Monday, July 24, 2006
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Brett Rockman Vs. Derek Hay
Brett sent me this two page letter about Derek of LA Direct Models.
Derek Hay responds:
I am a busy man and don't have as much time as Mr Rockman for long letters on such matters. I'll simply clarify a few facts.
Direct Models stopped working with Mr Rockman and his company a little over a year ago after he tried to pay two of our girls he had hired through us to work for his company at the Erotica LA show, by giving them DVD's rather than a check. Resolving the issue required the assistance of our attorney which cost more money than the talent fees that were subsequently recovered, which will no doubt be of amusement to Mr Rockman, but many business owners will recognize that this is a necessary though irksome cost of business sometimes. Understandably we have declined to do business with Rockman Enterprises since. Subsequently, Mr Rockman has written and publicized many similar diatribes against me personally and the company I own, it appears in some way to try to elicit some kind of support or rally for his cause, though even I struggle to understand what that is, other than the bitter taste of his having met someone who would stand up to very questionable and predatory business practice. I have long been a supporter of our talent and make no pretense otherwise. I guarantee talent that they will be paid for the work that is booked through the offices of Direct and have several times in the five years we have been trading, put my hand in my own pocket to ensure this. With regard to talent, there is only one male performer with whom Direct Models girls do not work, - Brett Rockman. Individual girls make their own choices of course, and we have no bearing on their choices.
With regard to locations, Mr Rockman is speaking of a one time instance approximately 18 months ago in which one of our girls became involved with a location home owner, whom she met on set whilst working and this developed into an abusive relationship. The ensuing drama pulled both us and other of our girls into it, and we felt that it was better if our girls did not work at that location. Almost without fail, every company to whom this was explained, felt our position on this was entirely reasonable. Some others found the homeowner to be very difficult to work with and decided to shoot elsewhere for their own reasons. None of this involved Mr Rockman in any way.
Brett Rockman writes:
I would hate to shock you Derek with the laundry list of people who would differ with you regarding these allegations. Perhaps it’s better to allow you to think they haven’t. But at the risk of allowing this to go back and forth let’s clarify a few things; I would post the cancelled checks of the 2 girls who got paid for Erotica L.A.2005 as fully agreed to prove my point so careful what you say. If you are going to post details of a transaction or any matter please check your facts first. Secondly, I have NEVER posted any comments about you or anyone else for that matter on any site! I do have better things to do with my time. I do have a column on avninsider.com (rockman ramblings) where I discuss industry topics from a producer’s standpoint as they asked me to do and again I have never singled out anyone in those articles. Finally remember we started boycotting you a year ago for a reason and the letter was intended to prevent the spread of the very things you do and to encourage you to change your ways. As for our anonymous fan, trust me, the article was not intended for entertainment….
Kevin writes: "Derek Hay considers a 2 page letter long? That sure gives us a look into the complexity of his brain."
Allie Ray writes:
I JUST READ BRET ROCKMANS 2 PAGE LETTER I WAS BORED AND ALL I HAVE TO SAY TO THAT IT GIVE IT UP EVERYONE IS ALWAYS COMPLAINING ABOUT DERECK IN ALL OTHER WAYS INSTEAD OF DIRECTLY TO HIM. I MET DERECK ONCE A YEAR AGO I WENT WITH MY FRIEND TO ONE OF HIS WEEKLY CHEESECAKE FACTORY LUNCHES HE WAS REALLY COOL I THOUGHT THAT WAS COOL HE WENT OUT WITH MOST OF HIS GIRLS NO OTHER AGENT I KNEW OF WAS DOING THAT, IT WAS A BUMMER THAT I WAS WITH AN AGENT ALREADY OR ELSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT TO BE ONE OF HIS GIRLS SOMETHING TELLS ME THINGS WOULD OF BEEN BETTER WITH HIM AS MY AGENT. I ONCE HEARD MY EX AGENT TALKING TO SOMEONE IN ANOTHER ROOM HE WAS BEING INTERVIEWED AND TRYING TO SHOW OFF I HEARD HIM SAY THAT HE HAD TO PRETEND TO BE FRIEND WITH THE GIRLS IN HIS AGENCY AND THAT YOU GOT TO TREAT THEM LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN EVER SINCE THAT MORNING I HAD LOST RESPECT FOR MY AGENT AND SINCE THEN EVERYTHING WAS STRICTLY BUISNESS I WORKED WENT HOME I DID ANYTHING POSSIBLE NOT TO COMMUNICATE ANYMORE THAN I HAD TO WITH HIM. DERECK ON THE OTHER HAND HEARING OF ALL HIS RULES OF ALL THIS AND THAT I THINK ITS GREAT FINALLY SOMEONE WHO DOESNT THINK THERE A WANNABE PIMP, HE IS PERFFESIONAL AND IM SAYING THAT EVEN KNOWING ONCE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO DERECK AND MY BOYFRIEND GOT IN A SCREAMING MATCH TOGETHER BUT IT ALL GOT WORKED OUT. POINT BLANK HE IS A TOP NOTCH AGENT WHO LIKES TO TAKE CARE OF GIRLS AND MAKE SURE THERE NOT BEING TREATED BY DOGS WHICH IS HOW IT SHOULD BE IF A GIRL HAS A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH A MALE TALENT AND IT WAS REALLY BAD DUH OF COURSE HES GOING TO BLACKLIST THEM OMG PEOPLE THINK WITH YOUR BRAIN. IM DOING MAKE UP NOW EVERYDAY AND I CAST MOVIES AND ALL I KNOW IS DERECK AND GOLDSTAR ARE ALWAYS THE TOP LIST TO DELIVER AND BE LESS OF A PAIN IN THE ASS THEN OTHERS.
Ric Williams writes:
Hey Luke, I was reading your thread on Derek and had a few comments. Now that I have entered the agency business Derek is my largest competitor, and the one that I respect the most. He is running his agency like a business and is not out just to get laid like many. He is one of four licensed agents in this business and he has set up rules for his talent to keep his clients happy. Sounds to me like a successful way to run a business. Having owned a Hollywood mainstream agency I have some experience to speak on this issue, also as a producer, director and distributor. When shooting my movies I have only used LA Direct or Speigler. Of course, now that I have my own agency I will use my talent whenever possible, but have no problem in using Derek or Mark as they are both pro's. Mark, Derek and I run our agencies differently but we are all for profit businesses and we stay in business by giving our customers what they want, quality talent that shows up on time and deliver a good performance. Some talent will like Dereks way, some will prefer Mark and others will prefer me. There is enough talent and work to support quality agencies, the rest will drop out over time, especially when the state starts monitoring our industry in accordance with the Talent Agencies Act.
Hank Rose writes:
Luke: Tell Mimi that she should run for Las Vegas Mayor instead. Her platform? Stop all the rogue cops who give bogus setup traffic tickets. Ban the smokaholics who make Sin City lung cancer central. Get rid of all the glory day copycat clone acts and bring back the ghosts of the late great entertainers of the past. Move the porn biz there to headline and feature adult amusement casinos with live sex shows. Yadda, yadda... You get the picture. Vegas is a mirror of the decline of western civilization. Their tourist ad campaign says it all... "What Happens Here Stays Here..." Only they are not inviting Ma & Pa Smith or Jones from Iowa. I say let the gamblers, the smokers, crooks and stage freaks have it. The ultra rich are making a power play to transform the town into their own luxury resort playground anyhow. By then, there will be no more decent shows left to play in it...if they're aren't already. You see, Vegas---like God and the establishment---is dead. So to be a politico there or in Nevada, you have your work cut out for you. Good luck, Mimi...
KISS Misses Don Lemmon
KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer posted on his official web site:
He writes: "On a very sad note, we all lost a great friend and my webmaster, Don Lemmon, in an unfortunate auto accident in early June. Don was an amazing guy and will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences go out to the Lemmon family."
07/19 - Happy 10 year anniversary to my site - am I freakin' old or what? (oh shut up, I'm only 32! LOL!) But cripeys, I've been a webmaster for 10 years now! Ok, I raise a toast to... Don, of course. I miss you like crazy, hon. I love you with all my heart and wish you were here to share this and every other moment in my life with me.
