Thai she-male Mint is 23-years-old, femininely gorgeous, and gifted with 9-inches of male magic. With these attributes, it isn’t surprising that ladyboy site operator Exotic Gold has given her a solo girl site at the appropriately named www.LongMint.com.
YNOT.com visited with Mint recently, to ask about being a porn star in a plastic surgery-obsessed world.
YNOT: How much do you think that porn stars “get work done” to improve their bodies?
Mint: Obviously there is a lot of pressure for porn stars to make their bodies looking “pornstar” perfect beyond what is possible when dieting or working out, so surgery is often the only way to achieve a certain look and remain desirable and “in work.” I don't think there are many successful transsexual pornstars that haven't at least had breast implants.
YNOT: What kind of work is most likely to be done?
Mint: Being a ladyboy/transsexual and working with many others, for us breast implants are by far the most popular and usually the first major surgery taken. Also, with a lot of Asian models, there is a common desire to appear more western looking, and nose operations are very popular -- Asians tend to have very flat and broad noses; thinning and sharpening one’s nose is a very immediate way to look more western. Aside from operations, most TS take hormones, which can dramatically change their body shape; making it more smooth, feminine, enhancing their curves and, in most cases, producing small breasts.
YNOT: Have you had work done?
Mint: I have had breast implants, I have had my nose thinned, and I have had hip injections three times. These are fairly standard operations for male-to-female transsexuals. Fortunately my biggest and most popular asset is very natural.
YNOT: How much financial strain does this work put on porn stars?
Mint: The operations I have undergone I would have had whether I was in the porn industry or not. These physical enhancements were through personal choice and to make me feel more comfortable in my body. The work I have done in the industry has helped to pay for them, and without this work I wouldn't have been able to have them. Fortunately, living in Bangkok, Thailand has meant the surgery I have had is amongst the best in the world and also fairly cheap compared to western hospitals/surgeons.
YNOT: What health risks are involved?
Mint: With all surgery there is some risk, but I have been fortunate and have always used very good doctors; in fact some of the best in the business. Compared to most ladyboys that are popular in this industry I have had fairly limited surgery and I am not taking hormones, so I haven't put my body under too much stress. I also take care of myself, eating well and taking vitamins.
YNOT: There has been a backlash against breast enhancements with the appearance of the “naturals-only” non-augmented breast niche. Does this signify a trend that stars and producers should be worried about?
Mint: Being in the transsexual “genre” I think breast implants will always be popular and the only way to go for the top models. The only other way a TS can get breasts is by taking hormones and the results are unpredictable and fairly limited.
YNOT: Is there any trend against augmentation (i.e. Jenna Jameson having her implants removed)? Or will bigger always be better?
Mint: Tastes will always vary and there will also be a market for large breasts, as there will for smaller, natural (female) breasts. But in porn you can't seem to go wrong with the philosophy, “bigger is better!”
Peter Berton covers the adult industry for Klixxx magazine, and for websites such as www.ynot.com and www.booble.com. He likes to tell the stories of the remarkable, clever, and down-to-earth people who work in adult. Those with stories to tell can contact him at pbberton@yahoo.com.
