Everything you wanted to know and more about being a star of gay porn. How much do they get paid? Do tops get paid more? Do they sleep with their fans? Find in this series of eye-opening interviews.
Speaking his mind, porn star Mr Cali gave a crucial piece of advice for those who are new to porn, or who want a career in adult entertainment.
Speaking on the Demystifying Gay Porn podcast, adult star Mr Cali gave an incredible piece of advice for newbies starting out in porn and it had nothing to do with douching, cock size or being able to take an arm.
No, his advice was very straight forward and it was simply to know your worth.
Speaking to I. Que Grande Cali said, “I would tell my young self, to own and value your worth. Know who you are and tell them (the studio) what you deserve. Walk into the situation knowing you need this amount of money. You have a budget for who you are.
“You’re valued, but you don’t know it walking through”.
Ⓒ NOIR MALE Cali has shot for studios like Noir Male as well as having his own very popular fan’s site.
Know when to say “No”
He then added, “Don’t say yes to everything, sometimes you got to say no and walk away”.
Sounds very sage to us and pretty relevant to all walks of life.
We spoke with a number of adult stars who work in the adult film industry to ask the questions we were just burning to ask. One of those questions was whether bottoms earn more than tops in scenes
So, imagine if you will, you’re a bottom in a scene, you’ve got a lot more prep to do to make sure you’re ready for the scene and make extra special preparations so you don’t have an awkward accident mid-scene. We’ve been told that you have to be careful with your diet as well as keeping a healthy lifestyle. Mexican food is apparently the worst!
You’ve also got to be able to take a pounding for hours. One star told us that filming a scene could take up to five hours. Ouch.
So we put the question to those who identified as bottoms or versatile in the industry and asked whether they get paid more than their partners. Sebastian Evan who has worked for Blakemason and Brit Hard Lads, told us, “I always bottom and I ONLY bottom. And no, we do not get paid more”. Michael Lachlan agreed and added, “I don’t see why they would. The top has to put in a lot of effort and a lot of cardio into a sex scene it is actually very tiring”.
Edwin Skyes added that it was pretty much a “myth” in the industry that a bottom would get paid for a scene.
Jonny Kingdom, who has starred in films for Blakemason and GuysInSweatPants.com elaborated on the payment for scenes, he said, “Most of us are self- employed and model fees are different for everyone”. However unlike the other stars, he also revealed that he does get paid more for being a bottom.
So whilst most performers don’t get paid more for the role they take in the scene, it’s not unheard of that a star could get paid more for being a bottom.
We spoke with a number of adult stars who work in gay porn to ask the questions you were dying to know. One of those questions was whether bottoms earn more than tops in scenes.
So, imagine if you will, you’re a bottom in a scene, you’ve got a lot more prep to do to make sure you’re ready for the scene and make extra special preparations so you don’t have an awkward accident mid-scene. We’ve been told that you have to be careful with your diet as well as keeping a healthy lifestyle. Mexican food is apparently the worst!
You’ve also got to be able to take a pounding for hours. One star told us that filming a scene could take up to five hours. Ouch.
So we put the question to those who identified as bottoms or versatile in the industry and asked whether they get paid more than their partners. Sebastian Evan who has worked for Blakemason and Brit Hard Lads, told us, “I always bottom and I ONLY bottom. And no, we do not get paid more”. Michael Lachlan agreed and added, “I don’t see why they would. The top has to put in a lot of effort and a lot of cardio into a sex scene it is actually very tiring”.
Edwin Skyes added that it was pretty much a “myth” in the industry that a bottom would get paid for a scene.
Jonny Kingdom, who has starred in films for Blakemason and GuysInSweatPants.com elaborated on the payment for scenes, he said, “Most of us are self- employed and model fees are different for everyone”. However unlike the other stars, he also revealed that he does get paid more for being a bottom.
So whilst most performers don’t get paid more for the role they take in the scene, it’s not unheard of that a star could get paid more for being a bottom.
We caught up with porn star Izan Loren to find out what life is like for a porn star in today’s industry.
CREDIT: Izan Loren/Twitter
MP: So how did you get into porn?
IZ: At 12-years-old, porn was my dream. The first time I worked was in a scene, alone, for Blakemason. He was not afraid, but I was nervous. The result was wonderful and I left wanting to work more.
MP: Have you told your family?
IZ: My sister and some of my best friends knew before I started to act as a porn actor and have always supported me. After starting and shooting scenes, most of my friends have heard.There have been people who criticise and others who give me encouragement and support to continue. My parents were a bit trickier. I had to explain more deeply the concept of porn. They have come to accept it and now support me.
MP: Is it hard to find romantic partners as sex is such an intimate part of the human experience, how do you balance the act versus the deeper connection?
IZ: It’s hard to find a guy who understands my work, and not engaged in the world of porn. A guy who works at a hotel, a bank, or in a supermarket, will possibly find it harder to understand my work. We must differentiate sex from love. Whoever wants to be with me, will have to respect my work because it is part of me. When I record a scene, I’m acting.
MP: Have you ever dated another porn star?
