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EYESTRANE: Eva, tell us a little about your childhood in Manilla. What kind of a child were you? Was being raised in a single family household difficult for you?
EVA LIN: I was born in Manila, Philippines; but my family lived in San Pedro, Laguna which is a neighboring province next to Manila in the island of Luzon. My family first house that my father built was next to a number of rice fields. During that time, the small town which I grew up in was not yet quite developed so there were a lot of lush trees and the environment was very tropical.
My childhood was pretty mundane. I have an older sister and a younger brother and we are all eight years apart. I was pretty much raised by our maids while my mom worked around the clock to support the family and send her children to a prestigious school. I was always different as a child, having feminine features and playing with my sisters dolls. I never liked playing with the toys that I would get from anyone so I would just give them away to the neighborhood kids. I always wanted to play with my sister’s dolls and idolized my mother so much. I loved playing in the rice paddies and was always very adventurous. As a young child I always had a yearning for exploring and traveling so there have been many times where I got in so much trouble for disappearing and ending up on the other side of town, but I always manage to make my way home on my own.
It was very difficult being in a single family household because I remember thinking why I did not have a father. It was also very difficult seeing my mother work so hard to support her children. But since I idolized my mother so much and consider her one of the strongest women I know; being in a single family gave me values which I apply to my life today.
EYESTRANE: As I mentioned in the intro, you have a tattoo on your neck about your Grandparents. Can you tell us about it and what it means to you? You have others too, what are they?
EVA LIN: My grandparents where the once who raised me and my sister when we immigrated to the U.S. I was 8 years old when I first came to the United States. It is a funny story actually on how I managed to get their names on my neck. I was quite a rebel growing up especially in high school. I decided to get my grandparents’ names tattooed on my neck to make them upset. I would say it’s one of those decisions where if I can go back I would think twice on getting any tattoos in particular. I have always been complemented on how smooth and nice my skin is, I just think that tattoos are not flattering anymore and I am currently looking into laser tattoo removal.
Now to explain all my other hated tattoos, the one on my back which I am considering in covering up with another tattoo are Chinese-characters that mean “Trust No One.”
I have flowers on top of my right foot and paw prints on my left thigh which are all there just because I liked the design. I have another set of Chinese-characters on the right side of my pelvis which mean “women are forbidden,” that’s pretty self explanatory. And last I have Playboy bunnies on my earlobes….
EYESTRANE: You were a dancer and stripper and sometimes still dance from time to time. What is it that you enjoy about it?
EVA LIN: I haven’t performed as a dancer for awhile now, I had some surgery done recently within the last 4 months which keep me from doing any more pole dancing. When I was a dancer, I loved the performance aspect of it just as much as I love performing in front of the camera. I love how I can move and slither on stage while everyone had their eyes on me. I can just see through the gentlemen’s’ eyes what they are lusting and thinking about as they undress me in their minds. It is the performance and what I achieve doing the performing that drives me to love what I do.
EYESTRANE: You have said that you consider using your body as an art form. Would you also consider yourself an actress and is mainstream acting something you would like to try doing in the future?
EVA LIN: I believe that we are all actors and actresses in life. I do consider myself as an actress in which I act while I am performing. Part of being a great performer is knowing what the audience wants to see. Facial expressions, dialogue, and energy really counts. I never went to school for performing arts or film school, but it is a subject that interests me. I have met many actors and it amazes me how people can impersonate a character and really play the part. It truly is a talent that must be sharpened and harnessed by practicing. But mainstream acting is something to look forward to in the future.
EYESTRANE: When did you first start in the adult industry and how did you get “discovered”?
EVA LIN: I would say I just had a photographer at the time who had contacts for me. Before I actually shot my first film, I have always been interested performing in the adult industry (like most people). But I have always had insecurities, so I would just go in different studios and do an “intake” in which they interview the talent and take photos. This is the screening process. The agency would call me and I would turn them down, just to tell myself I could do it or I am fit enough.