Tristan Taormino Profiles Christian aka Maxx Diesel In Village Voice
She writes:
Because Christian refuses to be just another piece of manmeat-for-hire, people love to take shots at him. Some message board posters like to alert people to his "past" (a past he's made no secret of and that is pretty well documented on the Internet). Others question his gender and sexual orientation, lob homophobic insults at him, and insist that knowing he's worked with men means they can't ever enjoy a straight scene of his again. A few caution female performers not to work with him because he's unsafe or support those women who have him on their "No" list because of his non-straight work. The same issues seem to be rehashed every few months, and the resulting dialogue—thoughtful, complex, offensive, stupid—can be infuriating. But it's also fascinating for what it reveals about double standards for performers, ideas about bisexuality, the instability of sexual identity, and hopefully, some changing attitudes within porn.
I get this email:
Luke I just couldn't sit here n say nothing when people are trying to make my bug cuzzin look like he is up to no good. Christian is pretty much unphazed by peoples gossip so he doesent say much. & since he won't, I will. He no longer performs in any videos that would leave anyone with the impression that is less than favorable. He did what he did a long time ago & others just need to get over it. It bull shit for the almost scam artists who keep trying to bash talent in writing, to keep doing so. Tara can say what she wants when people faces are not in front of her. & so can the others but the bottom line is christian is very safe & gets tested with the exact same frequency that I do...to even begin to mislead people into thinkin that he is doin gay or tranny porn anymore is just plain false. It is my opinion that if u have something to say then step directly to that person n say it...I doubt there are many that will stand in front of christian & question his sexual preference or his personal ethics. He does not want to work with anyone who might be questionable either.... I might be speaking out of turn, but christain is a honorable guy who should not be bad mouthed for decisions that he made in the past. He never tried to hide it, unlike others in the biz....do yourself a favor....keep his name out of your mouth, unless ur prepared to say it to his face.
I get this email from someone claiming to be anonymous female talent: "Luke. I'm tired of the Christian did he or didn't he s---. He did and he does! Even he can't deny filming a few gay scenes for http://www.metatplay.com. Oh, and check those dates. Those were shot this year! He's quick to admit his past but how about his present? Put up or shut up Christian. Are you or aren't you still doing gay porn? Never mind, lets look for ourselves at http://www.menatplay.com."
Jack Hammer - White Supremacist?
Swallow writes:
I grew up with Jack (Troy M) .. I also grew up with his brother Ron, his sister Tammy, and his biker friends, the biker gang was also known as the "wanna-be bikers" the hung at a roller skating rink in the San Fernando valley, I was around when he got the tats, there were nothing more than a image, not from killing, nor from jail...just from the influence of his "biker" friends...he was just one of the guys, did the same stuff as ail the other 16 year olds in town...its all bull shit...meant nothing, he hung with blacks, gays, and Spanish..His best friend Johnny was gay...I don't even recall him ever being in jail back then..he lived in Agoura (Not even close to being a ghetto) He was in my circle of friends back then for years. I know the real Troy, not at all the rough tough biker he portrays. Can't even recall him even getting into a fist fight back then.
I thought it was a funny to read all the "racist" stuff in the story. It's all BS.
I've never gone but my sources report that everybody important in the business was there. "The video guys were there trolling for customers," says one. "The B-to-B (business to business) show for novelty manufacturers brings out the buyers. It used to be a secret to the video guys. Then the video guys started showing up because they realized they could have time with the biggest buyers in the industry without the distraction of other video guys or consumers. It turned out to be a great venue to hook up with buyers.
"Now there's this pathetic site of video salesmen hanging around the novelty show like vultures circling overhead, waiting for a buyer to leave a novelty booth so they can be accosted in a hallway with a desperate plea to buy some DVDs."
Gia Jordan: 'AVN is My New Boss'
It's extremely exciting to let you all know that AVN has hired me as an event photographer. I'll be covering parties, award shows, and other adult industry fuctions. Photography has meant everything to me since I was 17, so I'm very flattered that AVN, a respected publication and website, has let me take this from a passion to a profession.
Aggressive Tactics to Drive Web Surfers to Adult Pay Sites
From WSJ.com:
The industry's use of elaborate affiliate systems has drawn the attention of more traditional companies, said Shawn Collins, a marketing consultant in Berkeley Heights, N.J., who manages affiliate programs for photo site Snapfish and retailer Payless ShoeShource Inc. "The adult space pretty much came up with all the innovations, good and bad, that were adopted by 'mainstream' affiliate marketing," he said. Other companies using affiliate marketing include Netflix Inc., Target Corp. and Best Buy Co. Netflix, for instance, allows Web site owners to stick banners on their site promoting the DVDs-by-mail rental service. When visitors click one of those ads and sign up, Netflix pays a commission to the referring site.
....Jupiter Research, a New York-based technology-research firm, estimates that adult content on the Web may generate only about $250 million a year in U.S. revenue. At the other extreme, Adult Video News, an industry publication, estimates the figure at $2.5 billion.
Porn Star Karaoke celebrated its third birthday at Sardos on July 18, 2006
Jordan Styles, Samantha Sinn (porn newcomer below in the green top), Nyomi Marcella, Nikki Hunter, Kayla Quinn, Kara Bare, DVSX Konnie, Sunny, Ric Williams, Alexis Silver, Todd Hunter, Hailey Young, Lynn LeMay, Amber Peach, Jack Lawrence and Ryan Knox from the adult industry helped ring in the anniversary.
Ex-porn king Greg Lasrado pleads guilty over heroin
From Brisbane's Sunday Mail July 17, 2006:
Greg Shiraz Lasrado, 35, of Kenmore Hills, in Brisbane's west, pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates' Court today to one count of possession of a dangerous drug on February 16 this year. This was after the prosecution dropped another possession charge. Defence barrister Chris Wilson successfully applied for an adjournment to obtain references and other material, and Lasrado's bail was extended until he is sentenced next Monday. Lasrado was arrested at his home in possession of 5g of heroin in February.
At the time, he was injecting $4500 worth of heroin every day. In the 1990s Lasrado built a web of more than 50 internet-related companies in Australia and overseas, earning him up to an estimated $10 million a year. He owned luxury houses and drove a $500,000 black Lamborghini before his businesses went into receivership.
Hellpuppy writes on Oprano: "Now someone please pop in and again explain to us that we should admire someone who made millions with shady practices and then pissed it all away on drugs and other bad habits. Yup, one hell of a guy....role model for everyone."
Vivid goes after Playboy in lawsuit
LOS ANGELES--A Superior Court judge in California has issued an order that allows the leading adult film studio, Vivid Entertainment Group, to go forward with a major lawsuit against Playboy Enterprises (NYSE: PLA).
Superior Court Judge Ralph W. Dau ruled in the case, filed in April, in which Vivid has alleged that Playboy violated terms of a 10-year film output agreement for broadcast of Vivid films on cable TV networks, including the Playboy Channel, and as part of video on demand adult television packages. "This is the first victory in a lawsuit that will show that Playboy did not pay us what they owed us and did not keep proper records," said Bill Asher, co-chairman of Vivid Entertainment. "The judge's action means that we can proceed to sue for recovery of amounts owed us as well for damages. The suit will affirm that we had the right to terminate an agreement that Playboy has violated and we are now free to negotiate with third parties and to compete with Playboy. We anticipate that the eventual result of this lawsuit could be worth tens of millions of dollars to Vivid and we are looking forward to proceeding to the discovery phase."
Mr. Asher said Vivid will vigorously press its original suit, which alleges Playboy failed to pay significant amounts mandated by agreements that were part of Playboy's purchase of three cable TV networks from Vivid in 2001.
Letting ATM Slide
I've never asked for it specifically but when I shoot anal scenes a lot of girls tend to automatically do it-- and I hate to interrupt the flow and I'm a dirty girl so I leave it in the edit. When my parents discovered this I got lectured and had to promise we'd edit it out from now on. I mean, I had to battle with my mom for the title of "Slut School", because the word "slut" was in it. I know all you sicko XPTers are laughing at this, but my mom has that odd dichotomy going of a crazy, outspoken, swearing pervert mixed with a very traditional British sense of what's proper and what's just "bloody rude". In fact, the importance of table manners was drilled into my head so effectively that if I go on a date with a guy who doesn't hold his knife and fork in the European fashion, there's no way he has a future with me.
