The life of porn actor and entrepreneur Michael Lucas offers its own take on the American Dream. Born in Russia, he attended college and ultimately graduated with a law degree. Then, he bounced around Europe, where he worked as a model. Eventually, Lucas landed in the United States several years ago, where he opened his own production company, Lucas Entertainment.
The outspoken Lucas ( who is now an American citizen ) recently talked with Nightspots about everything from the upcoming Grabby Awards to the diversity of his stable of actors ( and their, um, acts ) .
Nightspots: Congratulations on becoming a U.S. citizen.
Michael Lucas: Thank you. It's an important and logical step. I was going in this direction for many years and [ this country ] is my home. I haven't had this feeling in any other country. I'm very glad that I can now vote.
NS: How does someone go from graduating with a law degree in Russia to becoming involved in the porn business here?
ML: I didn't have much of a choice. You see, I left Russia and went around Europe, where I ended up posing nude. I certainly
didn't have the desire to study and there were very few opportunities [ in law ] . So I had to do something and I discovered that I have the right looks; I have a nice face, good body, and a big dick - so I could use them to make lots of money. It became an easy decision.
NS: Now about the Grabby Awards [ in Chicago ] ...
ML: I will not be coming because these people never nominate me. They completely ignore me so I won't be coming there. The AVNs nominate people based on journalists' votes, and the Grabbys copy that. The only difference between the two is that, over the past three years, the Grabbys have excluded Lucas Entertainment. I've gotten 12 nominations at the AVNs; I got zero at the Grabbys.
Three years ago I spoke about David Forest, who won [ an award ] . I said that it made us look bad that we were celebrating such a scumbag; he has been convicted of drug use and is now going to jail for a third time. I thought it was disgusting. Since then, I've been excluded.
NS: Your web site calls itself 'New York's Best Defense Against Bad Porn.' What, in your mind, is bad porn?
ML: Bad porn has [ poor ] production. I decided to [ combine ] the diversity that New York offers ( with people and sex ) with the high quality of Hollywood/Los Angeles porn. That was a big success. People love seeing hot sex with people of different ages and ethnic backgrounds.
I also push the envelope a lot. I show a lot of kink. I show a lot of hardcore sex. I don't just show blonde, shaved boys. There a lot of rough New York guys in my movies. There's one couple - hairy, muscled guys - who usually practice vanilla sex. In one movie, there's one scene where one guy drinks the other's [ urine ] . You don't have to be into water sports but you'll like this scene because it's so well done and they're so beautiful. There's more to porn than vanilla sex.
NS: You have a huge project coming up called Dangerous Liaisons. It going to star a favorite of mine: Gus Mattox.
ML: I love the book and think it's such a sexual story that I thought it'd be cool to have an X-rated version. However, you need people who can act so that's why I have Gus in it; he has a Broadway background. Plus, he has this seductive look.
What's different is that the production values have [ increased ] and that the actors have dialogue. It's also the most expensive movie in the history of gay porn; the budget is $250,000. There are five cameras, two stylists, several photographers, location designers, and others. Also, it's a great story: It's set in contemporary New York and is about fashion designers. Already, we have a 1,000 pre-orders; that's unheard of.
To find out more about Lucas and his company, visit www.lucasentertainment.com .
Mr. Lucas' opinions are his own and in no way reflect the opinions of Nightspots Magazine or Windy City Media Group.