Videos This Way: Michael Lucas Takes The Lead
Michael Lucas has been called many things: savvy, abrasive, iron-fisted, and a hard ass. RuPaul recently said of him, “Michael Lucas is to gay videos what James Bond is to spy work.”
Videos This Way
Michael Lucas Takes The Lead 
Michael Lucas has been called many things: savvy, abrasive, iron-fisted, and a hard ass. RuPaul recently said of him, “Michael Lucas is to gay videos what James Bond is to spy work.”
One thing that’s clear: Michael Lucas is a fighter. He is strong, triumphant and the video industry’s sexiest maverick.
He regularly uses his video stardom as a platform to speak out against social issues he finds unjust. Problems like child exploitation, anti-Semitism, religious oppression of gays, and more. Many times he faces criticism from the very community he is trying to defend.
But it hasn’t hurt his film studio, Lucas Entertainment, from growing into one of the top five gay video companies in the world. The company produces award-winning blockbusters with famously high production values. While promoting his latest, The Last Day (available locally at Tropixxx in Ft Lauderdale, Rock Hard in Wilton Manner, and Bird Road Book & Video in Miami), we sat down with Michael Lucas to get know the titan of video just a little bit more.
What’s the best thing about waking up Michael Lucas every morning?
Thinking about how fortunate I am to be blessed with great family and friends, and know that I will be having another busy day.
Why did you get into Video?
I decided to enter adult entertainment right after I moved to Europe in the mid-nineties. I was a tourist on a tourist visa and I couldn’t really work anywhere legally, particularly in a strict country like Germany where you can’t do anything without papers. The adult industry is different. All I had to do was show my Russian passport to prove that I was over 18 and I could get paid.
How do you feel about the notoriety that comes with heading a gay adult film company?
I wish that everyone could be as successful in his or her field as I am successful in mine.
Do you ever wish you had chosen anonymity?
Generally, no. Except when I am in a restaurant, having just put a piece of chicken in my mouth and someone comes to tell me that he likes my work. It makes it difficult to respond and I don’t want to come across as rude.
Lucas Entertainment has won its share of awards. Which are you most proud of?
I am proud of them all because they represent so many aspects of our production. I am proud when we get awards for best movie of the year because there are so many people involved and the award acknowledges everyone. The individual awards because they honor those people individually: videographers, graphic designers, web developers, screenwriters and actors. I’m so proud that I’ve put together such a great team to work for me and each member of that team is so important.
It’s easy to enjoy the accolades. How do you take the personal attacks and criticism?
Personal attacks and criticism are two different things. I take constructive criticism well and it is often very useful. Personal attacks I choose to wear as a badge of honor.
What do your detractors not understand?
That I am exercising my first amendment rights and no one will be able to shut me up, whether they like my point of view or not.
Why are your films important?
They are important because my models use condoms. I promote safe sex because I believe that young people are first introduced to sex through adult videos. These movies are so accessible and young people are very internet-savvy. I feel it is my great responsibility to show that men can have great sex and enjoy each other while using condoms. And don’t forget that there is a severe lack of sexual education, so young men are more likely to see an adult movie than they are to search out safe sex information.
Is there a place for bare back in films?
Lots of porn films and actors do not use condoms. People who produce these movies are greedy and irresponsible. I care about my community.
Why does Lucas Entertainment release large production films like THE LAST DAY?
We invest in large productions because they sell. It’s all about supply and demand and there is a great demand for movies with a storyline. It is much hotter to watch sex when you know why people are having sex.
There is a lot of talk in the films. Will tomorrow’s video stars need to take acting classes?
No. There are a lot of guys who just naturally have screen presence and so we select them for our main features.
If you could wake up as someone (or something) else for a day, who would you choose?
I would choose to wake up as Adolf Hitler because I would be able to commit suicide immediately and spare the world the disaster of the second World War.
Are you satisfied with the cards life has dealt you?
I am very grateful and I consider myself very fortunate. I could be a lawyer somewhere in Russia dreaming about escape but never getting out. Instead, I lead a very busy and exciting life.
If you could say f*ck you to anyone, who would it be?
There are so many people I feel like telling that to that lately I don’t even bother. Why should I waste my energy?
Finish this sentence: Love me or hate me, I deserve respect because…
I survived living under communism, being both Jewish and gay in a homophobic and anti-Semitic society. I immigrated to Europe and then to the US, turned my life 180 degrees around from a lawyer to a porn star to a studio owner. I supported my family for many years when my father lost his job and then moved my parents, grandparents and brother to New York and gave them a wonderful life. I employ many people and provide them with good salaries, benefits and medical care. I am writing political articles for the mainstream publications like Advocate and Huffington Post, I speak in Universities. In short, I am living the American dream.
Visit LucasEntertainment.com.
