Fitness Model Nabs Coveted Title

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- After an exhaustive search that began with more than 400 applicants, Beverly Center has crowned Hunky Santa for 2009/10. JAMES ELLIS, this year's "Hunky," will don the signature red velvet costume and make his official debut at Los Angeles' premiere fashion destination on Friday, November 27th. Hunky Santa & The Candy Cane Girls, a "Vegas-style" aerial arts production, runs through 12/24/09 at Beverly Center's Grand Court during evenings and weekends.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091104/LA04950)

James Ellis, a 29-year-old Indiana native came to L.A. to pursue a career in entertainment after completing undergraduate work in the field of Education. He turned in his snow and water skis for a surfboard and hits the beach or rock climbs in Malibu in between posing for fitness magazine covers. Ellis joins a fraternity of ex-hunkys that include last year's Eli Wilhide, who's just finishing a movie entitled Captured and Greg Plitt of Bravo's Workout with Jackie Warner. Ellis is a supporting player and "Hunky Host' of the festivities in 60 free shows for Beverly Center shoppers that include aerialists in a spectacular display of world class performances in the 3-story, multi-level center.

Beverly Center's search for an alternative to the traditional Santa Claus began in 2001 and has resulted in an international phenomenon that continues to make headlines across the globe. Many see Hunky Santa as a little something for the 'big kids' to enjoy and look forward to meeting him each year. Hunky Santa was never intended to replace the beloved Saint Nick or "Classic Santa" who also makes his annual appearance in the center.

Beverly Center is Southern California's premiere fashion destination with 160 distinctive specialty boutiques and restaurants reflecting the diverse styles and tastes of Los Angeles, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Michael Kors, Henri Bendel's, Burberry, and Ferragamo, as well as, point of difference retailers like Traffic, Politix, Ed Hardy, True Religion, Kira Plastinina, Calvin Klein, Ben Sherman, Custo Barcelona and the only J. Lindeberg on the entire West Coast. Beverly Center is located at La Cienega, San Vicente, and Beverly Blvds. at the edge of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The center is anchored by Bloomingdale's and two Macy's locations. For more information, please visit www.beverlycenter.com and www.hunkysanta.com or contact Steve Valentine at Valentine Group L.A. at 310-489-0017 for interviews, appearance schedule, and photography.