Jeremy Steele: 'I ain't gonna smoke weed no more'
He emails:
i'm through with mary jane... i like ganga but it don't like me...it makes me talkative but tired, coming off weird alot.. i was having a good time already and in good spirits before smoking but stupidly thought it would relax me for my first reverse bukakki experience; getting squirted and pee'd on by lots of females...but it relaxed me so much i wanted to sleep and/or space out... also i lit up to relax after listening to some crazy bitch who keeps telling everyone i'm her ex because we fucked and hung out for a couple of months and talking stupid shit.. she should be warned that i'll play her retarded psycho phone messages if she keeps up her nonsense... fortunately i had time to recover in time and it was a historic experience.. i'm told i found my true calling.
Playboy Reduces Budget, Plans Layoffs
CHICAGO — Playboy Enterprises Inc. said late Wednesday that it would reduce its annual budget by $4.5 million and eliminate 30 positions.
Mimi Miyagi Runs For Nevada Governor
As Layoffs Sweep Movie Studios, Hollywood Fears for Its Future
"As studios slash jobs and restructure to boost profits, Hollywood's creative and executive ranks are having a collective anxiety attack."
The same thing is happening in porn.
Ruth Parasol, Yishai Habari - Next Gambling Execs To Get Arrested?
Ruth lives in Gibraltar and Yishai in Israel.
There were 27 pages of risk warnings in the prospectus for the flotation of PartyGaming, the online poker company, covering everything from the threat of regulation in the US to the prospect of its directors being jailed.But none mentioned the risk that, just three months after flotation, the directors would discover its growth rate was slowing and that the amount it was making from each poker player was falling.
...It raises the suspicion that its owners - Ruth Parasol, Russ DeLeon, Anuraj Dikshit and Vikrant Bhargada - who made £1 billion between them from the sale of less than a quarter of the business, were keen to sell out while the going was good.
In the world of straight porn, Maxx is known as Christian XXX. He's a male performer who currently maintains that he only works with females and goes out of his way to be seen as 'straight'. Click here to see an example. Unfortunately, the facade appears to be crumbling. An escort ad posted by Maxx was discovered and posted on a straight porn discussion site. Click here for a screenshot of the ad.
On another straight porn discussion site called AdultDVDTalk.com, a female porn star decided against using Maxx Diesel/Christian in an upcoming film, after members of her personal posted links to Maxx/Christian performing hardcore sex with different transsexuals. Here is a link to the discussion, which has since been locked.
A guy named "RedAlert818" sent out a mass email July 17, 2006 warning the industry against Christian for his gay work.
I don't believe Christian has done any gay scenes in 2006 or any escorting since 2004. He did do a couple of gay scenes in London in 2005.
James DiGiorgio writes: "Could you or someone else please explain the differences, in terms of health risks, between a male sodomizing a male, bareback, and a male sodomizing a female, also bareback? Is it also true the gay side of the XXX biz does not test for HIV? Inquiring minds want to know."
Male-to-male bareback anal sex is the primary way of transmitting HIV in the Western world. For whatever reason, it is riskier than male-to-female bareback anal sex. It is true that gay porn does not test for HIV (because it does not want to stigmatize the 50% or so performers who are HIV-positive). Most gay porn companies insist on condom use.
Gary Kremen Sues ARIN (American Registry for Internet Numbers)
The straight porn industry is homophobic?
Kate writes on XPT: "Where is this great customer clamor to keep male-male contact out of straight porn movies? Fact is, there is none. There may be a few people wanting to keep it out, but since when did this justify a total ban? Even if it was found by a survey that 80% opposed it, how does this justify a 100% ban?"
Holly Randall writes:
I'm thinking in terms of supply and demand-- most guys who watch straight porn are straight, right? So why would they want to see guy on guy action? I'm not judging here, I have no issues with gay sex at all, but I'm just thinking of straight porn's target audience. Yes, girl on girl action is technically gay I suppose, but it's that double standard where girls having sex is hot... Does it suck? Yeah. But that's just society's general view. Does it suck that a guy can f--- tons of chicks and he's a stud, whereas a girl can do the same and she's a slut? Yeah. But again, that's society's general view. I for one, couldn't shoot gay porn because I have no demand for it from any of my clients or site members. And I would think it goes the same for everyone else in the straight porn industry. And porn isn't exactly the platform to change society's views on gays, I wouldn't think. Pornographers, in general, aren't here to change the world for the better.
I never said there was a big to-do about people trying to keep gay porn out of "straight" movies. I'm speaking soley from a business standpoint-- why produce something that you don't have the market for? There is no "ban"-- there just isn't a demand strong enough to call for gay scenes in straight movies. Here is an example of your faulty business sense (and I'm not trying to be offensive): "Even if it was found by a survey that 80% opposed it, how does this justify a 100% ban?" Now what business would produce a product that only 20% of their audience MIGHT enjoy, when they could produce a product that they are fairly sure will garner a much larger percentage, such as 100%? As a businessman(woman) you cater to your audience-- the people that are paying you. When my members post suggestions on my chatboard, it's never for gay porn. It's for blondes/bit tits/natural tits/milfs/young girls... whatever. It's never about the guys. Though I understand your point and your cause is noble, it is what it is and we just go with the flow. There isn't really anyone to blame here.
Lainie Speiser writes: "It's funny that Holly said her mother didn’t want her to use the word slut in a DVD title because all of the Pets that have shot for Suze tell me how she talks really filthy them while she’s shooting. It cracked them up and they do imitations in her accent of her saying, “C’mon nasty Natalie, show me that pink wet pussy!” The best imitation was Sophia Santi from Digital Playground who used to be Natalia Cruze Pet of the Year Runner Up ’05. Suze called her “Nasty Natty No No.” All the girls love Suze!"
Jay writes:
Porn is a means to satisfy a very specific and subjective fantasy experience...how would straight porn be straight if it contained anything else but straight sex? Any consumer wishing to purchase a product containing scenes with two males performing sex acts on each other could do so by selecting any number of gay or bisexual titles. The element of suprise is not a big selling feature of pornography and never will be. I would compare the call for male on male scenes inside straight porn titles something equal to packaging pork as beef or vice versa with the thinking that providing a product that agrees with the customers needs or wants is a secondary concern of some sort. In fact, the idea smells a bit like snobbery... even a bit of heterophobia perhaps. I'm straight and prefer objectifying sex between women or men and women only? Boo hoo!
Tyler Faith - 'I Only Had Three Abortions'
Lisa Sparxxx moves to Kentucky.
Smelly Monkey writes on XPT: "Didn't Tyler have a meltdown over that porn girl shooting animals and having sex next to their dead bodies? I believe it was the "you're not my my space friend anymore" fight, because she LOVEDDDDDDDDDDD animals soooooo much and couldn't stand the thought of hurting them."
Niko St James Update
Randy Spears' wife Demia Delia emails an update on Niko St James/Sticky Bunz Productions a.ka. Chris Brandon Mason, Brandon Foxxx.
Recently after all the press releases Niko St James removed his profiles from My Space and Xpeeps. I have recieved more letters from girls saying that he is still contacting them and now through a new profile on Xpeeps. Apparently he has went deep undercover and is now listing himself as Transgender. He has one profile under Niko XXX Adult http://xpeeps.com/INTENSEPRODUCTIONS and one with the new ficticous company name of Intense Productions XXX http://xpeeps.com/nikostjames . He is still trying to lure in girls. I recieved this letter from a girl today: Re: About Christopher Brandon Mason
Sorry, First of all, Second he scammed me out of 5,000 dollars said that it was going to help me get started in the business, he told me that he wasnt married any more and also wanted to get something started romantically, i believed him, He is still married to Desiree Foxxx (Michelle) and everything he ever told me was a lie, he works at a strip club as a dj where his wife strips in pennsylvania, nobody has died in his family as of 2 weeks ago, his sister has been married for about 5 years, i have additional info about him if you would like to know!
Valeria Stiles
This Guy really needs to be stopped he is a true predator and will apparantly stop at nothing. Please spread the word and protect our female talent.
