Tera Patrick: The Fleshbot Interview

One of the most iconic adult superstars of all time, Tera Patrick is just about as close to a household name as one can become in the adult industry. An amazing collision of European and Asian features (her mother was from Thailand, her father from England), Tera parlayed her unique and devastating looks into a long career in the adult industry. This living legend has begun stepping behind the scenes of late, though she does continue to act in the occasional film, including the recent mainstream comedy Live Nude Girls. I recently chatted with Tera via e-mail to ask her about her upbringing, her work on Live Nude Girls, and her appreciation for her fans. 

Tucker Bankshot: You were born in Montana, and raised in San Francisco. Did you have any exposure to the adult industry growing up in those two very disparate places?

Tera Patrick: I hope not! Who would be exposed to Porn “growing up"? ...(Laughing)

TB: Your first film was with Andrew Blake, who is one of the most famous directors in the industry. Did you learn a lot working with him or did your education really begin after that first film? 

TP: Education? LOL each performance is my own, different sets, different talent, and each experience is different. 

TB: What prompted you to return to adult films in 2003, just one year after announcing your retirement from the industry?

TP: I wasn't retired from the industry I was involved in a lawsuit in which a studio tried, unsuccessfully, to block me from ever working in the adult industry again. I prevailed. I then opened my own studio TeraVision, with Vivid doing my North American distribution. I have been retired since 2008 from shooting hardcore scenes, you will never see me in hardcore ever again away. I have my website www.terapatrick.com ; my line of novelties through Fleshlight ; my store www.allthingstera.net , I perform my monthly burlesque revue in Los Angeles; I tour with Comic Con / Wizard World;  I wrote my first memoir " Sinner Takes All" (published by Penguin); and the follow up book releasing this year too! I keep so busy! I never "came back "as I never went been there conquered that! :)

TB: How did you get involved with Live Nude Girls?

TP: A mutual friend of Mike Hatton and Jay Leggett’s, Christopher Gordon (who plays ‘Josh’ in the film) pitched me the role and made the introduction. I liked the character ‘Nancy “Boots”’ and I thought I’d be a perfect fit.

TB: What was it about working on this project that intrigued you the most?

TP: It was an awesome experience, with a fun script and a cool cast. I have been offered a lot of mainstream roles but this film spoke to me, it was different. I really enjoyed reading the script and my character was a type of woman I had never played nor had been offered to play, I knew I had to do it. 

TB: Did you get to work with Har Mar Superstar at all? He’s a personal favorite of mine. 

TP: Yes and we have a sexy scene. Let’s just put it this way it involves me, Har Mar, and 7 minutes in heaven. If you want to know more, you have got to watch the movie.

TB: You seem to be working your way steadily into more mainstream work. Do you find that’s been a hard transition? 

TP: Am I? Not really, I get offered a lot of stuff but turn it down. Acting honestly doesn't interest me a whole lot; I would have pursued it if I did; unless I come across a project that I am passionate about or has a great group of people who I really want to work with, like I did on “Live Nude Girls.”

TB: What do you think is the hottest scene that you’ve done or maybe a top three if you can’t pick just one?

TP: Ha ha like I said each was great and different. However, I do have a favorite scene that I did in “Live Nude Girls,” it’s a Star Wars-esque striptease featuring me as a Princess Leia type. I am so every man/fanboy wet dream in this scene

TB: Is there anything else you’d like your fans to know? 

TP: I have so much gratitude for my life ;) I live doing what I love and my fans constantly support me. I've been able to parlay the success of my time in adult to other aspects of my life and my fans are the reason for this. I owe them everything!!!