Jesus Pinto da Luz (born 15 January 1987) is a Brazilian model, DJ and occasional actor. In 2009, he appeared in Steven Klein's celebrated photo spread, "Madonna: Blame it on Rio" for W alongside his future girlfriend, Madonna.(1 March 2009). Madonna: Blame It on Rio W. Retrieved on 12 March 2025 He then appeared in photo editorials for L'Officiel Hommes, Interview and international editions of GQ, and Vogue. He has also modeled for Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy and Intimissimi.(26 June 2009).Jesus Luz walked for Givenchy The Cut. Retrieved on 13 March 2025Wieselman, Jarrett (28 September 2009). Jesus Luz, just cuz Page Six. Retrieved on 13 March 2025
Early life Luz was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro. He is the son of a hairdresser, Cristiane Regina da Silva and an administrator at a public hospital in Rio. His name was given to him by his father who always admired Jesus Christ as the most philosophical mind of all time. His surname da Luz means "from light" in Portuguese. Da Luz has two younger half brothers. As a child, he moved frequently, especially after his parents split when he was five years-old. He was raised by his mother in downtown Rio.
His mother saved to send him to a private prep school when he was an adolescent and also encouraged him to pursue a career as a model. He pursued modeling and acting, working odd jobs, including as a salesman at a surf shop in Ipanema. Luz grew up in a musical environment; his uncle used to play in a rock band in Rio de Janeiro. He studied at the traditional Colégio Pedro II.
Modelling career Luz signed his first contract in 2005 for the 40 Graus Models modeling agency. He was hired by Sergio Mattos for whom he worked for three years. In 2006, he spent six months in New York, living with an aunt and learning English. Luz landed his first modeling job walking the runway in Rio Fashion Week 2007. During that period, he also studied acting at the Casa das Artes de Laranjeiras training school for actors. In 2008, Luz signed the contract with Ford Models becoming one of the highest paid male models in the world. That same year, Luz got his first major international job when Steven Klein chose him to pose alongside Madonna for a W magazine photo shoot. Rumors that the relationship moved from staged photographs to real life began in December 2008 when reports from the Brazilian press surfaced, which made Luz internationally known.(29 December 2009). Madonna Supposedly Dating One of the Hotties From Her W Shoot W. Retrieved on 13 March 2025
In 2009, he was featured on the summer cover of L'Officiel Hommes magazine.(1 June 2009).Matthew Williamson Returns to London Fashion Week; Jesus Luz appears shirtless on the cover of the new L'Officiel Hommes The Cut. Retrieved on 13 March 2025 He was also cast in a fall campaign for Dolce & Gabbana, photographed by Klein.(17 April 2009). Jesus rises GQ. Retrieved on 13 March 2025 He was also photographed by Tom Munro for Pepe Jeans alongside Hanne Gabe Odiele and Agnete Hegelund. In Milan Fashion Week 2009, walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana.Bumpus, Jessica (1 June 2009).All About The Boys Vogue. Retrieved on 13 March 2025 In the same year he appeared in an underwear ad campaign for Intimissimi.
In 2010 he appeared in a campaign for TNT, of the Israeli fashion company, Honigman.חזוס לוז נסחט Walla. 25 August 2010 He was also the cover star of the December 2010 edition of Page Six Magazine.Moylan, Brian (01 December 2010)Jesus Luz, Please Shut Up Gawker. Retrieved on 14 March 2025 In the same year he fronted a campaign for Brazilian underwear chain, Mash.MASH - "Making Of" - Jesus Luz (2010) YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025
In 2010, he appeared in an Interview magazine editorial photographed by Mikael Jansson.Durbin, Jonathan (11 January 2010). Jesus Luz Interview. Retrieved on 12 March 2025 In the same year, he walked the runway at São Paulo Fashion Week for Ellus.(20 January 2010). Jesus Luz Walks Ellus Catwalk Page Six. Retrieved on 13 March 2025 He also appeared in their ad campaign alongside Cintia Dicker.(2010). Jesus Luz e Cíntia Dicker - Ellus - Inverno/2010 (FashionTV) Making Of YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025 He became one of the best paid models with Ford Models, commanding as much as $100, 000 to appear at a fashion show. In 2012, he returned to Israel to shoot a new campaign for TNT.(15 March 2012). חזוס כוכב עליון (Jesus is a Superstar) Israel HaYom. Retrieved on 14 March 2025 In the same year, he was photographed for Vs. magazine.Jesus Luz for Vs. Magazine YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025
In 2015, he fronted a winter campaign with actress Paloma Bernardi for Brazilian footwear brand, Ferricelli.Jesus Luz e Paloma Bernardi - Ferricelli Campanha Inverno 2015 YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025 He also fronted the winter 2018 campaign for Brazilian fashion chain, Sallo Jeans.Jesus Luz em campanha para a Sallo Jeans (Inverno 2018) YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025 His social media model shoots are frequently reproduced in the media, with Instinct reproducing his photo spreads in 2024 and 2025.(10 August 2024).Madonna’s Ex-Boyfriend is Still a Hot Commodity in 2024 Instinct. Retrieved on 13 March 2025(31 January 2025). Jesus Luz is Still Turning Heads, One Thunderous Thigh at a Time Instinct. Retrieved on 13 March 2025 In 2024, he was in the autumn/winter campaign for Brazilian fashion brand, TFLOW.(2024). Jesus Luz - Campanha outono/inverno da marca TFLOW (2024) YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025
