Micah Brandt Exclusive: On Racial Preferences, Escorting Challenges, And Being A Gay Porn Star In 2017
What’s it like to be a gay porn star in 2017—especially one with multiple jobs, multiple years of success, multiple strong performances as a versatile A-list model, and even multiple recent health scares? Str8UpGayPorn recently had a chance to catch up with fan-favorite Micah Brandt, and underneath the stunning good looks, he’s a thought-provoking star with some advice for his peers, newcomers, and even you, the viewer. Micah Brandt’s interview is the third in a series of “How To Be A Gay Porn Star In 2017” interviews running on Str8UpGayPorn this month. (Previously: Kyle Ross Exclusive—How To Be An Award-Winning Gay Porn Superstar In 2017; Bruce Beckham Exclusive: How To Be Gay Porn’s Comeback King In 2017.)
Hi Micah. For those who don’t know, how old are you and when did you start working in porn?
I’m 29, and I started working as an adult model when I was 23.
In addition to performing in scenes, what other work do you do now?
Well, I live in L.A., which means there’s a lot of ways to make money. Freelance work, photoshoots, personal training gigs, go-go dancing, and escorting. Sometimes I wish I had the stability of a 9 to 5 job, but then I remember I’m not a morning person.
Out of all those jobs, which would you say is the most difficult or challenging?
Honestly, out of all the jobs I’ve tried—and I wouldn’t even call it a “job”—escorting is a bit challenging for me at times. It takes a lot of mental prep and mind control to do. So, sometimes I feel like the “easy money” isn’t really as easy as it seems, or always worth it.
But you’re able to stay grounded and sort of “power through,” I guess?
Keeping your sanity and whatever fraction of your soul you can while being a part of this industry is very important. So, when doing that, escorting, it does often feel like selling bits of your soul at a time. But, that’s the hustle. The porn industry isn’t exempt from sacrifice. I think anyone who is involved with porn knows that having a second source of income, whatever that may be, is a smart idea. Getting rich just doing scene work is a thing of the past.
Other than porn, what kind of jobs do some models have, outside of the industry?
I know many models who actually have very legit day jobs. Medical assistants, bank tellers, real estate agents, you name it. And some have found a way to brand themselves to make their own merchandise, websites, and content. There’s also some who work fast food restaurants and even do day labor. I believe there should be no shame in anything you do to get your bills paid, as long as you’re keeping yourself and others safe in the process, what can anyone really say, you know?
Is there any performer who’s able to completely support himself, working only as a gay porn star?
Actually, yes. But the trick is, your hustle. Being in this industry gives you many opportunities to make money besides what you earn in scenes. It’s just a matter of thinking outside of the box and figuring out a niche or business venture that will best work for you. Also, what you’re willing to do and how far you’re willing to go for that extra cash flow is a big factor. I’m not saying you have to dump your morals—whatever those are. But, let’s just say, if you’re a lazy square who thinks you can just sit back and be pretty, and the money will just flow to you, you’re in for a rude awakening. If you want to make money in this industry, you have to be proactive, work your social media, and not just sit back hoping everything is going to fall into your lap.
Do performers ever complain to each other about pay or compare their scene rates?
I can only speak for myself. I’ve been very lucky to work for the people and companies that I have. I don’t make it my business to know about the rate another model gets paid. I’ll tell you one thing I know to be a fact from my personal experience though: Safe sex pays better.
So with the rise in bareback porn and less than quality studios, it’s accurate to say that scene rates have gone down in the last five years?
Absolutely. The money people used to make in this industry just 10 years ago was insane. I came in at the tail end of all that. But, back in those days, it seems you didn’t have to work as hard. Now, with the advances of social media and other tools that directly link you with fans, if you’re not knowledgeable about these things, you’ll take a huge pay cut. We have piracy to thank for all of this, obviously, but I believe we are just starting a new generation of porn stars.
Yeah, I think if you’re a gay porn star without a Twitter these days, you basically don’t even exist.
With any successful business you have to move with the times. I believe the industry is in a sort of grey area, and everyone is trying to develop that new “fresh” idea that’s going to get us back to a new golden age.
Felt so damn good pic.twitter.com/UKrLaGLVuG
— MicahBrandt (@MrMicahBrandt) April 23, 2015
What are the benefits of becoming a gay porn star today?
Today, I’d say, it’s the ability to interact with your fans on such a personal level. They weren’t able to do that in the 80’s or 90’s unless someone was lucky enough to catch you on a street or appearing at a club. Traveling and meeting new people is always a positive part of being in the porn industry. Also, I’m noticing there’s a change these days in the old idea that porn stars “only” belong in porn, as if they can’t do anything else.
Definitely, that’s become so much better.
A lot of us have more tricks up our sleeves other than multiple cum shots and advice on how to achieve the perfect tan. Thanks to social media, people get to see the “human” side of the porn star.
Any negative aspects of working in porn for you?
