In honor of Black History Month, HotMovies teamed up with veteran performer Lotus Lain to interview Black performers and adult content producers to highlight their perspectives on the industry and their unique achievements. In the seventh Instagram Live interview, Lotus talked with Mocha Menage about her impressive 14-year career. In their conversation, Mocha discusses becoming a master herbalist during the pandemic, her college classmates finding her adult videos, and her feelings on the “Ebony” label in porn. Check out Lotus and Mocha’s discussion below or watch the video on HotMovies’ YouTube or Instagram!
LL: We are live and I am Lotus. I’m your hostess for the next half hour as I talk to and interview Ms. Mocha Menage, who I’m about to invite up in a little bit. Let’s get this started. Here we go. Hopefully we have no technical difficulties today, and she’s able to join. There we go, it says she joined, yay! Yay, oh my God, you look so beautiful and radiant.
MM: Thank you, you do too, as always.
Yes, yes. Okay, brows on fleek, lips on fleek, loving it, loving it.
Girl, alright, I had to do it real quick.
You do an excellent job if you just did that by hand, ’cause the fucking symmetry, I’m loving that.
Aw, thank you.
So what are you doing on this beautiful Friday?
You know what? Honestly some real normal stuff, I am moving. I’m in the middle of a move but you know I always have time for you and HotMovies.
I’m just so honored that you made time for us while you’re moving. You look more beautiful than anybody that’s ever moved, because I look a hot mess. [laughter]
Thank you.
I’m so happy to catch up with you. I was just thinking, when was the last time we actually saw each other in person?
Oh my gosh, you know what? Was it AVN, maybe?
Yeah, I think it was the last one before all of the pandemic happened.
Exactly, the last one that was in person. They need to bring it back. But yeah this is a nice little catch-up with us. I can’t wait to get in person with you and actually hug you and just really chop it up, girl.
Exactly, exactly. And we definitely still need to get some content of our own in because I feel like right when things were gonna start happening, and then everybody had to stop doing that.
Exactly. We have to resume play, so definitely, I really want to for sure.
How was pandemic for you? Everybody kinda navigated that differently. What did you do during that moment, and where are you right now?
You know what, I feel like everyone needed that pause to be honest. We all needed that mental break. We all needed to detach from work or whatever it is we was doing and be at home, and start projects, or those goals that we kept saying, “Oh, I’m gonna do that if I have time.” You have time now. The pandemic, I feel like it was needed to be honest.
That’s good, I’m glad that it was positive for you. What were some of the goals that you felt that you achieved during that time, that maybe some things that you wanted to get to?
I went back to school. I went ahead and became licensed in a few things. I went ahead and got my business going. The pandemic was fine, I stayed masked up, out the way, so it was fine for me and my family.
Oh my God, I’m so happy for you. Do you wanna share with us what you got licensed in? What you went to school for?
Yes, I’m a licensed aesthetician. Then I went back to school and became a master herbalist. I deal with herbs and all of them. I felt that was the best time because everyone was rushing to stores to get these products, and you know what? We need to learn how to be self-sufficient and do this on our own. You’re going to the stores or CVS to get these drugs, you can have herbs and grow this stuff yourself right in your backyard.
Amazing. Yeah, you know what, I can see… ‘Cause your skin looks flawless…
Thank you. Yours does too.
I could definitely tell that the aesthetician license came through. [laughter] One thing I wanted to ask you that I personally never really knew was, when did you get your start in the industry? We are Black, we know how it is in the industry, what were some of the obstacles that you came across, or things that you even overcame that made you stronger in this industry?
Definitely, girl. I started way back, it seems like dinosaur years, back in 2008. I was 19 years old. It was completely different then. People were going on go-sees, there were no Ubers and Lyfts there. It’s just…
Just porno drivers.
Right, exactly. Had the little business cards?
Yeah, yeah, and they’d have their own…
Yes girl.
Driving girls around, that’s right, I remember that.
I was going to AIM testing, and then became…
The early first testing system?
