Mika Tan: F-A-Q

YOU SEEM LIKE AN INTELLIGENT PERSON, WHY DO YOU DO PORN?
Is this the "You are better than this" speech like in "Girl Next Door"? I have a healthy view of sex and enjoy it immensely. I am here because sex is fun, allows me freedom, and helps a lot of people who need adult entertainment. My grandmother owned "happy ending" massage parlors. I got a lot of flack from other schoolchildren whose hateful parents told them that my grandmother was an evil whore. (Honestly, why would a parent tell their child something like that?) Anyway, I got teased a lot and beaten up once trying to defend my grandmother. My grandmother told me that everyone needed sex, it is natural and there is nothing to be ashamed about. I really do believe that what she says is true and since not everyone gets as much sex as they need or the type of sex that they desire (either from lack of a partner or having a boring one), there needs to be a healthy outlet. And if me dressing up like a young girl gets someone off, that is one less day he/she needs to be hanging out at a schoolyard or one less frustrated man who tries to force himself on a woman he meets at a bar. Getting off relieves tension and has a calming effect on me and other people I know. Sure I could be doing something else, but the hours are great, I can build my own schedule and can spend as much money and time as I want with my family and friends. I don't want a 40-60 hour weeks, working hard in a month what I can make in 2-3 days of performing, in a safe, relaxed working environment - free of office politics. Sure I don't get along with every person in porn, but as often as I see them, I can tolerate anyone for a couple hours every couple months.

DO YOU ESCORT?
I always say that I'd try anything once, twice if it felt good. I met some very nice people, but it just is not my cup of tea. I am an actress who goes all the way, not a prostitute who is filmed. On top of that, the whole idea of an unsupervised in/outcall with an untested stranger without knowing prior what their turn-ons are (i.e. strangulation) is frightening. Almost every porn chick I know is doing it and making a crapload of money, but I guess I don't need that kind of money that badly. Prada is nice, but not at the expense of my peace of mind. I was propositioned on my last feature tour to Florida. Here is how it went down:

"Happy New Year, Mika Tan:
This is xxxx from Florida, USA, and I hope you remember me (xxxx's friend). Well I'm checking my business trip schedule and I will be in LA (staying at the Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City) from Janruary 31st, 2007 through Februart 2nd, 2007. Please let me know if these dates are OK with you or not so we can setup a meeting and I can finally meet one lovely Asian Goddess, you (I have other trips to LA later in February and March too). Also, I did not get your hourly donations and if you offer multiple hour discounts? Thank you. Lustfully, xxxx"

After email ping-pong and him sending me Bella Models links, I sent this:

I wanted to try and earn some quick extra cash to place a deposit for a really good deal I found on a 6-unit apartment building that was in foreclosure a couple months back. So I did contact Bella. My sister is a military police officer and has a friend over at LAPD vice. She heard some girls here in LA working with Bella were being watched by OCU from NY whatever that is. He warned me and so I chickened out.

They still put up my name and pictures that I was available though. The folks at Bella are very nice and professional and arranging for meetings is not illegal. They had an uphill battle with me because I have made public statements that I do not escort, because I get propositioned through my website all the time. As far as their website, they say I have a 32B cup (too small), am 31-35 (too old), mika@mikatan.com is my only means of contact (that is a deleted email address), and I am not sure what this means at all: "smokes: Yes and thats all I could smell". I could give two shits what other websites say. There are several companies who throw my photos up on their websites and not to mention the 7 fake Mika Tans on myspace who were escorts, which I had deleted. Truth be known, I do not have nor want to make the time to police the web.

As I said, I tried escorting in 2001 for Exotic and I have done absolutely nothing (no privates, no paid dates) since. If you think pretty much calling me a liar -- by telling me that there is "Global Public Knowledge" of me escorting anyway -- will make me want to see you, you are mistaken. Please don't get me wrong; I love sex and love the fact I can get paid for performing and in the future, I might tag along with another girl, if the conditions were right. Escorting going solo has proven to me in the past it can be a dangerous situation to be in (in porn, I work with tested, professional performers, surrounded by at least one traceable witness, and nothing is done that isn't scripted or without my consent/prior knowledge). Please do have a safe trip to LA/FL. Escorting is really not my bag; I was just looking to take the quick, easy money route. Thank you for reminding me I am not comfortable with all this. >:-) Good luck in your endeavors! Take care!

For the record, if you want to video tape yourself having sex with any porn star then it has turned into something with production value. Be prepared to furnish 2 matching state-issued id's and sign a non-release/non-disclosure agreement.

ARE YOU GAY?
I am not a total "vagina-tarian", I am an omnivore -- I love meat too! Being bisexual is great in this business.

CAN YOU SEND ME A FREE 8x10?
I am sending a free non-nude 8x10 to any any military personnel serving in the Middle East. I am sending it to FPO/APO addresses only. For those who have met me at the conventions, I almost never sell 8x10's or go through the expense of printing calendars to sell. What few items I do keep on hand, I do not make in bulk, so my overhead is rather high. I really cannot afford to send them out to everyone who asks. Now, if I won the lottery...

