After studying at UC Santa Barbara and being drafted by the Dodgers as a pitcher for their development system for a number of years, James’s debut into the modeling world in 2019 certainly had the industry clawing to get their hands on the next model to bear the Turlington name. Since then, many runway struts and campaign castings (including many tear sheets from the pages of V & VMAN) have ensued, propelling James to become one of the 2020s most promising supers—ready to throw the world a wicked curve when we least expect it.

V MAGAZINE: What are three “golden rules” you try to live by?

JAMES TURLINGTON: 1. Respect others how you’d like to be respected. 2. Be a man of your word. 3. Do what you say you’re going to do.

V: Where do you think your ambition comes from?

JT: From within, but it can also be sparked by someone near or far who [ignites] something inside you. Try to take pieces of wisdom from people who inspire you and apply them to your life.

V: What motivates you to strive for the best in what you do?

JT: Progressing toward a goal and holding myself to a high standard.

V: Are there any self-motivation techniques/tricks you do to build yourself up?

JT: Listening to motivational music. Nipsey Hussle + Jay Z works for me. Listen to your favorite playlist and envision yourself at your highest, then apply it to whatever you’re doing.

V: What helps you lock in your confidence during moments when you need “go for the gold”?

JT: Being present and intentional breathing enhances focus. More faith, less fear. If you feel prepared for the moment, you will feel locked in.

V: In the spirit of going for the gold, what are you hoping to manifest for yourself both personally and professionally within the next 5-10 years?

JT: Staying present and my goals will come to fruition.  I try not to vocalize my visions – hopefully my actions will be my spokesperson. Personally, keep building on this life and growing with my partner, who, thanks to this industry, was some gold I found in it. 😉

V: What is the most rewarding part of modeling? What is the least rewarding? 

JT: The most rewarding is getting to work with inspiring creatives. It’s a great energy to have a vision for the day and execute the campaign or editorial together. I’m blessed to have been able to work with a lot of people who’ve inspired me in fashion, and I hope to build on that in the years to come. The least rewarding is the uncertainty of the industry. I try not to get too attached to that, all things come in due time. There are times when you can feel disconnected, so it definitely helps when you feel connected to the team. You really see it come through in the images and it brings a different feeling to it. I felt it on this shoot, so hopefully it brings inspiration!

V: Tell us about a “golden age” in your life—a time you look back on super fondly. 

JT: I’d say my baseball career was a golden age of my life, but I’d also say right now is too. Both careers have been very different, but they’re both golden to me in their own ways.

V: What do you consider to be the “golden age” of fashion?

JT: The 90s. 

V: What, if anything, has already surprised you the most in 2025? 

JT: The lack of intelligence amongst Americans, but unfortunately, I can’t say it was too surprising.

This cover story appears in the pages of V154: now available for purchase!

Photography Lufré

Fashion Nicola Formichetti

Hair Peter Gray (Home) using Oway USA

Makeup Maki Ryoke (Walter Schupfer) using Bobbi Brown

Manicure Mo Qin (The Wall Group) using Aprés Nail 

Set Designer Robert Taylor 

Production Ernesto Qualizza (Locals Worldwide) 

Retouching Teu Freitas / Telhas Retouch ( M.Lages)

Contributing casting director Roman Young (The Youngbloods) 

1st photo assistant Fernando Freire 

2nd photo assistant Daniel dos Santos 

Stylist assistants Arut Arustamyan, Vera Pun, Joan Reidy, Dylan Gue

Hair assistants Josie Tippman, D’Xenia, Rebecca Velez 

Makeup assistants Brenda Garcia Jaramillo, Talitha Daeng Situju, Tarina Meaders 

Manicure assistant Qin Huang

Set design assistants Cory Nelson, Buddy Kennedy 

Production assistant Amanda Winn 

Studio Satellite Space