You aren't a celebrity just because you're pretty!

I am working on a new piece for GenerationQ.net that is turning out to be much more disturbing than I ever expected.  I posted a bulletin on MySpace, Friendster, GenerationQ and wrote an email to those I know who are striving to be 'internet celebrities.'  I asked that they contact me so I can interview them for an article I'm putting together.

Most of my responses on MySpace were from people who had thousands of friends, post thousands of comments and sit infront of their webcams recording themselves replying to messages, adding more friends and posting more bulletins.  Some of these people have turned out to be extremely nice, but they aren't celebrities by any means. 

One of the 'MySpace celebrities' even told me that they moved from Long Island to Los Angeles, because they thought they could get discovered more easily.  Now, he's struggling to survive and unsuccessfully begging for gifts, donations and such through MySpace.  I asked him why he didn't get a regular job like greeting at the gap or waiting tables.  He said it would 'take away from his credibility as a celebrity."  He compared himself to former 'child stars' who have a hard time paying the bills when their careers hit a dry spot.  The difference is that these 'child stars' were once famous, and this kid probably never stands a chance of being anything other than 'that kid from MySpace.'

The most disturbing interview was with someone who described himself as an "acting agent" and "blogger."  As it turns out, he's a gay porn actor who once lied about his age to get in the films and now "manages" himself (and others) but hopes to "get even more get famous" as a blogger.  I have decided not to use his interview in my article, because I refuse to condone anyone who makes their money by being an escort and pornographer.  To give you an example of how diluted this kid is, here is a brief part of the interview:

Charles Winters:  What makes you an 'internet celebrity?'
Said Blogger:  I have starred in nine porns, and now I write an informative blog.

CW:  What kind of topics do you cover in your blog?
SB: Normally, I write about stuff that happens in my life.  I like to include pictures and sometimes I even offer a treat with a nude pic of myself or a clip from one of my professional or amateur porns.

CW:  So it's basically a "fan site" for your porn career?
SB:  No, I told you its an informative blog and management hub.

CW:  What is so informative about your nude pics and things that go on in your life?
SB:  No one has complained yet.  Most of my readers are probably pathetic old men who get off on hearing what a promiscious young man gets into... if you know what I mean.  Plus, some of the nudes are really artistic.

(Quick note:  I visited the blog, and a picture of you sitting in a lawn chair naked while flipping the bird is hardly artistic or informative.)

CW:  So you don't cover any news or particular topic?
SB:  No, people don't care about shit like that.  All gay men care about is hearing when I last got laid, when my next movie is coming out and jerking off to my dick or ass pics.

CW:  Sounds to me like you have a skewed vision of the gay population...
SB:  No, I'm just a realist.  I'm pretty and that's what is going to take me far in life.

CW:  So you're making lots of money now?
SB:  When I shoot the movies I get enough to make it for a few months.  The rest of the time I survive on donations to my site and a few modeling or extra gigs here and there.  I plan to do more bareback videos in 2007, because they pay more money.

CW:  So what happens when the beauty runs out?
SB:  I don't think it ever will.  My parents and grandparents were all attractive even when they got old, so I am sure I will do the same.

CW:  You mentioned that you do "bareback" videos earlier.  I assume that means you have unprotected sex for the camera?
SB:  That's correct.

CW:  And you don't worry about catching any STDs?
SB:  Nope.  All of the studios where I work require regular testing, and it is much safer than having bareback sex with multiple partners outside the industry.

This interview is depressing. This poor diluted kid thinks that he is safe by trusting pornographers to test their "stars."  Later in the interview he admitted that he did his first "bareback" porn before being tested for HIV.  He said his director knew he was honest, so he didn't need to verify it.  It sounds like he may end up in bad shape if his "producer" is that trusting of others as well.

Normally, I would run the person's name, photo and make a public mockery of them.  Instead, since its Christmas... I'm taking the high road (and not just because I'm high).  I wrote him an email after I listened to my recording of the interview telling him I am not going to use him as a source in my story, because I didn't feel like it fit with my topic.    Merry Christmas.

In other words, this is a different story for a different time.