During the past year there have been three reported suicides of gay porn stars — Roman Ragazzi, Wilfried Knight and Arpad Miklos. What’s responsible for this? I wonder if it’s because the porn industry attracts vulnerable men.
I knew all of them. Maybe it’s the gay life in specific cities or countries. They were all from different parts of the world and had very different personalities. I remember that Wilfried was so happy. Everyone is relating their deaths to drugs or steroids, which is so cliché. Maybe it’s the truth, I don’t know.
Do you consider being a gay porn actor a high risk profession?
I don’t think a long-term career in gay porn is sane. I don’t know if it’s destructive, but there comes a moment when you need to move on to something else. The porn industry is very intense. Even if you’re just doing one scene it will always be out there. You have to be really down to Earth about your future. It’s about family. It’s about your vision. You have to be strong.
You’ve survived. Did you have a support system in place?
Well, I’m not dead yet. [Laughs] Maybe it’s because I’m French. Maybe it’s because I don’t hang out with many people in porn. I wish I had more friends in porn actually, because they’re very funny. Outside of all my films and travels I have a very quiet life. In France every weekend I stay at home and there are less temptations.
Bareback porn has become a profitable trend in the industry. Do you see this as irresponsible promotion of unsafe sex?
I think it should stay in the private life. I think it could be very seductive because it’s very primal. But in another way, you burn your hands. It’s a huge issue because they’re making more money than regular porn films. In a way, it’s something you can’t really control. Of course, I’m not OK with this, but there’s no real control.
France recently legalized same-sex marriage. How did you celebrate?
I wasn’t in France when it happened. I’m not someone who wants to get married but having that permission is amazing. In France we’ve seen so many homophobic people and movements against it. It was crazy how people were against it. I thought my country was really progressive, but it was very 50/50.
Are you involved in any charity work or activism?
I work for safe-sex awareness in France. I’m also putting my image on a condom line in the USA. It’s for Titan and my face will be on them.
You’re also launching a clothing line. What inspired this decision?
I was always modeling for people so I decided I should create a line with my name. I had to have the balls to start something. I’m launching it with a friend, but I’m doing all the designing myself. I think it’s the right time to do it. I’m going to start with T-shirts and if the sales are good, we’ll make accessories and underwear. We’ll see.
Looking back at your entire career, what do you consider your proudest accomplishment?
Last January I did a show on stage and sang three songs, including one by Siouxsie and the Banshees. I was surprised at how comfortable I was in front of an audience singing. I thought I would freeze. It was quite exciting just to sing something and not show by butt on stage.
Photos: Francois Sagat
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For a man with such a robust physique, gay porn phenomenon Francois Sagat chose a surprisingly understated way to announce his retirement from the adult film industry. There would be no going out with a bang. Last week he released a 16-seconds-long black-and-white video in which he turned to face the camera and uttered, “Hello, I’m François Sagat and from this day forward I’ve retired from porn.”
The 33-year-old Frenchman had already used his renown in the porn industry — he’s the face and, let’s face it, bottom of TitanMen — to branch out to a directing career, act in slightly more mainstream films (Bruce LaBruce’s L.A. Zombies), and serve as a muse for numerous artists, photographers and clothing designers. Having enjoyed his work as a fashion model, Sagat is about to launch his own clothing line, beginning with T-shirts that he designed himself. He recently spoke with Queerty about why he felt it was time to change careers, the suicide of other gay porn stars, and whether the bareback trend in the industry is irresponsible.
What was behind the decision to announce your retirement in the video?
Actually, I stopped doing porn two years ago, but I didn’t make a public statement then. The last one I did was Incubus, which I shot in 2011. Some fans were waiting for new movies and I was a bit embarrassed to tell them that there would be no more. So I made this video that I shot last April at Disneyland to confirm I wasn’t making anymore porn.
Are you sure you weren’t just having a moment at Disneyland while surrounded by all those families and happy children?
[Laughs] No, the decision was made a while ago. I was already moving into directing and taking advantage of other creative opportunities. Before Incubus, I hadn’t done a shoot since 2009. It just wasn’t something I was living for anymore. You know when you don’t want to do something. I like sex, of course, but at some point you just realize you don’t want to do something anymore. I’m almost 34. I don’t think I can make better movies than I’ve already made. A porn career is like modeling in that you see yourself aging year after year. I don’t want to see myself aging this way.
So there’s definitely a shelf life for adult film actors?
I see guys who are 40 years old who still look amazing and are having great sex on camera.
Do you think you’ll return to the industry down the road?
No, no. I think it’s better this way. If I had to do it all again, I would for sure. This is the way I’ve built my image. This is just part of the cycle of life.
You have devoted fans around the world. What kind of transition is necessary to walk away from that kind of attention?
