He lived a life of unbridled 1970s fabulousness, dominating the disco era in Manhattan and captivating the A-list crowd at Studio 54. Despite his once-bright star, Sterling St. Jacques, America’s first male supermodel, seemingly vanished, leaving behind a tantalizing enigma that has largely faded from public memory.
He was renowned for his breathtaking looks and a statuesque 6’2 physique with striking blue eyes, residing in a luxurious Central Park South apartment just blocks away from the iconic Studio 54.
His smooth moves, including a trademark twirl, captivated legendary songwriters Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, inspiring them to pen the classic Sister Sledge hit “He’s the Greatest Dancer” in his honor, according to Daily Mail.
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With his charming personality, Sterling’s chiseled cheekbones and flawless skin captivated celebrities such as Bianca Jagger, Liza Minelli, and Jackie O.
In a 1979 dancefloor encounter, Jackie O was spotted admiring Sterling’s kingfisher blue eyes, which friends revealed were actually the result of contact lenses, with his natural eye color still-striking gray. This was just one of the many secrets surrounding the enigmatic model.
Reveling in his striking looks and charisma, he attracted attention from both men and women, even being briefly engaged to model Pat Cleveland despite being gay. Much of his life, including the nature of his relationship with a famous actor who claimed to be his adoptive father, remains shrouded in mystery.
Details of his death, and whether it indeed occurred, are also unclear. Nevertheless, the man who posed for fashion giants like Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy has left an enduring impact, with his legacy preserved in tantalizing vintage photos capturing the hedonistic peak of late 1970s Manhattan, the Mail said.
Sterling, believed to be born as Sterling Colter in Salt Lake City, had a birth year often listed as 1957, though it’s more likely 1951 or even 1949. His early life, including childhood and family details, remains mostly unknown, except for two sisters named Barbara and Mary Lee.
Sterling moved to LA for college in his late teens and worked as a go-go dancer. In May 1972, he made headlines when a Bel Air home he was staying in was targeted for robbery. However, the property belonged to Hollywood actor Raymond St. Jacques, who claimed to have adopted Sterling sometime after August 1969.
Claims suggest that Sterling and Raymond were not father and son but rather lovers, and Sterling likely adopted Raymond’s surname. During the 1972 Bel Air burglary incident, Raymond was reportedly in Dallas, while Sterling, alone at the property, called the police before fleeing.
The four burglars were later apprehended. Sterling went on to feature in Raymond’s 1973 film “Book of Numbers” and participated in the historic Grand Divertissement at Versailles in 1973. This event pitted up-and-coming American designers against French counterparts, marking the ascent of ready-to-wear clothing over couture.
Raymond, a lifelong bachelor, passed away at 60 in 1990 due to lymphoma, often associated with AIDS, though he was never confirmed to have the virus.
By the early 1970s, Sterling, his purported son, had achieved significant success, gracing the cover of Playmen and featuring in print ads for renowned fashion houses like Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Willi Smith, and Halston.
There are claims of a romantic relationship between Sterling and Givenchy founder Hubert de Givenchy, with speculation that they lived together in Givenchy’s French chateau.
Drawn by the vibrant disco scene of 1970s Manhattan, Sterling returned to the United States from Europe. His established reputation, cultivated through collaborations with prestigious European designers, allowed him to reenter the fashion scene as a prominent model.
Sterling graced catwalks for top designers, showcasing fur and hand-made suits. He became the face of Revillon furs, often photographed on runways adorned with striking animal pelts.
Sterling secured a brief but notable role as a model in the 1978 cult film “Eyes of Laura Mars,” starring Faye Dunaway. However, it was during the nighttime that Sterling left an enduring mark, earning acclaim as an exceptional dancer in the bustling nightclub scene of New York City.
Renowned for his disco moves, he particularly shone on the famed Studio 54 dance floor, showcasing his talents in the iconic nightclub that opened in Hells’ Kitchen in 1977. Sterling effortlessly bypassed the notorious door policy, reserved for only the most famous and fabulous individuals.
The fate of Sterling remains veiled in mystery, with indications pointing to his possible succumbing to AIDS. Discrepancies exist in the reported year of his death, with some memorials suggesting 1984, while others state 1992.
The sole available public record from 1983 lists two Manhattan addresses, one near Studio 54 at 54 West 55th Street, and another at the prestigious 100 Central Park South apartment building. A grainy YouTube clip from 1984 captures his final confirmed public appearance on an Italian music show, showcasing more subdued dance moves.
Some friends suggest he died that year from complications related to late-stage HIV infection, with New York City often cited as the location of his passing. Two years later, there was a snap of a man said to be Sterling relaxing on a beach in Riccione, Italy. That has yet to be confirmed.
