FLESHBOT EXCLUSIVE–Twenty Questions with Kelly Shibari

Plus-sized performing supernova Kelly Shibari has rocked our worlds here at Fleshbot for quite a while. She is beautiful, smart, funny and now has received the honor of being the first plus-sized woman to grace the cover of PENTHOUSE FORUM. Between that and her upcoming instructional DVD with Wicked Pictures contract performer/director Jessica Drake, Shibari is on quite the roll.

1. What kind of girl were you back in high school? Who did you hang out with/date?

I was a chubby, nerdy chick – I was not quite a straight-A student, but pretty close. Honor Society, AP classes in case I went to college in the US, IB classes in case I went to uni in the UK. I guess I was raised to be an overachiever from the very start, haha! My parents were awesome but also pretty strict – schoolwork was the most important thing.

Extracurricular activities included things like band, debate team, field hockey, stuff like that – but the main focus was always on my grades, so I didn't have much of a social life other than organized school dances and field trips…but I was usually the quiet one at those as well. Between that and being the bullied fat kid meant I didn't date properly until college. I had a couple of guys interested, and definitely crushes, but nothing really ever came of it.

2. Were you a porn fan before you got into the industry? Who were your favorite porn stars/favorite porn movies?

Absolutely. Japan is a rather open country when it comes to sexuality, despite how reserved it looks on the surface. I mean, we're the country that invented hentai, bukkake, and tentacle porn! My first exposure was through graphic novels – similar to comic books, but with adult themes. I used those to masturbate as early as 9 or 10. A couple of years later, I'd seen movies like Porky's, and had come across softcore porn films like Emmanuel. I think I saw my first porn film when I was 12 or so – a friend's dad's stash or something like that.

I didn't have any "favorite porn stars" until I was probably in college in the early 90's. My favorites were less women, but actually the male performers – guys like Randy Spears, Steven St Croix, Sean Michaels, Pat Myne. I'm not sure if I really even remember any specific women from that period…oh, except Tiffany Million. She did this amazing threesome scene with Steven St Croix and Sean Michaels for a Paul Thomas film called Luna Chick - that scene was my "go-to" for at least a year, mainly because it was the first time I'd seen a female performer use a Magic Wand and make herself have a real orgasm on camera…and that was on VHS!

3. How do you feel about being on the cover of Penthouse Forum?

What an honor! It's been a few weeks since it came out, and I'm still pinching myself. I already knew I would be the first plus size model they'd ever used, but the media and public support has been so much bigger than I had thought. It's certainly been a bit surreal and very, very positive.

4. Did you ever use the magazine to get off before this honor?

Boy how! Starting my sexual exploration with graphic novels also meant I came across a lot of pulp-style erotica. You know, those "I was a candy striper at a hospital and before long, I got involved in an underground orgy" books - pure stroke material. Going from that to Penthouse Forum and Penthouse Letters was a no-brainer. Stories that were titillating and "based on real life," but also unbelievably sexy, were exactly what I used to masturbate – and I still love erotica! I think it stimulates your brain and makes you really creative sexually, and makes you want to enjoy sex more. I wish more people read their porn to get off from time to time – it definitely makes flirting more fun when guys can be mentally creative!

5. What/who do you want to do on-camera that you haven't done yet?

When I first got into the industry, it was the same list as you see above – those guys I used to love watching in the 90's. Unfortunately, at the time I got in, in 2007, they had all retired or were getting ready to retire. Also, most A-list male performers don't do plus size porn, either because it's not what they prefer, or because their rate isn't what plus size porn companies are willing to pay.

So these days, it would probably be today's A-list studs: Mick Blue, Manuel Ferrara, James Deen…I would add Ramon Nomar and Derrick Pierce to that list, but I was lucky enough to get to work with Ramon in Big Girls Are Sexy 4, and I've worked with Derrick Pierce a couple of times. I consider myself pretty lucky in that regard. Now, to see what I can do about those other boys on the list…

6. Who is your favorite male performer/female performer to work with and why?

I honestly don't work often enough to have a "favorite performer I work with." I have enjoyed working with Devlyn Red a few times, as well as Derrick Pierce. It's easy to create chemistry on camera with both – they're amazing, sexy, professional performers and it makes for a very natural scene on camera. Ramon was also very easy to work with, though sometimes it's hard to understand what he's saying. But that accent is so hot, it kind of doesn't even matter!

7. You seem to really love your fans. Tell me how having this fan base has changed your life.

I absolutely love my fans. They're some of the most polite, gentlemen fans a girl could ask for! I also have a lot of fans who are couples – which is so awesome because it means there are couples watching porn together. I get comments from the standard frat-boy kind, that's just about masturbating, but I also get messages from people who feel more comfortable about their own bodies because they see my chubby self on screen, having a good time. As a kid who was bullied at school for my size, having fans – I mean, really?!? I'm still amazed I actually have fans – who go out of their way to tell me they like my work, both for their personal fantasies as well as their personal body confidence, is incredibly empowering.

8. What's your favorite position to get fucked in and why does it get you off?

I'm a big fan of doggie, in particular when the guy is standing and I'm on the edge of the bed. It allows me to stimulate my clitoris while being penetrated. Opened-up mish, where the guy is up and I'm on my back, is good for the same reason. But I do love all sorts of positions – playing with different positions and things during sex is so much fun!