I think there’s no real transition. People will always connect me with porn. It’s the way I’m known and it will always be part of me. I will always be the porn star. If I tried to hide it or reject it, it would be worse, I think. Transition is hard. Maybe I’ll lose some fans because they’ll no longer be interested in me. Maybe they still want to see me as a sexual object, which is fine. I completely understand it. Maybe I’ll gain new fans. [Laughs] It’s very pretentious to talk about fans when you’re just being yourself. I’ve had interesting people following me. I’ve been very lucky.
Rbs
guess he is smart as well as sexy, great interview queerty
stanhope
I’ve known a few “porn stars.” I was not judgmental and I think it must have come across. As a result, each of them was quite open with me. More charming and warm men one couldn’t hope to meet. Each was really intelligent. It was that part I wasn’t expecting. I so hate when people stereotype these men. Each is wonderful in his own unique way.
tdx3fan
@stanhope: People with severe emotional disorders are often brilliant, but if you attempt to show me a porn star without some sort of extreme emotional disorder I will attempt to show you a true virgin on her wedding night. They do exist, but they are rare. That being said, there is nothing wrong with having severe emotional disorders if you are managing them, but when you stop being able to manage them then thoughts of endless depression start to sink in and start to lead to suicide.
Charles175
He is extremely handsome and attractive in my book. 10 out of 10 and this is rare to get this rating out of me. The main difference between me and him is that I’m into basic vanilla sex and he is into hard core S&M. In this I’d probably be too boring for him.
Charles175
He is intelligent and is smart enough to know when to retire while he’s on top.
tdx3fan
@Charles175: You have no clue what he is really into. You know what he was paid to do, and what he was paid to say he was into. Two totally different things.
miagoodguy
I am sure he is a Rhodes Scholar. Who cares if he “retired” from porn or keeps doing it. Anyone who cares what a porn actor (or anyone who makes a living off of their looks and not their brain) thinks/believes, needs to reanalyze his/her perspectives and priorities in life.
viveutvivas
34. And I’m the Princess of Genovia.
viveutvivas
@miagoodguy, that’s very snob. I know many college professors socially who have not even a bit of sense, and I have met taxi drivers who were fascinating.
fredo777
@miagoodguy: This comment didn’t really add anything useful to the dialogue; it was just dismissive snobbery.
Porn actors have just as much (or more) potential to be interesting as someone in any other profession, generally speaking.
Deepdow
@tdx3fan:
You are – something else.
Niall
Not totally related to the article, but has anyone actually watched a hot vid he starred in? Still searching, but I haven’t. He’s one of those guys who are good looking but are really, really boring performers.
Kenny1948
Unfortunately the porn industry chews people up, and spits them out. One only has to look at the pornstars of just a few years ago, to see the physical changes that take place. Either they get into steroids to beef up, or they get into drugs and burn out. I have known more than a few in my life, and their lives always took a turn for the worse. Not that it’s true of everyone who does porn. I know friends who have survived and gone on to lead great lives. Others have crashed and burned. This guy, obviously realizes that, and is not willing to go off the deep end. Those who label these guys as dumb should think, the next time they pop in their next porn flick!
viveutvivas
@Kenny, Sagat has openly admitted to using steroids in the past. Not that there is anything particularly wrong with it.
Tombear
I really don’t think any respectable sane man would enter into the world of pornography unless he was destitute or had few other opportunities. Contrary to popular belief gay porn stars are not paid well. If a guy is lucky enough to receive an “Exclusive” contract with a major studio he will only pull down maybe 24 or 25k a year; therefore the big money is in escorting. Using porn to further your escorting career is one way these men survive. How do you have a respectable job in anything after you have spent 10 or 20 years in Porn? Linda Lovelace that American icon of “Deep Throat” fame was always fired after they found out about her porn past. I think that would be true of anyone who had a porn history!
fredo777
@Tombear: Define a “respectable” job.
Dixie Rect
His ‘hair’? just freaks me out. I can’t.
Tombear
@ Freddo There was a teacher that was fired from his job just recently for his porn past. There was the Israeli Embassy worker that was fired from his embassy job and later committed suicide. There was the guy who was voted Playgirl’s “Man of the Year” and did some porn magazine layouts, worked as a school counselor and was fired. Do you need more examples?
Tombear
Having a porn history is like having a visible neck tattoos that you cover up with make-up. If it is discovered an employee has a porn past and the business is straight and respectable you will probably be fired.
murphy0071
@tdx3fan: As a psychologist who studied and wrote about the gifted, you are obviously ignorant about the relationship between intellect and physical and emotional functioning. Precisely because of high intellect, these persons suffer from less physical problems and get appropriate help long before those of lesser intellect. Their emotional lives are much better than those who are average. They have the ability to intellectually approach psychological problems and can deal with emotional trauma much better than those of average intellect. The old adage, “Genius is next to insanity” is an obsolete adage used by those without high intellect to put down those they cannot compete with or understand with their limited intellect. Read the literature and stop using cliches to bolster your arguments.
fredo777
@Tombear: To be fair, you didn’t give one example of what I asked for, specifically, but okay… “straight and respectable”, got it.
