"Wow" is all I could say when JEZ Editor-In-Chief Beth Weitzman asked me to interview this issue’s cover model, Jason Lewis. He is best known as Sex and the City’s sensational “It” boy Smith Jerrod, whose luscious debut as Samantha Jones’ “new mission in life” during the show’s final season landed him a spot in the big-screen sequel that hits theaters May 30.

When we meet a week later for lunch, I immediately see that Lewis is playing the role of Hollywood hunk quite well. He’s into vegan cuisine and exotic tea elixirs, flirting with fans noticing him as he enters West Hollywood’s Real Food Daily, a health food restaurant popular with the yoga crowd. He’s dressed to show off his worked-out abs and glutes, and makes small talk by commenting on what a woman passing by us is wearing. “She’s got the look,” he laughs. “Is this like a full-body leotard and a trench coat?” he asks me.

I quickly realize he’s prepared to avoid the kinds of subjects that might make for a good interview. He doesn’t want to talk about the movie’s premiere event in London, but would rather tell me how much he loves dirt biking, his dogs and seeing the world. He lights up like a bulb as he discusses his recent trip to New Zealand for a charity event and his plans to go to Chile to “chill.” “There is a world of people out there,” he explains. “I’m always traveling.”

“What’s your favorite destination?” I ask.

“I don’t really do ‘favorites,’” he says. I set down my pen, take a deep breath and realize he’s not ready yet. When the woman in the leotard walks by again, Lewis promptly says, “She actually looks wonderful. I should just shut up. It’s a half-jacket and a dress and leggings.”

“What is this, Project Runway?” I ask myself.

The arrival of lunch brings good news and bad news. Good news because it carries with it the possibility of easing Lewis into conversation, and bad news because it’s like an egg timer; when the food’s gone, the interview is over. I hope his vegan tempeh Reuben sandwich and kukicha tea last long enough for me to get to the real meat of the interview. When asked what he was like as a child, Lewis says, “I don’t know,” before promptly asking, “Do you see I’m skirting the issues?” He grins, but then opens up.

There's Much More! For the full article, pick up a copy of the June 2008 JEZEBEL Issue today!