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He may be best known as the umbrella-carrying personal assistant to Sean "Diddy" Combs, but Fonzworth Bentley is now making a name for himself by teaching young men with bad manners how to become gentlemen. Gayle talks with Fonzworth about his MTV reality show, From G's to Gents, and why he thinks good manners are so important.
Fonzworth, whose real name is Derek Watkins, grew up in Atlanta and attended Morehouse College. He says his parents raised him to be a gentleman, and on From G's to Gents, he's trying to help young men develop many of the skills he says are second nature to him. "My philosophy is, 'It doesn't matter how stylish you are—if you are rude, nobody wants to be around you,'" he says. "Conversely, if you are mannerable and confident but you don't know how to dress appropriately for the occasion, you won't gain entry." Actor Jamie Foxx is producing the reality show, and Fonzworth says Jamie handpicked him to host because of his reputation and his book Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manners, Confidence and Style to Get Ahead. Fonzworth shares his advice for gentleman wannabes:
Published on August 18, 2008
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