She's the daughter of Erica Jong (Fear of Flying) and novelist-professor Jonathan Fast.
A Change At New Sensations?
Anon writes: "Luke, There is a rumor floating around that Scott Taylor's right hand is leaving the nest of sin. It is said that Larry may be the next employer."
CHATSWORTH, Calif. - Chatsworth Pictures owner Nelson X has joined the AVN team as the newest associate editor for the monthly print magazine. Initially entering the industry in 1999, Nelson brings with him plenty of experience within the adult entertainment industry.
While hiring a production company head as an AVN staff writer may give the appearance of a conflict of interest, in Nelson’s case, there won’t be an actual conflict, said AVN Editor-in-Chief Mike Ramone. “Nelson obviously will not be reviewing any of his own Chatsworth Pictures releases,” Ramone said.
“While unprecedented to hire someone actively involved in the production end of the industry to work on the AVN editorial staff, Nelson’s excellent writing skills and knowledge of the industry make him a very attractive hire.
“We’re confident he will be a fair and impartial reviewer.”
The other co-owner of Chatsworth Pictures is Tony Malice [aka Cram Johnson] of Donkey Punch fame.
Tina writes:
Dear Anyone Anywhere,
I was having a great day today, not much made sense but nothing major in my life and for that, I was thankful. Then just as I was going to high five myself AVN.COM runs a story about a guy named Nelson (who is very talented and very funny) that they just hired as the new Associate Editor of AVN.
As it turns out Nelson is still a producer and owner of an adult company (Chatsworth Pictures), which doesn't make any sense if this means the competition for shelf space is reviewing his competitor.
After careful thought and much consideration, I along with others, conclude that this is blatant conflict of interest. Mr. Ramone boldly states in the AVN article that obviously this is not going to be a conflict of interest due to the fact that Nelson will be reviewing everyone else's product and he will not be reviewing his own, which of course clears it all up for someone like me who spends the day trying to understand the rules of the game and "the lets make it up as we go along attitude."
Now I'm not sure what bothers me most about this -- the fact that Mike Ramone thinks that just because Mike Ramone says its not a conflict of interest means it isn't (jedi mind trick) or the expectation and standard for the rest of AVN employees to maintain an unbiased position within the industry by exclusively working at AVN.
The other disturbing part is the fact that Ramone even acknowledges the potential negative reaction by quickly diffusing it in the press release.
Moreover, at a time when AVN must fight to maintain the credibility and respect they are losing quickly to X-Biz Magazine they hire someone for their entertaining press releases and because they need a job.
The two things that have me excited and hopeful about this confusing situation are the entertaining commentary that we'll get every month when Nelson writes his reviews about every ones new releases (which will never fill the shoes or live up to the standard of Donkey Punch) and the best part I saved for last -- now if you have a company you don't have to pay for monthly ads to get reviewed all you have to do is apply and get a job at AVN and they will pay you instead...
Billy Bob writes: "Wasn't a big part of Heidi's job to hands out DVDs to reviewers, & wasn't she already known to abuse that duty? Isn't there an unbelievable conflict of interest in having someone with ties to product on the market decide who reviews competitors' product -- much less reviews that product themselves? Isn't it amazing that AVN as an institution now has less journalistic integrity than an over-medicated, muck-raking blogger named Luke?"
AVN eliminates middleman, hires advertiser for editorial department You can't make this s--- up. AVN has announced that they have hired Chatsworth Pictures owner Nelson X as a new Associate Editor, which sounds pretty impressive until you look at the masthead and see that "Associate Editor" is the bottom rung of the ladder.
Okay, ignore for the moment that Nelson is already a better writer than anybody at AVN look at any of his press releases so he will start out on thin ice with "Editor In Chief" Mike Web Cruiser, who resents anybody who can write better than he does, which is anybody who has mastered subject-verb agreement, which is anybody who writes anything more complicated than a shopping list, and consider that they now have a company owner looking at every video review before it is published, the reviews for his company and everybody else's. And when the Nominations Meetings start, Nelson will be The Elephant In The Room, with everybody else determinedly saying "What elephant?"
Makes you wonder who's minding the store over there.
AVN Editor Mike Ramone responds:
Tod Hunter is a bitter ex-AVN employee and everything he writes about AVN should be viewed in that transparent context (maybe, just maybe, Tod is envious that we again hired someone other than him? Gee, ya think?). Though for someone who can’t hold a job - after parting ways here, he was more recently shown the door by Adam Film World - perhaps Tod should spend more time assessing his own abilities, or lack thereof. As for me, I’ve spent 30 continuous years in professional journalism and have far more editing and writing experience than Tod can ever hope to have. After all, Tod’s main claim to fame (which he’s fond of crowing about to EVERYONE – and believe me, I mean everyone - in earshot, repeatedly), is that he thought up some questions for “Jeopardy!” back in the day, before that gig ended too. As for my Website “cruising,” which he inexplicably whines about (few people ever know what the hell Tod’s talking about), it’s part of my job to stay on top of what’s going on in the industry. Is there some part of that he doesn’t understand? After all, he certainly cruises them, particularly avn.com, for which we thank him profusely.
Tod’s not too big on logic either. Considering I’m the one who hired Nelson precisely because of his writing skills, how can it possibly follow that I resent those skills? Apparently, Tod’s bitterness has resulted in him degenerating into a flat-out liar. He really needs to get over it already.
Again, we feel confident that while there is the appearance of a conflict of interest in hiring Nelson, no actual conflict exists. I have every confidence that Nelson will be a fair and impartial reviewer. He’s already demonstrated that by giving glowing reviews to titles from other companies.
As for the nominations, Nelson won’t participate in those meetings when his titles are considered – if they are considered. And I’m confident that he also will be fair and impartial in the meetings when it comes to other companies’ titles. Those who know Nelson are struck by his integrity, Tod Hunter’s attempted character assassination notwithstanding.
Billy Bob says: "Mikey sounds ready for a job in the Bush White House!"
Tod Hunter responds:
I see Adult Industry Icon Web Cruiser Mike has taken to his usual smearing personal-attack ways in his "refutation" of my look at the latest hire on Eton Avenue. Although Mike is now getting better in his use of descriptive words, like "bitter" and "whine," and he's getting better at the non-sequitur cheap shot ("few people ever know what the hell Tod¹s talking about"), Mike really has to stop overusing clichés like "[I] have far more editing and writing experience than Tod can ever hope to have."
By the way, my years of editing the work of prima donna game show writers gave me plenty of experience to deal with the leaden prose of a semi-talented hack with delusions of adequacy like Mike Ramone.
As usual, Mikey got his facts wrong. I was recently shown the door at Adam Presents Amateur Porn and Adam Black Video Illustrated, not Adam Film World. They told me that they were outsourcing my job. I really wasn't that upset, I was never much of an administrator anyway.
He is right that I am still proud of my participation on "Jeopardy!" I helped re-establish the show after I joined it in Season Two, helping set the research standards, being the sole researcher for Final Jeopardy! material for several years, and writing hundreds of answers and questions, including two "Signature Games" where I personally wrote every clue on both boards plus the Final. I got two Emmy nominations out of it and a lifetime of anecdotes. (Ask me about the guy who passed out sometime.) I think this -- plus my participation on "Card Sharks" and my post-"Jeopardy!" position as Research Director on the short-lived Dick Clark hard-question news quiz "The Challengers" -- compares favorably with Mike's spotty career as a on-again-off-again news reporter, but I suppose that's for other people to decide. Not me, and certainly not him.
Mike also gets my Internet habits wrong: The Floating World's news site meets my needs, and I don't have to deal with those loud video clips on avn.com unless I have to go there for a specific reason.
As far as Nelson's writing ability, I think it would be cost-prohibitive for AVN to try to find somebody who writes worse than Mike Ramone, so they had to find somebody who writes better. People who write worse, like Heidi Joy Pike, don't exactly grow on trees.
And then there's the fun part, where Mike admits there's an "appearance of conflict of interest" -- gee, ya THINK? -- and then goes into 1500 RPM Spin Mode, deflecting accusations I didn't make, averring that Nelson will be a fair reviewer and he won't influence the nominations meetings. What I actually did say was that Nelson would see every review before it was printed, and he would be The Elephant In The Room (a metaphor that obviously isn't as well-known as I thought) at the nominations meetings. Not a peep about that.
