The 15 Sexiest People in the PRD

By: Christine Gilbert and Jocelyn Richards

Recently, we asked ourselves at That's PRD, "What is sexy?" Sure, great abs, white teeth and voluptuous hair make a person physically attractive, but drive, a passion to create and the willingness to help people is what really gets our pulses racing. Our mission this month became to redefine sexiness – to find PRD residents with beautiful motivations, fierce individuality and a game plan to help others. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the sexiest people of the PRD.

Gabriella Nagy (The Volunteer)

Gabriella believes in the maxim, “We rise by lifting others.” We’re sure other things rise at the sight of this bohemian babe. Whether she’s collecting clothes to give away to orphans in Qinghai province through Captivating International or organizing donations for Nepal, this animal lover usually has one if not several projects going on to help those in need. She claims to have begun charity work by listening to her inner voice back in her home country of Hungary. “When you do charity work, you will attract loving, joyous people into your life,” she says. And sexiness? According to Gabriella, that’s “an openness to giving and receiving, and a playful, adventurous free spirit.”

Alan Leiro Padilla (The Architect)

“The sexiest thing in architecture is the dialogue between you and that space,” says Alan. We imagine the the Urban New Idea Team architect has seduced more than spaces with his thick Spanish accent. Alan can definitely erect a parapet – having planned museums, malls and residential complexes throughout his career.However, architecture’s more than just screws, nuts and bolts for him. “The best way to help people with architecture is thinking about the people that are going to use that space,” according to Alan, not necessarily the people paying for it. In the future, he plans to incorporate rooftop gardens into his designs, refurbish old buildings and design hospitals.

Ling Zheng (The Health Food Junkie)

Many a man walks into Panini Station for a green juice, only to go weak in the knees when they see this sultry beauty behind the counter. Slim siren of the cold-press, Ling began educating herself about nutrition after experiencing health problems during her last year of college. At the same time, she intensively studied English, later creating then selling a successful training center. With the money, she moved to Japan to study cooking, before returning to China to open her own cafe to provide Shenzheners healthy food options. Smarts, strength and a great laugh – how could we not name the Shantou native sexiest chef?

Siana A. Ponds (The Musician)

When Siana sings, she hopes to pull people into the story she’s telling – and she does. We’ve seen an entire bar go silent, enraptured at the sound of her exquisite voice. The Florida native exudes a smoldering yet playful sexuality each time her band, Code 39, performs. For the past three years, her music has entertained, excited and healed those who listen to her. “I celebrate people joining me in the stories I have the opportunity to share,” Siana says. “To me, sexiness is resilience, confidence, risk-taking… and nice legs. Rawr!”

Weldon He (The Exercise Professional)

When Weldon teaches a yoga class, students aren’t just breathing heavily from the pranayama. Underneath those chiseled pecs and gorgeous smile, he’s got a pair of pipes he’s been fine tuning since his Beijing opera days, a passion he developed at age 12 then continued through college. Originally from Xinjiang province, he commenced his yoga study only after moving to Beijing. What began as a way to restore his injured arm blossomed into a discovery of how to help not only himself but others, physically, mentally and emotionally, through the healing power of asana. “Modern people are very nervous and anxious. I hope I can help them to relax,” he says of his classes at Yoga Summit in Shekou. Nice try, Weldon, but our backbone’s still arched from seeing your eka pada galavasana.

Kenny Gibbs (The Inventor)

This bleach blond Nor Cal hunk began inventing as a kid in his engineer dad’s garage. Now he makes smart handlebars for Helios, a company he started with his college buddies. The Helios guys know how to get people excited in the saddle – about cycling to work. But they’re always safe about it, putting illumination directly into the handlebars. When not focusing on helping people to see the beauty and efficiency of the bicycle, Kenny enjoys most art forms, even once recording rap music out of a sound studio he built, then lived in. “Seeing a creation you have in your head… come to life, it’s one of the most overwhelming feelings in my opinion,” he says. Seeing him cycle around town shirtless, we get an overwhelming feeling, too.

Marco Flagg (The Educator)

Mr. Flagg is the best amateur dancer we’ve seen this side of the Pearl River. He claims he doesn’t need to practice – he’s naturally good with his hands. Currently enrolled at Hong Kong University in the applied linguistics master’s track, Marco also teaches classes in language arts, literature and English at Shenzhen Middle School. “I feel all the work I've done has a common theme of education, but it is not a 'career,’” Marco says. Before landing in Shenzhen five years ago, the New Yorker taught art classes to migrant children in Beijing and village children in Shanxi province. He enjoys playing bass, taking pictures and wearing low-buttoned shirts.

