Hello Chanel, for those who might not know you please let us know you are and please describe yourself?
My name is Chanel Santini and I am a trans performer in the adult industry, advocate for the LGBTQ community, fashionista, and sun and fun loving girl!
You have had quite the career since the last time we chatted. The most recent thing was you winning AVN and Xbiz Trans Performer of the Year honors. What was it like winning awards and what was going through your mind when your name was announced?
It was so amazing, literally during both my awards speech everything was a complete blur for me! I couldn’t have been more honored for receiving both TPOY honors, I never thought that I would be able to accomplish so much in my short career. I’m just glad that I was ready with my speeches for both nights because I really wanted to speak to the industry and to the fans and followers of the adult world, on the continued need for trans inclusion and trans understanding. That we are people, no different than anyone else, that want to live a happy life of our own choosing without being looked at differently.
You also won the fan vote at AVN for Favorite Trans Performer. Obviously both awards mean a lot but would you say being voted the favorite among the fans means more to you or is it just as important as being recognized but AVN or Xbiz?
Totally! If it wasn’t for the fans there wouldn’t be an industry at all. The fans and supports of our work is what really matters. They are the ones who buy our merchandise, our films, and come to see us when we are at expos or events. They help to feed and support the life that I am able to live and for that I will always be thankful for.
You were recently featured on the new trans line Transfixed in a scene inspired by Red Riding Hood with you playing Little Red and Kleio Valentien as The Wolf. What did you think of the set up for this scene and what was it like shooting for this new line?
Oh I loved everything about it, from their vision/story, the way they treated me on set, and the finished product. They made sure to handle it all with such care that it made me feel so good about getting to work with them. I also loved working with Kleio who was so much fun on set. It really means a lot that there are more cis gender women who are willing to work with more trans performers. Right now Kleio is in recovery from complications dealing with surgery so i want to share her GoFundMe link for people to help her out: https://www.gofundme.com/6unjaa0
Seeing how trans scenes are rising in popularity do you expect that you will get more opportunities to work with more and more “mainstream” stars?
I really hope so. Even with the continued growth of the trans community into the mainstream there is still pushback from many talent and production companies about us. There are those within the industry that still consider trans films to fit within the gay film marketing. Yea we are the “T” in LGBTQ, but the majority of our fans are straight men, at least for female trans films.
You recently turned 21 and went out and celebrated. What can you tell us about that night and did it live up to expectations?
It was everything that I wanted it to be, I treated myself to a trip to Disney World with a friend and celebrated my birthday under the fireworks at the magic kingdom.
Last time you said your two favorite scenes were your Wonder Woman parody and one where you played a bride. Are those still your favorites or do you have new ones now?
Those are still my favorite scenes but I would now add the Red Riding Hood one too.
What, if any, kind of scene haven’t you shot yet that you would love to do in the near future?
Not sure, I’ve done a lot already as it is. Maybe being included in a primarily cis gender production would be awesome!
Seeing that you have another year in the industry, are there any new people that you would love to work with or for?
I would love to be apart of an Axel Braun production, his work looks to be so much fun and just to be able to have that opportunity would be so amazing since it be another step for the trans community to be accepted into the mainstream of the adult industry.
If you could have a conversation with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
Jefree Starr, I have followed his career and loved how he kept moving forward with who he is and built himself an empire and continues to work for the things he wants. That is the dream and I would love to talk with him about how he feels about life and business
What sort of things do you like to do when you aren’t working? Any hobbies?
I love spending time with my dogs, they both help keep me company during my down time. I also love to sew and make clothing, lately I have been making my own gaffs.
Are there any projects or special events coming up that you would like to promote, if so please do so?
Right now I will be filming a scene for Aiden Starr which I always look forward to doing, and…. I am in the works of a project that would be huge announcement later in the year. Can’t give any details yet but I promise that it will be juicy!