And then, as the attempted coup de grace, Mike declares "Those who know Nelson are struck by his integrity, Tod Hunter¹s attempted character assassination notwithstanding."
One tiny problem about that: I never questioned Nelson's integrity. What I do question is AVN's judgment. We've all heard unsavory rumors about how decisions are made at AVN. This doesn't help.
Mike Ramone responds:
In my 30 years as a professional journalist, in which I’ve won writing awards from The Greater Los Angeles Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press, only one person has ever accused me of not being a good writer – Tod Hunter, still embittered over his exit here. So consider the source. The irony of course, is that when here, Tod’s own brand of journalism was frequently considered sub-par and wanting.
Tod Hunter writes:
I am not the only one who has thought Mike Ramone's writing sucks, his call-it-interesting word choices and offbeat sentence structures were a frequent source of amusement for many of us editors at AVN when Mikey was a freelancer. One could wonder why Mike turned to porn when he was doing so well in mainstream journalism. (One could wonder the same about me, but a quick look at any TV schedule will show you that there are few-to-none hard-question game shows around, putting my specialized skills on the same demand level as a typewriter repairman.)
So far as I know there has not been a drop-off of mainstream journalism in the last 20 years, in fact the rise of 24-hour cable TV outlets like Fox News and MSNBC, and their associated websites, would make me think that there would be MORE demand for Mike's expertise, especially with that shelf of awards.
Mike Ramone writes:
Yeah, right, Tod. That’s why I, a freelancer, was offered the Editor in Chief position, rather than say, you, a staffer, at the recommendation of those same AVN editors. Come to think of it, that’s probably where your bitterness toward me started. So thanks for the illumination. Care to put your foot in it again?
Dani Woodward
DanG writes on XPT: "I just watched the Dani Woodward drug test episode of Vivid Valley (or 'Porno Valley' as it is called in the UK), and let me just say I totally get the run-on sentence gag now."
Jojo writes: "Vivid told dani when her drug test was and she failed it.. TWICE... nothing like a tweaker to let you down and waste your time and money."
Arrest Made in Crackdown on Internet Betting
In a sharp escalation of their crackdown on Internet gambling, United States prosecutors said yesterday that they were pressing charges against the chief executive of BetOnSports, a prominent Internet gambling company that is publicly traded in Britain, and against several other current and former company officers.
“This is a shot across the bow,” said Lawrence G. Walters, a Florida lawyer who specializes in Internet gambling law. “They’re letting the industry know, ‘We’re about to come after you.’ ”
The indictment sent BetOnSports’s shares skidding; they fell 16.5 percent to close at $122.50. According to the indictment, marketing materials from BetOnSports claimed that in 2004 and 2005, the company took 98 percent of its wagers from customers in the United States.
Mary Carey Update
She's getting sued in small claims court by a fan who was going to have dinner with her. He claims she reneged on the dinners.
Mary calls Sunday night. "It's my own fault. As Harold said, I shouldn't have let myself [get involved with] a fan.
"Guys get so attached to porn stars, it stops them from having normal relationships. The guy who [hosted] Tawny and I on a boat in Florida, he doesn't have normal relationships with girls. When he meets them, the first thing he does is show them pictures of me, the Playmate who lives with him, Tawny [Roberts] and talk about how he's friends with all these porn stars. A lot of normal women don't like that."
Luke: "People who latch on to porn stars are often creeps. Suing you is a way of maintaining an attachment to you. You have to show up to court. He gets to see you."
Amy Ried Leaves LA Direct Models
I email owner Derek Hay who responds: "She is taking a break she says, and has not yet decided whether this is temporary or permanent."
When Mike McPadden Went Straight
One day during that summer of 1999, I returned home to my Hoboken, N.J., apartment after a day of work to find an odd message from a man from my past. It went something like this, in a voice that sounded like James Cagney after gargling with gravel: "Hello, Dawn, this is Mike McPadden ..." He sighed. "...Selwyn Harris."
I knew the name all right. A blast from the past. I even knew how he'd gotten the moniker; he'd named himself after the last two old-fashioned seedy movie houses left in Times Square back in the early Nineties, when he started his sex-industry fanzine. The publication was named Happy Land, in a sick reference to the 1990 fire at an illegal Bronx social club.
...I hadn't heard from Mike — then calling himself Selwyn — after having a few seemingly promising dates. A mutual acquaintance informed me that there was a simple reason for the silence: The man I'd considered a potential beau had neglected to tell me that he had a girlfriend all along.
A hollow laugh escapes me when MM claims "God doesn't hate my predilection for eyeballing nudies, I concluded, nor anybody else's."
Would Mike eyeball these nudies if they were a member of his immediate family? Wife, Mother, Sister, daughter? Would he? Really???
There's a real dislocation in his values system somewhere.
Nani Quits Porn
Nani shot for Penthouse a few weeks ago.
I believe she quit porn because her parents found out what she was doing and they were not happy.
Summer Haze Surgery Update
Her man Craig Valentine writes:
Summer Haze will soon be undergoing surgery to resolve some health issues and improve her appearance on July 26, 2006. Summer has endured a lengthy battle with cancer and all of the treatments and medications have taken their toll on her 42 year old body, as a result, she has decided to have some procedures to improve her look and health. Multi AVN award winning director and producer Mike South has been brought in to produce and direct this undertaking.
Summer Haze has this to say abut Mike: "Mike is the best man for this job and he will be producing this documentary which will be broadcast on national Television. Mike has a reputation for brutal honesty and that is what I think this story needs."
Mike has enlisted the help of 17 time Telly Award winning Television director Aaron Wells. Aaron is one of the best High definition shooters alive and his expertise and mainstream television experience will be crucial to the success of this documentary. Everyone from the Doctor to the anesthesiologist have agreed to talk frankly with us before during and after the surgery.
This will not be an episode of "Nip Tuck" where the surgery is not real, this will be the real deal, with real doctors and a real patient. We intend to take the viewer through the process from start to finish, no matter what happens. The doctor is one of the most respected cosmetic surgeons in South Florida Apart from breast augmentation 12 years ago, she has never undergone any form of cosmetic surgery. Summer has agreed to allow cameras follow her around before, during and after her cosmetic surgery.
The work being performed includes Full Body Liposuction to offset her weight gain from the cancer medications, upper and lower eyes, a mini-lift, a brow lift, and fat injections. Summer is not shy or ashamed of any of the work being done and in fact wants the story told, hence why she has chosen to have the procedures documented.
Summer hopes to be an inspiration to others who have undergone chemotherapy. She has received much love and support from her friends including Nina Hartley, Evan Seinfeld, Victoria Givens have all sent encouraging messages and best wishes.
Mike has expressed his concerns about her procedures and hopes that all will end up well. Summer is a strong woman who has survived many ups and downs in life, with her health and in this business and she is more than ready to take this on. The cameras will follow her every move including after the surgery until she unveils her new look at the Exotic Dancer Expo on August 21st in Las Vegas.
Sunny Lane, Ron Jeremy, and Elektra are a few of the many friends that have offered to fly in to help her during her recovery.
For more information please contact Mike South via email at mikesouth@mikesouth.com or craig valenitne at webmaster@clubsummerhaze.com
JMT writes: "Remember when I said that the smoking-fetish guy was your most disturbing correspondent ever? I need to re-think that."
Stephen Michael Cohen's Lawyer Kidnapped
The guy featured on the right has been missing for several days. He's a litigant in a case, and he's the owner of a building in the Rio area. And so, the authorities prefer not to see the insecurity in which the government officials live in every day.
He was kidnapped in an area that he was working on a case in, so the opposing party probably kidnapped him. (Translation by Holly Randall)
LOS ANGELES: Noted legendary adult industry icon Gram Ponante will be speaking at the World Sex Toy Convention on Monday, July 17, at 2 p.m. in Universal City (not to be confused with Dolph Lundgren's "Universal Soldier").
Ponante will be joined by Wired.com's Regina Lynn and Joel Tucker of JT's Stockroom to discuss sex toys and the Internet.
"What is the Internet? Who are sex toys?" ejaculated Ponante over a lightly-tossed salad atop Gram Ponante Towers, Aviary, and Helipad, "all I want is to be left alone."
