Papi Chulo's BLOG proudly presents our 100th interview!
Diana DeVoe (Born: October 26, 1975) was born and raised in Waianae, Hawaii on the west side of Oahu. Diana debuted to adult film audiences in 1999 after graduating from college. Her stunning beauty had her become one of the top Black female performers in the industry, before she left performing and focused solely on working behind-the-camera. Diana transitioned into directing in 2002.
In 2002, Diana DeVoe was nominated for an AVN Award for Best Supporting Actress — Video for her performance in Disturbed.
Standing 5'3 and possessing 36C breasts, Diana DeVoe returned to performing in 2005 for two scenes paired with Justin Slayer in Phatty Girls 5. The cover art boasted: "We got her ass out of retirement". The 34-year-old directress has sporadically performed since focusing on directing. She was featured in her first (and only) anal scene with partner, John E. Depth, in Miss Phat Booty 2.
Diana DeVoe may have only performed in front of the camera for a couple of years, but her legacy lives on. She remains rabidly popular with her fans. Diana currently works with Depth on the Depth Entertainment Family. And whenever Diana shoots, it's done by her Deviant Entertainment brand.
I recently sat down with Diana to talk about how she got into the adult industry, her favorite scene-mates, her transition into directing, racism in the adult industry and her future plans in the industry.
Papi Chulo: How long have you been in the adult industry?
Diana DeVoe: I've been in the adult industry about a decade.
PC: How did you get into the adult industry?
DD: I started in late '99. Well, a little more than that. Me and my boyfriend at the time, Alexander DeVoe, came here from Hawaii. We wanted to produce and direct in the adult industry. We produced in Hawaii, a beach movie. We thought the stuff out there was crap. We didn't think it would be difficult at all. When we got here, we realized it was about relationships, nepotism and politics. And we were the outsiders. I wanted to leave. Alex and I fell in love with L.A. At the time they weren't keen on female directors. They wanted me to perform. Which I was surprised. I thought, "I will give it three years." One of my requirements, besides my fee to do a scene, was to shoot for another scene. I shot for free for a year.
PC: How did you come up with your porn name?
DD: Well, "Diana" is my middle name. And I actually had a friend whose first name was "DeVoe." I kinda liked the French-sounding ring to it. So, I was off to the races.
PC: Were you always interested in doing porn?
DD: Umm... No, not always. I don't think I had the self confidence to do it really 'til I was in college. I was the quintessential nerd. I'm a double teacher's kid actually. So... [laughs] And I still am a nerd. I just happen to take my clothes off and have sex with people for a while.
PC: What was your first day on a porn set like?
DD: My first day on an porn set was... Ummm... This was back in Hawaii. Our set. We shot this guy. He was a cross-dresser. We shot him in two scenes. One with him dressed as a woman with another guy. And, then we did a scene with him dressed as a man with his girlfriend. And that was my entrée into the world of pornography.
PC: You have starred in some girl-on-girl porn flicks. Do you consider yourself bisexual?
DD: Umm... I don't consider myself bisexual. I appreciate women. And I think I would be bi, or maybe even gay, if... And this is not a challenge. If I found a women that kinda got the job done all the way. But, I haven't.
PC: Who have been some of your favorite scene-mates to work with?
DD: Lexington Steele. Nina Hartley is great. I did one scene with Vanessa Blue and Lex that was good. And then I did my only anal scene ever with John E. Depth.
PC: What did you enjoy the most about starring in porn scenes?
DD: Some lack of responsibility. You go to the set. You go home. You don't have to worry about editing or if paperwork is done right. So, it's awesome. And you get to be another person. I like to act. I'm kind of a ham. And that's what it is. And people forget you're a porn actor or actress. I'm not saying in a high mighty Shakespeare sense. However, we're supposed to act like it's the best sex ever. And that's what we do.
PC: You have been featured in a variety of scenes that range from one-on-ones to threesomes to group sex. Which do you enjoy being in the most?
DD: I think the closest I've come to group sex is three people in a scene. I think that was my max. I know I did four people in a scene, but I only had sex with Lex for West Coast Productions.
I'm more of a one-on-one girl. I don't like too many body parts around me. It's just too distracting. [laughs] I don't do my best work.
PC: You have been featured on the cover of many porn flicks. What was it like the first time you saw yourself on the cover of a DVD?
DD: It was My Baby Got Back 8. And it was kinda surreal, because I had never been professionally made up before. So, it was weird to see myself that way.
PC: Who has been the biggest dick you have taken on in a scene?
DD: Jack Napier was probably the biggest. I think him and ManDingo kind of run neck to neck. But, I never did a scene with ManDingo. So...
PC: Do you enjoy anal sex?
