In less than three years, Billy Santoro has performed in almost 40 gay porn videos. From narrative features to quickie scenes, Santoro has also straddled the now-more intersecting realms of safe sex and bareback porn for several known studios. On top of that �"and on the bottom, too�" Santoro's talents as a vibrant participant in Kink.com's various bondage epics have shown him tied up, strapped down, laden with hot wax, and even gangbanged. At the same time, Santoro maintains a notable sense of humor about the sex business, and even performs with his husband Seth Santoro. The sexy �"and sexually charged�" couple will perform live at the Nob Hill Theatre this weekend, where they'll take the term 'wedded bliss' to new heights.
Cornelius Washington: The Nob Hill Theater is the ultimate live leather/fetish sex performance space for the gay porn industry. What do you want the patrons to feel from your performance, and what do you want to feel from the experience?
Billy Santoro: The number one thing I go for in every live performance I do is ensuring the audience feels like they are part of the experience. My performance often times mixes sex and comedy. People love to laugh and want to be turned on. I have been very successful at combining the two genres. This time I am performing with my husband. I wouldn't be surprised if he ties me up and makes me watch him and an audience member go at it!
Where do you think live leather/fetish sex performances will go in the 21st century, particularly in the age of the Internet?
I think the shock value that has always been associated with the fetish industry is nonexistent in the internet age. I also feel that audiences are more educated in the art of fetish and there is a willingness to participate in demos, etc. Moving into the future will require performers to do two things. 1) Know your shit. You can't just dress up in leather and jerk off. 2) Include your audience.
You are a very successful porn star, and yet you do not appear jaded. How do you maintain balance?
I enjoy performing. That is ultimately why I do this. Behind the scenes there can be drama on all levels and the industry is very competitive. I believe and live by the motto: Pay it forward. I always help new performers get in touch with the right booking agent. When I am cast with a new performer, I help them perform. I teach. I also have a naturally jocular personality, so even though porn is a business and what we do is work, I try to keep it in perspective.... somebody is watching this to jerk off. It's not that serious. I also have a great family in my husband and our dog and two cats. I treat my porn colleagues as family as well. We are all human and have ups and downs. There aren't many people out there who can relate to what we go through.
Describe your feelings when you discovered you were into leather/fetish/kink. What was the 'lightbulb' moment?
I was actually filming my first Bound Gods with Kink.com. In the middle of the scene, I was getting flogged by Dirk Caber. After each flogging session, he was very gentle and nurturing. I loved the way that felt. In a way, being broken down a bit makes the nurturing that much more intense.
What was your first leather/fetish sexual experience? What was your first leather/fetish object that got you hot and hard?
My first experience was a Bound in Public scene for Kink.com. Talk about jumping in with both feet! It wasn't an object that got me hard. I have never sexualized objects. I sexualize actions. I was bent over the bar in some tight underwear and Christian Wilde ripped them open and started fucking me. The ripping of the underwear drove me crazy... the sound of the rip and the feeling of his cock punishing me while I still had underwear restricting my pleasure in the front has stuck with me to this day. It's totally in my mental spank bank.
The leather/fetish world is getting bigger all the time. There is more of an emphasis on how you look, and not your skill and/or technique in the sexual act. Where do you think that kink sex should go in the 21st century?
It's not dress up for me. I am new to fetish and kink and I strongly believe I am representative of what those who are turned on by kink action and not so much kink wear. Actions and knowing how to create the feeling is why people are into kink. As I said earlier, there is no more playing dress up and jerking off. You must know your shit.
What is your opinion of the new wave of sober leather/fetish/kink culture?
Being sober is better!!! Whenever you are not 100% present for this kind of sex, you are missing out on experiencing all it has to offer. I get it, I love my poppers etc, but don't hit those poppers and take that flogging. See how you feel after. It's intense.
What are your professional and personal opinions on barebacking?
Professionally, I feel the bareback studios just do not pay what the condom studios pay. But I have also made the statement that the only way I will wear a condom is if I am being paid. I've been on PrEP for over a year now. PrEP is not why I have bareback sex. I started having sex in 1991 and have never worn a condom. I continue to be HIV-negative, but I have never discriminated against those who aren't. If I am sexually attracted to you, we are fucking. Period.
What is your favorite sex act, professionally?
Rimming. I could eat ass all day long.
What is your favorite sex act, personally?
Watching my husband take loads. Okay, I'm not directly involved, but it drives me crazy. It gives me one of those hard-ons that feels like it will pop.
What are your sexual limits professionally? What are your sexual limits privately?
No fisting or scat/blood for me. is very much exactly who Bill Gray [my real name] is. I didn't create a persona to do porn. My limits are the same whether recorded or not.
What have not done sexually professionally and what have you not done sexually privately that are lusting to do?
I want to get DP'd [double-penetrated]. We've tried it on a few sets, but it just was not working. Privately, I've done everything I've wanted to do and more.
What have you not worn in leather and fetish that you are dying to wear?
Like I said before, it isn't about what I'm wearing or not. I guess I want to wear some sort of full body rubber/vinyl suit, but let's remember how hairy I am.
What is the biggest mistake gay men make socially?
Use the fear of communication, subconscious, to stay in a coterie of friends. This prevents meeting people etc. I know with the internet and smart phones, it's made it easier to meet new people, but I question how anyone learns the skills required to maintain a strong relationship, when certain etiquette is lost.
What is the biggest mistake you find porn stars making on camera... and live?
The number one mistake I see with scene partners is that the ones who don't seem to 'make it' forget that our job is to get you off. That being said, being cognizant of what gets you off may not work on someone else. Kissing, being verbal, different speeds of sex; all of that should be incorporated in a performance. I can cum just by hearing balls slapping an ass, so I want to hear that. As far as live shows, too often there is an imaginary wall built between the audience and the performer. The fact is, the audience paid to see you live. They can just watch your porn if you keep that wall up.
Complete the following sentence: When I go to Folsom Street Fair , I want to see a lot more....?
Big dicks! Just kidding...Okay, I'm not kidding. Also, I want to see younger people who are in touch with their fetishes.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure (shopping, food, video games, etc)?
Cooking. I always have tons of food in my fridge. I cook everyday and never really eat all of it. Seth inhales most of it.
The LGBTQ community has been making great strides in the last several years. What do you think the evolution of the gay porn community will make to reflect this?
I think the number one thing that is going to change is accessibility. Porn stars are people too. With apps like Twitter and Periscope, we are very much in touch with everyone. Our opinions are heard. Also, by allowing people to know us, they see we are human and relatable. It makes porn less underground.
Now that you are married to your partner Seth, what do you now know about married life that you didn't before you got married?
When we argue, it ends really fast when Seth will say, "Well, you married me, so shut up and get over it." I say, "You're right, Let's go eat." We don't try to change each other or any of that. That's what dating is for!
What do you want to tell my readers that will help them get to the next level of their leather/fetish/kink sexuality?
Live for you and be in tune with what feels good. A lot of people are too concerned about society's opinion rather than what is good for them.
There will be thousands of leather/fetish/ kink folks at the Folsom Street Fair from all over the world. What is it that you would want to tell them about how to rock it this weekend?
Do it! Keep the shy reservation on the flight. Let yourself grow. It's time.
Billy Santoro and Seth Santoro will perform duo shows at the Nob Hill Theatre, Sept. 25 & 26. $25. 8pm & 10pm (Billy also joins Circle Jerk in the downstairs arcade Sept. 24, 8pm, $10). 729 Bush St. at Powell. 397-6758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com
Follow Billy and Seth Santoro at https://twitter.com/billysantoroxxx and https://twitter.com/SethSantoroXXX.