Former porn star Colton Ford sings for his supper in Naked Fame.
By Brandon Voss
Jeff Stryker’s country single “Pop You in the Pooper” notwithstanding, few gay porn stars have shed the sticky stigma and found success in legitimate entertainment. But thanks to talent, brains, and determination as sizable as his, um, brawn, 42-year-old Colton Ford is beating the odds.
Though he’s now signed to Centaur Records with a hit club single to his credit, a new documentary, Naked Fame, follows Ford as he first abandons the porn industry to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter. “The film is a human interest story to me,” Ford says. “It’s focused on the process of what you have to go through to get something happening in an industry that’s more heinous than porn could ever be.”
In late 2001, Ford made his first hardcore video with established boyfriend Blake Harper. “I didn’t really have any expectations, but I knew there would be a lot of eyes on me because of the curiosity factor: ‘Okay, who’s Blake’s new man?’” More flesh-hungry peepers than he ever imagined quickly turned Colton Ford into one of the biggest names in the biz. “In a weird way, it was an extension of the performer in me,” he says. But after an intense 10-month period of “swinging some dick in front of a camera,” Ford was ready for a change. “I felt like I had gotten everything out of the experience that I could. It was the perfect time for me to get back to where my real focus is.”
In addition to capturing some often hilariously gay moments — Ford performs at Britney’s famously failed eatery Nyla! Ford rescues a muscle queen on GHB in front of Viceroy! — Naked Fame documents Ford’s baby steps to musical stardom as he meets with major industry players and butts heads with his wannabe manager. The film also features insightful interviews with Ford’s folks and queer notables such as Chi Chi LaRue and Bruce Vilanch. One thing is made clear: Ford’s quest for mainstream fame is not a case of another talentless hottie attempting to milk his 15 minutes. “[Singing] is something that I’ve done practically all of my life. It’s not an afterthought like a Jeff Palmer or Stryker situation, so I hope the film knocks down the perception that I’m transitioning out of porn and into music. I never left music.”
Though his roots are R&B, Ford is currently enjoying success in the dance arena. Dueting with powerhouse diva Pepper Mashay, he has a top 10 Billboard club smash with his single “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” a remake of the Stevie Wonder classic featuring remixes by Mac Quayle, Ralphi Rosario, and Scott Anderson. “Obviously there’s a large gay audience there, but the dance music world is also a lot more diverse and forgiving,” Ford explains. “Look at Pepper — she’s a grandmother! And she’s out there working people, making an impact. We don’t fit in the compartment that major labels want to fit us in. Dance music allows people to have a background and a history.”
Ford has embraced his own checkered past by choosing to keep his nom de porn. “I’m not ashamed. If I were to go out there with a different name, the porn thing would come up anyway, and it would look like I was trying to hide it. Besides, people know Colton Ford; they don’t know Glenn Soukesian. Why not capitalize on the audience that name affords me?” But while Ford regards his experience in adult film as positive, don’t expect a comeback flick from him or Harper anytime soon. “If there was a situation where we were able to make residuals off of it and make a shitload of money, we might possibly consider it. Basically, the scenario would have to be something that will never happen.”
When not promoting his music and Naked Fame on both coasts (upcoming local appearances include visits to Rainbows and Triangles, Pop Rocks!, Quad Cinemas, Splash, and the GLAAD Awards), you’ll likely find Ford in his L.A. home, cuddled up on the couch with hubbie Harper watching the Science Channel, old Bette Davis classics, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. “That one with the deaf parents and the autistic child? Oh. My. God! I was so choked up.”
And what does the domesticated erotic icon now consider dirty? “Being a cunt and intentionally fucking with people. That, to me, is nasty.” Ford is quick to point a finger at unsupportive homosexuals for an example: “There’s a contingent of the community that does not want to see a porn dude do anything else but be a tragic, drug-addicted porn dude.” Naked or not, we’re behind you, big daddy!
HX, March 2005.