PSPoolside
I’ll miss the humor he brought to what is all too often a rather boring, grim industry.
viveutvivas
@Tombear, first, he’s French, and second, he already seems to have been doing pretty well for himself outside of his career as a porn actor.
Tombear
Great I wsh him well!
PSPoolside
@Tombear: Sagat is a very creative individual who had a career in fashion prior to porn. He will do just fine as long as he stays away from the most judgmental of businesses which I doubt he has any interest in. I’ve owned an ad agency with international clients for over 30 years and there’s nothing about his past that would prevent me from hiring him or anyone with his background. Talent, creativity, intelligence are all that matter.
Kenover
Meh… Who cares?
Tombear
So if you had a so called multi million dollar account who pulled out because the corporation discovered Sagat’s porn past you wouldn’t care, right? Then your agency woul get a repution as hiring porn stars, you wouldn’t care right? Just wondering?
Tombear
Yeah it is what it is! I don,t really care but I just bought this new iPad!
Fitz
I’ve loved his work, and wish him much success.
Akod69
François! I’m and will always be your fans… You’re a wonderful person!!!…
Cee
@viveutvivas: lmao I know right? I was like 34? Yeah, and I’m Beyonce’s daughter, Blu Ivy.
darkmoonman
“Having a porn history is like having a visible neck tattoos that you cover up with make-up. If it is discovered an employee has a porn past and the business is straight and respectable you will probably be fired.”
And you folk believe firing someone to be an acceptable reaction? This says far more about you than those being fired.
Tombear
I never said or inferred it was an acceptable reaction! Your reading comprehension skills need work!
Stache1
@Tombear: Wow dude. Says way more about you then anything else. If you’re doing your job well no one will care unless they’re some crazy faith based organization.
Tackle
For Francois to come off in this interview as being so together, sinsible, open and truthful why lie about the age?? 33-yrs-old? C’mon…
Rbs
@Tackle: I saw an interview with him when he first started and he said his age, so either he’s been lying about it for 10 years or he is telling the truth… I think he looks great at 33 personally
Kangol
@Niall:
He was great in Breathless. That’s one of his best.
Thank you, Queerty, for the excellent interview with François Sagat. He comes off as a real, down-to-earth, thoughtful person, and as his old blogsite showed, he has some artistic talent (he is a very good draftsman), so perhaps he’ll put some of his drawings on his new clothing, but also act and direct in other kinds of movies, like L. A. Zombie and Homme au bain. I think TLA Video now has the documentary on him that was out in France a year or two ago.
MrsPatrickCampbell
“33”? How about 45.
Ken
If you retire from working at Burger Doodle, then no one who goes to Burger Doodle will see you working there. If you retire from making porn movies, then anyone who looks at porn movies will still see you working there.
So far as I can see, it is impossible to retire from porn.
tricky ricky
I’ve got 2 words for him: STAY RETIRED. so sick of these porn stars and their 3 month retirements.
tricky ricky
@MrsPatrickCampbell: mrs. patrick campbell surely knows a lady never reveals her true age. I would have thought 48.
tricky ricky
@fredo777: fire fighter
pscheck2
I never have seen any of his porn outings, but seeing his pics, I think he exudes a sexuality that gets my groin itching! Whether he is 33 or 48, he still looks good and anyone hooking up with him is damn lucky! On another note: it is sad to see more and more of these porn stars dying at the peak of their careers either from drugs,STDs or self-inflicted wounds!For most of the suicides it can be laid at the feet of ‘roids!’ And yet the use of steroids is gaining popularity at the high school level and not surprising that many deaths from depression can be attributed to its use!
Clark35
LMAO this guy is a eurotrash wannabe wigger with his gross scalp tattoo. He may have claimed to have “retired” from porn but he’ll be back, be into BB/raw porn, and is still a male prostitute on the side since that’s how people in porn make their cash.
Rodney Church
Always and forever my dream man!! Sniff-Sniff those pits 🙂
Robert Castaneda
The comment he made about Wilfried was inaccurate. He may have been happy at a certain point but shortly before Wilfried committed suicide he wrote about why he did it. He was not happy because his partner had also committed suicide. His partner was from another country and they couldn’t live in the same country, plus he had been fired from his job for not trying to fit in to a certain category. It seems that based on what he wrote shortly before he died, his partner’s death was what had the biggest impact on his committing suicide. At least that’s what I remember reading
Jairo Mendez
Bien Fracois Ya has Cumplido un Buen Ciclo en tu Vida, y en Cuanto a mi; Gracias Francois, Por Brindarme en sus Videos Porno,Momentos Maravillosos, y Exitos, Muchisimos Exitos fran, en su Nuevos Proyectos, Por que Suerte ya la Tienes.