After parting ways amicably with adult trade publication AVN, where he was one of the most influential and respected people on the publication's editorial staff, he parted ways amicably with adult trade publication XBiz, where he was one of the most influential and respected people on the publication's editorial staff.
Hanging out his own shingle in 2005, Ponante now edits his own site, Porn Valley Observed, is a daily contributor to Fleshbot and XBiz, and recently embarked on a thrice-weekly column for Gamelink.
"Gram's views on the adult industry, however uninhibited by facts, are the most widely read of anyone in the dubious field of porn journalism," said equally noted porn visionary Loup Perch-Tounge. Ponante's "Marital Aid Test Kitchen" appears regularly on Fleshbot and his own site.
After the seminar, Ponante will be available for toasting, cutting the cake, and all the traditional wedding acts.
For more information on the Adult Novelty Expo, visit here.
Crystal Klein Centerfold
She writes (her website is www.crystalklein.com):
I am a centerfold. You could also say I am a nude, a glamour or an adult model. Fine with me. In-your-face porn sites and tgps often like to call me a pornstar, a pornographic model or an adult entertainer. Not particularlly thrilled about that one.
If you fail to see the difference and wanna call it a mere play on words, be assured you are not the only one. I don't even blame you. There are far more important issues plageuing this planet that don't get the attention they deserve, so I am certainly not claiming that my personal ambivalent relationship with terms being used in the adult industry is an incredibly urging matter. However, if you've got a minute to spare, lean back in your chair and take a quick journey into the world of someone who might make a living taking her clothes off, but has neither ever done so in front of a male audience around a dancer pole nor ever put a single foot onto the set of porn movie - which makes me quite the alien for most who try to categorize anything and anyone, and especially for those who watch the adult scene from afar (the computerscreen, most likely).
Point is, that being thrown in one pot with all the many different players running around on the huge field of "adult entertainment" and consequently having to face prejudices and contempt where it sometimes isn't accurate, can be draining at times - for me as well as so many other successful and established softcore models like Aria Giovanni, Jelena Jensen or Aimee Sweet.
I don't think any of the girls mentioned above (including myself) ever dreamed of a career that partly consists being naked all over magazines and the internet. I don't think any of us ever wanted to be any kind of model. None of us were aiming at breaking into the more "prestigious" scene of high fashion or trying to be the face of a major cosmetic concern who - after failing miserably - desperately tried to hold on to the last straw on the way to some kind of fame and seeked comfort in the adult industry. Naw-aw. Not how it went down. At all.
None of us is necessarily one to seak acknowledgement by being put in the spotlight, although I will not deny that anyone working in front of a camera (and I'm referring to any kind of entertainment field) must have a certain amount of narcissism streaming through their blood. Still, we didn't necessarily look for it. I guess you can say we stumbled across the adult scene, so to speak. It was an opportunity to make quite a bit of money in young years, and we took it in order to get to where we wanted to be in later years (may it be another career, a house, a family or all of them) WAY quicker.
I, for my part,.was an immigrant without an official permission to work and without incredibly loaded parents willing to pay the ridiculous amount of money it takes for a foreigner to study here in the United States.
One might argue that I should have just continued studying in Austria instead of leaving my very successful uni career behind just so I'd end up taking my clothes off in front of the camera. Legitimate reasoning in the right circumstances. Not in mine. I was extremely unhappy with myself, the city, the general atmosphere surrounding me. It's hard to describe what exactly it was...but if you've ever known the feeling of "not fitting in", you kind of got my point.
Everytime I pictured myself finishing my degree there, buying a home and raising my kids in the very environment that failed to make their mother happy, my discomfort grew. I could have chosen a safe and predictable life, risking having to grind down nagging "what if"- scenarios popping into my mind again and again, and living with a rather persistant compagnion of the unpromising name "regret" on my side till the end of my days....
Well, long story short: I didn't. My happiness was and still is simply more important to me than going the most comfortable and easiest path when in turn I have to sacrifice my emotional well-being. I've seen dozens of friends doing exactly that, afraid to break out of a familiar comfort zone, afraid to leave certain commodities behind, afraid to have to start anew without the parents' oh-so-comforting safety net....and damn was I scared to do just that. However, I, for my part, knew I had to do something. Well, we all know I ended up in Maui.
Most of you also know how and why I started as a nude model...I don't really want to dwell on that, it has become quite a boring story for me to tell over years of being asked the same question again and again; be it in interviews, by friends or random people fascinated by the adult market.
The point of this lil' monologue of mine is not to tell you how I've become a centerfold, it's to explain how it feels to be one. Having managed some models myself in the past and the present, I have seen the same sequence of emotions again and again. I guess if there was scale of typcial career syndromes, you'd classify the follwing an inevitable classic. At the very, very beginning (probably even before your first nude shoot) you question if this is gonna harm you in any way at a later stage in life and you are very hesitant to just go for it. It's not necessarily that you yourself have a problem with nudity (I certainly didn't), but you are well aware that your hypocritical environment with its double moral standards has.
So you are very private about it and don't tell a soul; out of insecurity,doubts, fear of consequences and the shocked faces you are likely to encounter. Once you have a couple of professional photoshoots in your pocket and the first magazines are about to hit the newsstands, you are incredibly excited. You have experienced how it feels to be treated like a princess, what with all those stylists, make-up artists and photographer's assistants buzzing around you with the only mission to make you look like a Sex-Goddess; you have experienced all major glamour photographers standing in line to be the next to shoot your pictures, and with a bam everyone seems to know your name. Well, obviously not everyone at all. But once you've entered what I call "the bubble", you are under the impression this very bubble is the whole world. It's about to become your world from the very moment you've chosen your stage name and have seen it printed below your first centerfold layout.
Next thing you know, you feel like you are the hottest piece of ass to ever walk this planet, and you feel like from now on you are capable of just about ANYTHING, including saving the world and marrying Johnny Depp. It's both funny and frustrating at the same time for me to watch new gorgeous girls that have potential to be the next IT-girl of the moment go through exactly this process every single time. No matter how smart the girl is, no matter how well I try to prepare her for what is coming next -warning her about this first enormous craze about her persona -she is still gonna fall for it. It seems to be a deep-rooted human trait to be so vulnerable to public attention, especially if you have never been exposed to it before; and only few manage to see the shallowness and perishability of it all in foreseeable time.
The majority in my biz is going to spend all the money they make the first year, since it seems to just keep on flowing, and they are going to be daydreaming about the three mansions they believe to be buying very soon. All until the next gorgous face and pair of tits comes along. Then it's time to wake up and face reality for the first time. Jobs are getting rarer since everyone has shot you a gazillion times and the demand for fresh meat never dies, and the cash flow slowly decreases.
This is the turning point for a lot of centerfolds. Some might vanish from the face of the earth, dropping out of the industry forever or at least for a good amount of time, completely discouraged. As sad as it sounds, you will find a lot of them behind some Mc Donalds counter afterwards. Most, however, will refuse to give up their financial freedom and their control of their working and pasttime hours. And besides, you are kinda too deep into it not to make the most out of it.
So, what is there left to do? The easiest, and most tempting option, is the one that will guarantee you not only more jobs, but also more money: going harder. Be it using toys, starting to do hardcore girl/girl movies or going all the way straight into hardcore porn, boy meets girl. Every single Playmate or Penthouse Pet with potential will be asked to do one or the other at some point in her career. The challenge is to say no and still be able to profit from an industry that you might as well make use of, considering the very same industry didn't hesitate to took advantage of you so far. Identifying and predefining your options and boundaries is hereby the key, so save your energy and focus for goals you can achieve realistically.
You need to be extremely strong willed in a male-dominated business and be able to stand your ground at any time. Don't be afraid to say no, don't be afraid to be called a prima-donna (a fav in the biz for those who dare to speak spell out their own conditions) and most of all don't be afraid to be the tough businesswoman you need to be - you'll earn the respect you deserve. Danni Ashe did it, Aria Giovanni did it, and so did the rest of us mentioned above.
