The Accidental Porn Star: Jack Mackenroth

Hello guys! Today I have a guest blogger Professor Porn from Handsome Naked Hunks. He did this awesome interview with Jack Mackenroth. Check it out below and go to the original post The Accidental Porn Star: Jack Mackenroth for even more pictures.

The Accidental Porn Star: Jack Mackenroth

Jack Mackenroth has never appeared in a professional gay porn production nor has he ever worked with any of the porn studios. Yet he is one of the most prolific producers of explicit gay content and one of the most popular performers working in gay porn today. It’s an enviable achievement that has many in the industry wanting to know the secret to his success. In an exclusive interview, we reveal where he’s been, how he got here and where he’s going next.

Mackenroth has worn many hats and has had many careers according to his Wikipedia profile.  But the one title that seems to run through his diverse resume is that of “entrepreneur.”  Fans of reality TV may recognize his stunning blue eyes and handsome square-jawed face from his appearance on the Fourth Season of Project Runway.  Apart from his impressive sewing skills, fans also came to know Jack the former model and nationally ranked swimmer.

Through strategic use of social media Jack capitalized on his good looks, media presence and enviable physique to help him increase his visibility as he pursued various business opportunities and promoted his non-profit work of combating HIV-related stigma. Millions of fans followed on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for a chance to see more of that swoon-worthy face and gorgeous body. Though he claims he is not an exhibitionist by nature, Jack would oblige followers by posting sexy photos from his collaborations with famous photographers. Occasionally he would tease the most ardent admirers with revealing, yet tasteful selfies. When fans demanded to see more, Jack the entrepreneur saw an opportunity to monetize his social media presence and turn it into a lucrative revenue stream.

The Age of Fan Sites

Photo by Justin Monroe

Almost overnight, the advent of new platforms like JustFor.Fans and OnlyFans.com gave performers a way to distribute self-produced content directly to their fans via monthly subscriptions. For performers, it was an opportunity to create an additional revenue stream in between studio shoots. For fans who could not get enough of their favorite porn stars, it was an opportunity to connect on a more personal level and show their support.  Every major porn star with a social media following would soon have one or more subscription accounts linked to their Twitter profiles.  Few would be able to update those accounts with regular postings and retain paying subscribers.

Jack Mackenroth and Adam Killian

The reality is that there is already a lot of competition for subscription dollars. The conversion rate from the number of followers into paying subscribers is very low, which means only those with a rabid fanbase in the hundreds of thousands would be able to convert enough subscribers to create a significant revenue stream. But numbers alone are not enough. Any big name performer can open a subscription account and maybe coax a few loyal fans to sign up initially. But to be successful in the long term, they have to work at creating new and compelling content that will keep the fans renewing their monthly subscriptions.

When even the top, most recognizable porn stars are having difficulty monetizing their fame, how has someone like Jack Mackenroth, who has never worked with a porn studio and has hardly any visibility within the gay porn industry been able to succeed? My strong impression in getting to know Jack is that he seems to be guided by a fearless work ethic that demands 100% commitment to whatever he sets his mind to.

Left to Right: Ryan Carter and Diggger, Jay Austin (in sling), Jack Mackenroth. Photo by Isabel Dresler

Once he made the initial decision to drop trou for his fans, he had to embrace the ever increasing demands of this new career path without modesty or fear. In his own words, he “never does anything half-assed ‘pun intended’”.  As both producer and star of his own videos, he is continuously challenging his creativity and pushing personal boundaries as a performer. There’s a reason why fans flock to his site and respond to the content he’s producing.

Not “Just Jack!”

Ryan Carter, Jack Mackenroth, Digger

After years of building a social media presence, Jack gained a practical knowledge and intimate understanding of his fanbase. He uses this insight to guide him in producing the kind of content that caters to the demographics of his subscribers. One of the reasons why Jack’s videos are different is because of his collaboration with other performers, from unknown fans to industry superstars. Sure fans tune in primarily to see Jack; and he makes sure he pleases as many as possible by delivering as many varied performances and appearing in as many different roles as possible. He’s a versatile performer who is equally engaging as a submissive muscle bottom or as a take-charge, dominant top who will take care of your daddy issues. He commits to always delivering his A-game whether he’s starring in a solo or appearing in an ensemble group scene.

Adam Killian and Jack Mackenroth

At the moment, Jack produces for men (and a surprisingly large number of women) who like to watch confident men enjoying uninhibited gay sex with scene partners who are diverse in race, age and body types.  Whether in intimate flip-flops, threesomes or groups, the performers are shown exploring their bodies, testing their boundaries, and fulfilling their fantasies without fear of judgment, and free from stigma and social taboos.  The content on Jack’s site seems authentic and fearless, and the on-set chemistry is no doubt bolstered by his personal friendships with his costars and scene partners.

Even though Jack’s site currently only has 192 videos, it is a sizable collection considering it has only been 11 months he began making porn. Fans trust that the collection will continue to grow just as quickly, as evidenced by regular updates that now comprise over 400 posts and another 500 photos.

A Day in the Life

In order to earn that trust, Jack dedicates much of his time and effort planning upcoming scenes, organizing shoots and locations, and changing themes and concepts.  He reaches out to friends and popular performers in the industry and invites them to collaborate.  He has been able to work with big names in the industry because of his notoriety and because he promotes his costars just as tenaciously as he promotes himself, so they see the value in working with him.

Jack uses professional lighting equipment and often a cameraman to capture the best views and scenes.  He taught himself to use editing software so he can deliver a final product that looks professional (or homemade if that’s what he’s going for) and makes fans feel like they are getting value for their money.  When not working on shoots, he spends the rest of his time doing marketing, responding to fan mail and messages, and posting free teaser clips on Twitter.

At some point in the day, he must also make time to go to the gym in order to keep up the venture’s main assets, which include a sizable ass and a well-muscled hairy torso. Everything is planned and executed as a business, not as an afterthought or on the fly.   Fans certainly recognize that palpable difference in quality and gladly subscribe at a higher rate of $14.99 per month for his premium content.

From Passion to Compassion

Most performers enjoying the peak of their popularity aren’t usually simultaneously planning their next move. But Jack has been in the public eye long enough to know that his time in front of the camera will not last forever.  Apart from the gratification he derives from pleasing his fans, his time as a porn star has been a means to an end.  Ever since he first bared his ass for the camera, his goal has been to set aside enough money for nursing school and finally realizing a life-long dream of becoming a professional care-giver.

It’s a career transition which on the surface might be hard to reconcile with someone whose success is owed to a lifetime of self-promotion in reality television, modeling and porn.  But upon closer inspection, Jack’s nursing career aspiration easily reconciles with a man whose celebrity has been synonymous with AIDS activism and a mission to abolish HIV-related stigma.  Those who are fortunate enough to know Jack personally can attest that by far his biggest and best physical endowment is his heart. What better way for Jack to use his tremendous compassion then as a professional care-giver?

I know I am not alone when I admit that all kinds of fetishistic and kinky imagery came to mind when I think of Jack the future nurse.  Perhaps Jack will indulge our fantasies with a medical-themed scene on his site.  You can subscribe to submit your dirty thoughts on the matter or simply to show your support for Jack in his worthwhile endeavor.

JustFor.Fans/jackmackenroth or

OnlyFans.com/jackmackenroth

You can also follow Jack on Twitter here.

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