Then it was my first time in Los Angeles and I was in town for a photo shoot. My photographer knew a couple of people in the industry and my first shoot was with Grooby Productions. Grooby is the leading company that produces transsexual adult films. I told my photographer that I really wanted to do adult films, he happened to know Buddy Wood who is one of Grooby’s leading directors and the next day was when I shot my first solo scene.
I never really got discovered, I really wanted to be in this industry to begin with so it was something that I sought out.
EYESTRANE: Many people think working in the porn industry as an actor and actress would be fun. Basically they think you get paid for having sex all day. What are some of the pros and cons of working in the adult film industry?
EVA LIN: Although It can be very fun to shoot, sometimes just like any other profession it can get very tiring. Some shoots I have done took all day and some only take a couple of hours to finish. I guess one of the pros is that I get to express my self sexually in a safe and fun way. We all get tested for STD’s so we have the option to practice safe sex or not, but there is still that relief that my partner is currently tested for any STD’s.
Like any other profession If one enjoys what they do then abundance follows. Some of the pros in the industry for me is definitely being able to express my sexuality in a whole different way and having that expression be acknowledged and recognized by people. I love what I do so much and I love being able to reach out to my fans. On the downside, it is very difficult to be honest to people about what I do, especially people that I initially meet. I can’t just open up and say I am an adult performer because of the fear of being judged the wrong way. Whenever I date the moment I tell someone what I do, the whole energy changes and I can just tell that there is more of a lustful and sexual demeanor towards me.
EYESTRANE: Yasmin Lee, in her interview on Eyestrane.com said you were one of the best rising stars out there and called you “naturally kinky.” What did you think of her compliment? Do you know Yasmin or have you worked with her before?
EVA LIN: Yasmin Lee is one of my closest friends and she has taught me a lot in how to go a bouts in the adult industry. I am really honored that she even made such compliments as she is one of my idols and mentors. I can say that I am very kinky, but naturally kinky? Mmm I know the camera brings the best out of me. I remember when I first shot my first film for Grooby and Kink.com, the directors had the same opinion. I just wanted to give it my all, but of course I also watched a lot of different types of adult films and learned how to differ the good from the bad.
I have never worked with Yasmin before and she is retired now. I don’t think I would be able to work with her, even if she hasn’t retired yet, for she is like a sister to me.
EYESTRANE: You entered the industry when you were 22 so have not really been around for a long time yet but you have won a number of awards already including best hardcore performer and best new face in 2011 at the Tranny Awards, and he XBIZ TS Performer Of the Year among others. How did you feel about winning the awards and what are some of the other events you have attended?
EVA LIN: I remember in the Tranny Awards event 2012 I was so skeptical and pessimistic about winning. I really had a lot of doubt since I always feel that I could do better in each performance that I do. But when I won four awards that night, I was like “WOW!” It was really life changing and gave me much more confidence in myself. I couldn’t believe that my work was actually being recognized by fans and that I had so many people who followed me. The most important people in this industry are not the directors, not the talents, but the fans. The fans are everything to me. After wining the Tranny awards I have been nominated for UrbanX awards, The Fannys, 2013 AVN awards and I won the 2013 Xbiz performer of the year. I have been so blessed with in the past two years of my career from beginning until now.
EYESTRANE: This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the AVN Awards and is the first year that transexual performers have been officially allowed to come on stage and accept their awards. Do you think the industry is more accepting of transexual porn or is it a matter that they are acknowledging the amount of money the genre brings in?
EVA LIN: I think the industry are finally acknowledging the amount of money the genre generates. There was also a big outrage last year from a lot of the transsexual performers. A lot of the girls were really upset about the choices that the AVN board made with the nominations and who is appointed the award. I will not get into detail or say any of my opinion as my opinion on the subject may offend others. But the reason why we have these awards is to preserve the drive and creativity of a lot of the performers. To have something to really look forward to at awards season and hope that our work as individual artists are recognized. But usually that is not the case, it is usually the person who is the favorite of directors or who has already gotten the award who wins. Which can be offensive to a lot of the girls and eventually kill the drive of creativity for there really isn’t anything to look forward to in the end when there is such bias in choosing who gets the award. A lot of politics involved… But there are girls like Yasmin and I who see the industry in a whole different light. Yes awards are great, but what is better is seeing the recognition of fans not the recognition of judges who have no clue. It doesn’t change the fact that a year ago dogs of the genetic porn girls were allowed to receive their awards with them on stage and Transsexuals were not. Is that right? Does it have to take a dozen transsexuals to be angry and write letters to the people behind AVN?
