One-On-One With Jonathan Agassi

Israeli writer Starmie Azelf talks to Jonathan Agassi about growing up in Israel, his new documentary project, and more

When Jonathan Agassi was cast in 2009’s Men of Israel by Michael Lucas, it was his first adult entertainment role – but he went on to become the film’s breakout star and was then signed to a five-year exclusive contract with Lucas Entertainment. During the five years that followed, Agassi had a chance to travel the world while becoming one of the studio’s most iconic stars. Agassi’s exclusive contract recently concluded and he’s back in Israel, so we caught up with him to learn more about his life in Tel Aviv and his future plans.

What’s it like to be back in Tel Aviv?
To be honest? It’s TOO HOT! All I can do is sit on the beach all day! Bummer! [smiles] It’s great over here. I’m close to my family and I’m in my natural environment. I travel quite often, so when I’m here I’m mostly chilling.

What’s your home like in Tel Aviv?
I live with my puppy in a fun flat with one bedroom and a living room. I love my flat and have been living there for about 15 months, ever since I moved back from Berlin.

What’s it like to be gay in Israel?
Sometimes I think there are more gays than straights here! [laughs] We’re everywhere! TV, radio, government… Gay life is pretty cool here. I think it gets better from year to year. Tel Aviv Pride Week officially ended today and I can honestly say it was INSANE! I’m still recovering.

What was it like growing up gay in Tel Aviv?
It wasn’t easy, but I survived. I have a great mom who always stood by me and made me stronger. Being gay was never something I tried to hide and sometimes it caused trouble. But that’s life. Today I think I’m pretty well known here and people are more open minded now. My experiences while growing up never got me down. I was taught that you needed to love yourself, because only then could others love you.

Were you handsome growing up?
I was pretty, in a girly sort of way.  It gave me tons of trouble in school. Thank god I have my beard now.

What did you want to become when you were a kid?
A chef, but I only knew how to make an omelette.

Did you ever do anything as a kid that got you into trouble?
Oh yes! I used to be a terrible kid! I broke my legs and arms maybe once a year. [chuckles] I was a naughty kid. I was one of the first to own roller blades. I smashed into doors and even windows. Seriously! Me and my brother used to sneak into a hotel at the beach and just spend our Saturdays in the pool of this hotel – til we got kicked out and yelled at.

What have you been working on in 2014?
I took a small step back from porn in 2014. I’ve been working on a big, serious documentary about my life, my work, and my relationship with my mother. It has been the most intense experience of my life and I gave 200% of my time to create it. I cannot say too much about the film just yet, except that it will show the lives of porn stars, escorts, and sex workers in a whole new way.

What’s a typical day like for you?
I’ve been spending a lot of time with my mom. She lives nearby. I have a small pug that takes most of my attention and I’m obsessed with Facebook. I’m very much a homebody, so when I’m in Tel Aviv I like being relaxed, going to the beach sometimes… And I love food! Junk food! Tons! I also love cleaning and redecorating my house whenever I can.

Do you remember your first kiss?
My first real kiss was when I was 14, with an 18-year-old guy and it was on my birthday. I’ll never forget the taste of it and how his beard scratched me a bit. Mmmm. Yep.

Want more? The Q&A continues online at Cybersocket.com!

JONATHAN AGASSI ON THE WEB
Blog: JonathanAgassi.com
Twitter: @jonathanagassi2
Facebook: facebook.com/jonathan.agassiii
Instagram: @johnathanagassi
Xtube: MR-AGASSI

ONLINE BONUS MATERIAL

How did you get involved with Men of Israel back in 2009?
When Michael Lucas came to Israel to shoot the unforgettable Men of Israel, I was looking for something exciting to do with my life and porn was my main goal. I felt like it was destiny when I saw his ad looking for a new porn star. I was among the first to send in an application and we both knew from the beginning that it was a good step.

