It’s not just hard out there for a pimp. It’s hard out there for a porn star. In this tough economic times, the headliners of your favorite three-ways, DPs, and lockerroom fantasies are finding there’s just not as much cash in man-on-man scenes as there used to be. And it has some of the biggest names in gay porn resorting to, uh, “fan meetings.”
Porn vet David Forest is among those hooking up his all-star talent with individuals interested in a one-on-one session, where “fans” and “models” can share their favorite lasagna recipes. (See his website.) These are called “fan appreciation meetings,” though the clients and the porn stars themselves might call them something else. Not that matchmakers like Forest care to explain it; “whatever then happens between consenting adults is not his concern,” says Gay Porn Times (link possibly NSFW).
While these fan meets used to generate some extra pocket money, dwindling revenues in film and the dancing circuit mean the get-togethers are becoming an increasingly sizable portion of porn performers’ revenues. In just one example of how lucrative the business can be, Ken Ryker, the now-37-year-old porn vet who retired in 2004, is now taking bookings.
Meeting “fans” in private is nothing new for porn stars; whether you call it escorting or the P-word, performers have often used their porn fame as a means to charge many times over what your average RentBoy.com listing can. And in a world where anyone can be a celebrity, it might be the recession-busting business model to carry these men through.
Qjersey
Get a fucking clue. Porn DOES NOT PAY WELL. The most popular models might, might, make 5 figures, and even that kinda pay is very rare.
The usual pay is 2K and less… and only a few hundred bucks for amateur porn websites. Historically, many, but not all, porn stars have always used their ‘star’ status to demand higher rates for “dates” and dick dancing tour fees.
Those that don’t turn tricks, I mean do dates, may go into producing, directing and marketing of porn and replica toys.
Fitz
@Qjersey: At this point, having done porn is not that uncommon anyway. It’s like, “Oh, you speak Spanish? That’s kinda cool”.
hardmannyc
I don’t know where you get your information, but ever since the ’80s, 90% of porn “stars” make the vast majority of their income from escorting. The porn is the tail that wags the dog. Nothing new here.
rf
Judging by the guy featured in that story about male prostitution in Nevada, any porn star with decent looks should hightail it over there pronto. That guy was fugly. Sadly porn doesn’t leave many options once you’re over. Unless you’ve got business savvy. There was that guy who ended up on HGTV as a landscaper. Oh, and that guy in the Bush whitehouse…
Dan
Give me his number! Does he take VISA?
mrpeenee
Wasn’t David Forest busted for pimping a few years ago? So now he’s learned his lesson and turned to being a, what, meeting Yenta?
Dave
Yeah, MRPEENEE if you ask him about it, he gets all stupid and says that these aren’t fuck meetings and sends you a case ruling…LOL
jbran
It’s funny that this is one of the only posts where the Queerty commenters have exhibited any authority of knowledge.
alan brickman
a little too much knowledge….
rolph
David Forrest site is a ripoff. If you check it out, you have to pay him a “country club fee” of $1000 for 6months or $1500 for a year. THEN, you have to pay as his site states, “anywhere from $300-$3000 depending on the star and the length of time.”
For one hour of time with your David Forrest pornoguy, you will have to pay out a minimum of $1300, not including expected tip.
All because these guys who obviously have no marketable skills, beside fucking, are having a hard time making ends meet in this bad economy.
Save your money, and if you must, go to rentboy and find a cheaper pornstar: or find one of the Forrest guys out in West Hollywood, or The Village, or the Castro or wherever and handthem $300cash and see how long it takes them to follow you to the car.
Secret in a bad econony: cut out the middleman, or “pimp” in this case
sal(the original)
in other words if you’re frigin ugly it will be a cooking date lol
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
I smell a Sting Operation!
hephaestion
Why is Queerty allowing obnoxious pop-up ads advertising homophobic St. Lucia?
Dirty Ole Man
Ha! I pay my young flat bellies $125.
It doesn’t get any better than that!
OhYeah
Escorts like Malachi Marx still advertise in Rentboy for $500 in this economy. An hour. And, in his case, he´s only into vanilla, jerking off and socks. I´ll pass.
dvlaries
Why not? The truth is these guys are mannequins, and when the industry tires of any one of them, and discards him for a fresher face and body, the discarded fellow still has to eat. And it’s doubtful that all of them plan for the future.
Immortals like Al Parker and Jack Wrangler happen very little any more, if at all. You can set yourself a personal five-year moratorium on watching or buying any gay porn, come back in 2015 and sample something new, and you won’t know a single name in the cast.
mark
I think people should leave porn guys alone. They are good people, that just have a diffrent way of making a living. I did 2 porno is my younger days. MOVED on. Nothing wrong with theses guys MOST are very lovable, trustworthy, loyal guys. I also have dated 2 porn stars and had wonderful relationships.I think people are jealous.
dell
This is a scam–Forest charges a rediculous fee to access his program then every star requires an advance that supposedly goes to the “star” these range from 300 to 1000…..and guess what after you transfer the money to him to “give” to the star……then the star cancels or cant make it or just simply absconds with your money and Forest claims to be helpless and not responsible…and says he doesnt have your money that it went to the “star”. This service is a rip off…i agree with the reviewers above—just use rentboy or appollon21 or men4rent….or craigslist….you will loose hundreds if not thousands of dollars with Forrest!
jackpapa
@mark: I think you are right Mark. And I credit porn with helping me make it through the plague without becoming infected.