Joseph Rough is the total package — cute boyish face, bedroom eyes and a killer body. (And yes, he’s also an escort!) Joseph is super new to the industry, but has already been racking up scenes with porn stars like Adam Russo, Charlie Harding and the always beguiling Colby Keller.
While the “rough” in his name describes how he likes it in the bedroom, Joseph was nothing but accommodating and friendly during our chat. I caught up with Joseph fresh off the set from his latest scene, and we talked about sex, S&M and schooling.
– Karsh
Photo credit: Bound Jocks
Read our exclusive interview with gay porn star Joseph Rough below:
Welcome back to the States, Joseph! How was Canada?
It was nice. Refreshing. An entire week without working was something I really needed.
Speaking of work, you just shot a scene with Kink.com. Can you tell us about it?
Yes, I can. The scene was for KinkMen’s 30 Minutes of Torment. Shooting went great yesterday; I was so excited to sub on camera. I can’t wait to see the final product. I’ve always been a fan of KinkMen’s aesthetic; they make gorgeous work.
Those scenes are pretty intense, but it sounds like it was 30 minutes of pleasure for you! What do you enjoy most about subbing?
The act of being submissive in that kind of scene has always been very personally significant to me. A lot of it has to do with the kind of trusting relationships I’ve built up with my leather daddies and the way the dom/sub dynamic facilitates a kind of intimacy that, to this day, remains unmatched for me.
If you really trust your dom, they can push your limits and show you parts of yourself you never knew you had. For me, it’s always been somewhat spiritual and I feel that these experiences have really been instrumental in me becoming the man I am today.
So what I enjoy most is that feeling of intimacy and personal growth, I suppose.
When did you first know that being a sub was something you were interested in?
During my undergrad, I took a course on porn studies and began learning about queer history and the history of leather culture. Through that, I feel like I had found the space within the queer community that I had been looking for all along.
Not that I didn’t feel like I belonged before, but upon visiting the leather archives and museum in Chicago and going to my first IML, it all started to make sense. I found that I gained a lot of personal insight and strength through submitting to someone I admire, as well as a great amount of wisdom.
It’s weird — almost esoteric in a sense. But in the end, I feel like I found a place that I really belong.
I think that ease and comfort that you’re talking about definitely shows in your scenes. My favorite scene of yours was with Adam Russo for Hot Dads Hot Lads. Of the scenes you’ve done, which have you enjoyed the most?
Yeah, I’m kind of a daddy’s boy in a big way, and Adam is one hot daddy. That’s a really tough question, though. I think to date my favorite has been either that one or my RFC scene with Adam. We had a pretty tangible chemistry the minute we met, and I think it shines through in both of those scenes.
Speaking of RFC, you’ve done both condom and bareback scenes. With you and Adam, I think that’s the first time I’ve seen two guys do both (for separate sites).
Yes, I have. I didn’t want to do bareback when I first began for fear of being a bad example for my viewers. But with the advent of PrEP, that has changed. There are more ways to have safer sex now than just using condoms, and I think it’s a great thing.
What’s the reaction been like from viewers and fans?
I haven’t had much of a negative reaction, really. It’s all very supportive usually. In fact, I know a number of them prefer my bareback scenes.
Bareback is odd like that when it comes to how the audience will receive it. People either love it or hate it. It sounds like you’re flexible in doing both.
I am. I enjoy sex in general, and I don’t see any problems with celebrating that so long as everything is clearly communicated with those involved, whether we’ll be using a condom or not.
Since we’re on the subjects of sex and clear communication, you’re also an escort in NYC. How is the experience for you?
It’s great. I love my job and I take a lot of pride in my work both on screen and off, as well as the relationships I have with my clients. I’ve been working as an escort for about two and half years now. I started while I was living in Chicago. It’s given me great insight through those years and has really shown me how important it is to be fully present, empathetic and compassionate with whomever you’re working for.
It’s one of the reasons I’m going on to focus on psychology for my masters degree.
That’s good! When I talked with Killian James and Eli Lewis, they also both mentioned the importance of being present for the client; that’s what makes the connection worthwhile. Tell me more about your educational pursuits.
Currently, I’m studying to become a certified personal trainer. As well as applying for graduate programs at NYU and Columbia. I’m looking to focus on psychology and queer theory.