IZ: Now being tucked in the porn world, it is normal to meet more actors and is more likely to have a boyfriend who is an actor. And no, I have no boyfriend now.
MP: Are there things you’ve learnt doing porn that you’ve included in your personal life?
IZ: There are things that I have done for the first time shooting a scene, and others and put into practice in my personal life. Every day you learn something new, a new fetish…
MP: How do bottoms prepare themselves before a film?
IZ: I’m more active. I take care of normal care, work always gives us enemas to cleanse us inside and little more. I do not do things out of the ordinary.
MP: Do you receive bizarre messages from fans? What is the weirdest message/request you’ve received from a fan?
IZ: I think the weirdest message I received was from a boy from Spain, who paid me for only sucking his feet. Others have sex with others while watching.
MP: Do you sleep with your fans?
IZ: I have not slept with fans, or guys I’ve met that night. Many porn stars use their status to become “escorts” or have wish lists on Amazon. Right now I’m just porn actor. The escort being not part of my future plans.
MP: What would you say to people who want to get into porn?
IZ: I’d tell you if it’s your dream to fight for it. It is very easy to get into porn, and there are many ways to do it. If the person is worth it, you will be caught quickly.
MP: What’s the best/worst thing about doing porn?
IZ: Rolling with someone who smells bad (laughs).
MP: What do you think is the future of porn?
IZ: If I knew what would be the future of porn, I’d produce. Really porn has not seen many changes.
MP: What’s the average day of a porn star?
IZ: Go to the gym, hanging out with friends, shopping (I love buying clothes!), Partying, going to Spain to see my family and my friends.
MP: After all the sex and fame and thrill… what’s next?
IZ: I like living in the moment. Porn does not last a lifetime, so also saving for tomorrow to mount a business.
MP: Who has been your favourite scene partner and why? Is there anything that you
won’t do in porn?
IZ: There are two co-favourite scene because I really enjoyed them, they are great. Called Ashton Brad and Scott Williams for Boynapped. I would never fist. It’s something that I respect, but I do not like.
MP: What’s the average salary per scene/per film?
IZ: It depends on several factors. How big is the producer? And it depends on whether you have exclusivity with a producer. Each contract is different.
Matt Peake catches up with UK porn star, Sebastian Evans to chat about life as a gay porn star.
CREDIT: Sebastian Evans/ Twitter
MP: So how did you get into porn?
SE: I got into porn by going to applytomodel.com cos I needed some money. I didn’t do any auditions I was booked on my photos alone.
My first job was a solo for Hard Brit Lads. I was f**king sh**ting myself but I did it and had a great time and have since worked for them again.
MP: Is it hard to find romantic partners as sex is such an intimate part of the human experience, how do you balance the act versus the deeper connection? What are your thoughts about sex and relationships?
SE: I’m not really a relationship person at the moment. So I have never had to think about doing porn while in a relationship. I can envision myself being in a relationship one day but at the moment I’m far too busy enjoying myself, my body and casual sex! (laughs).
MP: Are there things you’ve learnt doing porn that you’ve included in your personal life? Do partners expect you to be ‘experts’ of sex?
SE: I guess I’ve picked up some positions doing porn but I also actively look for new things to try during sex myself. I’m often Googling new positions I can try in my private life. I wouldn’t say there’s an expectation for me to be amazing but I have had guys say to me that they’re nervous to f**k me cos they might not match up, which is crazy!
MP: Do you ever bottom?
SE: I always bottom and I ONLY bottom. I’m not interested in topping whatsoever. I douche obviously. And no, we do not get paid more.
MP: Do you sleep with your fans?
SE: I probably would sleep with a fan if they paid me as I do escort too.
MP: Do you worry about STIs? Do you think bareback porn is contributing to rising rates of HIV in young gay men?
SE: I get tested regularly so I don’t worry about STIs no. I don’t think BB porn contributes to rises in HIV infection as everyone has their own mind and are able to make choices themselves.
MP: What would you say to people who want to get into porn?
SE: If someone wants to get into porn and they have the right look for the type of porn they want to do then I’d say go for it.
MP: What’s the best/worst thing about doing porn?
SE: The best thing about porn for me was the confidence boost. I don’t think I’ve encountered anything negative yet.
MP: What do you think is the future of porn?
SE: The future of porn is probably BB (bareback). As the threat of HIV diminishes and it no longer threatens life as it once did, BB will become even more popular and mainstream.
MP: What’s the average day of a porn star?
SE: The average day of a porn star is the same as most people’s lives I imagine. My life hasn’t changed at all.
MP: After all the sex and fame and thrill… what’s next?
SE: I don’t really think of porn as a career. So I don’t think about the future. It’s just a bit of fun and a way to make money. If it all stopped tomorrow I seriously wouldn’t give a s**t. I’m a hairdresser and that is my career.
MP: Who has been your favourite scene partner and why?
SE: My favourite scene partner was Sam Porter. We had amazing chemistry and I’ve been lucky enough to work with him twice. I get hard with him just being in the same room as me. Haha. My favourite scene I’ve been in was the one me and him did for Hard Brit Lads. Because it was with Sam and because my body looks sick in that one! (laughs)
MP: What’s the average salary per scene/per film?
