Page 56 - AVN November 2016

Mandingo (Continued from page 55)
that turned out. If your favorite star has a donation link, a clip site, direct payment
option, or a membership link; that is how our industry will continue to thrive. We
go to work, eat, support our families, and pay bills just like everyone else.
What do you think of the way IR (black male/white female) is
marketed?
There’s been talk resurfacing again about racism in the adult industry. The
marketing of IR porn has come a long way. As of today, the presentation is
much better now. It used to be very stereotype driven. That’s what the public
wanted at the time. Nowadays, aside from specific genres, the desire is no longer
mainly focused on stereotypical types of images. That change is from amateur to
professional. We have evolved. In that aspect, we are all one and the same.
With the whole “IR” thing, that is a reflection on us as a society, globally. Before
the year 2000, we were all racist. Everything was race related. It’s the reason
N.W.A was so successful. People talk about Trump being racist. In the ’80s and
’90s we were all still racist. I honestly believe that Obama’s presidency and this
new generation has helped to heal and educated us all. Nowadays, the packaging
and desires have become more pleasant and appealing. But a lot of our own
societal issues are still there. If a black man is involved in a production, a lot of
special care or handling, labeling and categorizing is involved. That’s due to our
own global insecurities when it comes to race. That’s why they say, if you have a
platform, then represent to the best of your ability.
What barriers, if any, have you encountered working in the adult
industry?
By the time I got in the industry, the barriers had already been taken down by
the likes of Sean Michaels, Julian St. Jox and Ron Hightower. There was a very
solid all-black genre at the time. All I had to do was just be me. That’s another
reason why I decided to get into adult entertainment. At the time, there weren’t
any stereotypical boy-next-door collegiate types. Now here I go stereotyping.
Everyone, black and white, has a distinct category. So I said what if I bring my type
to the industry? What if I try this mix of African history and sex? So I went in.
FEATURE
Nat Turnher
Home State: New York | Age: 40 | Started in 2002 | Twitter: @NatTurnher
because it gave me the opportunity to get
into something without worrying about any
criminal aspects.
What are the most challenging
aspects of your job?
I face the same challenges now after 14
years in the business. I still get butterflies
before a scene—pre-game jitters, you know?
I worry about how my body will react, how
I’ll perform with the girl, etc.
What is the most rewarding part of
your job?
In the early part of my career it was the
girls, of course, and visiting countries around
the world. But now it’s about getting the
paycheck to pay the bills and to feed my son.
Yeah, it’s certainly a job with extra benefits
[the girls], but it’s a good way to earn a
living and that makes me feel good about
myself.
Who are your biggest influences?
I’d have to say Justin Slayer for obvious
reasons. He gave me my start and I’m very
thankful for that. And then I’d met Ice La
Fox in the business, who is my nine-year-old
son’s mom.
What is the most common
misconception about adult?
That we’re not “normal” everyday people
because of what we do as performers. It gets
very frustrating to be asked all of the time
about how I live and if I do stuff like normal
people? I’m constantly battling the “taboo”
of adult. I fight for that every day.
What do you think of the way
IR product (black male/white female)
is marketed?
Well, let me give you an example. I did
a scene with a young lady and it was cool.
Then I was on set again with her and she
refused to work with me and said she
doesn’t do black guys. She made a complete
about face. The producers totally accepted
what went on. I mean, they only cared about
her. This is an example of how the movie
was just about starring her and the black
dude is just a prop.
Producers need to respect the black
performer more like they should. We need
to be recognized for more awards and be
featured in more ads. Whenever there’s a
big show you see billboards with just white
women. Where are the black performers on
those billboards?
What barriers, if any, have you
encountered working in the adult
industry?
There have always been doors that are
closed to me just for being black, but in this
industry there have also been many that have
been opened for the same reason. I take the
good with the bad. I admit that sometimes
I feel cursed about the decision, mainly
because of relationship problems that come
up because of what I do, but at the end of the
day, I’m at peace.
Photo from Nat Turnher’s Instagram
What inspired you to pursue a career in adult film?
Well. I’ve been through a few non-positive things in my lifetime. I’ve
spent time in jail, which made me contemplate what I really wanted
to do with my life. I wanted to do something legit. Getting into adult
really wasn’t an idea that I had but then I ran into Justin Slayer.
We talked and he thought I could do well in the industry.
The next thing I knew I was flying out to California. It was cool
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