Get to know the 1883 star with our rapid-fire questions.
We took a break from our spring fashion shoot to chat with Jeremy Gauna, a Native American actor and model who has graced the pages of our magazine several times — from biannual fashion spreads to holiday gift guides. Before we delved into his growing acting résumé, we put Gauna up to a round of the C&I Quick Six.
Leather jacket, scullyleather.com; Turquoise snap denim shirt, stetson.com; Aztec bolo tie, hyosilver.com; ring (model’s own); turquoise cuffs, hippiecowgirlcouture.com; Silver and turquoise oval cuff (model’s own); belt and buckle (model’s own); Jeans, wrangler.com; Fenoglio boots (model’s own).
C&I: If you could eat dinner with anyone — dead or alive — who would it be?
Jeremy Gauna: The first person that comes to mind would be Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe’s obviously huge for all Native Americans, and especially Native American athletes who strive to just be great at any sport they excel in. I think Jim Thorpe is a perfect representation of that... I think it would just be cool to sit with him and learn, because there’s so many things that he went through. You know, he had people steal his shoes right before track meets, he had people puncture footballs he was going to play with. There’s so much history with him and just sports in general. A lot of people don’t know that he helped create the NFL.
C&I: What is a song you listen to on repeat?
Gauna: The Hermanos Gutiérrez brothers from Switzerland. “Don Lucho” is the name of the song. It’s beautiful the way they create their music, there’s no words, just guitar, maybe a violin or piano every now and then. It’s absolutely a song I have on repeat right now.
American Hat Co Black felt hat, besthatstore.com; Brim Biter, hallettpeakleather.com; Feather earrings (model’s own); Madison Creek Outfitters dark gray snap shirt, maverickwesternwear.com; Cody James White Buffalo suede vest, bootbarn.com; Ring (model’s own); Turquoise cuffs, hippiecowgirlcouture.com; Silver and turquoise oval cuff (model’s own); Fenceline Ranch Hand dungaree, schaeferoutfitter.com.
C&I: What is one thing you can’t leave home without?
Guana: This might be very Texan, but a pistol. Today’s world is so crazy, and you never know when someone else might need your help or assistance, or when you might need to protect yourself. Even out in the country when you’re hunting or walking around, hiking on trails... It’s nice just to say you have some protection, and you’re safe to protect your family and friends.
C&I: What Western destination is on your bucket list?
Gauna: That is tough. If we’re talking in the States, I’ve already gone as far as West as I could... Let’s just talk about how nice Malibu, California, is. That’s West enough for us, especially as a Texan. I really enjoy that area, it’s beautiful, it’s nice, and the people are great. For now, let’s just keep it at that.
American Hat Co Midnight Blue felt hat, besthatstore.com; Feather earrings (model’s own); I’ll Be Loving You pewter necklace, tresmelindas.com; White shirt (C&I’s own); Heavy silver headdress ring, wyominghome.com; Rainbow serape vest, nathalie.com; Hand tooled leather belt, chickentamaledesigns.com; Ben Nighthorse (Navajo) Head of a Horse and Hearts buckle, sorrelsky.com; Sedona leather jacket, kemosabe.com; Jeans, wrangler.com.
C&I: Your favorite brand, maker, or artist right now?
Guana: Shoutout to Magnolia Pearl... Their artistry and the effort that they put into learning traditional ways of Native Americans, and letting people know that we’re still out there... That’s a company that’s really close to my heart right now.
C&I: Favorite item in your closet?
Guana: It’s actually a jacket from Magnolia Pearl right now. It’s too much to really just tell you in detail, but it has Quanah Parker on the sleeve, it has Sitting Bull, and a few other Native Americans. It’s just a beautiful piece of art that I get to wear as a jacket. It’s very meaningful to me, very powerful to me. Everywhere I go, I get compliments on it left and right. That, and of course, I love my cowboy hat — my American Hat.
Check out Jeremy Gauna in our Spring Fashion 2024 photoshoot.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Tim O’Keefe
