Drew Sebastian: Life Is Now A Cabaret

June 27, 2024
ALEXANDER

Drew Sebastian: Life Is Now A Cabaret

Drew Sebastian has been a mainstay in the adult industry for over 16 years. He has dominated the scene with his hot scenes, his professionalism, and his charisma. Fans who meet him in person all say the same, he's one sweet guy. Dominating the adult biz, he came to the industry as an aficionado in many other different fields, from stage to chef work, he's a man of many trades. While fulfilling your porn fantasies, he's been expanding his stage work and his cabaret shows have become just as popular as his topping scenes. This summer, he is enjoying a residency at the Pilgrim House in Ptown. We chatted with Drew and got the tea!

You were in musical theatre before getting into the adult industry, how did you get into that genre?

As a kid, I watched the Tony Awards every year and I recorded the musical numbers. I was always drawn to musicals. My training in college was for classical voice and then musical theater. I started working in professional theater as a singer and dancer at a theme park. That theme park was Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN.

What did you love most about performing in those years?

I loved the crowds and the energy I felt alive with those performances. Sometimes we did five 50-minute shows a day. In a season, we did 500 shows. I did 2 seasons at Dollywood and then I did a show in Vegas called “Country Tonite” (sic). I was a dancer in that show. From there I did gay theater in Houston where I did shows like “Naked Boys Singing” and “Dirty Little Showtunes."

What was one of your favorite roles?

I’ve always wanted to be a character performer. But I’ve kind of always been the lead dancer or in the chorus. I guess my favorite role is playing myself now. Plus I get to be more characters than just myself.

How did you shift from musical theatre to the adult industry?

It’s a tale as old as time. Gay boy wants attention, so he starts go-go dancing with skills he cultivated in dance class growing up and then becomes a porn actor. Then that go-go boy grows into his dad body and realizes his potential as a gay daddy porn star. No? Just me? (Nah!)

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You have been a vet in the biz for over 16 years. From your perspective, how has the industry changed the most?

The industry has become more of a business for the porn actor and model. The studios used to handle all the promotions and take all the money and distribute it so we didn’t have to do any of that work. Now, we are responsible for promoting ourselves, even if we’re under contract. Social media has radically changed the business space – space with personal websites, OnlyFans, Just For Fans, Etc. One thing I really champion is that the industry is more accepting of guys of all body types. There’s a market for everybody. There’s a lid for every pot, so to speak.

How have you changed the most?

My body has been one big change… When I started in porn, I was a skinny-toned guy… I’ve been a bear… I’ve been a muscle bear… I’ve been an average body guy… but I think the biggest change has been in my confidence level. As I’ve grown into my body and as my mind has matured, I have learned that I’m awesome at so many things. I may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but what I have… someone wants. There was a time when I told myself I wasn’t good enough or hot enough. When I just put those insecurities aside, I really started to enjoy life.

What have been your biggest challenges in the adult biz?

You know… early in my pursuit of work in the adult film business, I wasn’t getting bookings like I wanted. I had to do my other work as a classically trained chef to make ends meet. It was mostly patience that helped me arrive at a point where I was getting regular bookings. Learning patience was the biggest challenge.

With your knowledge of the industry, what do you think the future of gay porn looks like?

I think there will be more celebration of different body types, ages, ethnicities, and cultures. I think the industry will continue to be driven by individuals shooting, editing, and posting their own personal content. The growth of social and digital is in some ways like the big studios, putting out their own content. And 3D porn. I can’t wait for 3D porn.

You also present your ALPHA parties all over, what do you love most about connecting with your fans?

I love the support I get from my fans. So many guys have been watching me since they were discovering their sexuality as young adults. They tell me this when we meet at my ALPHA parties, or at Folsom, or my shows. They love seeing that I’m multi-faceted. They not only offer their appreciation, but they give me encouragement.

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You also have been performing your cabaret all over the place. Are fans surprised to see this side of you?

Yes and No. So many men do a double take when they see me in my tux or playing my saxophone. But they still say I’m sexy and that my show is almost like watching my movies. Almost. I never want to hide the porn part of my life, but I love to sing songs and dance and tell stories and jokes, and that they aren’t always sexual. I think people respect my choices and like me more because of it. Look at it like this. I have a day job and an evening job. I film porn in the daytime in the studio and I sing at night in the theater.

What do you love most about performing on stage?

The stage feels like home. I get anxiety in crowds but I love doing something on stage that makes people happy. And anyone who sees me on stage knows that I’m the happiest when I’m up there. There are so many stories that I can’t wait to tell through my shows.

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What is your creative process when putting a cabaret together?

For now, I’m just trying to explain who I am and why I’m doing these shows instead of porn. (Spoiler alert! I’m not exactly done with porn… stay tuned!) I’m already working on the next show. There are so many songs I’ve been collecting over the years… it’s just about creating a story that I believe in currently. Then, I add some choreography. Yes… this old man can still move!

You are bringing your summer show “It Had To Be Drew” to Ptown. What can audiences expect?

This is my 3rd time performing at the Pilgrim House. I was there for 3 weeks last summer, I did Christmas shows for “Holly Folly” in December, and now I have a full summer residency! Each show has become more developed. This show has more stories from my life, like my coming out story and a wider range of music than before. I go from jazz to show tunes to Dolly Parton songs. I might even do some tap dancing! (Spoiler alert! I am definitely doing some tap dancing!)

Will you be leaving the adult industry to focus on singing more?

Eventually, yes… I’m hoping this new life on stage will take me into my later years. I would like to leave the porn industry before I get to a place where I’m not proud of what I’m putting out there. Who knows when that will be. That moment is different for everyone.

What do you want most from your career ahead of you?

I want to keep having a blast singing and telling dad jokes for as long as I am still kicking. You can do anything and all it takes is to be true to yourself. I’m so lucky to have my fans and friends who encourage me and appreciate everything that I do. Maybe I’ll get to do a Broadway show, someday. That would be the fulfillment of a dream. Billy Flynn in Chicago?

What is your message to your fans this Pride season?

Be kind. We are more vulnerable than ever before. Yes, we’re stronger, too. But kindness is sexy. Also, even if you can’t go to every Pride in every city, just go to Pride. We stand stronger when we stand together and love ourselves and each other. Even people in my hometown of Knoxville, TN are able to celebrate Pride and being their true selves because we celebrate Pride everywhere.