9. How is your plus-sized educational DVD going to vary from one for non-plus-sized people?

Well, it's a collaborative project with jessica drake, for her line of educational films through Wicked, jessica drake's Guide to Wicked Sex. I think the main difference would be how we also discuss relationship communication as well as body confidence exercises – many sex ed films only focus on positions and anatomy. In this title, the positions are suggestions based on ergonomics, and are certainly not meant to be restrictive. We completely encourage everyone to try these positions as well as to experiment on their own. But the communication and body confidence sections are a big part of the film. Our hope is that through the film, couples of size can become more confident talking to each other about what they like, both in and out of the bedroom.

10. What was working with Wicked Pictures performer/director Jessica Drake like?

Jessica is probably one of the most compassionate people I have ever met. Working with her has not only been professional, it was meticulously scheduled. She created a warm, pleasant, supportive working environment from concept, through shooting, and through post-production. I understand why so many people love working with her – I certainly did.

11. What are the best things about being a porn star?

A lot of it is similar to my work in mainstream Hollywood before I got into the business. You work your own hours, unless you're on set. You're always freelance. You can work in your underwear (or less) when you're at home. You can sleep in often and stay up late. I can take a break or vacation when I want. I can work and travel at the same time. But you still have to be able to produce work when needed, and you're responsible for your own success or failure. So while it sounds great…you also need to be pretty regimented in your day-to-day.

There's also the whole thing about having hair and makeup people make you look pretty, and working with hot studs, but the freedom to keep my own hours is probably the best part.

12. What do you think is your best scene from one of your other titles and what made it so exquisite for you?

If you ask the critics, it would be my scene with Ramon Nomar for Big Girls Are Sexy 4. I agree with them – it's a really natural scene and it looks great. Before that, I would probably say my scene with CJ Wright for Bumpin Body Phat 2. It was the first scene I saw where I thought, "Wow, I actually look pornstar-ish!" It was the first higher-budget scene I had done.

13. Who are your role models in porn and how/why do they inspire you?

My role models are often the behind-the-scenes people. Producers, directors, media, marketing, and sales people. They deal in that space between performers and their fans, and are constantly figuring out trends and presenting it the best they can so it will sell. I'm also completely in awe of people like Nate Glass, who makes it his life's mission to combat piracy. We all see the performers on screen – but the people working tirelessly behind the scenes without fandom? They will always have my utmost respect.

14. As a BBW performer, do you feel that there is more fat acceptance in porn now than there has been in the past?

BBW porn has always been around, but how it's being presented has certainly changed. It's no longer a joke, lumped in with "specialty" categories, and more fans are coming out of the proverbial closet to say they actually prefer to watch plus size pornography. It's made companies work to create BBW porn in a way that is beautiful to watch. Yes, there are still companies out there that'll portray BBW porn in a negative way, but there are companies that do that with any niche/genre. Giving proper attention to showcasing plus size porn in a positive way in adult media has really helped shape how accepted it has become.

Social media, and the Internet in general, has helped too. When I got into porn in 2007, I had no idea there was such a thing as BBW porn at all. With the Internet, more and more people are becoming introduced to the genre, which makes more people know it exists. For fans of larger women, it's a great discovery – and then to be able to share their preference for BBW porn online. It's all been a very positive move forward for size acceptance and confidence on both sides of the screen.

15. What is the best mainstream movie you have seen recently?

That's a good question! I haven't been out to see movies in theatres lately. I tend not to go alone – I feel "going to the movies" is a social activity. I've been watching a lot of TV on Hulu though – Leverage, Scandal, Bones, Orange is the New Black, Castle, Grimm, Law & Order…guess I'm a fan of crime / whodunit / twisted ending stories. I did watch Fight Club again the other night…oh and Wolf of Wall Street and American Hustle were both amazing.

16. How about the best porno movie? Is there someone whose movies you like to watch who is working now?

I don't really watch a lot of porn these days. I'm still a big fan of Luna Chick, even though that was made back in 1995. I think Bonnie Rotten is a really great performer, whether or not you like tattoos, for when I want to watch rougher scenes. I also think Julia Ann is incredibly sexy in a very classy way – and her acting both in sex scenes as well as in dialogue is very natural, which makes the whole thing more believable.

17. Are you into toys to get yourself off alone or are you a low-tech woman?

I alternate. I love vibrators, but I switch it up so I don't get dependent on it. I tend to use vibrators for quickie sessions, and my hand when I want to make the whole thing last longer.

18. If you could fuck any celebrity, who would it be? Give us your male and female choices.

I don't know if I actually have any real celebrity crushes. I have guys I think are pretty to look at, like Ryan Reynolds and Channing Tatum. Then there are the guys who I think would be fun – like Nathan Fillion, Christian Kane, Bradley Cooper, Jason Segel. I guess I like guys who are hot but don't take themselves too seriously and have a wicked sense of humor.

In terms of mainstream actresses? Probably Olivia Wilde, Emma Stone, Olivia Munn, Amy Adams, Sofia Vergara. Oh and definitely Scarlett Johanssen. Basically a girl who is down to earth, seems like the type to grab an uncomplicated drink with you, and not be too pretentious…which those ladies seem to be. I might be wrong though. But they seem fun.

19. What is coming up for you?

Right now I'm eagerly awaiting the release of "Jessica Drake's Guide to Wicked Sex: Plus Size". I have a couple of other projects right now that I can"t make public, but will be announcing over the next few months. I really thought last year was amazing – I had no idea 2014 would top it, but it already has. I'm a really happy girl these days.

20. Is there anything you want to say to your fans here at Fleshbot?

Thank you. It's what I always, always want to say. Thank you for liking my work, for interacting with me on social media, and for being just plain awesome. Without you guys, I wouldn't be here, and I never forget that. So – thank you. Really. So much love!

So there you have it! Stay in touch with this lovely lady via her Twitter feed.

All images provided by Kelly Shibari. Thanks!