When it comes to Hollywood heartthrobs, they don’t get any sexier than Criminal Minds star Shemar Moore. A shirtless photo of him on the beach has been known to go viral in an instant, and the die-hard fans (his “baby girls”) will never get enough.
Nineteen years ago, this month, the actor, 42, moved to Los Angeles to sleep on a friend’s couch and spent every last dime he had to his name on an acting lesson before his big audition for daytime soap The Young and The Restless. Well, as you’ll recall, he got the part (Malcolm, we’ll always love you!), and since then, he’s seen much success in the industry, on both the big and small screens.
What we love most about Moore is that he has never forgotten about all the fans who fell in love with him at first sight and haven’t left his side since. It’s because of them that he recently launched his official website ShemarMoore.com, and we caught up with him to find out why he chose to go digital now, how on earth he’s still single and who the “baby girls” in his life really are.
ESSENCE.COM: Why did you decide to launch ShemarMoore.com now?
SHEMAR MOORE: I was anti-social media for so long. I had a website years and years ago, and as far as I know, I was a little bit ahead of my time. It was so hard to maintain and a lot of work, so that stopped. With all the success I’ve had, I wanted a way to let the fans know that they matter and to introduce myself on my own terms. I also wanted to get more support for my fight for multiple sclerosis awareness. You’ve got to give to get. So, I’m doing this for my loyal fans. There’s my character, Derek Morgan, and than there’s me, Shemar Moore. I’m having a good time introducing that guy to fans.
ESSENCE.COM: Do you realize every shirtless photo you take goes viral?
MOORE: (Laughs) I know that on my own sites, a picture of me with my mom or me with my dog does well, but when I put up a picture of myself shirtless, it does get a little crazy. Thanks for voting me sexiest man of 2012 ESSENCE readers. That was pretty cool. It is very flattering. There’s more to me than how I look, so it’s always still really surprising for me to receive that reaction. I never ever take it for granted.
ESSENCE.COM: How do you stay so fit?
MOORE: I do like working out. I feel my best when I workout, but you know, I’m human. I like to ride my bicycle and lift weights and hike. When I am diligently working out, ideally, I like to work out four days a week. If I can do that, I feel good about myself. But, as you get older, it does get harder. You have to find a balance.
ESSENCE.COM: Everyone knows your character has “baby girl” Penelope on the show, but do you have female best friends in real life?
MOORE: I have a dear best friend who just had her first child and is in love and all that stuff. I love her to the end of the earth. We’ve been friends for 20 years. She knows all my dirt. Although I have a lot of close female friends in my life, my number one is still my mom. Without her, I wouldn’t have the values that I have and see the world the way that I do today. She taught me how to appreciate and respect women. She taught me chivalry and how to love a woman and respect their feelings and emotions. That means everything to me.
ESSENCE.COM: So, exactly why are you still single again? We’re confused!
MOORE: It’s not that I don’t want to find love, because I do. I want a partner in crime and a Bonnie to my Clyde. I’ve just been so focused on my career. Women don’t like being number two, so I’ve been glad to keep my distance so I could focus on me, get my life together and take care of my mom without disappointing the woman I love. But, my Black hasn’t cracked yet, so I’m truly excited to be a husband and a father one day soon. I know I have it in me. As great as I may think things are for me now, I know that my best is gonna come when I’m a husband and a father and continuing to follow my dreams. My grandma says don’t rush it or force it, and the right woman is gonna show up when I least expect it. So, I’m waiting on her.
ESSENCE.COM: With all this talk of The Best Man 2, do you think there will ever be a sequel to The Brothers?
MOORE: I would love that. I run into Morris Chestnut every now and then, and I say, “Yo, when are we doing The Brothers 2?” And, he just laughs at me and says, “Never say never.” So, we gotta do it. It would be fun. It’s never too late. It would be fun to see Morris, D.L. Hughley, Bill Bellamy and I all back together again. We’re all doing our thing right now. I’d like to see where those characters are now with the kids and the wives and all the drama.
Catch Moore on Criminal Minds Wednesday nights at 9pm EST.