Xu Jie (The Actress)

Captivating audiences at the Guangzhou Dramatic Arts Center for the past 10 years, Xu Jie has traversed the minds of myriad characters, striving to find connections to the fictional personas she embodies. Willing to go to extremes, this master of role-play once dyed her locks a permanent yellow when acting the spicy American stewardess in the classic farce Boeing-Boeing. Fans can find her reclining backstage most nights at No. 13 Theatre, chatting coolly with costars about an upcoming scene. The most alluring part of theater? “It can’t be completed solely by an artist,” Xu Jie explains. “We rely on the audience too – it’s an addictive mix of different aesthetics.”

Matias Castellano (The Diplomat)

Gazing over the city 24 floors up, Matias’ azure eyes and defined jawline convey an old-fashioned strand of handsome. Admitted to the competitive Argentine Consulate in 2009 by mere hundredths of a point, this gallant 30-something reflects on his work with whimsical integrity, citing “destiny” as a game-changer. Fervently seeking out new challenges, Matias recently transitioned to the commercial department, where he introduces the splendors of his mother country – Malbec and Argentine tango – to Guangzhou locals. The sexiest part of his job? “Diplomacy is no longer a black and white battlefield,” he says. “It encompasses infinite channels of exchange.” And we’re guessing plenty of opportunities to charm.

Maxim Thierry (The DJ)

Nothing is sexier than daytime dancing with Maxim, simultaneous heartthrob and German deep house DJ. The manager of outdoor bar La Villa Rouge – who is, admittedly, also a highly recruited model – doesn’t want people just to focus on his swoon-worthy smile. Instead, he is dedicated to his career in music production, which began at age 14. Striving to redefine China’s live scene with non-commercial, underground tracks, Maxim adjusts his rhythm to match energy levels from the crowd, joining in their swells of ecstasy. His future plans? Opening a beach bar in San Antonio, Texas, where he’ll man turntables full-time with his brother and musical wingman.

Mason Xu (The Designer)

With a slight build and irresistibly modest demeanor, Manson took to the camera more like a model than a designer. Previously part of the world-renowned 4A advertising firm TBWA\HAKUHODU (which creates for the likes of Adidas, Visa and Oakley), Manson is accustomed to going all night long – working until 3 or 4am – and has withstood sleep for days trying to “get it right.” Now, this meticulous Guangzhou native is taking the pen and paper into his own hands, mastering curvature and positioning in everything from interior design to advertising. To Manson, sexy is striving for personal perfection on one’s own initiative – not because a boss asked.

Sandy Huang (The Producer)

For a bubbly young professional with a tongue skilled in Cantonese, Mandarin and English, it’s surprising Sandy prefers to stay behind the camera. Since joining Guangdong Radio & Television World Channel four years ago, this gorgeous go-getter has led a male-dominated team to produce award-winning documentaries and series, including Face Time and China Chats. Her latest project, a 30-minute TV documentary called Comedy Comes to Canton, explores the challenges comedians face when performing in Guangdong – a virgin territory for the Western entertainment form. The sexiest aspect of her field? “We have the power of bringing the public’s attention to what’s important or exposing what’s wrong,” she says. “Power is sexy.”

Chris Huang (The Chef)

Often sporting an apron with a pixelated six-pack, this flavor connoisseur is distinctly in touch with his emotions. Chris learned the ropes at age 14 under guidance from his father and ventured to France three years later to join a professional culinary school. Manning prestigious kitchens in Paris for seven years, he eventually returned home to open his own Parisian bistro, Saint Germain, on Huanshi Dong Lu. If this stud looks familiar, it's probably because he won first place in CCTV2’s The Taste – a national cooking competition – last year. Now equipped with his own studio, Chris says it’s easy to see why cooking’s sexy: it opens the five senses.

Kate Gaynor (The Doctor)

A spunky, brilliant blonde who stops at nothing, Kate has worked her magic from Kyrgyzstan to Sierra Leone, serving courageously on Hawaiian rescue squads as an epidemic intelligence service officer and long-term physician. In 2011, this all-round beauty joined the United Family Guangzhou Clinic, where she’s helped triple business and execute development of the company’s largest mainland hospital, set to open in Guangzhou next year. Kate is committed to her patients, striving to provide services that exceed the quality of those in the US. Apart from the obviously sexy white lab coat, she finds her work stimulating for its investigative component – solving thrilling cases based on the clues patients give.

Franzwai Jones (The Battery Boy)

This smooth-talking ladies’ man isn’t only desirable for his looks – stick with him and your cell phone power will never, ever wear out. Focusing on developing graphene-based ultra-capacitors (a new kind of battery to replace lithium alternatives), Franzwai has plenty of brains to match his swagger. The part owner of Fioso, a company behind graphene batteries and high-tech shoes, this suave and supposed godson of Michael Jordan has enough connections to go around. Franzwai – who’s lived in South China for two years – tells us he usually works from home, dabbling in R&D for the new technology. If getting paid without leaving your bed isn’t sexy, we’re not sure what is.