Exactly, girl. So way back. [laughter]
Someone said, she said like a dinosaur. Okay, let’s not say it like that.
I’m just saying compared to technology 2008 to 2022.
What were some of the things that are different for the better now that they weren’t in 2008 when you started?
You know what? Right now you’re able to have your own identity off the gate. People can see who you are before going on a go-see or anything. Do they still have go-see? You know what I’m saying?
Feed.
[chuckle] Right, they can just go click on your social media, everything is more digital, it’s more advanced. You don’t have to be so dependent upon…Go-sees… can you give them the little run down on what you’d have to do?
[laughter] You actually get yourself together. It’s almost like what people call the casting couch, I guess. You will go into the offices, you will sit in the little lobby, sign-in, and then you will go in. And then they would like, ask you questions like… And then they’ll have you undress to see, what your pictures that you’ve sent in and everything, do front-to-back, side-to-side, whatever. And then you go from there as far as bookings. But I don’t think they’re doing that anymore, maybe they do.Yeah, it seemed like a thing I don’t even hear about at all anymore. You’re right, so I’m glad that we’ve gotten over that. So yeah, what are some new things that you’re working on or new projects that you have going on? I feel like I just saw you in a lesbian scene advertisement.
[laughter] I’ve been doing all kinds of things. Yes, I just did a four-way scene for Girlsway. That was super hot. I love them. I do all types…Who are the girls with you in the four-way?
Oh, Chanell Heart, Sabina Rouge, and Keira Croft.
Oh, that’s good mix.
Yeah, nice little mix up there. So you guys will definitely love that, that’s out now. Like I said, I took some time off doing like regular everyday stuff. Like that’s one thing about me, people say, I don’t do too much social media. But I’m an everyday person, just like you.
That’s one thing people don’t really realize about porn stars is when we get on set, that’s when we turn it on, that’s when it’s necessary. Outside of that we can live very normal, humble lives.
Definitely, for sure.
So what are some of your favorite outside-of-the-porn-world activities to get into? What do you like to do to chill or to turn up?
A little bit of both. I think you need balance, but I definitely like to turn up, and I definitely like my chill time. You know what I’m saying? So I like hiking. I like doing outdoor activities. I live on the West Coast now.
Okay. Where were you from originally?
I’m originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So the Midwest.
Oh, okay, I didn’t know that about you.
Yeah, girl, I’m from the Midwest. They call us America’s sweethearts, I guess.
I mean, I definitely see that in you. You’ve always been a sweetheart to me, and that’s one thing that I’ve always valued and loved about you. You’re just like welcoming and it never felt like that weird competitive vibe where I can feel with some other women.
No, never. For real, I’m so uplifting. I tell women I feel like every single day they’re beautiful, like if I’m at store, CVS anywhere, I’m like, “Hey, you’re so pretty,” or whatever just because. Why not? I don’t have a problem with complimenting anybody.
Yeah, that’s good. So you said you like hiking, what other like physical activities do you like to get into?
I like the shopping per usual, but I also like gardening. Definitely like I said, I’m an herbalist. I like hanging out with my friends. I like going out, like I live in Las Vegas. It’s more to Las Vegas than just the strip. It’s so many activities, like everything to do here. And then it’s just the West Coast period. You go right next door to California, all of that, so.
Girls over here too [laughter]
And the weather, come on.
Right, I mean, that’s what I love about being here on the West Coast. This is a nice sunny day right now.
Exactly.
So did you ever do anything in your career like where you took a hiatus or took a break? Or do you feel like the way you see your career has been just continuous, and you just go at your pace?
For sure, I’ve definitely taken a couple of breaks. Like I said, I went to college. Actually, in the very beginning, I was actually in college at a university when I first started and everyone found out and that was a different experience. You know what I’m saying?
But it was in 2008, how was it when people found out back then?
Girl, it was with the DVDs, the box covers… the Ghetto Booty, all of that. So when people found out, they was like handing out DVDs on campus like, “Hell you know Mocha, she do adult videos.” [laughter] That’s what I’m gonna say on IG, you know what I’m saying?
