Teddy Tarantino is a charismatic performer who quickly launched to fame on Pornhub after having the most viewed video in January 2019. He works with many female performers and uploads new content consistently. He is also a master of record-keeping, who has systems in place to ensure all the content he produces is equipped with documentation, and is safe and compliant for multiple platforms. He sat down to talk with us about his history working in recovery houses, his method for ensuring documentation is in check, how he spends his free time, and more. Keep reading to get to know Teddy!
Tell us a little about your origins and how you got into porn. Was there a specific moment when you knew this was the right path for you?
I was hiring cam girls online through a studio profile I had when I was 19. It seems young, but I had a lot of life experience by then and have always been mature for my age. Then at 22 my close friend owned a straight male escort agency. At first, I thought it was crazy. Being in recovery and trying to live a spiritual lifestyle it seemed contradictory to be doing any kind of sex work like that, but none the less I was interested. I’ve always been hypersexual. My friend told me he needed someone to see a client for him, and my first reaction was “I’m not sleeping with an old lady!” And he said, “who said she’s old?” And that’s when my whole mind got blown.
I eventually got into “the lifestyle.” I started going to swingers' clubs and found myself amongst many interesting people. And yet, none of it felt wrong, or like I was doing anything unspiritual. These were all consenting adults. People communicated their boundaries. It was a lot of fun. It was like yoga for sex. I liked it. But the first time I recorded sex and posted it on Pornhub was in 2018. I’ve always recorded myself and made sex tapes with my partners. When I made that first video and uploaded it, it was cool. But when it went viral, and I had the number one video on Pornhub in January 2019, that’s when lightning struck. It was like an artist who sold their first painting. I was in love!
We’re happy to hear we could be the lightning rod to your fame! Tell us about your stage name. What’s the story behind it?
I hate my stage name! Actually, I don’t hate it. I just don’t think it’s amazing. But I’ve grown to like it. I used to be Titty Tarantino, when I first made a profile on Pornhub I wasn’t thinking about being a pornstar or having a future in it. I just figured I’d upload some videos and see what happens. When I got more serious about porn, I realized I’d have to change my name if I wanted to have an Instagram or get more mainstream. So, I changed it to Teddy. I kind of like it now because I do have a cuddly teddy bear side and I do have a darker, rougher side of me as well.
You’ve worked in healthcare before, how did that experience shape your approach to compliance in the adult entertainment industry?
I owned and operated drug rehabs specifically. Working in treatment molds you. It’s 24/7. Constantly putting out fires and trying to prevent fires. Dealing with a difficult population, working every day to do what most people think is impossible. At one point I had over 250 employees. I was getting 60 calls a day and probably 100 or 200 texts a day. It was crazy, but I kind of thrive in chaos. In treatment it’s all about dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s. Insurance companies are always looking for ways to not pay you and if your charts aren’t perfect, you’re not getting paid. There are constant audits. Weekly and monthly team meetings, it was like juggling chainsaws on a unicycle for sure. I always say working in treatment turns civilians into marines.
Check out more of Teddy’s tips and best practices in his extended video Q&A!
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced when gathering documentation from Models?
Honestly, it’s not an issue because I don’t shoot if I don’t have everything checked off. If a Model doesn’t have her IDs with her, I don’t shoot. It’s pretty simple once it becomes standard. The only issue I can say I had was maybe the signature on the ID not matching the signature on the paperwork. But now I just triple check to make sure they match.
These are good systems to have in place. And we have to say, we love your video with Luna Luxe about our updated Co-Performer verification requirements! Tell us about the production process. How did it come to fruition?
I'm good friends with Brandon Novak (the pro skater who was in CKY and Viva LaBam), he’s a big recovery guy too. He told me he had a videographer looking for work and I thought he’d be perfect for the job. Luna Luxe is a good friend of mine and she was excited to do the video. She crushed it and so did Issac, the videographer. I wanted the video to kind of have a retro commercial vibe. Those were always funny back in the day.
What’s one thing you wish more performers knew about compliance and documentation?
How it can really be a game changer for their whole business. I don’t understand how someone could make adult content and not want to have their backend tight. You sell this content forever. But if you don’t have your compliance in order, it’s going to be really hard to get it on any platform at all.
You work with a variety of newcomers. Who are some new Models we should have on our radar?
Lacey Jayne!! I love her. She’s amazing and her bestie Danae Marie. These girls are rockstars. I really think they’re going to be porn superstars. They have an RV wrapped with their faces on it that travel the country doing insane stunts and making crazy content for their fans. I also just shot with Kathryn Mae. She was incredible too, great performer, super professional, gorgeous face and amazing body.
What has been your favorite part about working in the adult industry? Has anything surprised you about the industry since you started?
My favorite part is when all the parts come together to be honest. It’s like baking a cake. The magic is when you take the sex, the wardrobe, the right lighting, the right angles, the right plot, and watch it all come together. I guess the only thing that’s surprised me is how normal porn can be. Most of the time we are shooting at 11am. Everyone’s really nice. We do paperwork. Chitchat a little. Get the scene done. High five and then it’s see you later! It’s really not much different than going to a yoga class with a friend.
Were you ever surprised by how much money you could earn on Pornhub? If you're comfortable sharing, what’s been your highest monthly payout so far?
I was! But once someone told me it’s just like YouTube it made sense. We get paid for views. It’s no different than someone having a popular YouTube channel. The most I made in a month was over $40,000.
That’s incredible! When you’re not shooting content or doing stand-up comedy, how do you relax and unwind?
I love to attend NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings. I’m very involved in recovery. I love working with addicts and hanging out with my recovery family. I also do jiujitsu and boxing. I love cars, I just bought my 6th car, so I have a pretty decent collection now. I love films, I’m obsessed with movies. All kinds of movies. I love poetry. I can be on my phone watching performance poetry for hours. I like to go to the park and read and write. But my go to would probably be a coffee shop. Music. Writing. Reading. That’s my happy place.
We couldn’t help but notice you’re a cat dad. Sphynx cats are notorious for having huge personalities. Tell us about yours! Do your pets ever make accidental cameos when you’re shooting content?
His name is Tekashi. And yes, he sometimes gets in the way of filming, and I have to put him away. But I love my cat. He’s got the biggest personality. He’s like a dog really. He listens. He knows his name. He waits for me at the door when I get home. He’s the best.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice before entering the industry, what would it be?
Maybe film with a better camera. Take some film courses. I have so many videos that are just horrible lightning. Shakey and just overall bad. But hey, you live and you learn. Other than that, it’s kind of like anything else. You got to just go for it and figure it out as you go.
For more helpful tips on documentation, check out Mastering Documentation with Colt Spence. And if you want to join the Model Program and one day become a high-earning performer like Teddy Tarantino, click here.
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