DD: You know... Anal sex is something to save for people you like. [laughs] At least for me. Because it's not something as spontaneous. It's funny. I have a lot of gay friends. And people say gay men are so promiscuous. That takes a lot. You have to plan that from the beginning of the day. What you eat. What you don't eat. Can't have coffee. Have to clean things out. It's a lot. 'Cause I love the spontaneity of sex. I don't necessarily like anal, 'cause it's not too spontaneous.
PC: Who was the absolute worst lay that you have had in porn?
DD: I'd have to think about that. Worst lay implies that I particularly wasn't, and I was never into it for me. I was into what was gonna make the people that watch this jerk off. In that vein, I'd have to give you my worst performance rather than worst lay. And that would be... [laughs] My first feature that I was starring in called Phat Beats. My scene was with Mr. Marcus for Video Team. It was all condom. It was a pain the butt, but we all understand/appreciate it. It was like, one in the morning. He was tired. And it just was what it was. But, I remember being so pissed, 'cause I wanted everything to go perfect, 'cause I was on the cover of this.
PC: Were there any male performers or female performers you wouldn't work with?
DD: Yeah. I had a list of people I was comfortable performing with. Obviously, I didn't know everybody when I came in. People come in, I found out about them. Their habits. If we would be a good match. So, I had a "Yes" list. Which is what we had in those days, rather than a "No" list.
PC: What was it like to hold your directorial debut in your hands for the first time?
DD: It was awesome. 'Cause everyone likes to complete a project, and to complete something that was their dream. It was like having you're own little baby, or what have you. And I thought, again, being starry-eyed and new, that would validate me as a director. It didn't necessarily not validate me. But, it wasn't the golden ticket. But, I just worked my way up the ranks. I did a project where I actually put in almost $1,000. I was over budget just so that I could make it what it should have been. The person I made it for didn't appreciate it or care, as long as I was under budget. He didn't give a crap. I was able to get a directing gig based off of that. The people that did care were the people that saw it.
PC: Describe your shooting style to me.
DD: It depends on what I'm doing. For gonzo productions, it's really loose. It's just, come here, have fun and do what you do. As long as I can see it, hear it, we're all good. For feature stuff, it's a little more heavy-handed. 'Cause it has to be... I'm very upfront with people on what I expect and what it takes to do a good job. Some people just hate being on set all day. So, I just don't hire them for stuff like this, 'cause you're gonna be on set for a long time.
PC: How did your Desperate Blackwives series come about?
DD: Actually that was a suggestion by a production company. They came to me and wanted to do Desperate Housewives, just Black. And I said OK. Well, it gives me a chance to write, so sure. And I always try to put something a little bit comedic into my stuff. Especially when you're doing porn. You can't take it too seriously. And comic acting, in a way, is a lot easier for novices than the dramatic. You make something funny, you can keep people interested.
PC: What has been one of your most memorable shoots?
DD: I think one of my most memorable, if not my favorite, was a scene I did with Jean-Claude Batiste and Angel Eyes for this movie... My movie. My feature that I produced myself and shot myself called Black Label. It was a bunch of intertwined stories. I remember I was under budget. All my own money came out. And I helped do dialogue the next day for free. That really helped out. I did this scene on top of a Chrysler 300. So, that was really awesome. There was supposed to be another car. [laughs] But, we couldn't afford it. So it was... But, I was in, around and on this car. It was really great. And all outside. That was my favorite that really came out great.
PC: How did Deviant Entertainment come about?
DD: Well, it's kind of a play on DV Digital Video with Diana DeVoe and all that. It kinda fits. You definitely want to have an LLC or a corporation when you're in this business, or any sort of independent contracting. It was a name I liked. Whether I'm producing for others or directing for myself, it's under Deviant.
PC: What led to your decision to stop performing in front of the camera, and strictly focus on the production aspect of the adult industry?
DD: That was always the plan.
PC: What is your opinion on the current state of Black erotica? Do you feel interracial porn overshadows Black-on-Black titles?
DD: Absolutely. But, you're in America. The standard of beauty is such. It's not Black-on-Black. That will always be the case as far as white women and Black women. Number two. There has been a 400 year taboo that's been built up about Black men and white women. That's something the industry is cashing in on. Strictly speaking, there shouldn't really be an IR designation. We're all people. We are all pink on the inside. But yeah... The fact that there is definitely tells you... And again, it's a marketing thing as well. People that want to see Black women will take a title that has five Black girls in it rather than the title with two Black girls and an Asian and white girl.
PC: Do you ever feel that interracial porn goes a little too far with the titles they give DVDs?
DD: Ummm... Yes. But, I think that most types of entertainment, certainly most types of porn, are exploitative to some degree. And where you can say, "Exploit me this amount, but not this amount"? It's just like free speech. It's either all good or all bad. And I think in that case, there's two forces that can affect that: consumers and performers. I would always request the title before I would consent to do a movie. That's important to me. That's not necessarily important to someone else. I know a girl who came from some eastern European country. She did anal double penetrations and everything. She worked her butt off here for almost two years. She went back to where she's from and bought a hotel. She never has to work again for the rest of her life. Was it important to her that she starred in Interracial Crack Whores #5? No. It was her motivation and it was valid.
