Jon-Paul Phillips is of English, Mexican and French descent. He was born and raised on the North East coast of England near the Scottish Border. He is the great-grandson of prominent Mexican painter and muralist, Diego Rivera( husband of artist Frida Kahlo). His grandmother Marika Rivera was an actress who starred in many movies including Frederico Fellini's Casanova, Fiddler on the Roof, The Girl on the Motorcyle, and Darling which was nominated for 5 Academy Awards. His grandfather, Jean Paul Brusset, was also an artist, set designer and frequent collaborator of Jean Cocteau. Jon-Paul spends much of his time in the Ocean. An avid Waterman; He is a lifelong surfer, sailor and accomplished diver.When he is on land he is also a proficient skateboarder, plays rugby regularly and also studies the martial art of kickboxing. Having both his parents work in the music industry, he grew up around vinyl records and has a huge passion for music, dancing and DJing, specifically rare Soul and Disco. Jon-Paul is a patron of Surfers Against Sewage, a marine conservation charity working with communities worldwide to protect and preserve oceans, beaches and marine life. He lives on his boat, currently moored on the River Thames in London.