Chi Chi LaRue - Queen of the Circus

Chi Chi LaRue – Queen of the Circus

Added on: June 9, 2021
By: Alexander Rodriguez

Issue 22.1 Feature

Chi Chi LaRue – Queen of the Circus

From admin assistant to ruling over the gay porn kingdom, Chi Chi LaRue’s personality is as big as her hair.

To say that 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. This month, her adult supermarket, Chi Chi LaRue’s, takes over the historical and iconic Circus of Books in West Hollywood. She has been a constant friend of Cybersocket, hosting our very 1^st Awards Show. She will grab the mic once again on January 13^th for our 20^th Annual Cybersocket Awards Show – she has hosted 17 out of our 20!

We chatted with Chi Chi LaRue in this Cybersocket exclusive 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 have to 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 actually 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?

Definitely 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

Chi Chi was born as part of The Weather Gals in Minneapolis. How did you create the name and look of Chi Chi LaRue?

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 guys to let me suck their dicks, I started to dress more feminine, more like a woman. LOL, my name was chosen by a fellow Weather Gal.

Do you remember your first experience watching porn?

I’m not sure if I remember but I think it was a magazine and the spread took place in the jail with Al Parker.

You have a Cinderella story of going from admin assistant/publicist for Catalina Video to now 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.

What are the biggest misconceptions about the porn industry?

That we’re all doing drugs, and that we’re all fucked up, and that all the talent is required to fuck the directors.

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!

Your favorite part of directing porn? Least favorite part of directing porn?

My favorite part of directing porn 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 sets, I’d rather have them not be there.

You have been very open about your journey of sobriety. How do you partner your sobriety with being so involved in the nigh 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 I’ve been out since my first relapse when I had two years sober. I believe it’s going to stick this time.

You have a great relationship with Cybersocket – it’s a mutual admiration society! Can you believe we are celebrating 20 Years of the Web Awards this year? In your opinion, what sets Cybersocket apart from other outlets?

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 – 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, Timeteo, and Rico Starr.