It’s time to meet the Costa Rica Sims February Influential: Mr. Todd Anton. I must admit when I was informed that Todd was this month’s honoree I was really excited. I met Todd during the Ms. Costa Rica Sims pageant and I have to say he is one of the nicest people in I have met in Second Life. Todd is a not only a highly accomplished model but our current Mr. Costa Rica Sims. Some of his many SL career highlights include: Couture Avenue Look 2011 November Winner, Glance Homme Magazine – Stylist, Mr Costa Rica Sims 2010, Mr. Costa Rica Sims - Mr. Photogenic 2010, Mr. Virtual World 2010 Finalist (Mr. Costa Rica). Let’s get to chatting with our newest Costa Rica Sims Influential...

What was it about Costa Rica Sims that made you want to make your home here?

Costa Rica Sims was immediately attractive to me because of its inherent beauty, freedom and spiritual overtones. It's the greenest country in the real world, and I found it to be just as rich in SL. And so, because it was in alignment with my own appreciation of the beauty of our planet, it seemed a perfect place to call home.

What advice would you offer to a new Costa Rica Sims resident to make the most out of their home here?

Wear the Taxi HUD and explore! There's so much to see and experience!  And make friends, it's the best way to really get a feel for Costa Rica Sims and all it has to offer.

Your year as Mr. Costa Rica Sims in nearly over, what has the experience been like for you?

It's been a thrill-ride, really. I took my position as Mr. Costa Rica Sims to heart, and truly felt that I was a representative wherever I went and whatever I did. So I've carried that with me for the past year, always attending as many events as I could, always being approachable and reinforcing the positive aspects of life in SL and Costa Rica Sims!

What advice would you give the soon to be contestants of the Mr. Costa Rica Sims 2011 pageant?

Have fun, take it all in and practice, practice, practice.  It all seems to go by rather quickly so enjoy every single moment of it!

Most interesting moment as Mr. Costa Rica Sims?

I'm not sure it counts for most interesting, but it touched me: a while back I was in the Costa Rica Sims visitor's center and a young model approached me, telling me how humbled he was to meet me, and how much I had meant to him.  And it was in that moment that I reflected back to when I was in his position, feeling the same things about the previous Mr. Costa Rica Sims, and I realized how far my journey had taken me!  So I felt very appreciative in that moment.

What would you tell the next Mr. Costa Rica Sims to prepare them for the Mr. Virtual World pageant?

The Mr. Virtual World Pageant is amazing!  You're thrust into the company of the best of the best and you feel totally out of sorts but also very charged by the gravity of it.  Everything you do needs to be top notch, from your styling to your speeches and your poses.  Take it all seriously but balance it with fun and again, practice, practice, practice!

Best fashion advice/tip/trick you have received in SL?

Always check your primes.  When you're doing runway or posing for a spread nothing says unprofessional more than hands going through primes or you neck coming through your collar.  Take time to adjust, the designers have gone to great lengths to create beautiful clothes so wear them right and do them proud.

What made you choose modeling as your SL career?

I love fashion and beautiful things, and I love the commitment of the people involved in putting events together; being a model has afforded me the opportunity to meet some really creative individuals, and also to challenge myself -- whether it be to create new looks, or pick a series of new poses right before a show!  Thrilling!

Favorite thing about being an SL model?

I love to meet all the new designers who are so creative, so talented... and then I get to wear their clothes. I mean, it's so much fun to wear new designs!  I also enjoy styling myself, and getting the opportunity to create my own original looks from various stylings.

Biggest fashion mistake you have ever made?

I actually don't think I've made any fashion mistakes because I'm honestly committed to whatever look I've got going; other people might think it's a "mistake" or "too outlandish", but if I'm wearing it, then I believe in it. That's what makes a great model -- you've got to believe in you and what you're doing.

The one piece of clothing or item in SL you have looked all over for and never found?

That's a great question, but I honestly don't think that I've not ever found something. 

Craziest thing you have done in SL for love or lindens?

LOL!  I remember being a noobie and sitting in a chair for hours trying to make Lindens.  That's about the craziest thing I've ever done!

What do you bring from your RL if anything into SL?

I bring my appreciation of life and my love of people in general to whatever I'm doing, so that translates to SL.  I just love to explore and expand my understanding of people, places and things... it brings me incredible joy.

What have you learned or taken from SL into your RL?

I've realized that there's as much drama in SL as there can be in RL!!  LOL Truthfully though, I've taken many wonderful conversations and good moments with people in SL into RL; so that community spirit, that connectedness is a huge thing that I take from SL.

If you could change anything in SL what would it be?

Well it seems since the new viewer updates Second Life has gotten a bit slower so I would say to change the speed and stability of things overall.  And more prims please!  LOL!

Words of wisdom for anyone just discovering SL?

Oh my gosh -- for anyone just discovering SL I'd say to just be OPEN.  Be open to new things, new people, and new ways of being, because this is life on the leading edge.  Dream big, BE big, and have the time of your (Second) Life!

I want to thank Todd for allowing me to interview him, I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Mr. Anton as much as I have. Until next time! Syd <3