When former child star Blake McIver (pictured) fell into hard times, he turned to go-go dancing to make ends meet. He would regularly strip down to his underwear and show off his biceps and six pack to drunken onlookers, who happily slipped dollar bills into his g-string.
Now, McIver has taken those dollars and put them to good use. Earlier this year, the former Full House star released his first pop album, which he funded with the money he made go-go dancing.
McIver recently did an interview with Uinterview promoting his album. Here are some of the highlights:
On being a go-go dancer
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I don’t regret it. I had no idea it was going to cause such a media blitz or maybe I wouldn’t have done it, I don’t know. The funny thing is, I had just fallen on some rough financial times and I had to make money quick. What started as sort of a joke among my friends when we were out like at the clubs just joking about it, about a month later I was like, ‘Well, I could actually do this.’
On the Olsen Twins
They were amazing. It was our special world, those of us that were on the show. So, you had these kids and your friends were your co-stars and then they became your friends off-screen.
On going from being a child star to being an adult
It’s a tricky process. It’s different for every kid actor. I took some time away from the business and just decided to finish high school and regular school and go to college. That was invaluable, because I think I would’ve been so burnt out if I had tried to just keep going. The business changed in the years that I was away. Literally everything changed. Social media came in and the business that I left looks completely different than what the business is now.
On coming out publicly
Well, it was funny, because I had come out like to zero fan fare two years before the media picked up on it. I put my “It Gets Better” video out on YouTube singing and telling my story and nobody cared, which was great, I mean to me that proved how far we’ve come. So, I was thrilled about that. But then as soon as the social media thing and that BuzzFeed article came out and people got a hold of it, then it was almost like I had to come out all over again two years later, so that was exhausting.
On his new album
The album is called The Time Manipulator. It’s a pop record, but it has a theme about it that sort of takes you on a musical journey through some different genres and different time periods, so that’s the little time travel element to it. It’s really the lyrical thematic journey of the album. It’s really about empowerment. It’s just about finding yourself and being true to who you are.
Gay Veteran
You forgot to mention he’s on the Bravo show, The People’s Couch.
Cam
“I don’t regret it. I had no idea it was going to cause such a media blitz or maybe I wouldn’t have done it,”
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Um, considering he was the one continually trying to push out press releases about the “Former Child Star Go-Go dancer” he is being very disingenuous there.
pierre
@Gay Veteran: I am addicted to that show!
lykeitiz
@Cam: Calling him a former child “star” is also being disingenuous.
Guess he missed the “family” reunion a couple weeks ago: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/03/dave-coulier-married_n_5555012.html
Appearing in 9 episodes of a sitcom that had 192 episodes does not make you a child star. Stripping for the right people or doing someone in the press can get you called one though.
AJAnders
@Pierre: Really? I’m not trying to be a jerk but what exactly do you like about that show? It’s a TV show about people watching TV shows. I think it’s one of the dumbest and most pointless show ever produced.
I didn’t think it was even on anymore. And given the concept, I wouldn’t be surprised.
BeachGuy2014
There is something creepy looking about him.
Cam
@lykeitiz:
So true, I didn’t want to pile on.
Again, him pretending that he didn’t want and do everything possible to get this attention is a flat out lie. Nobody knew who he was and in fact had to be told what exactly he was on.
So yeah, wasn’t a big child star AND was blast faxing every blog out there to get anything written bout him…yeah, he didn’t want the attention, because you know, go go boys just HATE attention. 😉
BlowdyJenner
He and I are about the same age, and I think I remember thinking he was cute even when he was on Full House. He’s def cute now. I’d give him a dollar or two
callenstewart
Who? Apparently I’m out of touch with the popular twinks.
dbmyers
Considering his “coming out” was in order to do an “It gets better” video message, I think a lot of the comments here are bitchy and negative. I have no problem with his political act, nor his comments about it. And he does not look creepy . . . unless you have a body hair fetish (plenty do and that’s no problem – but you don’t put down someone because they don’t live up to your fantasies . . . if you’re smart and unbiased). . . and you’re bitching about his smooth chest. I’m not!
Cam
@dbmyers:
Nice to see that he comes on here and posts on his own articles.
Mr-DJ
To call it a “six-pack” you have to be able to see/count six. Looks smooth to me. Just sayin…
Gay Veteran
@lykeitiz: I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the only show he was on. He also did the Little Rascals… if you showed a picture of him to someone in my generation, they would recognize him.
Gay Veteran
@AJAnders: The show is actually doing really well. It went from being 30 minutes long to being an hour long show. The families/friends on the show are giving hilarious commentary to different tv series… it’s kinda like what happens on The Soup… except this show is brilliant because I can see different networks begging to have their show be reviewed because it’s good publicity. Bravo has a successful show that cost almost 0 dollars to make, sounds like a win to me.
Gay Veteran
@Cam: What exactly did he do to get attention? And how old are you because everyone in my generation know exactly who he is… You can show someone a pic of him as a kid and most people will recognize him from doing the Little Rascals… Full House wasn’t even his biggest/only project.