Actually, the experience of escorting and doing porn are all laying the groundwork for what I hope will become my dissertation.
Field research! Dr. Rough has a nice ring to it. What’s going to be the focus of your dissertation?
LOL — it’s a little early to tell. It might have something to do with the subjectivity of the queer male sex worker or most likely the psychological benefits of practices involving kink and S&M. However, that’s still a few years away. All in all, I just really miss being in school and having the privilege of being able to hide away in some library and just read and think and write for hours on end.
Talk to me about Joseph Rough when the cameras are off. What do you do in your spare time?
Well, I live in the center of Manhattan. In an ordinary week, I spend a lot of time at the gym, reading, visiting with friends, etc. I love records and have a massive collection of vinyl that I’m constantly expanding. I also visit museums with relative frequency. Twentieth century art history was also a major focus in my undergrad studies, and it’s important for me to stay engaged in that discourse, so I try and maintain that as much as my lifestyle allows me to.
Are you single? Any daddies made an honest boy out of you yet?
Hahahaha. I am technically single. And I have a number of daddies, but I’ve never really been one to settle down with one. They all mean the world to me.
There is one man — who is closer to my age, surprisingly — that has been there for me through all of this in the past year: moving to New York, beginning a career in porn and all the ups and downs that go with it. He knows who he is. And I’m hoping he stays in my life for a long time.
That’s awesome. It sounds like he keeps you pretty grounded.
He does. We both kind of have to do that for each other. He’s also in the industry.
Ah! Well your secret is safe with me. So where can our audience find you online?
My most recent scenes have been with KinkMen, Lucas Entertainment and Naked Sword. If you’d like to meet me and get to know me a bit, you can always look me up at Rentboy.
I bet some of our readers will take you up on that offer! Joseph, it’s been a real pleasure — thanks for speaking with me today!
Thank you very much, man. It was great chatting with you.
Watch more of Joseph bottoming for Adam Russo at RFC or HOT DADS HOT LADS.
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Great interview. I like his bareback scenes, for those who, don’t watch them.
Oh damn I think I’m in love, sexy, intelligent with an Interest in kink and daddies, Joseph you just might be the perfect boyfriend!
And you and anyone else can have him if you just give him your credit card. There are a lot of things on my list for a perfect boyfriend. At the top, don’t be a whore.
Even with the advent PrEP ( if this PrEP thing is 4 real ) I still do not see where the risk is WORTH taken !!!
A barebacking, porn-making hooker. He’ll go far in life.
And fairly near the top of mine is don’t be judgemental, it’s an ugly trait
People often confuse judgmental with truthful. He takes money for sex, he is a whore. That’s the very definition of a whore. Calling a spade a spade is not judgmental, it is just observing what something is.
He will. I bet he travels all over the country from hotel to hotel spreading his legs for any man who throws a few twenty dollar bills at him. Isn’t that the dream we all had as children?
It is. Please do some research.
Every prostitute is a psychologist these days I guess. It’s a good way to justify or rationalize hooking… Not that there’s anything wrong with that….. 😉
What a judgmental bitch. You’ll go far in life being that way I am sure.
Well that is your opinion that does not mean others have to hold the same opinion.
Well the term whore is derogatory what reason do you have to be derogatory towards him. Has he called you a bitch? Doubt it. But by calling him a whore, you’re being a bitch.
It always makes me laugh when peope criticize pornstars (i.e. call them whores and make assumptions about their behaviour.) The fact they choose to have sex for money doesn’t make them any worse of a person than your last grindr or manhunt hookup. Before you get on that holier than thou pedestal, remember that if people didn’t want and didn’t watch porn, pornstars wouldn’t exist. Check yourselves.
No, actually the term “whore” literally means an individual who sells their body for sex. He’s a whore.
Are you saying that as a child you actually dreamed of being a hooker? Wow, you had a messed up childhood.
I know the websters dictionary definition. I just find it cunty that someone would use that term rather than calling him an escort which he is or a male prostitute. Calling him a whore is just being a hater.
You’re okay, then if someone refers to you as a cock sucking faggot versus simply calling you gay or homosexual? Don’t hide behind semantics. If you’re going to judge him as being less worthy then own it.
DId say anything about a child, no. So I am not sure where the hell you get that what is messed up is your head obviously.
He’s not a whore. He’s an escort…