Nasty Pig has become a huge force in the fashion industry for its great and colorful designs, not to mention how well they look on a men’s body. With ads prominently featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race and seen all over New York City, its no surprise that this booming company keeps rolling out new items for men to gag over and for other men to gush over when they see these men wear their apparel. That statement couldn’t be truer than this past Saturday, when Nasty Pig threw a fantastic party to celebrate the unveiling of their S&S collection at their flagship store in Chelsea. [Read more…] about Nasty Pig Unveils Sexy S&S Collection in Chelsea
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Rocco Steele Wins Top Honors at the 2015 Hookie Awards
The 2015 Hookie Awards went down this past Friday night at BPM inside The Out Hotel on 42nd Street. It is true in some cases when you say third time’s a charm, and seeing as this was my third Hookie award show that I went to I can truly say that this was the case as this one I had the most fun at. Probably because I have interviewed most of these intelligent and sexy men, and knew what I was getting myself into (puns galore). Regardless of the fact that the shitty weather was keeping us from half naked men and water cooler awards like Best Cock and Best Boyfriend Fantasy, the room was packed to see the who’s who in the Rentboy world as well as some bonus amenities that I will get to later. This event was also live streamed for this first time on the web so you could enjoy the debauchery and excitement at home in your boxers with those sticky stains on them. Ew.
I started off my evening before the show at a pre-party with some of my favorite guys in the industry like Neil AKA Erotic Hypno, Jesse Jackman and Dirk Caber as well as a new friend that I met, Duncan Black. I also got to hang with my Buffboyz buddy Jeffrey Watchman who let me in on some pretty awesome news that I will be writing about soon (think naked guys. Wait, this article already makes you think about that. Just look at Jeffrey’s photos for reference and stay tuned). After the pre-party we waltzed into the show itself where I hung out with my new favorite person (and fellow chicken finger lover) Dewitt from Manhunt who is just as cute in real life as he is in his photos. His shorts he was wearing left little to the imagination, which would’ve been a disappointment if he wore more. The award show itself was hosted by Rupaul’s Drag Race legend Alaska Thunderfuck and by comedian Brad Loekle, who pretty much stated throughout the award show that he is a grateful size queen who would bottom for the majority of the audience with a smile on his face. The reference he made about Boomer Bank’s huge cock and Dora The Explorer was probably the funniest joke of the night. Kudos to him. Alaska seemed to be feeling her oats for the most part however I thought her jokes could’ve been a little bit better as Brad seemed to be carrying the entire show. Needless to say they both did a great job in keeping the event going seamlessly and in a timely fashion.
Onto the winners. I love Rocco Steele as he has been a great friend of mine for almost a year now. The fact that he even doubted winning Mister International 2015 was something that I giggled at as this was his Julianne Moore “Still Alice” moment. He was a shoo-in from the moment he was nominated so naturally I was ecstatic that he won that and another pivotal award… Best Cock. 2015 really was his year and the fact that he continues to be humble in a community that has a bit of arrogance is really what makes him such an incredibly awesome person. I am beyond proud of him for what he has done since I first interviewed him last July.
Boomer Banks won a unique award that Rentboy presents for Best Style, which didn’t seem like much of a stretch as I have seen his get ups in person as they are quite spectacular. He should’ve won for Best Pornstar or tied that with Rocco, but it is what it is. Something that I was quite happy to see this year as I am a bear/cub was that the people who won this year (tie) actually represent that community. The winners were Ted Byrns & Will Foster, and I couldn’t be happier that they represented us at The Hookies. Totally rad. Whereas I didn’t agree with some of the winners at the actual event (not naming names here but I did shake my head a couple of times) the ones that did win were genuinely happy and that’s really all that matters at the end of the day.
Side notes from the event:
I felt like I was one of the few people who actually knew who Stoya was. She is one of the biggest female performers out there, drop dead gorgeous and I loved that someone from her realm of porn was repping for the gays at ours.
The biggest shock of the evening wasn’t exactly the winners or anything that happened on stage. It was quite possibly the most handsome man I have ever laid my eyes on Colby Jansen being in attendance. He was there to present Best Bear/Cub (nice) and couldn’t have been nicer or better to look at. Colby, I’m ready to interview you… pick the location. I’m so open. 🙂
One of the nicest people that i met that night was hairy ginger & Best Twink winner Shameless Seamus, who was visiting New York for the first time by way of Nashville. Adorable and sweet in person, he has a thing for older bears (He’s 22 and I’m 28. Daddy age is coming). So naturally I want him to visit again so we can explore his “older bear” thang.
I was so happy to see Seth Fornea be one of the trophy boys at the ceremony as I have happily interviewed him in the past. However, his counterpart who goes by the name of “Ricky” was on a lot of people’s lips that night. Not literally, but chatting wise. If he really decides to go the distance in this arena he could be the next big thing. Cuz boy oh boy was he fun to look at (and chat with later on that night at Attic).
Completely forgetting I met him at Hustlaball 2015, I was happy to see Bravo Delta make an appearance by way of the never ending winter city of Boston. A nominee that night, I enjoyed our conversations that we had as he is one of the most intelligent men I have met in this biz.
Want to know more about The Hookies? Check out their official site.
