to not be lonely, so it looks like I’m solo dolo for the debut.

MGK Shirt: Stylist’s own, Shorts: Skingraft, Underwear: Les Amis Homme, Necklace: Miansai, Ring: David Yurman, Sneakers: Converse

Model Lingerie: Seven’til Midnight, Shoes: Simmi

MGK Plaid suit: Vivienne Westwood, Shoes: Converse

Back to the music – when can we expect more (btw you slayed that diss track on that elderly rapper we wont mention his name)?

When you choose to be disconnected from what’s going on with the youth, especially when you’re old, rich, and bitter — reality is bound to slap you in the face at some point. But, as for my new music, I just want to take all the mental, spiritual, and financial obstacles I’ve been quiet about for the past two years and put them into my fourth album. I came up with the title of it last night, actually.

What can we expect on the next record, especially since you are working with our queen, Lana Del Rey? Tell us more about this collab and the song off your fourth album.

Lana’s presence is so attractive and her grasp on what’s real in the world is something a person who always has their head in the clouds (aka me) really needs. She helped to point out that the rawest/simplest form of myself is what connects the most.

We smoked, went and grabbed coffee, passed my friends’ room who was in there playing these odd chords, and she was like, “What’s that? Let’s go in there.” Next thing you know, we were free styling what ended up becoming the song. Produced, wrote, and recorded all on the spot. It’s a song about wanting to be bad for someone good.

Which one of your songs has the most meaning to you and why?

“Habits,” and “27,” because they’re both my truth, and sometimes, that’s the hardest thing to admit.

Could you see yourself focusing on acting more in the future or even directing your own film?

Performing is all I know, whether it’s on screen or on stage — so, yes and yes. I want to become a go-to lead actor, but the ultimate dream is to direct a film that defines a generation like what Jonah just did with Mid90’s.

MGK T-shirt: Les Amis Homme, Suit: Dzojchen, Shoes: Ferragamo, Necklace: Vintage, Ring: David Yurman

Model Dress: Agent Provocateur, Shoes: Public Desire

MGK Underwear: Les Amis Homme, Necklace: Miansai

Model Lingerie: Agent Provocateur

When you win your first Academy Award, who is going to be your red carpet date?

My daughter. And we’re pulling up on a Harley.

What do you look for in a woman?

Depth and confidence. Good fashion, food, and music taste. Cute feet. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Marry Fuck Kill – The Kardashians.

Marry: Kendall.

Fuck: Kendall.

Kill: *Can’t snitch, so I’ll never tell. Nevaaaaaa.*

Did you cry when you saw Titanic (I know I did)?

Thug life.

You have a daughter. What advice would you give all the young girls reading this interview?

Trying to keep up with others will only take you further away from yourself. And don’t do things because boys like it. Don’t listen to us. We’re idiots.

What song is on repeat for you right now?

“The Funeral,” by Band of Horses.