DO YOU DO CUSTOM VIDEOS?
Yes! I bought my first Mini-DV Camcorder on E-bay and already made a couple custom videos. I made a girl-girl video with Akira Lane and a Boy-Girl-Girl with Loni and Alec T. Shag. E-mail me a script and with the available pro-talent here, we can negotiate their rates and get back with you. You will, of course, have to sign a non-release agreement, as the custom videos are for your private use only. <<E-Mail Custom Video Request>>

CAN THE "AVERAGE JOE" HIRE YOU?
I only work with large production companies. I will not have sex with some guy who borrowed a freaking $200 8mm camera. Don't ask. Now and again, I have helped out someone with their portfolio -- but it is never more than a half an hour and it is figure study work only.

DO YOU FEATURE DANCE?
I believe platform stilettoes are best worn while lying down. I have taken a class and making an attempt to feature. You can check out my news section to see if and where I am featuring.

WHERE DID YOU GO? DID YOU RETIRE?
I got really burned out and had to get away. I went through some tough personal stuff (miscarriage, divorce). Between my ex and people I trusted in this business, I got screwed out of my life savings and scores of thousands of dollars. I needed to go back to my roots and re-prioritize my life. I hope that wasn't my mid-life crisis, because that means I am only going to live until 50!

HOW DO YOU BREAK INTO THE PORN BUSINESS?
I was a figure model for art classes, which made me more comfortable with my body. I became a housedancer in college, and was scouted out my a pornographer at a gas station. I get asked this question a lot. I think I am going to write a book or something, because there is so much to know about this business. I tell new girls all the time: Sex on film is SIMPLE, not EASY. Call me on Keen 1-800-ASK-KEEN. My extension is 0372809 and I would be happy to tell you all you need to know.

DOES YOUR FAMILY KNOW?
Yes. My parents think it is a waste of a perfectly good brain, but the truth is that all the money I make in this business is spent on necessities for the whole family and my various organizations. I share whatever I have and they know that I only have a short amount of time to captialize of my youth. It grosses my sisters out a bit and my mom gets upset when I have a rough scene or I get hurt-which sometimes happens. So it is tough on her to see me with bruises or an ice pack on my crotch. They are encouraging me to produce, so I can retire my body from the heavy wear and tear. My dad's opinion is: "Porn is good for anyone else's daughter, but your own." I appreciate my family for being supportive. Many other performers have been disowned or have to continually lie to their family about what they do. I would never want to lie to my family or friends. As far as I am concerned, if someone doesn't like me for who I am because of what I do, then I do not want to be around a shallow person like that. Frankly, I know far too many women who seem respectable on the outside but lie, cheat, and steal to/from people they supposedly care about. Scandalous.

DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS ABOUT THIS BUSINESS OR LIFE IN GENERAL?
Well, if I knew then what I know now, I would have started sooner, like right when I turned 18 and got a workout regimen set early on. My dear friend Miko Lee used to tell me that she was almost addicted to working out at the gym (and it shows). Teanna Kai also says she is workout fiend...I am the opposite! I dread working out and with my genes, it is imperative that I stay on top of my diet and exercise. 2 hours of BDSM and/or fucking a couple times a week just is not enough cardio! I also wish I saved more. I spent a lot of my money at the peak of my career spoiling my ex with cars, his trendy clothes and traveling. (Gawd, I love to travel!) I have yet to buy my house, maybe because I haven't decided where I want to live yet. Ahh...commitment issues abound me, don't they? I do regret not doing enough to protect girls who try out the business. I feel like I could have saved them some grief, but some of these girls NEED to do porn to either prove something or to pay their rent; it is difficult to drive anyone with desire away -- even though their personaility is not cut out for this business. I did fire 2 girls because it was not in their best interest to do porn, but in hindsight, there were more I should have tried harder to steer away. I don't regret any of the bad experiences that happened to me, because I would not have learned from them.

CAN YOU AND YOUR SISTER DO A GIRL-GIRL SHOOT?
That is just plain disgusting. This is not her industry. She is a mom, for crying out loud! Even if we weren't related, she is your average heterosexual and does not deviate in any way. Man, if you knew her, she would bite your head off just for asking. She is quite humorless.

WHY DON'T YOU CONSIDER GOING MAINSTREAM?
I did a lot of mainstream commercial and theater work in my teens through college in San Diego/OC. So I tried my hand when I got to Los Angeles. It was a nightmare. I had a talent agent make me pay $2200 to her son, a photographer, for a portfolio (which I never saw) who then told me that I never looked "Asian" enough to find me work. 3 different directors whipped out their penises during readings...And this is all before porn! I did give the last one a blowjob, thinking that it was the reason why the last 2 did not call me back. I mean, how did Keanu Reeves, with his limited acting ability get in, right? Well, never heard back from the third director and I figured, if I am going to have to fuck for work, I might as well fuck for work. And mainstream after porn is even worse. One "producer" was "scouting" for well-known Asian models for a sexy spin advertisement for Coca Cola-Japan. I set up meetings for all the Asian models I knew and then I found out he wasn't even approved for the project! I *KNOW* for a fact that mainstream actors and actresses have given up sex for roles -- hell, they even have a freaking statue at the Kodak building for the casting couch and yet they turn their noses up just because we are honest and open about sex. My friend dated a mainstream actress who wanted me to explain how to "be a lesbo" because she was going to "bump into" a known lesbian director who was casting for a movie and sleep her way into the leading character. This same actress has told me, "Oh my God! I don't know how you whore yourself out like that?! Where is your self-respect?!" I think it is all very hypocritical. I guess so long as it is not documented, then sex for work is okay. And for the record, I have a lot of self-respect. I think I fuck pretty damn good that it is worth money -- I don't give it out for free! Ha-Ha!