Deep Thots - A Porn Industry Pod

Erika Icon, The Rub PR

Born in NYC and with an East Coast attitude to match, Erika Icon is one of the feistiest women in the adult industry with over 15 years of experience. In 2008, Icon started her own firm, The Rub PR, a full-service adult PR agency working with the top studios, companies, cam models, creators, directors, and performers. Before working in adult, she worked as an art director and copywriter for top Los Angeles advertising agencies and graduated from UCLA with a BA in Fine Arts, minoring in French and English.
 
Icon has effectively helped her promote her clients and their brands and brought them into the mainstream arena. In 2014, Icon got her client Kimber James cast on E! Entertainment's Botched and even appeared with her on the show. Icon has helped cast numerous clients in mainstream TV and movies and has scored interviews for clients with Cosmo, Cosmo Latina, Elle, Refinery29, Vice, Playboy, Jezebel, The Daily Beast, GQ, and many more. And she appeared in the Netflix industry documentary “The Skin Business” released in 2013.
 
The Rub PR clients have also won an unprecedented number of awards from countless awards shows, including XBIZ, XBIZ Miami, XBIZ Europa, AVN, XRCO, AltStar, Bazowie!, NightMoves, Fetish Awards, Urban X, Inked Angels, Australian Adult Industry Awards (AAIA), TEAs, and Cammy Awards. And the nominations they’ve received are even greater.
 
Ms. Icon won Most Popular Adult PR Agency from the Urban X Awards in 2023, Best Public Relations Firm from the ASN Magazine Awards in 2022, and the NightMoves Award for Behind-the-Scenes award celebrating the stellar work she's done for adult companies, studios, and performers in 2018.
 
She's also received multiple XBIZ and AVN Awards nominations for Marketing Campaign of the Year, Outstanding Marketing Campaign, and Best Marketing Campaign - Company Image, Woman of the Year from the XBIZ Executive Awards, Best Supporting Business and Best Public Relations Firm from the ASN Lifestyle Awards, Businesswoman of the Year from the Bucharest Summit Awards, and the Bill Snyder Achievement Award from the Inked Awards. 
 
Cosmo interviewed Icon for an article entitled “What It’s Really Like to Be a PR for Porn Stars.” She was also profiled by PR Week for their Sex Issue and by the Wall Street Journal for her social media expertise. Icon has been featured twice in XBIZ’s WIA (Woman in Adult) and as an Erotic Sky Magazine Expert with a multi-page feature in the July 2023 issue. She’s a freelance writer for Hustler, DarkSide, and ASN Lifestyle mags and blogs for Medium. 
Link to everything The Rub PR at allmylinks.com/therubpr.

Red Bottom Productions, Times Square XXX

Red Bottom Productions is more than a new film studio in the land of XXX. It is a company that has more than just a sense of style. Just ask owner and CEO Dante. He is a self-made man who retired from one profession at thirty-five only to begin again in an industry that has always been more than just a fantasy in his life.
 
Red Bottom Productions began in the world of the “fast living.” That best describes the business drive of the company's owner and the men and women within the world of adult films that have always been within his social circles. The story goes that Dante was attending a posh social gathering. A sexy soiree also attended by a couple of the most widely recognized faces in adult films. To make a long story short, after an evening of fast living, partying, and playing Dante inquired how he could begin to jump into this world that exists for porn star performers in the land of Hollywood glitz and glam. One of these industry legends then turns to Dante and states, “Why don’t you begin in production? That is more fitting for a man of your drive and character.” What came to be is what you see as Red Bottom Productions.
 
“The RBD Standard.” The message this new production company looks to convey is that of the very shoes it has secured as its company logo. LOUIS VUITTON with a dash of Air Jordan, and more variety than anything you have seen under one production roof within the world of porn and adult entertainment. There is no limit to the elegance and prestige Red Bottom Productions wishes to make available to fans. Trans, bi, straight, narrow, black, white, lesbian, EVERYTHING! Just like the clothing selection at Maison Margiela on Melrose. Something for every type of adult taste, with a platinum standard that is reserved for the sex on screen you wish to consume. Not the draining statement to your bank account at the end of the month. That is the Red Bottom Productions standard. That is Dante’s promise.
 