Of course timing is always the key, and the later you got into this game, the harder it is to hit it big in an entertainment world that is flooded with "talent" these days. The ulitmate trick is to turn your name into a brand and to find your own niche. Let the world know you are not just a face and a body captured on film, but that you are well capable of running a successful business.
You can say what you want, to be self-employed and financially independent without ever overstepping your personal moral boundaries is not that bad of a personal resume for a mid-twenty year old. Standing up for yourself and declaring your limits to an industry that constantly tries to tell you you can't make it in the adult market if you don't go all the way, and proving them all wrong is an achievment that shouldn't be underestimated. You need to be mentally pretty strong, as you can probably imagine that prejudices are not uncommon for us to encounter...I remember what a big commotion it caused in my home town when the first newspapers wrote about me (although all of them in a positive and rather "proud":way of their Austrian export) and how - when I came back to visit - people would stare at me and whisper about me without trying to hide it. To be honest, it never bothered me. If anything, it amused me. I became the witness of the most absurd rumors concerning my modeling career ( my business obviously went bankrupt and I had to live on the street; and my fiance was a pornstar and forced me into this business ), and I have to admit that leaving people in the dark about the actual truth might have given me a bit of a...kick. You can't help but find it immensely entertaining if the most talked about topic in town for about half a year or longer is the private and professional life of a nude model. I had to seriously wonder how boring some people's lives had to be. All I ever cared about was what my family and those that I loved thought about it - and although I wouldn't have given up my job because of any possible disapproval of any of them, I must say that I might have quit if people in my home town would have given my family a hard time about it.
See, I didn't live there anymore, so I didn't care anyway, but my family did, and I wouldn't have wanted them to endure any kind of ostracizing or hassle from others on behalf of me. I firmly believe that you should always keep in mind how your actions affect those that you love and act accordingly. Luckily for all of us though, the interest about my persona died soon after people at home realised I wasn't some confused good-girl-gone-bad youngster, but I was in it for the long run, with a calculated business plan - and my success over the years must have silenced their sharp tongues. Anyway, despite all those obstacles (and I'm sure my fellow model friends Aria, Aimee or Jelena encountered similiar ones) we all turned things around and made our name a brand that we ourselves not only profit from but that we created by hard work, a strong business sense and yes, - brains.If you talked to any of the girls I mentioned in person, you'd instantly see for yourself that they are all very well-read, articulate and expressive. In fact, those are some of the smartest girls I have ever met. I continue to be impressed by how versatile, strong-willed and ambitous they are. And as strange as it may sound considering we might ver ywell represent a red flag to all feminists, they all embrace their womanhood in a way feminists could not possibly disapprove of.
Not only doesn't any of us equate sexuality with beauty (and by all means, there are miles between being physically pretty and feeling sexy), but we all are perfectly comfortable in our bodies, never obsessing about certain body parts or face features like so many other women in and out of the spotlight do in an almost fanatical manner. Any kind of enhancement of plastic surgery is out of question for us. And that's not because we are in any way perfect, or human's answer to barbie dolls. If you put all of us in a line next to each other, you couldn't find women physically more different. Long and slim, busty and voluptous, athletic and slender; brunette, blonde and red; tan and pale - you'd find it all. Stereotypes don't exist for nude models, therefore the harmful competitive urge that you find in so many other entertainment fields among women ceizes to apply. We all pull on the same string. Has male recognization made us as confident with our sexuality and as comfortable in our bodies as we are? I cannot completely deny that I was quite amazed by the effect nude pictures of me had on the average male adult consumer (after all, I'm one of those who didn't have the foggiest notion of the fact that I was blessed with quite a nice set of boobs for example; I was one of those late bloomers who starred self consciously at the other girls' big breasts in the shower after Phd lessons).
However, I can confidently say that my personal sexual life has never either profited nor suffered from the way the male audience reacted to my pictures. I have always been fully aware of the fact that all they get to see is a mere copy of the real me, magnetized on a piece of film. I guess you can say I'm "in character" similar to actors as soon as I step in front of the lens. I am playing a role. And maybe that's the very reason why it doesn't bother me that quite a few men out there might get...um..."excited" when they look at my pictures. Because it is not me. I don't sell my body. I sell images of it. Illusions of it. And to be honest, most of my "fans" are fully aware of that. They don't join my website in expectation of highly explicit hardcore acton they can pleasure themselves to - there is plenty of more suitable material anywhere on the net. They like to see a glimpse of the real person that is behind the mask of the images. And I am quite happy to share a bit of it with them, showing them that us centerfold are not perfect, and do not look the way we do in highly polished glamour shoots when we wake up in the morning.
We are not trying to fool anyone. We are all playing with a fantasy, and as long as everyone is aware of that, I can not see much harm in it. That being said, I really have never regret my decision to become a nude model that soon turned into a centerfold. I had some ups and some downs, but all in all I had a blast along the way. It enabled me to travel to places I would otherwise not have seen,and it allowed me to find a richer life by giving me enough free time to indulge into activities that soon became passions; like writing, music and all those wonderful outdoor sports I came to love here on Maui. And among other welcome sideeffects, I was also forced to grow a thick skin, I developed business skills and the "booksmart" turned "streetsmart". Still, I have not put my academic education on the back burner: in my free time you can still find me squatting knee-deep in a pile of psychology books, and I am happy to say that I saved enough money to finally get my PhD....starting at the end of this year. See you on my couch?
Fred writes: "My--Ms. Klein is certainly loquacious, is she not? O.K. What's you take on this one. A real PhD candidate, or another strumpet touting nonexistent credentials? I say there is a greater than 50% chance she's in grad school, but a less than 50% chance that she'll get her Ph.D."
The jury is out on Crystal. Will she will make something honorable of her life? Time will tell.
John writes:
I only read some bits and peices, since I couldn't be more careless about her personal agenda. however, something which pissed me off about that, was her holier than thou attitude, what and who does she really think she is while she writes such nonsense as : "being thrown in one pot with all the many different players running around on the huge field of "adult entertainment" and consequently having to face prejudices and contempt where it sometimes isn't accurate, can be draining at times - for me as well as so many other successful and established softcore models like Aria Giovanni, Jelena Jensen or Aimee Sweet."
Does she mean she's better than those single moms who, in order to feed their children and pay their rent, suck deck and get ass f---ed on film ?! so, they are to blame and contempt, but she's not?! honestly, the only difference I see between her and them, is that they probably did not have the connections she has, and they did not get the chance to sleep with this and that magazine's editor and CEO. therefore those girls must play their balls in the open, but does that really make any difference in a cut throat business which is based on objectification, greed and hypocrisy?! if Mrs. Klien is better and smarter than them, how come she ended up selling the pictures of her naked ass on the internet to a bunch of late night, lonley masturbators?! yes, what does she think of herself?! since when bending over naked for a camera, regardless of if you suck a deck or not, is considered art and intelligence?! to me, Crystal Klien and people like her are even worst than the worst, cheapest hookers, because they are confused, hypocrite, and so full of themselves. her writings made me sick.
Interview with Taryn Thomas
By Cindi Loftus Courtesy of Xcitement's Adult Fun 411 Magazine
Taryn Thomas was welcomed to the winners circle after being in the adult
industry just a little over one year. The premier edition of the FAME
(Fans of Adult Media & Entertainment) Awards ceremony took place on June
24th. Jenna Jameson stood at the podium and read her name. Taryn walked
excitedly to the stage and was handed the crystal engraved trophy and
given a kiss by Jenna. Tayrn thanked the voters and her fans. It all went
so fast she felt like it was a blur. And in the next minute we all realized
that the first ever winner of the “Dirtiest Girl in Porn Award” had just
been crowned! Tayrn Thomas!
AF: I hope some one filmed the whole thing I would like to see it.
T: It was the first ever FAME awards, I’m sure somebody did. But I gained
ten pounds while I was on a break, which I am now trying to work off.
AF: I have a picture of you with your award and you look adorable. You
don’t look fat at all. You can tell you are a little heavier then the
photo shoot we have, but your stomach is flat. You have chubby cheeks,
You look really cute!
T: I have my ups and downs like everyone does. Taylor St Clair’s weight
fluctuated too, and she is the one that everyone tells me I look like.
AF: You do sort of. In the Fashionistas she was the hottest girl in the
movie. She doesn’t do movies anymore.
