SANTI PINTADO takes a stroll down memory lane to share these ten personal experiences as MAXIM Australia Editor -in-Chief for the past decade…
BEST OVERALL MOMENT
This answer is cheesy AF, but launching MAXIM Australia, of course. Am I right?!
WORST MOMENT
I once did a shot of horse semen, which was syringed into my mouth (see pic, top right), for a story we did on the Wild Foods Festival in NZ. But this wasn’t as bad as doing the early issues of MAXIM and working throughout the night into the next day on no sleep. I remember having to go on a 7am flight to Brisbane, with our MD and art director, for a print check on the launch issue then flying back to Sydney the same day. We were zombies, but lucky for us, Richard Branson was on our flight to tell us that publishing isn’t dead. Seriously. Thanks, Sir!
PROUDEST MOMENT
Other than our 10th birthday, the 100th issue was pretty special — I never thought we’d make it to 100. I’m also proud about our external platforms like MAXIM TV, our website maxim.com.au and our Instagram, Facebook, Twitter… they all make MAXIM more than just a magazine — it’s a brand!
BEST INTERVIEW MOMENT
I mentioned it earlier (see page 10) but rapping with one of my favourite artists, Ice Cube was cool. Check it out on YouTube — it has a whopping 441 views and counting!
FUNNIEST MOMENT
I nearly pissed my pants chatting to Ricky Gervais, but when I met former UFC champ Ronda Rousey we took a playful pic for the mag where she pretended to give me a chokehold. Let’s just say I almost passed out.
BEST PHOTO SHOOT MOMENT
During our cover shoot for our launch issue, Jennifer Hawkins walked out of the change room in her lingerie asking me if her styling was “good enough”. I was like, “Duh, Jen!”
PINCH ME MOMENT
Walking the red carpet with model Candice Swanepoel at the MAXIM U.S. HOT 100 party in Los Angeles. She showed me how to work the paparazzi, “Blue Steel” style, then asked if I wanted to go into the party for some champagne and tequila. All class.
NO-ONE WILL BELIEVE ME MOMENT
Doing tequila shots with a VERY drunk and flirty Paris Hilton at the same party mentioned above — enough said.
“OH SHIT!” MOMENT
Abseiling off the 117-metre-tall AMP Building in Sydney City — for charity.
“I’M ABOUT TO GET FIRED” MOMENT?
Any time I went to the pub for lunch, returned to the office and fell asleep at my desk. Also known as “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday”. Thank you, you’ve been a really great audience. ■