[laughter] Oh, my god. That’s very, very funny.
And I went to HBCU college. You know, what I’m saying? So it was very real.
Yes. They definitely saw it, like instantly they found you.
Yeah, instantly found out, but it’s all love. I never really had a bad experience with it. It was definitely kind of like shell-shocking at first. But my friends stood beside me, and they still stand beside me today. I love them to death. Beautiful women with degrees, beautiful Black women, I love them.
That’s so good. I’m so happy that you have that. I think that’s so important to know who your real friends are and to have them, because this industry is tough. It could feel lonely. As much as I feel like we get along and stuff, I still haven’t gotten a chance to really hang out with you because we actually live in different states and things like that are the real chances when we get to hang out. So that’s good to have your home base that supports you.
It’s gonna come together. I just feel so loved whenever I do bump into you, it’s just like automatic like, “Hey girl.” It’s just no awkwardness, no nothing. It’s just ugh… [laughter]
Yes, I love that. So yeah, let’s go into your past life a little. You said you were going to HBCU back then. What were you studying?
I started as pre-med. Went on in like, “Yeah, I’m gonna be a pediatrician.” And girl, you have to go on to college and them courses… I’m like, “Okay, maybe I’m not as focused as I need to be.” So I changed it to business marketing.
No. Yeah, I hear you. I kind of had the same same feeling, too, thinking about psychology, but studying all that is…
Girl, yes, yes. Some discipline in college, you learn that for sure.
So yeah. Also, since we’re talking during Black History month, who were some of the Black performers that you looked at before getting into the industry yourself? Who are some of your favorites?
Oh my gosh. Number one, Nyomi Banxxx, definitely is just like, God… for real. You know what I’m saying? Come on now.
Hottest energy all over.
Roxy Reynolds just brought this sultry, super sexiness, almost like… Remember those romance books like back in the 90s? She would be on the cover one of those kind of things. Jada Fire, badass, like for real.
All still look good, too. Everyone you’re naming, that’s the craziness.
You go check all of them out. All of those women are still just really beautiful, just excellent, beautiful women. You know what I’m saying? I just can’t get Pinky out of my head. Her and that tanline on that booty.
[laughter] That big juicy booty, right?
Right. I see her clapping them cheeks and that tanline. And you can’t get it out your head.
No, ’cause she was relentless. Alright. One of the questions I wanna know is, when you’re filming, what are your favorite kinds of scenes to film to shoot? Whether it’s for yourself, or the way you look… Oh, yeah, let’s do the two different questions. When you’re shooting for yourself, what’s your favorite? And then, when you’re shooting for a company, what’s your favorite?
You know what, I always, all-around, no matter what, I love a good BJ scene. I just… It’s just naturally in me to be a pleaser, for sure. That’s just like my craft. But then I love personally, girl-girl scenes. It’s just like, for myself. I love to be intimate with women. We’re just so soft and just… our bodies together. And sometimes the camera does not need to be there. You get what I’m saying?
Like rub up, like each other, soft body… And it feels good.
So for the companies, like I said, the BJ scenes. I love boy-girl scenes. I love multiples. The girl-girl scenes, I love them too as well.
Yes. Alright. So now, I have questions here in the Q&A box. I’m gonna ask you from these people in the stories. I wonder if this person went to college with you, ’cause the question is, who was your college crush on the yard?
Who’s my college who?
Your college crush on the yard. [laughter]
I have a couple of college crushes throughout the years. It was throughout the years now. It was… [laughter]
They wanna know if you were looking at them I bet. [laughter]
There are couple of college crushes for sure.
I bet, yeah, we’re gonna keep it to ourselves on that one. Next question, it says since you wrestled Sarah Brooke and Paris Love, who gave you a harder time than the other? Who is harder to wrestle, I guess?
I would say Sarah Brooke.
And why would you say that?
She was a little more… She’s shorter, but she’s a little more stout and muscular.