PC: As a Black female performer in the adult industry, have you ever felt any racism or discrimination directed at you?
DD: Absolutely. As a Black person! [laughs] Absolutely!
PC: When you performed in front of the camera, you weren't just a performer, you were a porn star. There is quite a difference between being a porn performer and a porn star. Do you feel there aren't as many "stars" in today's industry as opposed the industry ten years ago?
DD: Absolutely there are not. And there probably won't be for a very long time. The powers that be have decided they don't want another Jenna Jameson. It's easier for them to get young, dumb people. What they don't understand is the consumer likes to hang on to a star, whoever that is. Angelina Jolie. Brad Pitt. Whatever. That's marketing. You market the star. Put the star in a movie. And everyone comes. Very simple. But, if you refuse to market anyone, than everybody's just a body. And everybody's just a body. You express that to your consumer, they aren't gonna care about anybody.
PC: Do you feel the internet has been one of porn's downfalls?
DD: Ummm... No. I believe it's provided a learning curve. [laughs] This is what people don't want to admit, whatever, about the internet. It's not like a whole separate group of people are shooting all that internet porn and directly competing with us in Los Angeles, that's coming from us. It's coming from here. So, I don't know why we're so afraid of it. Except, we've made some bad choices and licensing stuff and giving it away. I'll use this example. You can't stand outside of a Mercedes dealership and get people to come in by giving them a free car. The strategy lately on the internet is: let me give it away so I can sell it.
PC: How and when did you lose your virginity?
DD: Ummm... I lost my virginity to a military guy back in Hawaii, 'cause I was afraid of sex. 'Cause if you go off to college and I don't lose my virginity now, I wouldn't do it. So, let me do it now. And it was probably, like most first times are. [laughs] And I didn't have sex again for three years.
PC: What do you enjoy doing sexually?
DD: I enjoy giving blowjobs. It's kinda my thing. I'm pretty good at it I think. I haven't had any complaints. I'm definitely a giver.
PC: Do you get into any kinds of fetishes?
DD: I don't. I'm actually pretty vanilla.
PC: Which do you enjoy the most: giving oral or receiving oral?
DD: I love receiving. But, giving is awesome.
PC: Do you find it difficult to maintain a romantic relationship with the type of work you do?
DD: I do not. But, it's because my partner is also in the industry. And we met in the industry. And we both understand the industry. And even though I haven't performed since I've been with him, I would think the average guy couldn't necessarily take what I do for... I look at penises all day. That's what I do. An average guy, even though I'm not doing a scene, wouldn't be too keen on that. [laughs] So, it's definitely easier to have someone that's in the industry.
PC: When you were starring in adult scenes, where was your preferred place for the pop shot to land?
DD: Ummm... Boobs. Not much of a swallower.
PC: Is there an aspect of the adult industry that you don't enjoy?
DD: The politics. Being a teacher's kid, I'm used to things being more merit-based.
PC: Do you have an official website?
DD: I do not, but we run ItsABigBlack Thing.com and FuckMeBlack.com.
PC: How can your fans reach you?
DD: Oh God! That's an excellent question. They can Twitter me (@DianaDeVoe).
PC: What upcoming projects can we expect to see you in?
DD: We just released John E. Depth is a Pain in the Ass, Diaries of a Wife Gone Black 3 and Spinal Tap 8. I'm so excited about those.
PC: What are your future plans in the industry?
DD: Well, we plan on opening a few more sites and definitely get a bigger footprint on the web, which is everyone's general plan.
PC: Now I am going to ask you seven questions that I like to call "Papi Chulo's LIST." These seven questions have been asked to all of my interview subjects. The first question is... What are your Top 5 favorite television shows?
DD: Dexter, Weeds, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Big Love and Squidbillies.
PC: McDonald's Big Mac or Burger King's Whopper?
DD: Neither.
PC: Disney or Warner Bros?
DD: Warner Bros.
PC: What's your favorite color?
DD: Blue.
PC: What's your favorite sexual position?
DD: Cowgirl.
PC: What's your favorite curse word?
DD: [laughs] Oh God! Numbnuts. It just sounds funny.
PC: If you could be anywhere right now... Where would you be?
PC: Well this brings us to the end of our interview. Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
DD: Thanks for supporting. Keep watching us. We've got music coming. Apps coming for your phones. And we hope to serve your needs for the future.
~Papi Chulo~
Congratulations. You're not just writing about porn history, you've become a part of it. Nice work.
Posted by: Victor | June 01, 2010 at 08:09 PM
That's so kind of you to say. Thank you so much Victor.
~Papi Chulo~
Posted by: Papi Chulo | June 01, 2010 at 08:23 PM
Thanks Papi! Talk to you soon!
Posted by: Diana DeVoe | June 27, 2010 at 02:00 PM