1st Lady of Fashion
Marc Jacobs’ muse Jason Preston shares a sobering look at their inextinguishable spark

By Brandon Voss

In our May 2006 cover story, “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” former rent boy and substance abuser Jason Preston defended his “Marc Jacobs” forearm tattoo and denied allegations that he was being paid by the fashion designer for his companionship. Now, addressing recent engagement rumors for the first time, the 27-year-old party promoter (Hot Mess Sundays at Porky’s) reveals what really goes on behind the seams of their on-again, off-again romance.

HX: In the new September issue of Out, Marc said you and he were dunzo. What’s your status today?
Jason Preston: We’re back together. That interview was done a while ago. He warned me, “You’re really not going to like what I said.” I read it and was like, “What do you mean we had no fucking chemistry?!” I was pissed for, like, two seconds, and then I was over it.

Why did you get back together?
We could break up again tomorrow, but he’ll always be in my heart and I’ll always be in his. Nothing’s ever going to change between us. One of us will always keep running back.

Does making up involve crying, begging and jewelry?
None of that. The last time we broke up, we got in a fight and I stormed out, being dramatic, and we didn’t talk for a while. Then randomly, I’ll send a text, he’ll send a text, saying, “Hope you’re doing well.” Then he’ll say, “I’m in town,” I’ll go to see him, and as soon the door opens, there’s that big spark again.

Why’s your relationship so volatile?
We’ve just always been in different places, but I’m trying to travel the same path as him. I’d go out every single night, he’d come home and I’d never be there. But that was in my party days. I’m more about going to the gym now, getting my fitness on, eating right—and no drugs or alcohol.

Is that difficult?
Not at all. It’s funny because when I go out now since being sober, everybody seems different. People are slurring their words and I’m like, God, did I act like that when I was high and drunk? It’s kind of annoying because people scream in your ear and I never noticed that before. It’s like, Can you please shut the fuck up?

Has living the clean life together been a bonding experience?
Yes. It’s weird because he’s always been amazing, but when we first met, he looked different. Now he looks amazing. I was with him back then because of the way he made me feel, and we had so much fun together, but now it’s even better.

Including your sex life?
Oh my God. Amazing!

He said in Out that he didn’t blame you for his March rehab relapse, but do you feel at all responsible?
We weren’t together when that happened. But everybody makes his own choice. He made his, I’ve made mine, and now we’re on the same path, so it’s great.

You used to party hard with Lindsay Lohan. Can we at least blame you for her problems?
No. Lindsay is one of the most amazing human beings I’ve ever met. Everybody thinks she’s just a partygirl, but that’s not the case. She’s a great friend and I love her with all my heart. She has issues she needs to work out, but this time around she’s going to come back and fuckin’ prove to everybody who she really is. I’ve gone to see her a couple of times and she’s looking gorgeous. She’s happy and finding her way. I couldn’t be more proud of her.

Why the new “Mariah” tattoo?
I got “Marc Jacobs” because he’s my best friend and I’ll always love him. And I got “Mariah” because she’s a great friend, I grew up loving her, and now that I know her, I love her even more. I know I’ll never regret it, so that’s why I got it.

Does Mariah think you’re crazier than she is?
Of course not! Why would she? She knows about it, though. I sent her manager Benny a picture and said, “I want to be in the new video!” So they’re hopefully going to let me know when the video’s going to happen.

Did you make Marc get his “J.” tattoo?
No, but I was like, “People won’t know what the ‘J.’ means. It could stand for Jacobs!” So just recently I told him he needed to go all the way and put the word “Jason.”

Do you consider yourself Marc’s muse?
Well, he says that, but I don’t know. He’ll show me sketches and I’ll be like, “That’s dumb” or “That’s pretty”—shit like that. But I always support him. When he’s stressed out, working on a show, thinking, “I don’t know if it’s going to get done, if it’s going to look good,” I’m always saying, “It’s going to be the best show yet.” And every show’s been better than the last.

So are you guys really engaged?
Hmm. [long pause] Okay, I’ll just tell you how it went down. We always say crazy retarded things, but a couple of weeks ago he came back from shopping, looked at me and said, “You promise to love me and be with me forever?” I said, “Yes.” And then he gave me the ring.

A Cartier band, right?
Yes, and it’s fierce. It’s exactly what I’d want if I ever got married to anybody, but it’s kind of crazy—the thought of being married to a man.

Are you planning a ceremony?
I’m just living for now. I’m going to see what happens.

Who’ll be your best man?
Wouldn’t I have bridesmaids? [Gasps] Wouldn’t it be fierce if my bridesmaids were Mariah, Naomi Campbell and Lindsay?

Totes. Why do people dislike you?
There are always going to be haters out there and it’s not going to stop me. I like to think that it’s jealousy-who wouldn’t want to date Marc Jacobs? Whatever, those people are stupid. Oh, I’m trying to work on not being so judgmental and not talking shit about everybody. I’m trying to be the best man I can be.

What do you want to do with your life, Jason?
I’ve always known what I’ve wanted to do with my life. I want to open up an organization for children living with HIV and AIDS. That’s something that’s really close to my heart. I really don’t care about making money.

Not that you need to, honey!
Whatever, bitch.

CLOTHING CREDITS:
Iron Maiden shirt, vintage: gift from Lindsay Lohan;
Millionaire sunglasses and belt by Louis Vuitton;
Jeans by Diesel;
Shoes by Adidas.

PHOTO CREDIT:
WilsonModels