He has been a cover star on Brazil's Mensch magazine on various occasions, including in November 2015, June 2021 and September 2024.(27 November 2015). CAPA: Jesus Luz – Sempre à postos para um novo sucesso, seja como DJ, modelo ou ator Mensch. Retrieved on 14 March 2025(26 June 2021). JESUS LUZ – TRANSFORMAÇÃO E EVOLUÇÃO Mensch. Retrieved on 14 March 2025(2021). Jesus Luz em ensaio para Revista Mensch (Junho/2021) YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025(22 September 2024). NA BATIDA DE JESUS LUZ Mensch. Retrieved on 14 March 2025
Other endeavours Music projects Luz had a lot of DJ and musician friends in school, where he played flute. He got into DJing in 2010. Luz used to watch his friends do it and started to go to all of the electronic parties. He attended the "Dubspot", a DJ school in New York City, for three months where he was taught how to mix, how the crossfader works, and all the basic stuff to deal with the equipment. He is interested in electronic music—trance, electro-house, progressive house and tech-house. Later Luz landed high-profile gigs. For the 90-minute set he was spinning on his second professional D.J. job he was being paid around $15,000. In 2010 he collaborated with German vocal trance music group, Fragma, to release the single "What do you Want."(2010). Jesus Luz & Fragma - What Do You Want (DJ Ortzy Remix) YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025
Acting In 2009, he appeared in Madonna's music video, "Celebration".(1 September 2009). WATCH: Madonna and Jesus get steamy in video Marie Claire. Retrieved on 13 March 2025 He also had an uncredited cameo in the 2010 film, Rio Sex Comedy. This was followed by guest appearances in Brazilian telenovelas, Aquele Beijo and Guerra dos Sexos in 2012. He later appeared in Se Eu Fosse Você in 2013,Jesus Luz em "Se eu fosse você" série da FOX (episódio completo) YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025 and Vai Que Cola in 2016."Vai que cola" (Filme completo) YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025 In the same year he starred as the love interest in Inna's music video, "Calente".(2016). Jesus Luz dans le clip de Caliente, d'Inna PurePeople. Retrieved on 13 March 2025(2016)INNA - Caliente (Official video) YouTube. Retrieved on 13 March 2025 In April 2017, during Holy Week, he performed at the New Jerusalem Theater in Passion of Christ, a reenactment of Jesus Christ's final days.(2017). "Paixão de Cristo 2017" - Filme 1 YouTube. Retrieved on 14 March 2025
In 2020, Luz had a role Reality Z, a Brazilian Zombie horror series on Netflix.Kozma, Leila. (10 June 2020). 'Reality Z' Fans, We Have Some Bad News — Jesus Luz Is Already Taken Distractify. Retrieved on 13 March 2025
Reality TV In 2013, he competed in the ninth season of Italy's Ballando con le Stelle, which is part of the Dancing with the Stars franchise.Jesus Luz & Agnese Junkure Rai. Retrieved on 14 March 2025
In 2015, he competed in the second season of Saltibum, broadcast on Rede Globo, and part of the Celebrity Splash! franchise.(2015). Jesus Luz chamou atenção ao usar uma sunga nas gravações do quadro 'Saltibum ', quadro do 'Caldeirão do Huck' Purepeople. Retrieved on 14 March 2025
In 2017, he competed in the second season of Dancing Brasil, also part of the Dancing with the Stars franchise.(25 July 2017). Jesus Luz e Margreet dançam salsa e recebem conselhos dos jurados R7. Retrieved on 25 July 2017
Personal life He met Madonna at a photo shoot in Rio de Janeiro in December 2008 and they started a relationship. They split in 2010 after over a year together.(4 February 2010). Report: Madonna, Jesus Luz have broken up Today. Retrieved on 12 March 2025
He also befriended Marc Jacobs, who wrote a letter to US immigration officials supporting Luz's work permit application.
Kabbalah Luz practises Kabbalah. He began studying Kabbalah in Rio de Janeiro before meeting Madonna:Macht, Daniel (17 May 2009). Kabbalah Was Madonna's Path to Jesus NBC Washington. Retrieved on 13 March 2025Vincent, Isabel (17 May 2009)How Madonna Found Her Jesus The New York Post. Retrieved on 17 May 2009 "I'm just looking for something to make me strong, and Kabbalah has given me that", Luz said. The couple visited Israel in 2009 and were photographed together at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.(9 April 2018). Madonna brings Jesus – Brazilian boy toy Jesus Luz – to Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall NY Daily News. Retrieved on 12 March 2025 He continued to attend the Kabbalah Centre New York after his relationship with Madonna ended. He has also studied Buddhism and yoga.(30 November 2009). Jesus Luz Now Leads Lucrative Life As a Slash The Cut. Retrieved on 13 March 2025
Filmography
Music videos Year Song title Artist Ref2009"Celebration"Madonna2011"Running Man"Jesus Luz and Yves Larock2013"Caliente"Inna
Film & television Year Title Role Notes2010 Rio Sex Comedy Man on tour bus Film, uncredited2012 Aquele Beijo Zé Paulino Bonequeiro Telenovela, 1 episode Guerra dos Sexos Ronaldo Brandão Telenovela, 1 episode 2013 Se Eu Fosse Você Breno 1 episode 2016 Vai Que Cola Jesus Film 2017 Amor.com Film 2020 Reality Z Lucas 2 episodes
Accolades In 2010, Luz won the NewNowNext Awards for Cause You're Hot, thanking his then-girlfriend Madonna in his acceptance speech.
References
External links