Search the world wide web for everything that carries the RBP standard & style……
X: @Redbottomprod 
Instagram: redbottom_production_ 
Website: https://www.redbottomxxx.com/
Https://www.redsbbwhotties.com
 
Episode Summary: A party that truly must have been spectacular turned into a career for this week’s guest. Red Bottom Productions stops by to tell us about life in the lights of Times Square as he promotes his product and brand with spectacle and grace. He shares in’s and out’s of the business, and how hard it can be sometimes to work through perceptions of the industry. Dante opens up about how the industry impacts his personal life, and the difficulties of trying to balance this industry with love. We get a taste of some upcoming shoot themes for Red Bottom that you won’t want to miss. Dante is a lot of fun, and ends the podcast by finally considering a potential Professional Wrestling style belt for some content. 

Coenie Van Staden, Porn Saved My Life

Coenie Van Staden is a video professional with over 16 years of industry experience. Finishing film school in 2008, Coenie quickly started his own business focusing on creative productions such as short films and music videos. During this time Coenie has won a couple of international awards for best directing, best cinematography and best film editing as well as had a couple of music videos air on local TV stations.
 
Between 2015 and 2020 he worked as a presentation specialist, professional videographer and video editor in the corporate sector, specialising in delivering messages to select audiences.
 
In 2020 he started up two more video production companies. As a born storyteller and now specialise in telling bespoke stories to motivate and move audiences to action. Coenie then found himself starting to edit porn professionally - this actually got him through the pandemic as videography took a major knock during lockdown. Notable clients include Ray Ray, StephouseXXX, Taylor Gunner and Blazed Studios.
 
Book Coenie via Email: vanstaden.cdj@gmail.com
 
Episode Summary: We had an absolute blast going behind the scenes to hear about the editing process. As any good production will tell you, everything hinged on good editing. Coene gives us insight on the tools he uses, the programs and software, some tips and tricks of the trade, and some amazing stories from the cutting room floor. Coenie is a seasoning professional, and has a very unique perspective on the porn and adult film industry. He gives it credit for helping save his life during some really turbulent times. Listen in, Coenie is amazing! 

Kell Fire, Comedian Porn Star

Kell Fire is a rising star in adult entertainment. As a 30-something newcomer, Kell has quickly made a name for herself.
 
Kell has recently worked with platforms like Brazzers, Girlfriend films, TeamSkeet, Kink.com, and Cherry Pimps. Whether she’s in a sex scene or on stage for a stand-up comedy gig. Kell’s work is a testament to how women can take control of their narratives in industries that have historically marginalized their voices and objectified their bodies.
 
A recent viral moment during one of Kell’s comedy sets perfectly illustrates her fearless attitude and ability to challenge societal norms. At the end of her performance, she asked the audience if anyone wanted to come home with her—a bold and unexpected move that sparked widespread conversation and captivated nearly 11 million viewers on Instagram. This moment not only showcased her comedic talent but also highlighted her approach to blending humor and sexuality in a way that empowers rather than objectifies.
 
She came to LA to be a comedian, twelve years later she is a porn star making her way through the backdoor. She realized that the so-called "right way to do things" was never going to be her way. So she is forging her own role in the entertainment industry and it is proving to be just the thing she needed. She often says "In the eyes of many, porn is the worst career decision you could ever make, but the way I see it, if it is, then the only way is up!" 
 
Episode Recap: Kell is as funny as she is sincere. She bravely shares how she got started in the industry and the mixed emotions that come with it. She shares some of the hard times and the harassment, and gives some thoughtful advice to people starting in the business. Kell is also a stand up comedian, and kindly indulges our questions about how she balances both careers. Listen in, Kell is amazing!
 
Join Kell’s world: https://www.itskellfire.com/

CJ Love, From Gentleman’s Club to AVN’s

CJ Love, a man who's been in the business for 3 years and was recently Signed to Nexxxt Level Talent Agency. He is the CEO/Director of the First Ever Safe For Work/Not Safe For Work Crossover Gameshow Production for only the best in "Triple X". Starting off as a Floor Host in a Gentleman's Club, CJ gained respect for adult work as well as the trials and tribulations that came along with. While making stops in LA and currently Vegas, CJ had not only had to develop his brand consistently to be intuitive, but has had to work hard to develop himself. After being diagnosed of having TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) due to sports growing up, CJ has consistently had to fight internal battles all while in the process of attempting to grind day in and day out to bring fun creative content to computer and cell phone screens. His own website ReaLifeXXX.com is where the bread and butter of his production is via Youtube among other NSFW links that bring together a wide variety of content unseen before in the adult business.
 