EYESTRANE: What was attending the awards like for you?
EVA LIN: Awards season was fun, but I am not a party goer. I pretty much just pampered my self at the spa and had some quality time with fans. That’s also what I appreciate about these events is a lot of my fans reach out to me and I am able to spend some time with them. It is always fun to go to Las Vegas for AVN, but all the partying and craziness is not for me. I love just relaxing and pampering myself. Xbiz was a bit different than AVN for it was held in Los Angeles. I attended XBIZ with 2 of my girlfriends and we had lots of fun. We met lots of people, I was able to network more and went to eat Brazilian food after.
EYESTRANE: In your opinion, who are some of the companies and performers you may or may not have worked with that you admire in the industry?
EVA LIN: I really admire Tera Patrick. I admire her for her mentality and wits. She is the true epitome of a porn star! Someone who really just used everything in her power to create an empire of her own which I wish to come close to achieving one day. I love Tera, she is beautiful, tall and sassy. Three qualities we both have in common. I also admire Kink.com for they are able to make millions out of a niche that not a lot of other companies dared to cross which is the BDSM genre. I love the creativity that a lot of companies put into making adult films. It makes me dream that one day I can own my own production company.
EYESTRANE: Is there someone in particular that you have not worked with that you would like to?
EVA LIN: If I can work with any performer, It would have to be Bela Donna. Bella Donna is my idol and my most looked up to performer of all time. She is the best at being really sexual and delivering what the audience would consider “WOW!”
EYESTRANE: I have spoken to Taylor Wane, who is brilliant at marketing herself. After seeing her photo used to sell an escort service she had no affiliation with, she really took control of her image and has built a successful business around herself which she is in complete control of. Is doing publicity and marketing something you find yourself doing a lot of? How about using social media?
EVA LIN: I use Social Media in a lot of marketing for my current website. I do a lot of marketing of myself and I also hire people to do some promoting for me. My network also is a part of an affiliate program that help a lot with sales for my website. If I don’t market myself on my own then my image doesn’t get fully controlled. So my true fans follow me on my social network like Facebook or twitter and so I try to take advantage of that.
EYESTRANE: You used the term, “gender binary” which is a term I have not heard before, and you have said it is a term you’d “like to crush.” Can you explain?
EVA LIN: Gender binary, it is the the distinct separation of what describes masculinity and femininity and the genders that are to play these roles. For example, a woman is typically judged by how feminine she is and man for how masculine he is because that is the gender norm. Crossdressing, genderqueer, and all transgenderism are commonly stigmatized by society because of the belief everything must be gender specific. For example, I was speaking with someone the other day and he told me, “How can a trans-man expect me to address HER by HE if she still wears eyeliner? Don’t wear eyeliner if you want to be a man.”
There is no rule that women are the only ones to wear eyeliner. And there is no rule that men can not wear lipstick. But it became so hardwired into our heads that everything must be gender specific.
This statement is very “typical” type of the mentally within our society. A lot of people in the world have a very hard time accepting that there is just not masculine and feminine, man or woman, girl or boy there is much more to human identity and interssexuality than what is hardwired into our minds by what is considered normal.
EYESTRANE: In a past interview you said, “I love my womanhood. Every 7 inches of it. It is what makes me special.” and I would have to disagree. While I agree that it is what may draw attention to you right now, what makes you special is your attitude, confidence and strength. Men find that sexy in a woman. Would you agree?
