Named for the first clip ever uploaded on YouTube, the film recounts the birth of the onetime viral-video star, but also looks at Crocker’s childhood (his Iraq War veteran mom struggled with psychiatric issues and homelessness) and what’s happened to him since then (fame, backlash, backlash to the backlash), and shines a spotlight on the shrinking line between celebrity and fan.
Queerty spoke with Crocker some months back, when the 24-year-old Tennesseean revealed Zoo‘s directors, Chris Moukarbel and Valerie Veatch, didn’t originally plan to make the film all about him at all: “It was going to be about reality, the performance of just being yourself on camera,” he says. “They were interviewing other reality stars. They came to find that one of Chris’ close family friends was from ten minutes away from my house. As Chris and Valerie would come down and shoot more footage, [things] just started to unfold. I guess my story just overtook their original idea.”
Below Crocker discusses the film, his porn prospects and his plans for the future.
Me @ The Zoo debuts June 25 at 9pm on HBO. Photo: Chris Moukarbel & Valerie Veatch/HBO
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In Zoo, it seems like you have kind of a parental relationship with your mom. Is that accurate?
The minute I was brought into this world, I had a kid of my own. Because I have had to be a mentor and watch over my mother all the time. In that way, I know what it’s like to want the best for someone and feel parental.
Do you see yourself as a role model?
I’m not a role model, no. Maybe a mentor. I do things I don’t encourage other kids to do because I have a different sense of self, like posting naked pictures online. So I definitely don’t see myself as a role model.
But if kids write to me on YouTube I always write them back, and I always get kids telling me I make them feel more confident going into school, with my tell-it-like-it-is attitude. If I can impart confidence in kids I’m more than happy to write back.
Do you have any plans to leave Tennessee?
Yes, I’m moving to New York City this June. I’m very excited! I’m glad I have a network now, that’s why it has taken me so long to sort out where I want to go next. I have my friends from the film now, my music producers live here, and my new friends live here.
How is your music career going? What’s the status of your album, Beyond?
The music is going really well! I have sold almost 100,000 songs with no label. [We are doing Beyond] single by single right now, and letting it compile. If it turns into an album then it does. But I’m also really impulsive. When I make a video, I instantly want to put it online, and when I make a song I instantly want to put it on iTunes.
I have about 13 or 14 songs on iTunes, so it is like there is an album already. I’m so impatient in terms of waiting for an album to formulate, I like to just get the singles out there. I’m addicted to reaction, I love it. As soon as I finish something I want to hear what they think about it.
Speaking of public reaction, you had announced you were going into porn. Is that still in the works?
I don’t know, I mean I already have so many nudes out there that if I’m in a nice hotel with great lighting and I want to whip out my penis, it might happen. I can’t take back the nudes I have out there already.
After this movie [was made] I now have a lot of offers from producers and stuff. But doing a full-fledged porn is different from having nudes out, so I don’t know yet. We’ll have to see. The book is not closed or open, it’s just there.
Stephen
I read this exact interview several weeks ago, somewhere else… strange…
sheena
this is an old story
Ruhlmann
You are a very handsome young man Chris. I don’t generally notice men under forty but your smile piques my interest and quickens the pulse. I say this in sincere admiration unsullied by prurient interest.
You are intelligent, creative and in the flower of life. You seem to have doors opening for you and have people in your corner. You are able now to build a foundation for your life that can grow and enrich you for years to come. A few nude pictures will not amount to much. A video all over the internet with jizz hanging off your chin and you will have slammed most of those doors shut on yourself.
Pornography is not a legitimate career choice. Pornography is cheap and disposable and is not worth the fleeting titilation it may or may not provide nor the superficial adulation of chronic masterbators. It is certainly not worth the grief it will bring you from family and real friends.
Forgive my presumption and suffices to say I know that of which I speak. Stay safe.
Spike
Can someone remind me why this freak show is considered a celebrity.
Cam
@Spike:
Spike, I get what you are saying, but I do have to admit, hearing what kind of mother he had I think I give him a bit more leeway, I mean no wonder he seems to have trouble finding his way when he seemed to have no guidance.
That said…yeah, not sure why every announcement from him seems to get a posting. lol
jack jett
I like the way this guy handles his celebrity. Something organic, hapless and very fuck you. NYC is the perfect place for him to be. I hope he skips the porn and just does some off and off off broadway stuff.
Mike
Chris….I mean Ruhlmann…
Ruhlmann
@Mike: Quoi?