SE: Average salary per scene I’d say is £200.
MP: How would you describe your sexuality?
SE: I’d describe my sexuality as gay. I would also describe myself as a late bloomer. My teens and twenties were virtually sexless. Since entering my thirties and moving to Manchester I’m only now exploring my sexuality to the fullest and I’m f**king loving it, and so is my ass!
Matt Peake speaks to porn star Michael Lachlan about life as a porn star…
CREDIT: Twitter/Michael Lachlan
MP: Have you told your family?
ML: I haven’t told my family, I have told my close friends and when asked by other friends I say yes to their question. I haven’t had any negative feedback from my friends. They know me as their friend: fun, easy going carefree person who gets along with anyone so no, no judgement. Most people are more intrigued and full of questions more than anything.
MP: Is it hard to find romantic partners as sex is such an intimate part of the human experience, how do you balance the act versus the deeper connection?
ML: When I started I was in a relationship and had been for two years at that point. Since then we have broken up for unrelated reasons, I know he still watches it and finds it hot. We still had great intimate sex with each other. Doing porn doesn’t affect that side of things like you mentioned porn is an act, sexual intimacy you experience with a partner or someone you may be ‘hooking up’ with is not an act it’s a feeling based on emotions between the two people. My thoughts on sex and relationships are you need to work
harder at it as the year’s progress with your partner. If you love him/ her then you work together and progress together and try new things and should always be open to your partner’s thoughts and suggestions without judgement on it. Not saying you need to follow through with the requests or fantasies but you should definitely hear them out and work on it together. Relationships take work and open communication is the key to staying together long term.
MP: Are there things you’ve learnt doing porn that you’ve included in your personal life? Do partners expect you to be ‘experts’ of sex?
ML: Yes – Don’t judge a book by its cover. Everyone I have worked with including the production team are such great friendly people. The porn industry is much more friendly than the modelling industry. Don’t judge a person on someone else’s opinion of that person. So it really taught me to not judge a person on what they do but more on how they act and how they treat you. Yes, people do expect you to be good and to know more tricks in the bedroom.
MP: Do bottoms really get paid more than tops?
ML: No bottoms do not get paid more than tops. I don’t see why they would. The top has to put in a lot of effort and a lot of cardio into a sex scene it is actually very tiring.
MP: Do you bottom?
ML: I bottom yes, I top too. Most of my scenes are versatile scenes where I do both. I use to shave, but for the last two years, I’ve been getting my crack waxed every 4-6 weeks. I watch what I eat. Mexican is the worst bottom food #justsayin. So yeah stick away from that stuff if you can. Eat clean healthy food, plenty of protein and you’ll find it’s much easier for you as a bottom to ‘prepare’ shall we say.
MP: Do you sleep with your fans? Would you sleep with a fan if they paid you?
ML: Depends on what you class as a fan. Guys that have seen my work and enjoyed I wouldn’t class as a fan so yes to these guys. But
guys that follow me on Twitter and are interested in what I’m doing next, where am I going to next, what parties will I attend and that sort of thing. No.
MP: Do you think porn fuels a form of prostitution within the industry?
ML: Most definitely not. It’s acting. If Hollywood actors do a sex scene does that mean they are lowering themselves to prostitution within the industry? Just because there is penetration in porn compared to movies doesn’t put it in a category of prostitution. It’s still acting, and if it looks like it should be in that category then aren’t the actors doing a great job in making you believe that this is amazing sex happening in front of your eyes. Queue orgasm face.
MP: Do you worry about STIs? Do you think bareback porn is contributing to rising rates of HIV in young gay men?
ML: STI’s in filming? No, because the models I work with have to present current test results and they won’t film if they can’t present them. Bareback porn helping contribute to the rise in HIV? The Very debatable topic this could go on for hours. My personal view is no and I’m judging that based on my own personality. I am not easily influenced, I’m not a monkey see monkey do type of person. Come legal age to have sex I believe people are old enough to make their own decisions and choices in life and their sex life. Sexual education is more to blame from schools.
Teenage pregnancy rates have declined because teenagers are taught at school about safe sex and the effects on a young person’s life should they fall pregnant. I was never taught anything about HIV, I had to research it myself which is terrible because people that don’t research it don’t know enough about it which can go two of which ways. One being they are naive to it and don’t realise quite how it is caught and how it can affect you. Second is not knowing enough about it making them so scared of it and the people that are HIV positive. Education or lack there in a growing population of homosexuality is the contribution to the rising numbers.
MP: Do you use any pills to enhance your career?
ML: Yes, of course, we take pills to help us get hard and stay hard during filming. Some scenes can take 3 hours some can take 5 hours. We have to do all the still images and promotional images that day also for DVD covers etc. So yeah we need something to sustain an erection while taking photos and no sexual stimulation is happening. We aren’t magicians. Though some guys can fit a lot up their ‘sleeve’.
MP: How do fans react to you in the street? Do you find that a lot of people chat you up?