EVA LIN: When I said I love every 7″ of my penis because it is what makes me special, I have to requote and say it is “part” of what makes me special. I am thinking of getting a sex change in the future and I do not know when. I have had so many people (mainly men who are attracted to my character) tell me do not get a sex change because my penis is what makes me different and special. I can not say that I agree with them because I am already special and different from the day I was born.
EYESTRANE: If and when you get SRS (sexual reassignment surgery) what things so you think will help you determine the timing?
EVA LIN: Determining the timing for my SRS would be hard, but I would have to take in consideration about how I really feel about doing something irreversible
to a part of my body. There are times when I enjoy having my penis and there are times when I don’t. I even feel very regretful about all of my tattoos and Tattoos are somewhat permanent even if they can be lasered off, it still leaves a scar. So once I have spoken to a professional and really have decided on when I would like to have it done can determine the date.
EYESTRANE: I mentioned in the intro to this interview that I found you personally inspiring. Much of the reason I said this is because of the confidence and strength you carry about with you. We spoke about a few things in your personal life such as the fact you enjoy “clean living”, you are a vegan and are spiritual as well. In fact, you have helped me to stop eating meat and I have cut back on caffeine. Can you tell us when you started this lifestyle and what the reasons for the change have been?
EVA LIN: Definitely being in this industry, I have been surrounded by some really untrustworthy and evil people. I have also met some amazing individuals but in order for me to be really in touch with myself and be aware of the universe and everything that is going on in my life, I have to be healthy and spiritual. This lifestyle has just helped me a lot with coping with problems that I have encountered in my life and as well as in the industry. I need to be totally aware with decisions I make and also being healthy and sober helps me stay looking young and beautiful, especially having a career which demands and values youth and vanity.
EYESTRANE: We also talked a bit about your future goals one which is wanting to start your own production company. Although I know you can not divulge details of your plans can you give us a general idea of what you hope to do?
EVA LIN: Well in the long run I plan to have my own business, I am looking into manufacturing or the restaurant business. I can not say what my next step is. It is a surprise!
EYESTRANE: I saw you traveled to Columbia. What places have you traveled to and tell us some of them you have enjoyed the most?
EVA LIN: I love Colombia! Some of the places I have travelled to are Mexico, Switzerland, and France. Out of those three, I enjoyed France the most. I enjoyed being able to just experience the culture there and see the different sites. There is so much history in Europe and I loved learning about the history of France. I enjoyed the great food and the wonderful sites the city has to offer. When I was in Versailles, everything seemed so clean and aesthetically beautiful, it brings me back to the times when King Louis still resided in the palace and the renaissance days. It was such an experience.
EYESTRANE: Any current projects you can tell us about or anything special you would like to add?
EVA LIN: Well currently I am just shooting tons of films for my website which is www.EvaLinXXX.com. I am still doing a lot of brainstorming on my next step to being more successful. I will be trying to come up with a store where I can sell photos, calendars, personal videos etc.
EYESTRANE: What is the best way to keep up to date with you? Websites, Twitter, Facebook?
EVA LIN: The best way to keep up to date with me is through Facebook or Twitter. And like I said my website is www.evalinxxx.com.
My twitter is @evaxxxlin on twitter.com and my Facebook link is https://www.facebook.com/tsevalin
UPDATE: Trans500.com contract star and 2013 XBIZ Transsexual Performer of the Year Eva Lin announced that she has signed a contract to launch a new official site with Vicky Vette’s VNA Network.
Eva Lin’s move to the VNA makes her the first transsexual performer to join an established “mainstream” porn star network. She will also be the first transsexual performer to do live events on the network’s camshow platform for solo models; VNALive.com.
About the author
The now-defunct website Eyestrane.com featured many interviews with some very notable ladies. Since said interviews were too good to go unseen after the site was shut down in August of 2014, former Eyestrane editor-in-chief Tom Heckbert has graciously agreed to occasionally resurrect some from his archived files for republication here at Idol Features. Tom and his former staff at Eyestrane always maintained a deep respect for the talent and creativity of the people they interviewed for the site.
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