AF: How did you get into porn?
T: I called an ad in the back of an Arizona newspaper and did some soft-core
stuff. My name was Daphne and I had bright red hair and pale skin. And
then I did some solo stuff whenever I needed money. Then I had just broken
up with my boyfriend, and by now I was twenty-one, so I posted an ad on
this sexy job thing. And my genius ass decided to put my phone number
on there. I lived at my Mom’s house and the phone was ringing off the
hook. I said I’m sorry Mom. Finally I picked an agency in Arizona and
I started out doing blow jobs. I finally came to LA and found Mark. (Spiegler,
her agent)
AF: And here you are famous!
T: I guess so. I guess I am. Am I really? We’ll see what happens in the
near future.
AF: Next thing you will win an AVN award!
T: I was really happy that I got five AVN nominations when I was in the
business less then a year. And actually I got voted number nineteen on
Genesis’s top one hundred, and I was the only girl to be in the business
for only a year and do that.
AF: Wow, so what happened when all that came so quickly?
T: I got a really big head. I got involved with some not so good people.
I left Spiegler and went to another agency. I was really stupid. I learned
really quickly that I needed to get away from those people. When I was
younger I had a problem with cocaine and I didn’t want to be that way
anymore so I admitted myself to rehab. I was sober for four and a half
years and then this happened. So now I am sober again after rehab and
therapy. So now I am back with Spiegler and life is peachy again. I am
going to gradually try and get back into my whole porno thing.
AF: How many movies have you made now?
T: Probably around 90 or so.
AF: What are the best thing and the worst thing about being in porno?
T: The best thing is you can have great sex and you have the freedom to
do whatever you want because you make so much money. I love it. It is
the best thing I could have ever done. The worst thing is the drama. People
act like they are in high school. Too much drama.
AF: Where were you born and raised?
T: I was born in New Jersey and I moved to Arizona when I was twelve.
AF: You don’t talk funny!
T: Only when I get pissed off, then it comes out.
AF: Can you say something in New Jersey-an?
T: It’s hard when to do it on command. When I drink I have a strong accent
too.
AF: So were you a slut in high school?
T: I don’t know. I mean the second time I had sex, I had sex with three
guys.
AF: How did that happen?
T: My friend and I went to a party and we were drunk and I was banging
some guy and she was in the other room banging some guy. So the next thing
I know three guys were having sex with me. It was fun. The first time
I ever gave a blowjob. I gave it to two guys. Not just one. So there have
always been multiples in my life.Stefano is so hot! T: Oh my God I am
so in love with him. He is so gorgeous.
AF: What is something about you that your friends know that your fans
would like to know?
T: I say the word “like” a lot.
AF: That’s a California thing.
T: I say Oh My God. When I sleep my feet have to be covered. I am on the
computer about 24 ours a day.
AF: Do you want to give a message to your fans?
T: My fans can always IM me at xxxtarynthomas. I just started a new site
called InsideTaryn.com. It’s like a journal of mine, and will have all
the news. Also my myspace.com/TarynThomas is a great place to get a hold
of me.
Pay Brittany Andrews
From her website PayMissBrittany.com:
Congratulations! If you are reading this page it means that you have finally come to your senses and realize that your true calling is to worship Me, Miss Brittany Andrews. I would like to say, first of all, what took you so long. And why are you still reading this? The whole point of being here is to please Me, Miss Brittany, buy Me things and pay Me money so that I can have the luxurious and extravagant lifestyle I'm entitled to. While it's true I do offer you, my pathetic money slave, some compensation in terms of eye candy, words and a recognition, you, as My slave, should realize that this website has nothing to do with you. While I allow you to cum in and look around you should know that it is on the understanding that you pay Me! Pay My taxes, pay My bills, join My members area and buy Me presents from My wishlist. Is that clear? Furthermore, when you send money or gifts you should also realize that you are not buying my time or affection. You pay Me money, I give you nothing. Got it yet? I hope so. Take a look around and do not come back unless you intend to pay Miss Brittany more money.
Is Brittany Andrews A Greedy Whore Or Smart Marketer?
Is Arnold Stein Of Old Pueblo Distribution
Sam Rockstarz, Exec. V.P. /COO Rockstarz Films, writes:
Luke, Arnold Stein is a scumbag who doesn't pay. You should take what he says with a grain of salt; he is the the kind of person that gives the adult industry a bad name. He has owed our company almost ten (10) thousand dollars for almost a year. He is a slime ball distributor who preys on other small businesses. We have given him every opportunity to make the situation right, but we finally had no choice but initiate legal action against him. I believe what Randy and Demi said about him; I don't know the other party (Niko) but if he is friendly with Arnold then he must be up to no good. Arnold does have at least one editor on his payroll (I met him at the AVN). He is kept around to re-edit footage from some content brokers which Arnold sells under his own label. So the situation painted by Randy and Demi is entirely plausible. Arnold Stein is the worst kind of predator, because he will hide in the shadows and stab people in the back to make a buck.
Arnold responds: "I have spoken to Sam. We are working out our issues, but I will state that I don't owe 10k to rockstarz."
Even mainstream actors face $$$ cutbacks
By John Hiscock
Hollywood stars are being forced to take pay cuts as the major studios are pulling the plug on big-budget projects.
With last year's box office takings down 5.2 per cent and the cost of making movies ballooning because of added expenses for digital enhancement and global marketing, studios are refusing to meet stars' financial demands. In addition, several high-profile films due to go into production have suddenly disappeared from view.
Studios have taken note of the fact that only three of the 10 highest-grossing films last year - War of the Worlds, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Mr and Mrs Smith - were star-driven. The rest of the major hits - such as Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and The Chronicles of Narnia - had no stellar names, or fat salaries, to speak of.
Felicia Flint's myspace story
Felicia writes:
I was referred to you by Demi Delia referring to Niko St. James.
I have not been talent in videos for a year now due to a automobile accident last summer and have been working on flirt4free.com. I decided to do a myspace profile for networking and for fans at www.myspace.com/feliciaflint
I am in the process of getting back into performing again and would love to promote safe sex in the future.
One day I add adult star "Niko St. James" as a friend and suddenly he becomes infatuated with me saying he owns a productions company called Sticky Bunz Productions and said he had just signed Demi Delia as a contract girl. I did a google search on the company and found a article pertaining to her signing with the company and decided it must be legit. He claims to be really good friends with all these different people in the industry. I did a google search on his name and indeed found one video under his name and asked if he had been in the industry for four years why only one movie. He claimed most of it has been internet content and some of it is still in production which could be true considering videos do take time for distribution.
The more I spoke with Niko through IM and by Telephone he did portray himself as a sweet natured guy and I thought this could be a good thing since I am in the process of getting back into doing videos again and wouldn't mind using my own talent. He claimed his mom was a full blown psychic and she said that we were soulmates and would be very happy together. He posted my pictures all over his myspace page and talked me into posting his as well. He actually went as far as to say he loved me and wanted to get married and I am like this dude doens't even know me. Among other things he wanted to put my name on all of his accounts and give me 50% of his company. I told him I felt wierd about that. I thought hey I always hear bad stories on myspace, it would be good to actually experience a good one.
Of course I know from common sence and working on flirt4free the internet is fun for flirting but not for meeting. Although, I do know some personal success stories from internet dating. We talked everyday for hours at a time and he was going to fly to see me and then we decided instead he would fly me to pittston, PA instead to stay with him and from there we would relocate to LA together. Suddenly from the day I was supose to leave I had no calls or emails from him for four days. I have been in contact with Demi Delia, her and Randy Spears have since found out his so called Sticky Bunz Productions company does not even exist.
I then get a email from Nikos profile page stating it was his friend and he was in a serious car accident in critical care and he still wants to be with me. I asked him to please remove all of my pictures from his profile which was done and he still claims he is the friend saying go ahead believe all the posers. Since then I have gotten email from girls with the same exact stories and there are also other various bad stories about this guy floating around in the industry. People need to be aware of him. He is apparently getting his jollies off using some of the information he knows from the industry along with false tales. This is not a funny matter and people like him give this industry a bad rep. Needless to say I plan on signing with a agency in September. Any questions or comments feel free to contact me at msfeliciaflint@yahoo.com