ML: In the street. Normally a double take and a whisper to their mate. People will chat to me if I’m alone in a shop or something. At a club quite often I get guys subtly come up to me and say in my ear “I’ve seen your porn, it was hot”. As I said earlier guys reactions to it is they love it and wish they had the balls to do it themselves. Those are the words they use themselves.
MP: Why do you think porn is so popular?
ML: Everyone likes sex right. I couldn’t get off to a gardening show I don’t know about you.. 😉
MP: What would you say to people who want to get into porn?
ML: Be sensible. Look after yourself. Be your own person. Voice your opinion. Don’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with. Enjoy it. Embrace it. Don’t do it if you don’t want people to find out because they will.
MP: What’s the best/worst thing about doing porn?
ML: Travelling the world for free (in a way) is the best part for me. The worst part is always having to maintain a good body.
MP: What do you think is the future of porn?
ML: Hmm the future of porn is a hard one (no pun intended). There’s more free stuff out there these days so it is slowly losing the financial wealth it once had.
MP: After all the sex and fame and thrill… what’s next?
ML: My porn career is just kicking off and growing fast. I’ve recently returned to it after being made redundant from my job in real estate after a year. So I’ve returned to make a few films to get some money in and it’s been a better experience emotionally and financially than I expected so I’m riding the wave and hope to return back to real estate at some point later. Age I don’t think is an issue. The silver fox is in right now. A sexy muscular 40 something is very hot normally teamed up with a guy 25 – 35 years of age.
MP: Who has been your favourite scene partner and why?
ML: The last three scenes I filmed with Lucas Entertainment were SO hot and I loved working with all three guys. Dylan Janes. Logan Rogue and his husband Tomas Brand. These films are out now.
We sent writer Matt Peake to speak with porn star Josh Milk on what it’s like to be in gay porn and what the future of gay porn will be like.
CREDIT: Josh Milk / Twitter
MP: Can you explain the experience of your first job?
JM: I got into the porn by chance. I was lucky. A well-known friend of mine who just started in the business had a shoot in a porn film but his partner failed, and then asked me to join him and I did accept immediately. My first experience was absolutely great to me since I did it with a very close friend of mine.
MP: Is it hard to find romantic partners as sex is such an intimate part of the human experience, how do you balance the act versus the deeper connection? What are your thoughts about sex and relationships?
JM: From my point of view it is not difficult to find a romantic partner or boyfriend no matter of the profession I dedicate myself. To me, it is more important the feelings and respect of your partner to go through the relationship. Business is business, and out of it is personal decision. When I am doing porn I am working and do not have affection, feeling or love. With my partner sex is completely different, I do express my feelings and totally different.
MP: Have you ever dated another porn star?
JM: Absolutely not. I never date with other porn stars.
MP: Are there things you’ve learnt doing porn that you’ve included in your personal life? Do partners expect you to be ‘experts’ of sex?
JM: Before the porn business, my sexual life was completely satisfactory and then I have not discovered anything that I already knew before. Most people think that as a porn actor you have to be a sex machine, and I find it crazy. You can be a porn actor and have no idea how to f**k privately and the contrary too.
MP: Do you receive bizarre messages from fans? What is the weirdest message/ request you’ve received from a fan?
JM: Yes, I receive a lot of messages, from those that are in love with me or from those that want me as a boyfriend. The rest of the proposition they can pay me!
MP: Do you sleep with your fans? Would you sleep with a fan if they paid you?
JM: Of course I do sleep with my fans if I get paid. I do not offer my porn side when I am escorting, although some do not find the difference.
MP: Do you worry about STIs? Do you think bareback porn is contributing to rising rates of HIV in young gay men?
JM: I am very worried about STIs as everybody is. Nobody fancies having diseases. With respect to bareback, the answer is yes and no. Each time I shoot bareback porn all partners have to show analytical tests to make sure we all are negative. But of course, there is always a risk.
MP: What’s the best/ worst thing about doing porn?
JM: The best is that you get to know many new people, and the worst is that sometimes the shooting lasts too many hours.
MP: What do you think is the future of porn?
JM: The future… let me think… Oh yes, the cum shots will splash through 3D (laughs).
MP: What’s the average day of a porn star?
JM: When I am shooting I spend time with partners, directors, camera men, etc. When the shoot is finished I am again Jose and do not behave as Josh. My average day is to do cleaning house, shopping at supermarkets, preparing food, going to gym, visiting friends, etc.
MP: What other plans have you got in place for the future? JM: The best thing about porn, if you do not get bored too soon, is that you can change your role from twink, daddy to BDSM.
In the near future, my plans are to go on in this business. But who knows what life throws at you.
MP: How would you describe your sexuality?
JM: Open minded.
MP: What are your opinions on porn?
JM: Porn should be back to the 80s for creating a new star system. Nowadays you can’t earn enough money for living.
THEGAYUK’s Matt Peake spoke to porn star Jonny Kingdom about what it’s like to work in the porn industry.
MP: How many auditions did you have to go through before you got your first job?
