Chapter 28 - The Deal with Derek

When you’re hungry to make your dream a reality, sometimes the road ahead involves choices that aren’t always comfortable. I had come to LA to make Holodex work, and when Derek extended the offer to work with his roster of girls, I knew this was the break I needed. At the time, it felt like a dream—access to the industry's best talent, to people whose names I had only seen on the covers of magazines. These were the stars of the adult entertainment world.
But, of course, it wasn’t without its compromises.
Derek's deal came with conditions—nothing overly shady at first glance, but enough to make you question what was happening beneath the surface. One of those conditions was that I would live in his porn model house. Looking back, I knew it wasn’t exactly a glamorous decision—it felt a bit like selling out. But in that moment, it seemed like the only way forward.
The house itself was what you might expect from a place catering to adult stars—luxurious, high-end, with cameras everywhere, always capturing moments. But it also felt a little like a trap. On one hand, it was an opportunity to get closer to the action, to see what life was really like for the girls, and maybe more importantly, how the business truly operated. But on the other hand, it felt... strange. I was in the midst of something I had only dreamed about, surrounded by these larger-than-life personalities, but constantly aware that I was living in a world that wasn’t entirely my own.
Still, I made the best of it. The house was filled with people—porn stars, aspiring models, photographers, and directors. They were all connected to Derek in one way or another. It was like a factory of flesh, talent, and deals. There were moments when it felt surreal—sitting across the table from a famous pornstar, discussing upcoming shoots for Holodex, all while trying to keep my cool and not let my nerves show.
Despite the constant buzz of cameras and a life in front of an audience, I kept my eye on the prize. This was my chance to build something bigger than myself. I had access to Derek's entire roster of girls, meaning I could create the kind of content and platform that I had envisioned for Holodex. It was the perfect blend of opportunity and exposure, but also a reminder that the world of adult entertainment wasn’t always as glamorous as it seemed.
Living in Derek’s house came with its share of moments that made me feel uneasy. The lifestyle was relentless, filled with constant parties and distractions. But, truth be told, it was also where I met some of the most interesting people. The women who lived in the house were more than just performers—they were entrepreneurs in their own right, building their personal brands, navigating the complexities of the industry, and facing challenges that most people couldn’t begin to understand.
Despite the compromises I had made, I stayed focused. I was in the middle of the action, learning the ropes, gathering the pieces to build something of my own. I met countless porn stars—some famous, some just starting out—but they all had one thing in common: they were fighters, working to create a space for themselves in a world that wasn’t always kind to them.
It wasn’t always easy to reconcile who I was becoming with who I had been before, but the drive to make Holodex a reality pushed me forward. I was in the belly of the beast, but that’s where the biggest opportunities often lie.