Personally, the most negative aspect of doing this job is getting people to see me as a good, genuine, every day guy, even though that’s who I am.
There’s an ongoing issue in the porn industry with models of color not being hired, due in part to racism. Have you encountered any of this?
Honestly, I have never dealt with that at the companies I’ve worked for. In fact, the exact opposite. I think people should stop throwing stones at studios and chuck them in the direction they belong, which is at the viewers! They are the ones who we rely on to pay for our product, and that trickles down to the paychecks and the number of opportunities we get. If for some reason viewers pay more to see two white men than they do two black men, which scenario do you think the studio is going to see as the lucrative investment?
I think it’s fair to blame both the viewers and the studios though.
It’s business, and it’s taken so personally by so many people for all the wrong reasons. But, if people could just step out of the box and think about the fact that we all have bills to pay and lives to lead, I don’t think they’d be so quick to place blame. If this were America’s Next Top Model they’d simply say “you don’t have the right look,” and that would be that. There’d be no “racist” cries or over-analyzing why this and that black guy isn’t seen around more. It’s just the business.
If viewers don’t want to pay to watch men of color, should studios do anything to try and fix that?
It may not seem fair, but unfortunately, giving a handful of pity scenes to your average stereotypical black guy isn’t gonna pay the bills, or get people interested. The studios that I work for have always been very supportive, and even proud of becoming more and more diverse. I mean, come on. Me and Sean Zevran are full front and center on the latest Hot House movie cover. If the two of us aren’t diverse, I don’t know who is. I think many studios like Falcon and Hot House and TitanMen deserve a lot of credit for helping eliminate the taboo that every porn model of a certain race has to look and talk and do and be the same as the stereotype the public expects. A lot of progress has been made and they are helping prove that we come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes.
OK, but what about the models who refuse to work with other models of color?
Do I know of other models turning down scenes with me because they prefer sex with men a little bit less, oh, how shall I say, “ethnic”? Absolutely. But racism, I’ve never dealt with.
How can you say that’s not racism?
I know I’m going to get a lot of a shit for saying this, but racism and preference are not the same thing. If you say “hey, I’m not into black guys sexually,” but you don’t change the fact that you still talk to me with respect and treat me no different than anyone else—besides have sex with me—that’s fine. Based on your life up to that point, that’s your preference. It happens. I’ve met many people like that in the industry and in life, but they have quickly changed their mind after meeting me because sometimes you just need a little enlightenment to broaden your mind. Or, just the right black guy.
So, how do you define racism then?
If you treat anyone in a negative or derogatory manner just because of the color of their skin, that is racism. People need to greatly evaluate that word and use it when it’s appropriate. Not as a constant wild card to pick up when feelings get hurt. When it comes to someone’s body, it’s their choice what they want to do with it, and there’s not a whole lot you or any studio can say about it. Understanding, of course, that this isn’t a dating service it’s a job, you still have to respect people’s personal boundaries they’ve set for themselves. Because in the end no one likes being miserable on set or putting out mediocre product. Every porn model has done a scene with someone they have absolutely no chemistry with, or they don’t find attractive, and trust me, it’s awful. Ignorance is common. But going the “angry black man” about it doesn’t do us as African-Americans any favors because that, again, puts us back into a stereotype. I’ve chosen to just be the change I want to see. Throughout my entire life I’ve met a lot of people with this “preference,” and my job is to prove them wrong once they actually meet me. And guess what, it always works!
Outside of real life, has that ever happened to you on set?
Five scene partners that I’ve had confided in me themselves that before they met me, they didn’t find black people attractive, because they thought they were “all the same.” All it takes is one person to change the world and turn hate into love. If you think you have what it takes to be a black man in this industry, then grow some balls and apply. But, don’t be a hypocrite and attack models who are given the spotlight to broaden people’s views just because they aren’t “your” standard of what that race should be. That, in turn, is just another form of ignorance, is it not? Assuming that everyone of a certain racial background should look, act, dress, and project themselves a certain way.
Before I let you go, you’ve been through some rough medical issues this past month, with an infection, kidney problems, and non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. How are you feeling now?
You know, I do feel better. Thanks mostly to the amount of support from the people around me that I didn’t even know really gave a damn. I’m dealing with everything as it comes. It was rough at first because every 20-something thinks they’re invincible, but, at some point in time in everyone’s life, their body tells them that they need to grow up and take better care of it. This was my time.
Any lesson you’ve had to learn from the whole experience?
As much as a financial burden as it is—thanks to our marvelous health care system—and years of acquiring bad habits, I’m glad I’m being forced to switch it around so young. Some people don’t even get a chance to improve or get better after health-related issues. I’m very blessed and grateful for the wake-up call.
Here’s to a continued recovery, and thank you again for taking the time to talk!
Unicorn!!! pic.twitter.com/8QX6LcSNlR
— MicahBrandt (@MrMicahBrandt) April 9, 2015
