HARD AT WORK
As a documentary about his life is released, former gay-porn star Jonathan Agassi, 35, talks about the highs and lows of working in the adult entertainment business, his addictive personality and why he’s now happy living a simple life in Israel
As told to Steve Brown and Tim Heap
My sexuality was never a secret. I never had to come out. I think it was always obvious, and when I did say it, it was like, “OK, whoop whoop.” Nobody was surprised, so in one way, it was an easy step.
When I was young, I was always an exhibitionist. I was the first gay person to be shot fully nude for a full-page in a gay magazine in Israel; I was 18.
At the time, I was working as a hairstylist and make-up artist, but it was too competitive for me in Tel Aviv. I decided to quit, and I had also just broken up with a boyfriend I’d been with for three years, so I moved back in with my mum to work out what I wanted to do.
The idea of porn really excited me, I don’t know why. I looked good back then and I decided to try it.
I started sending applications to a major studio in New York but nobody accepted me because I was from Israel and had no experience.
I was just another guy sending a message, so everyone ignored me.