Another quite unique talent that we stumbled upon! We adore featuring models proposing different styles so what a delight to discover Cherilyn Fontaine!
1) Can you share with us a bit about your background… are you really a NYC native?
Greetings! Yes I was originally born in Ozone Park, Queens, NYC and the house we lived in was 4 doors up from the Bergin Hunt and Fish Club which was infamous for being the Gambino Family's hangout on 101st and 98th Street. When I was around 4-5 years old, my family relocated to Farmingdale on Long Island where we lived up until I was 15. At that time we relocated to a small township in the Adirondacks outside of the tourist area of Lake George, NY.
When I was 18, I moved back to Farmingdale until I left for the military at the age of 19. Once I was done with the military, I moved back to the Adirondacks and worked a regular job, those regular jobs frustrated me because I never delved deeper into the world of entertainment which obviously I pursued as my fulltime occupation once I was in my 30's and living in Albany, NY where I have resided since the end of 2001.
2) You have many skills and experiences in the artistic field; can you share with us all your studies and accomplishments?
Not sure where to really begin since I also have an extensive music background as a drummer. But, when I was 16 years old, I entered college and studied Radio and Television Broadcasting/ Communications and also studied Theater which involved theatrical movement, makeup, and stage lighting. I also hosted a morning radio show on a local non-commercial station while also lending my voice to promos and commercial spots for a couple of the local commercial stations. While in college I was also employed (under false pretenses because of my age) doing erotic baloon deliveries and occasionally working in one of the "alternative" clubs that was around at the time.
Once I started to pursue exotic entertainment as a fulltime occupation when I was 32, it brought me from managing and recruiting talent for a couple of the local companies here in Albany as well as venturing off into my own private work as an exotic entertainer and escort.
Through escorting I became addicted to the cameras and the promotional photography and video work and realized that I really enjoyed the art that went into creating something that would be around long after I was retired and out of the game. Erotic photography led me to seek out better photographers and with that the concepts I had in my head that I wished to see come to life so to speak on film. It seems I have always known that this was what I wanted to do and once I got into it, this was all I wanted to do!
3) When did you started being attracted by the fetish scene? Are you very active in the community?
I have always been attracted to the fetish scene. There is something that just turns me on and stimulates my senses knowing that others enjoy what I am doing visually and physically, that is my turn on! Growing up knowing I was different but without the internet at the time I was just so confused with all the desires I had felt. Later on when I discovered that not only was I not alone in this but that there were others who actively sought out individuals such as myself, I grew comfortable in who or what I was without trying to fit into a mold or trying to put a label on all that I did or all that fulfilled my desires as well as my pleasures of the flesh.
My participation in the scene is not as active as it was when I was in my late teens, 20's and early 30's but I think that just calms down with age and other obligations in one's private life. As with most everybody, the internet is where I strive and survive and can be found by doing a simple search these days it seems. I love all my perv fans so much and the desire to please them by always putting out fresh content is one of the things I look forward to planning these days!
4) You display tattoo art of various inspirations… is there any more ink work for you in the future? What would you like to explore more?
There is most certainly more ink in my future! I love and hate some of the ink that I currently have and I do not feel 100% because of the stuff I wish to have corrected to match who I am now and not just letting my old and faded stuff be a representation of who I once was or what I used to be. The ones I love the most are my Evil Jack in the Box which represents life's surprises and how sometimes it is not necessarily what one expects.
The Darth Vader on my right upper arm is a work in progress and I will be fading down the old stuff I have on my lower arm so I can continue the Star Wars theme as a full sleeve. Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker as a character is almost someone I can relate to, that child that was gifted and raised a certain way but was charmed by the darker forces. The thing is Anakin turned to the dark side in hopes to save the ones he loved so they would not suffer. He was the chosen one who would restore order but it was not by his own direct works, but the legacy that he left behind and through his children... there is a really deep message in the trilogies and the other series' that are available.
My ass tattoos I have always hoped would gain some sort of notoriety in the fact that I have Axl from Guns'N'Roses on one cheek and pink lip prints that say Kiss My Ass on the other. There are a few others that I am keeping and others I am either removing or reworking and even adding further on down the line. Money is always a major factor when it comes to ink when you are dealing with sleeves, large pieces, and laser removal though, unless someone is offering to PayPal me some money to help out with future work.