JK: I was very lucky as I didn’t have to do too many auditions as one of my friends was a director for the company Blake Mason. They were the first company I had ever shot with I did a solo and then a duo with Luke Desmond I knew them so was quite easy and relax and I loved the whole experience. But if you were thinking of getting into porn it’s something I would definitely think about and rethink. Once it’s out there it’s up there.
MP: Have you told your family?
JK: Yes it was something I knew I would have to tell them as I knew if I was going to do it well I was going to try to be the best at it. My family has always been very supportive and I’m very lucky to have them and obversely all my friends know this is the gay world! In 2013 Drilled won the best DVD at the porn awards it was a big night and all my friends were with me I’m very lucky.
MP: Is it hard to find romantic partners as sex is such an intimate part of the human experience?
JK: Every relationship needs sex. Porn is a lot different to being in a relationship and having sex with a partner when you haven’t got a whole camera crew they’re going can’t get hard!
MP: Are there things you’ve learnt doing porn that you’ve included in your personal life? Do partners expect you to be ‘experts’ of sex?
JK: I hope I’ve learned a lot as it’s my job but relationships are different and no not when they’re dating you they get to know you so they don’t expect anything but I would hope I please them.
MP: Do you ever bottom? Do bottoms really get paid more than tops?
JK: I mainly am. Most of us are self- employed and model fees are different for everyone. But yes I do get paid more for being a bottom than a top!
MP: Do you sleep with your fans?
JK: MAYBE!
MP: What would you say to people who want to get into porn?
JK: Think about it. It is a great lifestyle. Next month I’m off to Prague for three days all-expenses-paid for it. It’s a great career as long as you pick the right companies and don’t get led astray.
MP: What do you think is the future of porn?
JK: Porn will never go away. The best thing about porn is I do get to travel I’ve been to America, Berlin, Prague, Amsterdam.
MP: What’s the average day of a porn star?
JK: The average day is up bright and early at the gym and normally you’re on set from nine in the morning and it can go on till about 7-8 at night.
MP: After all the sex and fame and thrill… what’s next?
JK: Eventually the dream would be to have my very own modelling agency. Although I’m really starting to get into directing and soon maybe directing my own shoot so look out!
MP: Who has been your favourite scene partner and why?
JK: It would have to be Austin Wilde Good Morning. It was filmed in an American hotel and he is a guy I very much fancy. I loved it and I do think is one of my best. You can see it at guysinsweatpants.com.
MP: What’s the average salary per scene/per film?
JK: They are all different but normally start around £300 and work their way up.
MP: What are your opinions on porn?
JK: I love it and keep watching!
We sent writer Matt Peake to speak with rising porn star, Max Cameron to find out what life is like for a porn star in today’s industry.
CREDIT: Max Cameron / Twitter
MP: Tell us about your first porn job
MC: Technically speaking, I suppose my start began with some ads/photo shoots that I had done with Mr. S Leather (an adult/sex shop in San Francisco) about two years ago. It really took a leap of faith to do it. I have always had some issues with body dysmorphia, and it took a year or two of frequent visits to the gym before I was comfortable with putting my body in the public light. Shortly after, I did my first scene with Treasure Island Media, and at the time didn’t really think to start getting “serious” about it. After I had done a couple scenes with TIM, I decided to throw some applications up with various studios (there isn’t necessarily an “audition” process), and that’s where it started to snowball (sorry for the pun).
My first scene was terrifying! I was tagging along on a shoot, and thought that I had been given the option to decide on location if I wanted to participate. When we arrived, the director was giving me all these instructions as to how he wanted the scene to play out, and told myself, “well, here goes!” I was totally caught off guard, but it turned out to be a pretty hot scene!
MP: Have you told your family?
MC: I’m not one to really draw attention to myself in my private life, and thus really don’t talk about porn outside of my close-knit group of friends. As far as my family is concerned, only my sister and brother-in-law know about my moonlighting as a performer. My Mom would probably keel over & die if she found out. I have told them that I am a “model,” which, in actuality, is what we are referred to, so at least I’m not lying! Eventually, I’m going to have to bite the bullet and come clean. God help me!
MP: Is it hard to find romantic partners as sex is such an intimate part of the human experience, how do you balance the act versus the deeper connection?
MC: I don’t think it’s hard to find a romantic partner. I have been with my current partner, Jackson Fillmore, for almost six months now, and I feel like even as time progresses, we create a tighter, closer emotional & spiritual bond. That being said, we have an open relationship, which, for us, works just great, although it might not be for everyone. Speaking from a gay perspective, I think that generally men are more capable of the emotional disconnect associated with casual sex.
Furthermore, I live in San Francisco, which is known to be a very sex- positive city, which in some ways foments many “friends with benefits” relationships. I know that I share a life and bond with my boyfriend, and therefore any sex outside of our relationship is merely ad hoc and recreational.
MP: Have you ever dated another porn star? If so, would you only ever date porn stars? What is the camaraderie like between porn stars?
MC: I have (regrettably) dated another porn actor. And I don’t say that because I regretted that he was in porn, but just the nature of the relationship (don’t get me started). My current boyfriend is getting his toes wet in the industry, and I’m sure he’ll be ready to make the plunge in the next few months. In all honesty, I would prefer to date someone not in porn, but at the same time, I think it is hard for someone to understand the intricacies and complexities of the industry looking in from the outside. A lot of the industry is smoke and mirrors, and is often misconstrued as being posh and glamorous.