Yes, those ones. They could put a lot of strength into their frame.
Sometimes people underestimate shorter people. And they be like… [vocalization] Pack real muscle. [chuckle]
Oh my goodness. Okay. So, this is also a wrestling question. Let’s see, it says…
Damn.
Yeah, they must love your wrestling video. So it says who does Mocha wants to wrestle at Evolved Fights next?
Right. I said this a few times. Well, it’s two different women. Can I do that?
Yeah, absolutely. The more the merrier.
Well, number one, Daisy Ducati…
Oh yeah.
Homegirl, I love her. She lives here in Nevada. And then…
I can’t believe you haven’t fought each other yet.
I know right? And then, cutie patootie Avery Jane.
Oh, she is a cutie. She’s coming up next in my series in a couple of days. And both of those would be really, really good to watch. Oh my God.
Yeah.
The one with Avery and you all in a wrestling match… okay, and next question.
Okay.
Do you think that the porn industry or adult industry is fair and equal to women more now than before?
To women? Just all women in general?
Yeah. Black women… But we can say Black women, if you wanna make it more specific.
Exactly, it’s Black History Month. We’re gonna bring it on in. We’re definitely gonna put it… Specify towards Black women. So yes, I definitely feel like we have a platform to speak up on certain things and scenarios that may happen while we’re on set, or we feel like, “Hey, we’re being discriminated against,” or if anything, we definitely have a platform to speak up on it and share it with other people and what may be happening and whatnot.
Yeah, yeah, I like that. And then maybe… Yeah, in general, do you think that the industry is more fair to women than before?
Yes. [laughter] I think so. I definitely think that the women are the ones that’s actually making the industry go ’round. What do you… You get what I’m saying?
[laughter] We are the ones making it better, aren’t we?
For sure. We actually have our platforms to speak up and say, “This is what we need, this is what needs to happen.” We have more female directors and I’m loving it. I’m so loving it to see it, like everything, just editorial, anything. It’s just like, yes, yes, yes. [laughter]
I am so happy that it’s got you pumped up, so that is good, because the next question from our friend Chris wants to know what companies and performers would you love to shoot with in 2022?
2022? Well, first of all, you, Lotus, definitely.
Me?
For sure like, come on now. It would just be sexy and the people will love it, for sure. You, Ana, it’s just so many beautiful fucking women, man. It’s just like… Isiah Maxwell. I saw him…
Daddy, gotta get some of that, yes.
He is such a hunk, right? [laughter]
And he treats everybody so respectfully, which we all love.
So I’ve heard… Exactly, and that’s another reason why everyone speaks so highly of him. You know what I’m saying? So I haven’t worked with him before. I would definitely love to… The list goes on.
What about companies that you’d like to shoot with?
So, so many. [chuckle] I would love to shoot for, well, definitely more companies in the Adult Time network.
Yeah. They have a lot under their umbrella, so there’s a lot of different…
Right. Dogfart. I mean, it’s definitely so many freaking companies out there that I would love to shoot for… Let’s see. All Black X, I haven’t shot for them at all…
That needs to happen.
Right. They’re pretty cool, like I love the way they represent people, so definitely.
And then let’s see. The next question from the audience is, “Mocha is a queen. Very beautiful with seductive abilities. What is her ambitions on the next level?” That first statement…
On the next level, you know what? I really wanna bring out my Domme side and my MILF side. I feel like some companies are looking… I may not fit the look for the MILF because I’m a smaller-breasted woman…
Yeah, it’s always the boobs that hold us back. Once they get into MILFy, then…
I’m like come on now, there’s MILFs out there obviously that aren’t all jugs and they’re beautiful as well, but definitely I feel like all women of shapes and sizes need to be showcased, so definitely that and definitely the Domme. I definitely want to show y’all what’s really going on. [laughter]
Yeah, I already see a little bit of it right there coming out… Oh my God. I bet you the fans would love that. Stay tuned, y’all, stay tuned.