Episode Summary: The crew starts the show by talking about extremely large toys, and Rebel gives some helpful advice on where to find them. CJ Love is on the show today. CJ does an unbelievable job giving insight into how he started in a Gentleman’s Club, and has ended up at the Adult Video Network Awards. CJ’s first week in LA was in March of 2020. He shares how he moved forward during an uncertain time and continued in the industry. CJ shared some of the darker times in the industry, some of the amazing times in the industry, and how he keeps going. CJ is honest, insightful, and an amazing guest this week on Deep Thots. Listen in!
 
Join CJ’s World: https://linktr.ee/ReaLifeXXX

Nick Zargarpour, The Industry Lawyer

Nick Zargarpour is an experienced business and business litigation lawyer.  He graduated from the University of Southern California Greif Entrepreneur Program while working at his family business.  He went to law school and started his practice as an attorney after leaving the family business.  He is also a professor at UCLA Extension teaching Business Plan writing. He handles clients in various industries and this includes people in the adult industry ranging from medium sized to small. Finally, he volunteers his time for charities that help victims of domestic violence and free family healthcare.
 
Episode Summary: We don’t normally do this, but you need to listen to this one. It’s absolutely amazing and Nick answers all our questions and invites more. This guy really gets people and law, and you need to hear his passion for the work he does.

J, The Perfect Shot

J is an independent adult film videographer, photographer, and Sony enthusiast.  A former Army officer, a published ex-academic, and a lover of golden retrievers, he has worked in adult film for 4 years.  With over 100 scenes filmed in LA, Miami, Las Vegas, and NYC, he has shot adult performers from OC Modeling, Nexxxt Level, Hussie, ATMLA, and The Bakery Talent Agency.  When he is not filming, he runs content creator operations for his wife, who is an adult film performer.  He currently lives in Ohio with 4 cats and the best golden retriever in the world.  He is not on social media.
 
Episode Summary: JR from Just Cruzin’ productions is back to help Rebel and Kevin interview a dear friend. On today’s show is J, an inspired videographer, who is giving insights like only he can. The crew opens up the show discussing Belgium’s new revolutionary approach to sex work and supporting the people of the industry. Then they privet to all things J. He is a renaissance man with a background that ranges from the US Army to academia. Ultimately he shares how all of these experiences help create the artist he is behind the camera. J is fixated on one thing, finding the perfect shot. Along the way he shares some hilarious insights, crazy stories, and helpful visions for the industry. We also find out why Sony should sponsor him as a brand ambassador. 
See some of J's work: https://www.rayrayxxx.com/

Baxxx, Bodybuilding Vers Dreamboat

Baxxx is possibly one of the most varied male creators in the space at the moment. He shoots just about everything — gay, straight, bi, trans, kink. He is switch and vers. Baxxx even recently shot his first DP and fisting (receiving) scenes this year. Not bad for a straight guy. He studied theater acting for almost a decade, and has an agent submitting him for narrative work in NYC.  Additionally, he also finished his first SAG-AFTRA feature this year as a cinematographer, colorist, and co-editor. While porn was perhaps not his initial goal, all of those skill sets translated perfectly into adult work. 
 
Baxxx’s acting background is also a big part of why he likes to shoot such variety — each scene is a different performance. Just with a bit more physical contact than maybe he initially studied in theater.
 
Episode Summary: Baxxx shares how he initially started content creation as a solo creator. Mostly muscle worship as a competitive bodybuilder at the time. It was only on the side until covid hit and he needed steady work. He shares how the balance of being an artist and needing income influenced his decision. Going full time as a creator, and then eventually switched to hardcore late 2022. As of this writing, Baxx has shot 257 partnered scenes (including studio). He’s not sure he’ll keep shooting 100+ a year, but we’ll see what the future holds. He has a lot to do and more he wants to accomplish before considering any form of retirement :)
 
Join Baxxx’s world: https://linktr.ee/baxxxbox