MP: Are there things you’ve learnt doing porn that you’ve included in your personal life? Do partners expect you to be ‘experts’ of sex?
MC: Sure! I’ve learned that, when filming sex, know your angles and be conscious of where the camera is! In all seriousness, I don’t know if there has been any translation of porn to my personal life.
I think sometimes when I have sex, and they know what I do, there is maybe an expectation. It’s actually quite amusing when I notice it. It’s like they are auditioning almost; trying to “outperform” me. I just go along with it. It’s a fun game to play! I just keep getting incrementally more and more over-the-top porn-sounding.
MP: Do you ever bottom?
MC: Of course I bottom! That’s half the fun of being gay! I am
versatile, or, as I like to say: “100% 50/50.” Hygiene is of utmost importance. To quote a previous TheSword.com interview, I “hate dirty bottoms almost as much as [I] hate Kim Kardashian!” It is definitely a process that really boils down to knowing your body. When I “clean the kitchen” it usually takes about 20 minutes for a thorough cleaning with the hose. Some friends that I know spend upward of 45 minutes to an hour. So much for the California drought! And to set the record straight, bottoms do not make more than tops.
MP: Do you sleep with your fans?
MC: I’d sleep with anyone I found attractive (in my personal life), be it a fan or otherwise. That being said, from a professional (escort) point of view, and as the saying goes, “money talks.” I think escorting (prostitution, in my opinion, has such a negative connotation) and porn go hand in hand. Most porn actors are also escorts. Porn is a way of advertising your escorting services, which, in today’s terms is the real breadwinner in the adult entertainment industry. More often than not, escorting entails companionship and an emotional connection, not just sex. In many ways I consider myself more of a therapist than a “prostitute” or “hooker.”
MP: Do you worry about STIs? Do you think bareback porn is contributing to rising rates of HIV in young gay men?
MC: I feel very fortunate to have PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis, or Truvada) available in the US. PrEP is a once-daily HIV prevention pill that has an efficacy rate of over 99% (significantly higher than that of a condom). While only ONE organisation, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, is fighting PrEP, notable health organisations like the World Health Organisation and the US Centre for Disease Control have both publicly endorsed PrEP as an effective means to combat HIV transmission. As far as other STIs are concerned, I am tested every three months (as per doctor’s orders while undergoing my PrEP regimen), which, in most cases is significantly more frequent than those not on PrEP.
I don’t see any correlation between rising rates of HIV in young, gay men. In fact, as far as I know, HIV rates have been on the decline in my hometown, San Francisco, but I’m unaware of what the British/European data has shown. I think people are inclined to practice safer sex as they feel appropriate, and people have preferences to which they adhere pretty rigidly whether that includes use of PrEP, condom or otherwise. For the most part, I don’t think that condomless porn influences its audience in any way, but rather, caters to its pre-existing preferences and fetishes.
MP: Are fluffers a real thing?
MC: LOL. Absolutely not. It may have been a thing of a bygone era, but fluffers don’t exist.
MP: Do you use drugs to get hard?
MC: These days, it is common to see the use of Viagra, Cialis, and various other erectile enhancers to aid in video production. When you are on set for sometimes, 8, 9, 10 hours or more, you need those tools to perform under pretty rigorous conditions.
MP: How do fans react to you in the street? Do you find that a lot of people chat you up?
MC: I am a very public and social person, so I often notice people who recognise me. Truth be told, most people won’t approach me, but will stare from afar… making things quite awkward. Sometimes it feels like being an animal at a zoo in that regard. I don’t know if people are intimidated, shy, or what, but if you see me out and feel the need, just come say hi! I’m a very approachable guy! That being said, please respect my personal space & private life. If you see me out in my hometown, I’m likely not
out as Max, but as me!
MP: What would you say to people who want to get into porn?
MC: Be sure you want to do it! In my opinion there is no half-assing it. I am my own worst critic, and I would hate to ever have a scene come out that I’m not happy with or one that I haven’t given 100%. Also, it really is a job and can sometimes be insanely taxing. I’ve had shoots that have gone up to 12 hours long. It is not as glamorous as you’d think.
MP: What’s the average day of a porn star?
MC: Well, I wake up at 6:15 AM to get ready for my day job as a high school special education teacher, where I work 8:00-14:30. After work, I usually head straight to the gym where I work out for 1.5-2 hours. After that, I’ll head home, hop on World of Warcraft for a bit (NERD ALERT!), followed by either social time and drinks with friends or soccer (football) practice with my gay club, the San Francisco Spikes (sfspikes.com).
MP: How do you see your career progress over time and how do they feel about limitation with age/body?
