Interview

• If you have to pick one thing that everyone else should absolutely know about you, what would it be?
  I grew up in Oakland, CA. My love for my hometown runs deep.
  
  To quote Beyoncé, my goal in life is to be happy. I know I can't be happy every day, but I try to make decisions that reflect movement toward a happier place. That includes my careers and generally, how I spend my time, and who I spend it around.
  
  I make an effort to help people who may be less fortunate than myself. This effort informs many of my personal endeavors.
• What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?
  When I'm not working, I love to be outside in the sun. I love hanging at the beach or the park, sitting at an outdoor coffee shop or restaurant; urban walks (in New York), and nature hikes (in the Bay — nature is wondrous and necessary). I try to keep up with my journaling but could always do more. Randomly, I love LEGOs — every now and then I treat myself to a big new set and build it over the course of a few days. I read a lot of news and not enough fiction, and listen to an assortment of political and NBA podcasts. And I'm writing a book.
• How do you go that ‘extra mile' in your life?
  I am doing everything I want to do, and nothing I don't. My careers fulfill me in a way I couldn't imagine years ago. I'm going the extra mile by not settling for being ordinary or conventional, or someone else's ideal version of me.
• What do you do for fun?
  My drinking days are behind me, but I do enjoy 420. I do not parTy, ever, but open to trying other things. I like watching basketball, or tennis. And I will serenade the hell out of you from my shower.
  
  Spending time alone in my room with a toy or two, enjoying a high-quality porno can be very therapeutic. Though inviting someone over for some (good) sex (and filming it) is a great way to spend an afternoon too... I've always enjoyed gogo dancing, and would love to do another sex show (total exhibitionist here, if you couldn't tell).
  
  My friends give me life. I have more great friendships than I can count on all my fingers and toes. I'm always getting into some sort of shenanigans with those crazy fools.
• Tell us what you consider to be your greatest life experience.
  There are so many! Seeing Victoria Falls as a child was magnificent. I had a shrooms trip in 2012 that changed my life for the better. A few years ago in Taiwan I had a cathartic experience while sharing some very special tea grown in the highlands of the island with my friends and the family that cultivated it. Later on during that trip I hooked up with a cute local on the roof of my Airbnb, in the misty shadow of Taipei 101. I've performed in a live show with notable porn guy Rafael Alencar. Moving to New York at 17 was huge, and I if I could go back in time I would definitely do it again. After college I drove across the country with my best friend; I can't think of a better companion for a trip of that magnitude. I could list more experiences for sure.
• What makes you stand out from the crowd?
  I think being empathetic is really important, and I try to instill empathy into all the decisions I make. It also helps me be more compassionate to myself, which is very important for me as I navigate bouts of anxiety.
• What are your greatest personal traits?
  I work out but honestly I have great genes. I can thank nature for my abs, butt, and cheekbones. My excelskin, however, is the result of a labor of love whose spoils I'm happy to share with you.
  
  I love trivia and learning new things. I'm a great writer, at least in a technical sense—my prose is on point. I also took classical voice lessons for 7 semesters in college; I still love to sing and find venues to perform when I can. I know sports inside and out, especially basketball (it's the straightest thing about me). I'm a history buff; used to spend a lot of time talking politics, but lately I haven't enjoyed it as much. I'm very fashionable, presenting equally fly in a fitted wool suit or a tight swimsuit. I've been told I have a great smile, and that I have other very pretty parts too.
• What is your ‘niche’?
  When I'm among really good friends and we're just shooting the shit, it's the best feeling. I can also be the life of the party even if I don't know anybody there. I love it when I don't know anyone at the beginning of the night but by the end I've met tons of amazing people. Sometimes I need to decompress though, and my bedroom is my sanctuary. I just close the door and drift away into my own little world. Definitely an introvert who can turn it on when needed. I need that time alone to weave my loose thoughts into a contextualized narrative. My niche is building emotional intelligence, no matter by myself or among friends.
• How often do you travel? Do you prefer to travel or you are more of a homebody?
  I love to travel. I try to get on a plane 5-6 times a year at least. Whether it's Vegas, Lisbon, Taipei — I'm so down; but most often I tend to fly to LA or SF from my base in NY.
• What kind of diet and fitness regiment do you follow?
  It's really important to me to keep my body fit and my skin clear. I have lots of dietary restrictions that force me to eat healthy. I don't overeat unless it's a holiday, a wedding, or a Michelin Star joint. I walk everywhere. I fit in basketball, yoga, rowing (machine yo!), and bodyweight exercises when time and energy permit.
• What’s your lifestyle? What makes you who you are?
  I keep my space/body very clean and organized. I love playing basketball but I don't do it enough, same with yoga. I dislike lifting, but working out my brain muscles wins. Public transportation is life.
  
  I walk with purpose. I work hard, but generally only on projects that I'm passionate about. I have 3-5 careers at any given point in time. It makes me happy to have my hands in many baskets, always creating or manifesting.
• What would you like your followers to know about you that is unique and even a bit personal?
  I'm pansexual and gender expansive. Who I am, and who I'm attracted to, aren't related to gender. It's meant I'm pretty flexible and sometimes a bit of a chameleon.
• If you and I were on the beach having some wine and great food, what would you tell me about yourself.
  My favorite beach memory is from a trip to Jamaica in 2014. I was there with my dad, who's from the island, and it was my first trip to the homeland. It was magical. When I was in Negril, every day I watched the sun set over the beach, directly west. I love to travel generally, but there was really something special about going home for the first time.
  
  Also, I can speak a bit of Japanese and would love to get back into the language.
• What should others absolutely know about you?
  I'm multifaceted, and can hang easily in all types of circles. I love to party, but I also really enjoy curling up in my bed alone and streaming something.
• What do you enjoy most about yourself?
  I love my inquisitive, chill nature. I approach situations with empathy, thoughtfulness and respect; I think this helps me to be a good judge of character, and enjoyable to be around.
• Name 5 things that you can’t live without.
  travel
  mirrors
  access to a good story
  an excellent shower head
  your pleasure