April Flores: The Mr. Skin Interview

What got you started in modeling?

I had posed for a few friends and my cousins had been photographers and they had asked me to pose for them and I always had a lot of fun. When Carlos asked me to pose for him, it was flattering. As for pornography, it evolved through time and being with Carlos, being exposed to different things.

You are Carlos's muse. What goes on in your head when you do photos for him?

During our first few shoots there was a lot of sexual tension. I had just met him and everything was new to me. It's still there, but now the focus has shifted from that to a desire to make a very cool image or a very strong statement.

How do you feel about being a fetish model?

I'm not like any type of specific model. I don't really like to call myself that. I like to say that I'm a "subject". What I really enjoy about posing is that each photographer has his own vision and style. It's very fun for me when I can show up and I just mold into whatever idea they have.

Let's talk about Alter Ego. You are filming part three. What is it about?

It arose out of the different wigs and costumes and makeup and transforming into whatever vision that the artist has, so those characters are my alter egos.

How did you pick the people to be in the film with you?

All the people are friends that are open minded and get what we're doing and what we feel would add to our project.

You've performed on camera with adult-video superstar Belladonna (Picture: 1). What was that like?

It was cool. She is very sensual. I had never been with a porn star before, so I didn't know how they worked. Since then I have been on other sets, and it was totally different than that day. I can definitely say that my experience shooting with her was unique. Belladonna's husband was there, and Carlos was there. It was just the four of us at her studio, and she was super nice and I thought it was a very sensual time.

So you had sex with Belladonna (Picture: 1) and it was fun?

Yes! It was very fun. It was very romantic. I had to put the glass dildo in her ass and I was like, "Oh my God! I hope I'm not hurting her!"

Does your work serve a higher purpose?

Yes, definitely. I'm trying to let other women see that it's okay—you can be sexy, you can be sexual, you can show off your body, and you don't have to be a size two. Just be comfortable with yourself and you can have a lot of fun.

Were you always comfortable being naked?

No. That also evolved with being with Carlos and just experiencing different things, just personal growth.

Do you ever get any negative comments?

Well, if I get negative comments that's just reflecting on the person commenting. That's another reason why I enjoy doing this, because if someone doesn't like it then at least it's pushing a button—meaning it's doing something.

What's next?

We started Alter Ego 3 with the shoot with you. Oh, we are working on my website, which is going to be a pay site!

What do your parents think about what you do?

My dad passed away, but he had met Carlos and he had seen Wild Skin [Carlo's book that features April on its cover] and he really liked it. I felt a little strange at first. Then I was like, "I've accomplished something! I'm in my boyfriend's book," and Dad had a copy, so I think he was proud of me.

In Wild Skin, I don't show any cooch, so I'm comfortable showing my dad. My mom has the attitude of "Don't ask, don't tell!" I try to drop little hints here and there, like I'm in a photo shoot or I'm in a movie or whatever, and she'll just say, "That's nice."

When you are doing sex scenes, what do you like the best?

I like kissing and being sensual. What I enjoy most is making the personal connection with whomever I'm there with.

What are you most proud of?

Just my decision to live my life with an open mind, and that has allowed me to experience things that I wouldn't have otherwise.

What are your favorite mainstream movie sex scenes?

I really like the sex scenes between monsters and humans, like in Dracula there's the part where that big like wolf thing is having sex with her friend. It's weird—I'm not into fucking animals!

Henry & June (Picture: 1) was the first movie I saw that showed non-conventional sex. They portrayed sex as a tool that people use to explore themselves both within and outside their "traditional" relationships. I was fascinated with the Bohemian lifestyle that Henry and June lived. I had never seen a movie like that before. I remember being so turned on when I saw the lesbian scene.

Kids (Picture: 1) was great because I felt like it was very true to the way teenagers act. When I saw Kids, I felt like I was watching my peers on screen. It was also the first movie I had seen where HIV was addressed.

I loved Shortbus (Picture: 1) and Ken Park (Picture: 1) because they showed sex in a more realistic way. I thought it was so great that they showed naked men as well as women. This to me is the way all films should be. Sex scenes in mainstream movies are always super-cheesy, trying to come off as "romantic".

Sex is not always slow, with lit candles and satin sheets. More often than not it's raw and rough and messy, and that's the way these films portray sex. I also don't understand why only females are shown naked. Films would be so much more interesting to me if I got to see a few dicks along with the tits.

Who are your favorite sexy actresses? Or better yet, who influences your style?

The glamorous movie queens from the 1940s and 1950s have influenced my style. I love to wear my hair in big curls and do my makeup with defined eyebrows and red lips. Their grace and beauty is timeless and I've always been drawn to their beautiful black-and-white portraits. My favorite actress from that era was Rita Hayworth because she was a Latina, like me.

Who is your favorite porn actress?

I am my favorite porn actress!

images all courtesy of http://www.fattyd.com