Single White Narcissus

Fabio is a 220-pound hunk of a romance novelist who may prove to be the most enterprising superstud since Schwarzenegger

The Milanese stud Fabio is 220 pounds of chiseled Continental flesh who has managed to parlay a career as cover model for tacky romance novels into a formidable Fabio empire. Books featuring his likeness sell so well that his publisher now allows him to "write" them as well as adorn their covers. Sales of Fabio calendars are burying most cheesecake pinups. And a Fabio TV pilot has already been shot for CBS. Somehow, in the midst of his marketing fantasia, America's newest superstud found time to answer some pressing questions for GEORGE WAYNE.

George Wayne: Why are you so different from any other brawny, blond, blue-eyed hunk?

Fabio: Maybe it's because I'm humble. I don't come across as cocky, or full of myself, I guess.

G.W.: How much time do you spend in front of the mirror each morning?

F.: Not very much. I go in, take a shower, brush my teeth, blow-dry my hair, and then I'm out.

G.W.: Your image is on the covers of more than 350 Avon

romance novels. You've sold many a trashy love story dressed as a Viking, pirate, prince, etc. Now Avon has given you a six-figure contract to write three books, and you've never written a word in your life! Some women novelists are upset at your getting this deal.

F.: True. But I have great fantasies, and that's what women want— fantasy. Most of the women writers are happy for me getting this deal. There are only five or six writers who are upset. All the big writers in the business are on my side.

G.W.: You have a number, 1-900-90FABIO, where women can call to talk to you. What do you talk about?

F.: I talk about the differences between men and women, and ways to improve communication between the sexes.

G.W.: I understand, however, that you don't have a girlfriend. Do you have a boyfriend?

F.: [Laughs] No. I love women, I'm sorry. I adore women. For me, women are the best thing God ever put on earth.

G.W.: Does Fabio mean fabulous in Italian?

F.: [Laughs] No, but in America it does.

G.W.: How big are your arms?

F.: About 18 inches [around].

G.W.: What about the third arm?

F.: [Laughs] It's in proportion to everything else.

G.W.: My God, it must be humongous! You also have the most enormous breasts I've ever seen on any man. How long have you been working out?

F.: Since I was 16. I started working out after I broke my leg skiing. I was a competitive skier from when I was five. When I broke my left leg, I went to the gym for rehabilitation; that's how I got into working out.

G.W.: You have so many physical assets. What is your least favorite?

F.: I'm happy with myself...

G.W.: That's easy for you to say.

F.: I think everybody should be happy with themselves. I appreciate every single thing God gave me. It is important to love yourself and to love other people.

G.W.: You say you are negotiating to do another TV pilot for CBS, but would you consider doing a soft-porn movie?

F.: No, never.

G.W.: What if the co-star were Sharon Stone?

F.: Well, if it's a film like Basic Instinct, maybe. I don't believe that in order to act you have to show intimate parts of your body.

G.W.: Lately, you've been peddling your very own pinup calendar.

F.: I'm very proud of my calendar. I'm the first man to ever have his own calendar. My calendar sells more than Cindy Crawford's and Claudia Schiffer's.

G.W.: Oh, let's not talk about her.

F.: My calendar sold 200,000 copies in one month. They can't keep it on the shelves; it's already in its sixth printing. In December, I'm going to be signing my calendar in Beverly Hills.

G.W.: Yeah, but I wanted to see you in a G-string, and your calendar doesn't show that.

F.: Well, you'll have to wait to buy the 1994 calendar.