Page 54 - AVN April 2013

Feat_LEX.4.13 3/19/13 4:23 PM Page 54
ases
Which you’ve been doing more of.
Well, yes, but what most people don’t know is that I’ve been a SAG member since
2007 because of the mainstream stuff I’ve done. So there are fans who still come up to
me and the first thing they mention is seeing me on Weeds, or Nip/Tuck or the
mainstream movies I’ve done before they say anything about porn. I think that what’s
happening over the last few years is that people are recognizing that I can act and that’s
part of my repertoire. I think Stagliano has the wherewithal to maximize that. If I can
make an imprint on that it’s obviously mutually beneficial.
And I have to mention that one of the guys I’ve become fast friends with that’s had
a big impact on my career is Axel Braun and Vivid Entertainment. After 15 years
you’re wondering how to take your career to the next level, and working with Axel has
been another step up. With all honesty, there haven’t been many opportunities for
black performers to participate in a number of the high-end, feature-oriented produc-
tions, but recently I’ve done [the parodies of] Star Wars, The Avengers, Avatar. I hope
me doing these projects leads to similar opportunities for black performers. I owe a lot
to Axel because very few people have recognized the fact that I can act too!
Are you bringing any of the Mercenary series to Evil Angel?
No. My Mercenary titles will remain with Mercenary. I will still continue to maintain
that company independently. What we will be doing is replicating many of those same
genres—MILF, black on black, POV, interracial—the titles won’t transfer. All the Evil
stuff will be original. Mercenary has been in business since 2003 and will continue on.
How far back do you go with Stagliano?
Well the one thing about Stag is that I’ve always appreciated him from afar. I’ve
always been a part of their productions whether it was Joey Silvera, who shot me from
the beginning, to John Leslie, rest in peace. And the mutual respect I have for Nacho
[Vidal] and Manuel [Ferrara] is immense. I’ve worked for Stag a few times but it’s a
greater testament that he agreed to the deal. There’s no greater compliment.
FEATURE
Big Things to Come Steele with Jada Stevens in Lex Turns Evil . “I hope
my fans really dig this because Lexington Steele Productions is going to
put out some real quality product.”
54 | AVN.com | 4.13
you.
but it’s a greater testament that he agreed to
the deal. There’s no greater compliment.
”I’ve worked for Stag a few times
What about Christian Mann?
Oh yeah! There are specific individuals I can point to that have had a dramatic
impact on my trajectory as a performer. First and foremost is Chris Alexander of
Anabolic, then Greg Alan of Diabolic, James Alexander of West Coast Productions and
equally important is Christian Mann, formerly of Video Team. When I started in the
game, the pre-eminent producer of ethnic product was Video Team. In 1998,
Christian gave me the opportunity to perform in Video Team movies and that got my
name out there. Without Christian recognizing me it might have been a more difficult
road that led to me being a three-time AVN Male Performer of the Year.
Here were are in 2013 and Christian as the G.M. of Evil Angel has been instru-
mental in conveying the concept of this association. His understanding and approval of
it had a lot to do with John saying OK, I’m sure. Another thing about Christian is,
you always understood his measure of authority not only because of his position in the
industry, but because of everything he does for it, and he doesn’t force it upon You know the guy’
s a powerful individual, but he doesn’t hold his power above you in a
way that’s intimidating. What a great human being.
Tell me about your first movies for Lexington Steele Productions.
What we’re going to do is cast the best girls that people want to see, and to use
myself as a platform for the girls to perform on. The strategy is to not saturate the
market with our product. One release a month is perfect, otherwise it’s too much, with
all A-list girls per release for greatest impact.
The challenge that I’ve always had is the financial wherewithal to populate my titles
with all A-list talent. Now I’m able to mirror what the Jules Jordan model has been,
which he really started at Evil Angel. We only did a few Lex the Impaler titles per year,
but each one was a blockbuster. The first release for Evil Angel is titled Lex Turns Evil,
that’s the working title, and it will release in April, with the MILF title coming in May.
There will be a POV title too. When people are counting their dollars and cents, it
forces us to produce product that is worth them spending their money, not just once
on that particular product, but also to ensure that they will keep coming back while
creating brand loyalty. Evil Angel has that.
How do you view the business at this point in your career?
At the introduction of my career I had very influential studios give me the
opportunity to work for them, whether it was Anabolic or Diabolic, West Coast
Productions or Video Team. Even Jules. People don’t know me and Jules go back to
1999 with Pleasure Productions. So all throughout my career I’ve been able to align
myself with people who were going places, and in turn that allowed me get my own
self started. It’s humbling because I’ve gotten where I’ve gotten by way of association,
but in doing my part, I haven
’t forgotten those people and those opportunities. …
So I hope my fans really dig this because Lexington Steele Productions is going to
put out some real quality product, and I hope that people who’
ve seen me in other
productions pick my stuff up and enjoy it. I take pride in my name and the reputation
I’ve built, and now with Evil Angel, I’m taking it to the next level.
I did my first scene in April 1996. Before I came out to L.A. I was doing scenes in
New York for a company called Caesar Video. Between 1996 and ’98 it was like being
in the minor leagues. It’s been a great ride. I’ve never stopped or slowed up performing.
I consider myself lucky to be doing what I do. It’s a small fraternity of male performers
worldwide, all things considered, and it’s a privilege to be among them.
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