MC: They say the average shelf life of a porn performer is somewhere around 2 years. Though I haven’t over-saturated the market, which often tends to decrease one’s tenure in porn, I’ve tentatively given myself maybe another year before I “retire.” I think I’ve accomplished just about everything I’ve set out to do: I’ve worked for just about all the studios I’ve desired to work for, I’ve been nominated for industry awards and been given the opportunity to travel. Age, for me, at least, plays a minor role in that decision as well. I don’t want to be some old guy clinging to a career that I should have let go years prior. That being said, there are a limited few for whom it works (Rocco Steele, for example).
MP: What other plans have you got in place for after?
MC: I will be going back to school this year. I’m leaning toward business, or possibly travel & tourism.
I’ve also flirted with the idea of starting my own modelling agency, or studio/website. I like the idea of having creative control of a product. We’ll see…
In Issue 13 of THEGAYUK we chatted with porn star Jay Banks to find out what life is like for a porn star!
CREDIT: Jay Banks/ Twitter
MP: Do you ever bottom? If so, how do you take care of yourself? Do bottoms really get paid more than tops?
JB: I do bottom. More often than not really. I consider myself a bottom but I do top a nice ass on occasion. So, Vers bottom? I pride myself on being a good bottom and with that comes good hygiene. Just make sure your good to go. I can’t say that bottoms make more than tops in the industry. I actually have heard tops get paid more but it really just depends on the studio and the star.
MP: Can you explain the experience of your first job?
JB: I had always wanted to do porn. I know, cliché, right? Even if it was just once. One day I finally got online and submitted an application with one of my favourite studios, Treasure Island Media. Within a few weeks, I heard back from casting and they set up a Skype meeting/interview which went well and I was told that when I’m in NYC to let them know. So I went for a weekend and did a hot scene with them.
MP: Have you ever dated another porn star?
JB: I haven’t had the pleasure of dating another porn star, yet. But I am single and available! If you find one let me know (laughs).
MP: Are there things you’ve learnt doing porn that you’ve included in your personal life?
JB: I can’t say I have learned anything specific from doing porn that I do in my personal life. Although I will say that in my personal life I do have sex but 9 times out of 10 the person doesn’t know I am in porn.
MP: Do partners expect you to be an ‘expert’ of sex?
JB: I don’t think people consider porn stars to be experts in sex… Experts at having sex on camera perhaps but not having sex in general. Although I’ve never had any complaints!
MP: Do you receive bizarre messages from fans?
JB: I do sometimes get messages from fans. I like to get them. It’s nice to read them and also all the tweets and comments on my Twitter are appreciated. I read them all and try to respond to everyone. Thanks to all my followers!
MP: What is the weirdest message/request you’ve received from a fan?
JB: I would say the weirdest request I got from a fan was a guy who wanted me to come to California and have sex with him and his wife. I didn’t for the record (laughs).
MP: Do you sleep with your fans?
JB: I haven’t slept with a fan yet! I did get an email from a fan recently and we have been in contact and he is actually coming to stay with me this weekend so I will for sure be able to say I HAVE slept with a fan by the end of the weekend! So let it be known that it CAN happen. You can sleep with your favourite porn star!
MP: Are fluffers a real thing?
JB: I’m sure there are fluffers out there somewhere, I haven’t come across any myself (no pun intended) but maybe for group scenes. So far the scenes I have done were with one other porn star so we fluffed each other. On cam!
MP: Do you use any pills to enhance your career?
JB: As far as a pill or enhancer, I like a product called Erekt. I haven’t used it on set, however, I do use it sometimes in my personal life, not because I need it but just for fun or an extra BOOM. (Laughs) it works!
MP: What do you think is the future of porn?
JB: I think it will be around forever…it will change and adapt to what people want most but I think that you’re going to see mostly if not all bareback porn in the future along with maybe some live porn sites vs video/streaming.
MP: What’s the average day of a porn star?
JB: Oh the average day of a porn star? Well, when I reach “stardom” status I will let you know! 🙂
MP: Who has been your favourite scene partner and why?
JB: My favourite costar is Sam Bridle. We did a scene for Treasure Island Media for a film called Stick it, f**k it, breed it, leave it. He (Sam) was so laid back and chilled and easy to film with. Not to mention his dick was perfect! I love watching Blue Bailey take all those dicks in his gang bang scene. I’m a gang-bang kinda guy. They are my weakness!
MP: What’s the average salary per scene/per film?
JB: There is so much difference between studios, your experience and popularity that there’s no easy number. I would say anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand. I honestly do it for the fun, though!
MP: How would you describe your sexuality?
JB: I would describe my sexuality in one word. HORNY. I’m always down for some fun!
MP: What are your opinions on porn?
JB: I think the porn industry packs a definite economic punch and it’s important for people to have a good selection of it to watch so that everyone can find something that they like… Or a fantasy that they wish they could live out. I’m glad to be a part of it, for the time that I have been, and look forward to more to come!
Well in our very casual and unscientific survey we discovered that there is not one single answer. The majority of them just simply disappear back into anonymity and sadly many of them do not physically survive.
Arpad Miklos, Eric Rhodes, Wilfrid Knight and Roman Ragazzi all took their own lives, and in Ragazzi’s case it was after he had been exposed and after lost his job at the Israeli Consulate. Others like Josh Weston lost their lives to complications from HIV. In fact, in 2013, the number of suicides or deaths of those in the gay porn industry under the age of 55 exceeded a dozen, which is more than twice the annual average. Some sadly like Christopher Luke McAteer aka Clay at Corbin Fisher who shot himself are as young as 18- years old.
