ISSUE: DNA #277 – Ready To Party | BUY
Yes, this month we’re talking to porn stars!
This month, we feature four porn stars, all with very different stories to tell. DeAngelo Jackson, came to Australia late last year to appear at Sexpo, which screened his documentary, Being Black In Porn. Generously, he made time to speak with Dan Papas for DNA,and shoot some exclusive images for us with Christian Scott.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a porn star of his calibre. Would he be difficult to work with, demanding, diva-ish? Not at all. In fact, the exact opposite. He is softly-spoken, thoughtful, patient, and very easygoing. Christian and I were amazed when he told us he didn’t want to see the images as we worked. This never happens! Everyone wants to see the work in progress. “No thanks,” he shrugged. “You know what you’re doing.”
The images are stunning and his interview reveals some quirky life experiences. For example, his first porn scene was also the first time he had sex! He’s since won awards and millions of fans around the world and he’s using that platform to address the inherent sexual racism that exists within the industry. I recommend looking up the Tom Of Finland scene he mentions in the interview. It’s impressive for the art direction alone!
Cody Seiya is another porn star with something to say on the subject of racial stereotyping in his industry. Of Japanese and Jewish heritage, his Asian looks mean he’s often expected to be the passive partner in a scene and be quiet and subservient. He regards much of the casting in the porn industry as racist, he tells Matthew Phillip, and he names the worst offenders and those who are doing better.
For a kid brought up as a devout Catholic in, he says, “a swamp in Louisiana,” Colby Melvin has come a long way. Underwear model, porn star, and now a business consultant. It’s always a great story when people overcome the poor hand they’ve been dealt in life. Colby’s obstacles also included drug and alcohol addiction and recovery.
His interview, by James Franklin, surprised me because, I have to confess, I was not expecting someone as thoughtful and articulate. Apologies to Colby. When asked about his thoughts on cancel culture he said: “If we want to live in a woke world, we need to focus more on empathy and compassion for others rather than expecting people to automatically know what’s correct in regard to other people and communities theyhave no experience with.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Our fourth and final porn star story came in unexpectedly from freelancer Matthew Rettenmund. It’s an interview and images from the personal archives of Ken Colbert. Ken was a dancer in strip clubs around New York in the early ’80s and only made two porn films, Pipeline and Ivy League.. These are now marketed as “pre-condom classics”. I looked them up. They’re hard to find. But they were obviously commercially successful and attracted a lot of fans. So why did Ken give it all up just as he was about to make it big? It’s a great read and paints a picture of a world that’s only recently been lost.
Also in this issue, we have a lot of fun on the fashion pages with our party wear feature. It’s summer Down Under and WorldPride is about to explode all over Sydney. Some of our partner brands have amazing gear out at the moment that’s perfect for hitting the clubs, dancefloors and festivals. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, I hope you’ll see a few things that’ll inspire you for your coming summer, too.
In other stories, we chat with international fashion hottie, Mitch Walker about getting naked for the camera, throw 20 Tough Questions at Reuben Kaye, find out what Lachlan Woods’ magic wand can do in Harry Potter, and give comedian Troy Kinne The Last Word.
There’s a lot to enjoy, and I look forward toyour feedback. Until next month, take care and be kind.
Founding Editor
Andrew Creagh
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