Had you done any adult entertainment work before that?
Never. I came into it a total virgin.

How was your time with Lucas Entertainment?
It was an experience I’ll never forget. I’ve done some big things with Lucas Entertainment and I’m proud that Michael Lucas gave me my kickstart in this industry. My 5-year contract ended less than a month ago, so I’m looking forward to working with other studios that I love. But Michael Lucas will always be my first, and I’m grateful for this.

What do you see when you look out your windows in Tel Aviv?
My neighbors! I also get a few knocks on my wall about three times a week if I’m being too noisy!

Any issues that you feel strongly about?
I’m not interested in politics because I think in Israel politics is driven by ego, and who has the bigger one. So I’m trying to avoid it. When I lived in Berlin I was amazed by the power that each individual had. Unfortunately politics in Israel doesn’t really consider individuals. So I pay my taxes and avoid any interest in it.

Favorite places you’ve visited?
Well I love Rome, Berlin, Barcelona, Mykonos, and London. I’ve also been to China and Thailand, but the heat over there was way too much for me.

If you could live anywhere but Israel, where would it be?
Every one knows… Berlin.

Have you done any live appearances this year?
I love performing live! Love it! I’m traveling quite often for shows and events.

How do you feel about the gay adult industry’s rapid shift to making bareback porn?
I think it’s a business. And as a business, it should do what it needs to do to survive. If bareback porn sells, then bareback porn it is. I always said I would never participate in bareback porn. But if I have to shoot bareback porn in order to stay in the business, so be it. Sometimes I have bareback sex in real life, so why not do it on camera?  People may think that porn actors shoot porn 24/7 and bareback whoever comes along, but I think that’s bullshit. I only shoot porn once every 2-3 months with 1-3 partners. We get tested for std’s and everything is done in the most responsible way. So why not?

Besides adult entertainment, what other jobs have you tried?
I used to be a hair and make-up stylist and I’ve done some modeling work here and there.

Long-term dreams and aspirations?
What is my aspiration in life? Wow that’s a great question! I didn’t expect this question. I guess my aspiration in life is… To be happy.

Best things about working in adult entertainment?
Traveling! Exploring other cultures and meeting SO Many people worldwide. And some great great sex, of course.

Any downsides to working in adult entertainment?
Not for me. It’s a hoot.

Do you have any siblings?
I have five brothers and sisters. My older brother and younger sister live in Tel Aviv and I also have young, tween-aged brothers and a 7-year-old sister living in Berlin. I have a close relationship with my 22-year-old sister. With the rest of my siblings I’m less in contact. But if they ever need me, they know I’m here. And vice versa.

How has your love life been so far?
I’ve been in three serious relationships. The longest was three years. I guess my work kind of got in the way sometimes, but I managed to find non-pornstars who  accepted my way of life. I’ve been dating a gorgeous Israeli guy for the past five  months and it seems to be going great so far. So I’m happy and in a good place right now.

Your favorite hobbies?
Interior design and graphic design are definitely two of my favorite things to do.

What scares you?
I was always afraid of losing my personality. I’m scared of stigmas and how they can affect what others think of me. And those big brown bugs scare the shit out of me. No joke.

Recent life lessons?
One thing I’ve learned is that you can never be too honest with yourself – and that only I can be in charge of my happiness. I’ve learned to live with myself, for better or for worse. I’ve realized that every mistake I’ve made has just made me smarter. I understand now that it’s okay to make mistakes here and there. I also learned that no matter what you do with your life (in my case it’s porn and sex in general) you should never let other people get you down. I need to live my whole life for ME. When you realize that, everything becomes simple.

What is your earliest memory?
When I was a kid my parents used to take my brother and I to the beach and one of my step dad’s best friends used to send me to poke ladies (Yes. Ladies.) He said that since I was such an adorable kid, the ladies would just turn around and kiss me. I think he was just trying to get some, but I don’t think it ever worked for him. I stole his thunder.