[laughter] For sure.Okay, let’s see, and this will be our last question from the audience. It says, “From Miss Radio Sapphire, our homegirl, do you think that a genre change for Black-themed porn is in need? Should Ebony be erased, the term?”
Because when it comes to other races, it’s not really put as oh, “Caucasian porn.” It’s not just pushed as that. It’s just pushed as whatever the scene is. But to play devil’s advocate: how do you search for Black porn amongst all the other different types of each scenes that this is going on? But as far as “Ebony,” it’s just kind of like, “Hey guys, this is getting a little played out.”
Yeah. A little outdated, right?
Yeah, just got a little played out. It’s been a long time coming, for sure.
Yeah. I mean, what would you like to see as the search term for women like us? [laughter]
You know what? Women like us… Not necessarily by our skin tone, that’s just a little annoying right there.
Yeah.
Find something else. Just not the complexion of our skin. We have to deal with that every single day out here, so please.
Yeah, right, thank you for saying that. It could be something as simple as like “MILF,” “big boobs,” “big butt.”
Just go there and then boom.
I hear you. Well, we are getting close to the end of our beautiful half-hour session of catching up.
I know.
I definitely wanna give you a chance to speak on whatever you feel is on your mind, whether it’s for your future, where you want people to find you. It’s your platform.
Thank you and thank you HotMovies for allowing me here. Right now… Instagram, you could find me at right now I’m @menagememocha. My last page got deleted. I’m trying to work on getting that back. Yeah, my Twitter, it’s @MochaXXXMenage on Twitter. I have my OF and that’s in my bio there, you know what I’m saying. But right now, I’m just working on my own projects, trying to get things going on. I do wanna start shooting content more. I know I’ve kind of been—okay, really selective—which is nothing wrong with that either, because you cannot just shoot anybody, at least if you’re more protective of your brand and the way you wanna be represented out there.
That’s the way to be treated, because not every content trade is all apples and happiness. Sometimes people end up in situations that traumatize them worse and it’s not worth the content that they got out of it. So I’m glad you are selective. It’s better to be selective than to be everywhere and then be burnt out.
No, for sure. Sometimes newbies might wanna get in and they get under somebody’s wing and say, “Hey, shoot this kind of content, shoot that kind of content” and they don’t even know what to do with it, for starters.
Yeah. What do you think would be the best thing for new people to start doing now? If shooting content isn’t a thing, ’cause they may not necessarily even have a fanbase to be shooting content. What’s the best way to kind of build up your name nowadays, you think?
I feel like right now, the best way to build up your name is social media, and then that way you can get your own fanbase from there. You just don’t start shooting out content with just random people. You never know once they get that content where it’s gonna end up, how it’s edited, and represented, what kind of title they’re gonna put on there to attract all kind of clickbait, and it may not be what you thought it was gonna be. So they can be one thing on set, the next thing you know, it’s represented like, “Oh yeah, piss-loving…” or whatever the case may be. You may have thought that was what you signed up for. It’s just like you have to know what you’re getting into and really kind of discuss things with your partner.
Definitely, yeah. I really love that you kinda take things at your own pace, take it slow, pace yourself, and going into deep situation what you wanna get out of it. So yeah, that’s a great advice you just gave right now for any… Not just new people, anybody that’s like in the content creation game.
Right, for sure.
So you know where to find Miss Mocha Menage. She just let you know. This will be on the HotMovies account page, so please come back, watch it, look at her beautiful face.
Thank you. And you those nails, I cannot stop looking at them, girl. They’re so beautiful. I love that color, obviously.
So thank you friends and the audience too that joined us, much love. That’s appreciated.
Right. Thank you, thank you.
For just making time out of your day and blessing me and us with your beauty.
No, thank you. For sure, for sure. I love this. Like I said, you’re just like a goddess to me, you’re just so beautiful inside and out, and that is what’s important.
Thank you, I feel the same way. You take care, have a swift and easy move. Okay?
Right girl, I will try.
Bye.
Bye, thanks.
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