Also several of them like Bobby Clark, Phenix Saint, and Trevor Knight ‘retire’ very publicly and then are back on our screens before we can say ‘safe sex’. Others do however find a whole new life waiting in their future, and we tracked down a few of them to see how they were coping now they were fully clothed.
Jake Floyd aka Jake Genesis didn’t return to the police force when he retired, he just turned to God instead. However after Joey Santiago had been worshipped as ‘Gustavo Arrango’ he went one better and became a Priest at the House of Prayer Monte Santo in Puerto Rico.
Colton Ford made a sort of successful transition from porn to pop star. He covered Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered with a dance mix that went to be no. 9 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart. Fredrik Elkund aka Tag Eriksson who went from being a successful businessman in his native Sweden to become a top international porn performer, then parlayed that into becoming a top real estate broker and a star of Bravo TV’s Million Dollar Listing NY.
When Shawn Loftis aka Collin O’Neal hung up his jockstrap he became a teacher in Miami before his past was revealed to the authorities, today he has a successful new career as an iReporter for CNN. Kevin Hodge aka Hytch Cawke also became an educator and was the Head of the English Department of a School in Massachusetts until the local FOX TV station publicly exposed his past, which promptly ended his career.
Gay-for-pay Kurt Wild ‘retired’ after his wife gave birth to their fifth child. Now he is a full-time father and he says, without a trace of irony, a wildlife photographer too.
Britain’s own Aiden Shaw dominated gay porn in the ’90s with both his massive personal endowment and his clever novels and memoirs, and then at the age of 47 became a silver-fox high fashion menswear model.
Tom Judson aka Gus Mattox career path is completely unique. Judson was a successful musical theatre actor and performer who transitioned into a porn star when he was in his 40s, which is usually when others are making their exits. He made a big splash for two years picking up a GayVN Performer of the Year before putting his clothes back on for good. He can often be found performing his own one-man musical, Canned Ham in theatres that talks about his life as a naked star.
We did however find several porn stars trying to see what life would be like if they just drop the word ‘porn’ from their job title and turn their hand to acting in more mainstream movies. It’s a big jump from screaming out ‘give it to me big boy!’ to quoting some soliloquy from the Bard so luckily most of them do the crossover in baby steps plumping for roles in movies that won’t stretch their talents too far.
Plus many of them opt for parts that demand they are naked for at least one scene to remind us all what their greatest attributes still look like.
Dylan Vox aka Brad Brenton was one of the stars in the TV series called The Lair which doesn’t totally count as a complete break with the past as it is the story of a gay sex club run by vampires who are into sucking more than just necks of the cast (of mainly porn stars) who have somehow forgotten their clothes along the way. The plots are also as soft as the sex.
Vox fared better in Longhorns a very likeable romantic comedy although it seems like the director must have been worried that the audience may feel that the plot was a little thin in parts, so he had most of the cast proudly dropping their trousers just in case our attention was drooping. Since then however, he has had a steady stream of roles in B-movies from The Asylum Company who specialise in ‘mockbuster movies’. These are films that are released to coincide with those of mega studio epics in order to capitalise on the hubbub surrounding the big-budget movies such as Hercules Reborn that preceded Hercules starring Dwayne Johnson. They may never qualify him for an Oscar but Vox did get one good review ‘he pretty much steals what little thunder there was to steal’ wrote a critic, and it is after all work on the silver screen, and he does get to keep his clothes on.
The heavily inked Frankie Valenti aka multi-award-winning porn performer Johnny Hazzard was another (ex) porn performer who also appeared in The Lair, then went on to put in a surprisingly impressive performance in a lightweight movie called Tiger Orange which is about to be released on VOD. On the strength of this one role film and with his new T-shirt company Valenti wants us, and himself, to completely forget his xxx-rated movies so he declined our invitation to interview him for this article.
Sean Paul Lockhart aka Brent Corrigan aka Fox Ryder has gone one better than his peers and after a brief but intense career as a vivacious porn star, he moved into mainstream movies both in front and behind the camera. True his first ‘legit’ role was in the very questionable Judas Kiss a gay sci-fi movie, which features a plotline where the protagonist had sex with himself. Corrigan did, however, fare better though in a melodramatic gay thriller called Truth, and even with its howler of a script, he turned in a memorable performance. Then in 2013, he directed himself in Triple Crossed a rather inoffensive gay thriller/romance for which he at least deserves an ‘A’ for effort.
François Sagat the rugged French porn star with a tattooed scalp followed bit parts in two mainstream horror movies Saw VI and ‘L.A. Zombie’ with a starring role in Man At Bath, which thanks to Sagat’s wooden performance was probably one of the worst movies we sat through in 2014.
Thankfully for all of us he has subsequently retired to focus on his own clothing line.
This article was taken from our PORN ISSUE (13) July 2015 and now forms part of our Being A Porn Star Series.
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