Chi Chi LaRue Queen – Trailblazer – Entrepreneur

By: Alexander Rodriguez

To say that international DJ and adult superstar Chi Chi LaRue is the Queen of Porn is an understatement.  Climbing the ladder as an admin assistant for Catalina Video, to owning that company and expanding her brand, to setting the bar high for quality adult entertainment, she has become a bigger than life personality.  She has seen the changes in the industry, worked with the biggest names that have (pun intended) come and gone.  She remains a constant, the foundation and trailblazer for the adult industry that we enjoy now.  Her work has been seen by gay, bisexual, and hetero audiences and her music video directorial debut (with Willam Belli) premiered on Logo TV.  She is not one to shy away from opinions or follow the norm and has shared the personal side of her sobriety.  This month, her adult supermarket, Chi Chi LaRue’s, takes over the historical and iconic Circus of Books in West Hollywood.

We caught up with Chi Chi during her stint as host for the 20^th Annual Cybersocket Web Awards – she has hosted this popular West Hollywood event for 17 out of the 20 years.  We chatted about the origin of Chi Chi LaRue, the ever-changing adult film industry, and, of course, celebrity crushes.

You have such a BIG personality, I just must know, what kind of kid were you growing up?  How did your personality develop?

I was a very loud, very chatty child. I always got in trouble in school for talking too much. I always wanted to hang out with the cheerleaders… I wanted to be a cheerleader. I had a lot of friends, some of which I still have to this day.

Who were your earliest artistic influences?

Cher! I was totally in the Joan Jett, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Divine, Donna Summer. Anything that had a little gay tinge. I also loved Queen and Kiss.

How did you create the name and look of Chi Chi LaRue?

Chi Chi was born as part of The Weather Gals in Minneapolis.  The look wasn’t hard, at first, because we just wore clothes from the Goodwill, and I didn’t even shave my face. As I wanted to get into guys pants, I started to dress more feminine, more like a woman.  LOL, my name was chosen by a fellow Weather Gal.

You have a Cinderella story of going from admin assistant/publicist for Catalina Video to owning the kingdom, so to speak.  To what do you attribute your climb up the ladder, what were your biggest keys to success?

I believe that I am successful in the adult business because I love it so much. I truly love making movies and I truly love everyone involved from the crews and especially the talent. I have made some of the most amazing friends that I consider family in this business.

How has the industry changed the most over your time in the field?

Well, what I see changing the most is the fact that when I first started, you could never really find anyone to do these movies and when you did, it was a blessing.  Nowadays, they are coming out of the woodwork… LOL

What was the first project you directed?  Do you remember your first day on set?

The very first thing I directed was a segment for a Catalina movie called Hard Men.  I remember being on -set and being extremely nervous at the fact that I was going to see naked men!

What’s your favorite and least favorite part of directing?

My favorite part of directing is the feeling of connection and family that I have with everyone that’s on the set. My least favorite part is when things don’t go right and we’re there all night. I also don’t like it when people are not having a good time on my set… I’d rather they not be there. Also, the misconception that everyone in the adult film industry is doing drugs, and that all the talent is required to have sex with the director.

You have been very open about your journey of sobriety.  How do you partner your sobriety with being so involved in the night and party life?

I’ve had my many, many ups and downs. I just have to remember what it’s like when I’m at my worst and how not-fun it is. I am now at the longest sobriety level and believe it’s going to stick this time.

You have hosted 17 out of the 20 Cybersocket Web Awards?  What sets this Awards apart from other Award shows?

 I always think of The Cybersocket Awards as a family reunion/party where everyone’s having a good time; where we can get together, and see each other, give each other hugs and kisses, have a couple of drinks together (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), and just celebrate each other!

You are taking over the iconic Circus of Books space in West Hollywood, California – a fixture in the gay community and part of the community’s sexual celebration – relaunching as Chi Chi LaRue’s Circus.  How did this opportunity come about?  What can guests expect from their Circus experience?

We have been in discussions with Barry and Karen Mason about Circus for a couple of years now.  The store is what happens if you put Chi Chi LaRue’s and Circus of Books in a blender and hit liquify!  One of the cool aspects of Circus is the Gallery @ Circus which will feature LGBTQ artists; the first installation is by photographer Jeremy Kost in conjunction with his new book Seismic Dreams.  Other artists are Jay Cruz, Frederick Vernon Crockery and more.  Both stores are now the exclusive locations in WeHo for Huntees T’s.  Other brands that will be featured are Nasty Pig, Timoteo, and Rico Starr.

Rapid Fire:

Celebrity Crush: Christopher Meloni

Favorite sexual position: On my knees

Beyoncé or Madonna? Cher

Guilty pleasure TV show: Big Brother and The Challenge on MTV

Biggest pet peeve: Nasty people

You can follow Chi Chi LaRue on Social Media: Facebook: @chichilarue

Twitter: @DJChiChiLaRue

Instagram: @chichilarue

And check out “On the Rocks with Alexander”

www.OntheRocksRadioShow.com