How do you make a Hump Day even humpier? By adding actor, go-go boy and porn model Chris Harder to the mix. Which is exactly the man candy elixir Blake's offers up on Wednesday.
Harder joins the cast of yoUVee – the Midtown bar's night of music, body paint and blacklights from DJ Neon Douglass – for a guest appearance. Because four hunks in their briefs dancing on boxes just isn't enough.
We caught up with Harder before his first-ever trip to Atlanta to chat about porn, why he avoids the term “porn star” and whether Harder is really his last name.
What's this about putting fire near your face?
Well, I was feeling a little tired with regular strip routines and wanted to incorporate a new “trick” into my act. I've always been really attracted to fire performance, and not in that crazy “I like to play with matches' way either! I just think it's really erotic and sexy, especially when you're wearing only a G-string and deep throating a torch.
Which came first – the go-go or the porn? How did you get started in each?
Well actually first came children's theater! I moved to NYC to be an actor. After about a year, though I had a few credits and my equity card from playing a giant purple sheep in “Charlotte's Web,” I accidentally fell into a go-go dancing gig when I lost my waiter job. Side note, I'm an awful waiter. I'm great with a table dance but not so much the “table service.”
Anyways, nightlife gigs really started taking off for me including more performance art opportunities in the burlesque community so I really just spent the next couple of years seeing where that work led me. I found that I enjoyed it more than the day time chorus boy rat race of open calls for shows I wasn't even interested in.
I really started entertaining the idea of doing porn just a few years ago. My life was kind of starting fresh again after a relationship and I wanted to expand my night time “career.” Plus the idea of sex work really turned me on! So one day I spent a whole afternoon just applying online and sending out photos. Cocky Boys was the first to get back to me and the rest is history.
Why the switch from Go-Go Harder to using your full name, Chris Harder? But really, Harder is your legal last name? That seems to good to be true.
It's true, I was born Harder! I guess it really was a blessing – or maybe a foreshadowing?
I ended up changing my stage name from “Go-Go” to Chris because I wanted a name that porn audiences could relate to more easily than “Go-Go.” I think I already have a more eclectic career than a lot of gay adult performers and I felt like maybe adding a name like Go-Go Harder on top of it was just too much.
That said, I don't regret my Boylesque work at all and still perform regularly in nightlife, which is why I just switched to Chris Harder. Male dancers and sex workers are infamous for having a ton of names and aliases and I just wanted to keep it simple. Plus my last name is Harder, how could miss out on that?
In a recent interview, you seem to avoid the label “porn star.” Why is that?
I honestly think words like “artist” or “star” are special titles. I don't mean to down play my own work and I certainly promote myself as a “porn star,” but again, I feel like those statuses need to he earned. In my book, throwing some glitter around onstage doesn't qualify you as an artist just like sucking some dick in one video doesn't make you a star. However, I have been sucking a lot of dick lately onscreen so I like to think I'm earning my points. It's like Actor's Equity for porn!
Have you been to Atlanta before? Are there places and things you want to see and do while here?
I've never been to Atlanta or much of the South. I think after my photo shoot with Fort Troff I'm going to do some massive carb loading on southern food. And I always try to see a museum if I can when I travel so I'm up for suggestions.
What can fans expect from your gig with the yoUVee boys on Wednesday at Blake's?
Well, whether I'm on a huge stage or go-go box, I like to put on a show. There won't be any fire this time, but guys can definitively expect some hot go-glow (blow) action. I'll also be giving away Cocky Boys porn, including the erotic thriller “The Haunting” which was just nominated for a ton of Grabby Awards.
On your website, you discuss how your trainer David Cole has helped transform you physically into “that guy” you used to love to hate at the gym. Talk to us about the transformation.
I advise guys to hop on the leg press until you cry and eat at least one medium-sized animal a day. Seriously though, Dave Cole is an excellent trainer because he not only pushes me in our sessions but is really helping me develop long term routines and looking at the bigger picture of my gym and nutrition programs. I think building muscle is a mystery for most guys, whether you're a porn beefcake or just a businessman on his lunch break. I always have to remind myself that it is a process and to take the gym one day – or squat – at a time. Oh and scream a lot while you're squatting, I also feel that really helps my form.
After Atlanta, what's next for you?
Lots of great stuff, especially with Cocky Boys. I was just featured in the latest chapter of Cocky Boys' “Answered Prayers” series, which is one part porn plus multiple parts erotic morality play for the 21st century. I also helped co-produce the series, which has been a valuable experience for me since creating my own content is something I'm interested in further down the road. And without giving away to many secrets, I have an upcoming shoot with a very sexy, very inked porn stud, and fans may soon have an opportunity to take a piece of Harder home to play with all on their own as well.
Need more Chris Harder? Visit his website, follow him on Twitter and enjoy his Instagram pics. Then go see him Wednesday, March 19 at yoUVee at Blake's from 10 p.m. to midnight.
UPDATE | Harder returns to Blake's on April 16, appearing at yoUVee from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Top photo by RJ Sebastian of Cocky Boys, second photo by Wilson Models
