Voices of Experience: Brandi Love

The May issue of AVN magazine turns the spotlight on 10 female stars over 35 who are at the top of their game in the adult industry. Interviewed here is Brandi Love, who is currently under contract with Sweetheart Video for girl/girl scenes and recently made her IR debut for Blacked.com. Click here to see a copy of the digital edition. Photo of Brandi Love courtesy of Sweetheart Video/Mile High Media. AVN: How do you think your career differed because you started later in life rather than right out of high school or in college? Brandi Love: I feel very fortunate to have come into the adult industry in my “MILFy” years. I didn't start in adult until I was 31 years old. I had already experienced college, marriage, corporate life, starting my own business, etc. etc. I knew that I needed to craft a career rather than just shoot a scene or make a quick buck. I also wanted to somehow, in some small way, cause people to rethink what it means to be a sexual woman while also being a wife and mother. It's not only OK ... it’s the way it should be. My career differed, and I believe benefited, for the following reasons: a) I was already financially secure. b) Having business as well as life experience helped keep me focused. c) Having a family kept me grounded. What’s the best way to break in as an older performer? I have to chuckle at "older performer”—40 is the new 30 if you are doing it right! Using the most recent Pornhub data, the most popular porn genres are Teen, MILF and Mature. So, two out of the top three most popular genres are related to those of us who are more experienced, LOL. Based on that data it really boils down to having the right look, attitude and drive. If you have those things, then the pursuit is the same as it is for a teen performer. One thing I would recommend: Take your personal appearance and fitness seriously. Is it easier to be more professional about the job now that you are older and have more experience? What skills are most important to making this career into a profitable business? I’m a strategic planner and as such I knew that my time in front of the camera would necessarily be limited by time. The key was to develop a strategic plan for my career and then execute that plan. I believe my experience as a “corporate woman,” coupled with how I was raised, drives me to take my profession seriously. As far as the skills that are most important—giving a good blowjob is key, LOL! Other than that, however, here is what I've found to be key in turning this career into a profitable business: a) Create a plan/work the plan. b) Cultivate a strong work ethic. c) Bring authentic passion to each scene. d) Be kind to people. e) Invest in your career. f) Invest every penny you can. What are your favorite types of movies? Least favorite? I honestly don't have a “favorite” type of movie. I'm a variety girl! Always have been … always will be. What I can tell you, however, is that I love working with men and women who have as much passion for sex, and for the scene, as I do. I really care about how a scene makes the viewer feel. I want them to feel how ravenous I am. I want them to feel the intensity. As for the type ... I have a fairly healthy imagination so my list of fantasies/types is rather extensive! Are there directors who are particularly skilled in bringing out the sensuality of older women? I started shooting "professionally" in 2009 and have since worked for a number of directors across many genres. I have found that directors shoot their personal desires and fantasies best. I have also found that a lot of what fans rightly perceive as passion or sensuality is the responsibility of the performer. Fans know when a girl is going through the motions. … Directors who have their own personal MILF fantasies almost instinctively create a sexually charged environment on set. How does motherhood affect your choice of roles or the way you approach your career? After all of the documentaries and TV appearances, it's no secret that I am in fact a mother.  Back in 2004-2005 I worked with AVN to build a little organization called Parents in Adult. That turned out to be more of a therapeutic project for my husband and I than truly necessary for the industry as a whole but I'm still glad we did it. I'm often asked questions similar to this and it always strikes me as curious. The undercurrent to this question,  however unintentional, insinuates that my career choice is somehow questionable for a mother. I simply don't subscribe to the theory because I only shoot scenes that are a turn-on for me personally. I have found my career in adult to be empowering for the following reasons: a) It’s the world's most pleasurable activity: No matter the country or study, the world's #1 and #2 most pleasurable activities are sex and masturbation. Sometimes sex is #1 sometimes masturbation is. I get to call that work. Pretty damn lucky! b) It’s lucrative: Let’s face it, we all need to make a living. I believe I earn/deserve it, but I get to make doctor money doing what I love. That’s awesome! c) The hours are flexible: Either I or my husband or both are there for the kids every morning and there when they get home from school. We never miss a play, an event, dinner with friends, etc. because ultimately we are in charge of our schedule. There is a tremendous quality of life that accompanies that kind of flexibility. d) I can work from my home office 50 percnet of the time: While I don’t shoot at home, most of what my husband and I do is “technical.” Updating and building websites, online marketing, managing servers, managing finances, etc. Working from home is an invaluable gift for those who are disciplined enough. e) I meet amazing people: I mean, come on … If I were still working for Harley Davidson, or my husband in biotech, we would have never met people like Howard Stern, Penn & Teller, Tyra Banks, Al Bernstein, Andrew Zimmern, Chad Kroeger, etc. And my co-workers … a hell of a lot more fun, LOL! f) I have incredible adventures: I have had adventures that the most affluent of my friends look upon with amazement. Experiences, adventures are what make life worth living and I’ve had more than two lifetimes full. g) I have a great family life. I’ve been happily married for 21 years now. The “happy” is in part because we get to explore one of the “Big 3,” meaning sex, together (Sex, Money and Kids). What’s interesting is the happier we are, the more money there seems to be, which takes care of two of the “Big Three.” And last but not least, I get to spend a tremendous amount of time with my kids, who are happy, well adjusted, all honor-roll superstars. My career in adult has me home and engaged with my family more than anyone else in our neighborhood, and they work in health care, law, auto industry, technology, education, as entrepreneurs, etc. I guess if there is one area where being a mother affects my choices, it would be in how best to manage my career so that it has longevity.