Some gay male film favorites never quite make it to mainstream awards shows. For every Brokeback Mountain and Chicago that rack up a slew of noms come Oscar time, there’s equally gripping fare (literally) like Fraternity Gangbang 2 or Fist and Shout that fail to reach the Academy’s esteemed members. But adult videos have their moment this weekend at the 17th Grabby Awards, Chicago’s annual salute to gay porn. Ten-time host and legendary porn director Chi Chi (pronounced “she she”) LaRue gabs about Gay Chicago Magazine’s annual feel-great event.
Time Out Chicago: What can the first-time visitor expect at the Grabbys?
Chi Chi LaRue: A lot of award shows cater to the industry, but the Grabbys really cater to the fans. It’s a chance for fans to get up close and personal with their favorite porn stars and just be a part of the fun.
TOC: Do big names in the industry come to the Grabbys?
Chi Chi LaRue: Absolutely. Basically, the porn world descends on Chicago in May. Every company is represented; all the porn boys come. It is the place to be in May for the porn world.
TOC: Is there any nudity?
Chi Chi LaRue: No, because it’s at the Park West, although the first year that we did it was at Man’s Country and I actually got the boys whipped up into a little bit of a frenzy where it kind of turned into an all-out orgy, and I was told I couldn’t do that anymore. I’m sure there’s some tomfoolery going on here and there, but it’s really kind of a classy event. Trash with class, I guess you can call it.
TOC: Is there a conflict of interest since you’re both the host and a multiple nominee?
Chi Chi LaRue: Sure! That’s what makes it more fun. Lots of people will complain about that, but you know what, I’m the best one on the microphone. I can talk the loudest, I’m the funniest and I can keep the show running, and that’s why they’ve had me do it for ten years along with Honey West, my sister in crime.
TOC: Do events like the Grabbys help legitimize adult video?
Chi Chi LaRue: That’s a touchy area because we don’t really want it too legitimized; otherwise it makes it like everything else.
TOC: Is this a fun industry to work in?
Chi Chi LaRue: It’s as fun as you make it. If you sell shoes and you have fun doing it, it’s fun. People think I have naked boys jacking off on all surfaces of my office at all times. It’s not true.
TOC: What new trends are you seeing in the biz?
Chi Chi LaRue: When I first started, it was the hairless, straight, trade guy that was really in vogue. The more natural guy is coming back in, the hairy, not shaving the ass, not plucking every hair within an inch of his life.
TOC: Is the Internet helping or hurting the industry?
Chi Chi LaRue: Oh, it’s definitely hurt it. It’s hurt DVD sales, absolutely. I think the days of DVDs will be gone once you can watch everything maybe from your bed on your television. That’s probably about five years out.
TOC: But you think the industry will adjust to accommodate that?
Chi Chi LaRue: They always do. They’re like cockroaches.
TOC: You advocate for safer sex in porn. Are you winning the war?
Chi Chi LaRue: You win a little bit all the time. What’s _a fetish in the industry right now? Barebacking, but it’s going to get old. People aren’t going to care anymore. So it’s going to go back to people wanting better productions, higher quality, better-looking models, and that’s what they’ll find in a Chi Chi movie, not in those awful bareback movies, guaranteed.
TOC: Do you ever get bored of looking at big beautiful dicks?
Chi Chi LaRue: Always. This is work, but every once in a while the old gal can be risen.