Get To Know The Sexy & Fascinating Seth Fornea
When your Twitter handle posts the following as a description of who you are- “Dancer, Chemist, Gardener, Gym Bunny”, you gotta think that this is someone who isn’t exactly a wallflower. The person who fits this description is the one and only Seth Fornea. Seth has become quite the popular guy in the gay community with his large followings on his social networking sites as well as becoming a big name in gay nightlife here in New York City. I ran into him last weekend at Gay Days Six Flags when it was downpouring for the fifth time that day (not cute) and wanted to sit down with him and get to know him better. Seth openly discusses with Manhattan Digest his big move from Louisiana, his take on why gingers are “fetishized”, his brief moment in the adult world and what his next steps are in the brand that he is building for himself. Take a look.
Hey Seth! Thanks for sitting down with us. So first question is how did you get yourself into this crazy world you are in currently?
I was about 27 years old and decided to attend Southern Decadence in New Orleans. It was my first big gay party/festival/circuit event. I LOVED it! The people were so much fun…it was so different to the stuffy bar scene I was accustomed to. I wanted more. So I started traveling to events, then decided to try my hand at Gogo dancing. It was adventurous, it was a big contrast to my day job as a chemist. I really like it as an outlet for my personality. So I kept pursuing it.
You are originally from Louisiana but now live in NYC. Being an out and proud gay man is there a large contrast with the gay community here compared to there?
Hmmmm….well the state of Louisiana is very different than NYC. But if I were to compare NYC to say a city in Louisiana-New Orleans I could more easily compare and contrast. Both NYC and Nola have a fun, vibrant gay scene. NYC is definitely more trendy and fresh while Nola is more carnival and decadent. NYC feels fast, competitive and edgy…while Nola seems a little more boy next door, relaxed, or as they say laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll). I like aspects of both cities but definitely see myself more in NYC.
What prompted the move to NYC?
My partner and I had been coming to NYC almost monthly before we decided to move here. We really like the energy of the city, the subway/walking, the friends we have here, and most of all the opportunities that would present themselves by being NYC locals.
I always like to ask the people I’m interviewing what their favorite places to go in NYC are. Any restaurant, club or hotspots you really enjoy going to?
I really like people watching at Washington Square Park. I think the proximity to NYU and the village makes that a really cute place to have a picnic and enjoy the sites. My favorite restaurant is Empanada Mama….so YUMMY! As far as clubs….I honestly prefer the big mega parties that happen ever so often. I don’t do the weekly clubs that much. However I am working Spunk at the Manhattan Monster Thursday September 25th….so come out and see me!
There are a ton of men who do “gogo” dancing yet you seemed to have a made a huge name for yourself on social media whereas others just go with the flow and stay low key for the most part. How have you been able to brand yourself so well?
A lot of fellas do gogo dancing for fun, or because they planned on being at the party anyway and wanted free tickets. Those are valid reasons. In those examples most of the guys have day jobs and are gogo dancing occasionally on the side for the fun and popularity. So that’s one example of a dancer may you encounter. Another is more of what I am. I do Gogo dancing for the bulk of my income. I don’t have a day job, most of my day is spent negotiating and planning future gigs. So in my case, it’s very necessary to build up a name for oneself on all social media platforms possible. Building that fan base was a slow organic process, from photo shoot to photo shoot, dancing gig to dancing gig, one party to another it built to what it is now. Honestly I have my fan and friends to thank for the success of it. Without their love and sharing my material I would not have the brand I do.
Is there a particular favorite or memorable moment you have had in your time as gogo dancing? Maybe something with a fan or a particular event?
It would probably have to be the first time I worked at OZ New Orleans. I had admired the dancers at OZ for much of my youth/college years (being from Louisiana). So when I finally got to dance on that bar it was quite special for me.
You obviously are a ginger, or a redhead in other terms. Gingers tend to be fetishized quite a bit in the gay community, especially as of late. Do you take that as a pro or a con not only for you personally but for gingers everywhere?
It’s definitely a pro for marketing and negotiating-anytime there is something trending it’s a great business plan to ride the wave as long as possible. However I would say its a con to be fetishized in ones personal life outside of work. A lot of people meet me and the first thing they say is something overtly sexual about ginger pubic hair or how they like how I smell (apparently red heads have a very alluring sexual smell). In most cases I haven’t even gotten their name yet, however their fetish is out in live and living color lol. And if to be honest that does get a little awkward after a while. Simply because what do you say back to that…..”ah I like your shirt?!”
Something that you got quite a bit of coverage on was a softcore video that you did for well known adult company Colt. The video was actually so softcore it didn’t include quote unquote “the money shot”. What made you do this type of video and why did you keep it at the length that you did?
The video was part of COLT’s Legendary Bodies series. It was always meant to be soft core with no money shot. The offer to do the video came with the same offer to have my own 12 month calendar. I really wanted to do the calendar. I enjoy photography and I knew COLT would hire talented people to make the calendar beautiful and something to be proud of. In short I did the video because it was part of the calendar package.
You do post quite naughty photos on your social networking on top of the Colt movie that you did. Thousands of fans are asking the question- are you going to do more in the adult world?
Honestly I am trying to get into acting and commercials I would absolutely do a nude scene in a TV series, movie, or play. I like nudity and think it can be a very important aspect of a story. However I doubt very much I want to have sex on camera for the sake of sex.
What are your plans for 2014 and beyond?
I just finished a commercial acting class. I am going on auditions as they come up. I shot a few campaigns for some apparel lines. I am dabbling in lots of things at the moment. I will be still be dancing…fall is here and a lot of Key West trips are in the plans!
Ultimately for you personally and professionally what are you most hopeful for?
I am most hopeful for continued health and inspiration. I like what I do, I like having my good health. I am hopeful both of those continue!