PORN STAR INTERVIEW: MANUEL SKYE

Entering the porn industry at 37, Manuel explains the many virtues of being a late bloomer.

The hot daddy of porn on being a “late bloomer”.

DNA: You started your porn career later in life, at 37. Why?

Manuel Skye: I had porn in mind for a long time but I was afraid it would clash with my spiritual side. I’m really happy I waited because I have a solid foundation: everything I’ve learn from my years in fashion, marketing, artistic modelling, teaching and acrobatics. It has all helped me be successful and stay grounded.

But you’d thought about getting into porn for quite a while?

I was born in a little town called Rimouski and raised in Québec City. My parents raised me knowing I would only be attracted to men. They saw me attracted to my swimming instructor when I was 8. I literally wanted to be in the showers with him, soaping his muscled body. Plus, I was in love with my neighbour when I was 12 – an army guy who looked like Jean-Claude Van Damme. I was definitely hasty to get into the sexual field. It didn’t come as a surprise to anyone when I started porn. How were you received by the industry?

I was lucky that when I started, the “daddy” thing was a trend. I didn’t fit into the industry until they started to tag me as a daddy after my first few productions. My porn friends tell me I earned my Daddy badge, not because of my look but because of my nurturing vibe.

What is the appeal of the daddy?

As a young boy, I was mostly attracted to mature men. It’s not only their look but their confidence – someone you can see yourself becoming. I am more than happy to represent realness.

Realness, as opposed to…?

What some porn viewers expect: filters, steroids, supplements and cosmetic procedures.

You believe in achieving your look more naturally?

I don’t believe in shortcuts. The risk of injury is too high. At 19 I was a 135 lbs [61kg] skinny guy and would not look like this at 40 if I hadn’t nurtured my body in a spiritual way.

Can you describe this spiritual way?

My secret is to find my happiness in everything I do. Avoid and manage stress carefully, eat healthy without having a specific diet, and to train continuously with my own intuition rather than following what everybody does.

Being an older, fit gay man in porn, do you feel you are a positive influence mentally, physically and sexually?

I feel I have a responsibility to help inspire the younger generation, letting them see that they can achieve anything at any age if they work hard for it. Also, that they don’t have to adhere to the old ideas about “the older generation”; that after a certain age you must accept that your body and

capacities, including sex drive, will start to fade. I’m healthier and stronger and in more control of my body now than in my whole life, and with even more stamina.

How do you feel about the self-promoting fan sites where porn performers can create and manage your own content?

It’s amazing to have the opportunity to create your own content. Sharing your very intimate sex demonstrates something different to the staged porn made for the general public. I love both. Professional porn allows me to express the glamorous, polished and creative side of me, whereas my fan pages are more personal. The key in both is to remain genuine. Barebacking is more common in porn than condom use. How do you feel about that?

It’s about time! My relationship with condoms was never a good one. My first attempts to top with a condom on were so unsuccessful that I ended up bottoming by default. I did not realise that the condoms were literally strangling the base of my fat cock, preventing the blood coming up. Finally, years later, they came up with bigger sizes. But condoms are exactly where schools started to shame sex and integrate fear into the most beautiful human experience. I understand now that it was done this way for a lack of a better method of keeping us safe, but it was done in such a way that they removed everything that was sacred from love making and replaced it with guilt and shame. What do you think is currently the big issue in gay men’s sexual health?

The abuse of drugs. We barely talk about this but the more I travel, the more I realise that this is a huge problem. Many gay men are not truly comfortable with their sexuality and they need drugs to perform sexually and numb their consciousness. Lots of my sexual partners are surprised at how horny I am while I’m always sober. Real stamina comes from being connected to yourself, your own needs and desires. Then you are able to connect with another being sexually at a higher frequency. For that to happen, you have to embrace the present moment; and embrace that you are both perfecting that moment, second by second. Enjoy the journey to the orgasm, but the cum shot is not the sole target. Each moment of the journey towards this pure ecstasy counts.

Because of the size of your dick and your image as a daddy, do people assume you are always a top?

The sexual journey – so much to unfold. Fans project their desires onto porn stars and whether they are tops or bottoms seems to be based on their size, height… and manners. I define myself as 95 percent top but it’s not my sole decision.

You mean it depends who you are with?

Yes. Before dating apps, top versus bottom was not even a thing. You’d feel attracted to someone on the dancefloor, you’d get closer and closer until you were touching, you’d kiss and the only question was, “Your place or mine?” I do enjoy the apps and how easy it is to get sex nowadays, but it has really started to categorise us into boxes: ethnicity, height, age, position, etc… The worst is seeing online bullying within our own community, especially fem versus masc. What I love about being gay is that I can just be myself. I am proud to embrace my feminine and intuitive side. But I have balance. I can switch into this purely sexual and masculine being when I have sex. I allow myself to get into that realm without judgment. You’re Canadian. How do you feel about your country’s relationship with the USA at the moment?

Although I deplore the Trump movement, it has given us a better picture of where we stand in the world. What we hear is the voice of people who fear change and evolution. We shall not blame or shame them because that is exactly what they have been used to all their lives – a society based on religion, that uses shame, guilt and fear to control its people. But the voices of unity are becoming louder because more people are ready for a new era.

Outside porn, what are you doing?

Porn has become my main gig. Porn plus acrobatics trainings takes all the space I have. Being a freelancer, I have to organise, plan and market it all by myself. I don’t have time to teach yoga anymore but I would like to release more spiritual coaching videos. I like to watch comedies because laughter eases the brain. Or I like to learn songs and chants in foreign languages – it makes me vibrate as much as a deep meditation.

Can we end with some basic stats please?

I just turned 40, I’m 172cm [5’8”], 79kg [175 lbs], and, truly, an 8 x 6-inch uncut dick. No inches added!

I’m healthier, stronger and more in control of my body now than in my whole life, and with even more stamina.