5) So do you consider that your transgendered status opens more doors of opportunity… or is it the other way around?
I look at being trans as both a gift and a curse. Sometimes people shy away from working with me strictly because I am trans while others want to work with me because I am, and then there are others who honestly could not care less since they are not looking to necessarily shoot what is down below so it never really manifests itself one way or the other when it comes to creative projects or rather depending on the project.
6) Tell us about your role in the horror film Emerging Past?
I play the bartender opposite the lead actress Krista Grotte and although it is a short role, it is a speaking role which also gave me my first earned IMDb. Emerging Past which has earned three awards from different film festivals will be coming out on DVD on May 17th and stars many iconic actors from the 80's horror genre including Tony Moran who was the original Michael Myers in Halloween, Steve Dash who was the first Jason in Friday the 13th Part II, Stephen Geoffreys who played Evil Ed in Fright Night, Brooke McCarter from the Lost Boys and it even includes a scored soundtrack from G Tom Mac who did the Lost Boys soundtrack as well. Having seen it, I must say it is a fantastic movie that holds the viewer until the very end.
Honestly, I can not say I really see myself in a lead role but I have always envisioned a Trannie Porn version of Mannequin. I will however be making a few future appearances on the big screen so one never knows what the future holds.
7) When filming BDSM/bondage clips, are you more at ease being dominant or submissive?
I do not have much really filmed in the way of bondage but I have done a sub role that is available on my feature website at sweetcheri.com which I have also made available on a few clip stores as well. ;) I think comfortability in the role or position comes with trust, once that is established and roles are set then I can go with the flow. I would certainly not try to force myself into a dominant role with a FemDom, nor would I switch up and allow a sub to try and play the dominant role. There may be versatility in ones sex life or lifestyle BUT I personally do not feel comfortable reversing those roles with certain individuals I choose to call playmates.
8) What can you tell us about your official site, sweetcheri.com?
What kind of goodies awaits a first-time visitor? I classify my style of filming as Home Groan Porn... the feel is amateur in style but not in quality! All the videos are 720x480 and are edited and seamed by myself because I do not wish to entrust that task to anyone but me. The photo sets are all professionally shot and are 800x1200. All photo sets are downloadable with the monthly membership but the videos are streaming only with an option to purchase individual clips. One can get a great feel of what is available just by watching the 80 second introduction which I created including the theme music. And if that is not enough, they can always check out the preview pics and screen captures (the screen caps are not representative of the quality of the video but are actual images from them) that I make available each and every week! I have tried to include a little bit of everything on there and I am always coming out with more stuff to hopefully satisfy the individual as well as the masses.
9) You favor a colorful wardrobe with lots of stripes and fishnets… do you usually come up with your own costumes for the majority of your photo shoots? Any chance of seeing you soon in latex or rubber dresses? ;)
I am 100% the creative end of all that I do. Whether it be my professional modeling or my adult work, I am the final say of what goes on film. I do everything from my own makeup, hair, wardrobe, and most times decide the angles and I alone go through hundreds of pictures and decide what ones make the final cut and get seen by the fans. There is a possibility that I may venture off into latex and rubber since I do enjoy trying new things in my shoots and sets, so all I can say is stay tuned because you never know!
10) So you are a Mentor in Modeling for Model Mayhem… can you explain some of your duties?
Mentoring is a volunteer position as in every position there which goes without saying that one must do their position for the love of it and merely the satisfaction of knowing you are helping another reach the next level with their own work. For myself, I look through individual portfolios, help them decide what is strong and weak, what one may need to obtain representation from an agency, and sometimes just offer up moral support or advice when it comes to dealing with the industry as a whole. It is definitely a labor of love and one I am proud to lend my time to. :)
11) When it’s time to film sexy clips, does your imagination successfully comes up with sufficient stories or do you have to scratch your head to come up with new original stuff?
I never have to delve too deep into my mind to come up with something. Honestly, my work engulfs almost every aspect of my life and mindset and therefore what others witness is me just being me... you should see what I have in store for the rest of 2011!
12) Finally… the next step should be for you to be in a Cult Sirens project, wouldn’t it? Let’s try to make this happen in the near future! :D
Absolutely! This would be something I look forward to doing. xoxo