Hello Kelly, for those who might not know you please let us know you are and please describe yourself?
I’m Kelly Shibari, a Japanese-Irish bilingual, bicultural, and bisexual MILF. Most people probably know me from my work as a BBW porn performer. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive awards for my performing work, collaborate with Wicked Pictures on a sex ed film for people of size, work with Penthouse as their first-ever plus size model, and appear in cameos for music videos (Rammstein), television (Sons of Anarchy), and even a backup reference model for the character of Pam Poovey of FX’s Archer. You can check out a fuller porn industry resume at https://about.me/KellyShibari.
What prompted you to join the adult industry?
Up until 2006/2007, I had been working happily behind the scenes in a variety of entertainment avenues – first as a stagehand / touring roadie, then as a Hollywood Art Director / Production Designer for infomercials, commercials, music videos, tv shows, and films. Then, the Writers’ Strike (which happened often but was usually just focused on the WGA) blew up into a full industry strike. Not being able to, nor wanting to, cross a picket line, I had been considering what to do as a short-term sabbatical. A casual chat with a mainstream Hollywood friend resulted in finding out they did some amateur porn on the side for one of PlayboyTV’s shows, and with their encouragement and introductions, I got into the industry first as something fun to do as a bucket list thing, and ended up being an industry I really loved (and continue to love) working in.
You recently came back to performing after an extended break, including a successful fight with cancer. What were you up to while you were away and what you drew you back to performing?
I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer soon after my Penthouse Magazine shoot, which meant I needed to cancel all of my plans and take a break from performing. Then, a week after my surgery and the day before Father’s Day, my Dad suddenly passed away from a stroke. Those two things happening so close to each other (my Mom already passed a decade before) really made me have to shut down for a while. In the middle of all of that, I was pulled into a “MeToo” scandal I was not prepared to handle alone, which made me suicidal. My only recourse was to completely shut down and unfollow / unfriend nearly 95% of my friends, close nearly all of my contracts with PR clients, and hide out. It was a really, really dark time – grief is a m*therf*cker – but I learned a lot about myself, my values, and what I personally want, now that I’m completely solo. In addition to working on my mental health, kicking cancer’s butt also meant I lost about 90lbs, which meant additional cosmetic work to fix what that sort of weight loss can do to your body, so I guess you could say I’ve been going through a lot of personal changes while I’ve been gone. I had planned on making a comeback announcement after the 2020 AVN / XBIZ season, in February, but then…you know. The pandemic’s actually allowed me to get caught up with all of the new technologies and platforms while I still work through my healing, but I’m really content and chill these days – I’m grateful I’m still here, and grateful I can actually enjoy my life these days.
Like most performers you also have an OnlyFans. For those that aren’t already subscribed, what kind of content do you put on your OnlyFans?
I have content fans won’t see anywhere else – it’s the only place I post anything I’ve shot since I’ve come back to performing. I also have some older photo sets and content from my previous membership sites, since I’m only shooting solo-style content during this pandemic, and having older content means fans can still see me play with others. It’s also the only place I do casual live chats, and take requests for custom videos and audio clips – honestly, outside of SextPanther, OnlyFans is the only place fans can chat with me and be guaranteed a reply, since I don’t reply to DMs on social media.
You were recently inducted into the UrbanX Hall of Fame. What were your thoughts when you were told you were being inducted and what would you say is the best part about being honored in this way?
I think anyone would be thrilled to be honored for the work they do, and with this being my first HoF trophy, I feel…it’s nice to be remembered! I t
hink that’s the best way to describe it. I hadn’t expected it – in fact, since I’d been gone for a few years, I didn’t even know I was being considered – so getting the notification that I was included alongside such amazing colleagues surprised me but also made me feel like yeah, maybe I did accomplish some stuff that made a mark in the industry, beyond just me just doing my selfish bucket list things. On the other hand, it’s probably also a reminder I’ve been in this industry for more than a little while, to get inducted into a HoF………….and also incredibly proud to be included in a class with some heavy-hitting industry icons.
What advice would you give someone who wants to enter the adult industry?
Talk to current performers and believe them. Not about performer gossip – I mean about the industry. How it works, how the politics of the industry works, how to avoid drama. History of the industry is also super helpful to know; a lot of industry dramas are neverending repeats of past dramas. And never do anything just because someone said you should – only do content that you would be comfortable doing in your personal life. There is certainly no need to do certain kinds of performances just because fans or a studio asked you to – if you had to do something you don’t enjoy for money, you can always work a regular job outside the industry. Authentic pleasure translates on camera to your fans, and fans of your kind of content will love you for what you give them.
If money wasn’t an issue, what would be your dream scene or movie to make?
Anything back home in Japan, preferably around nature. I would also absolutely love to adapt dark Japanese pink eiga, as well as Japanese erotic horros and thrillers for a western audience.
Who are some of the people you would like to work with, but you haven’t had the chance to yet?
Oh, this is such a hard question to answer, since so many new performers have gotten into the industry since I took my break! It’s really too long a list to share here
Who would you say are your idols or personal heroes, either within the industry or not?
My Mom, hands down, all day, every day. Her life story is more interesting than mine could ever be and mine’s pretty interesting!
If you could have a conversation with anyone, dead or alive, who would that be and why?
My Mom. Her perspective would have been invaluable these past few years.
What sort of things do you like to do when you aren’t working? Any hobbies?
Being a former tech theatre kid means you’re always someone who wants to play with power tools, so when I’m not working as a performer or as a publicist, I’m currently remodeling my house. The pandemic put a damper on some of the bigger projects – I’ve given up on my back yard for now – but I’m having fun researching the newest interior design trends and seeing what I can apply to my own personal surroundings. Which I suppose ends up on camera, so maybe I’m still working when I’m not working, LOL.
Are there any projects or special events coming up that you would like to promote, if so please do so.
Please check out all of my links at ClubKellyShibari.com, for all the ways my fans can connect with me. Fans can also sign up for newsletters there as well.
