Trina Michaels Interview

Trina Michaels
Dee Flower for xxxtoronto.com

You’re often referred to as Trina Michaels, adult film star and professional wrestling valet. Do you prefer one title over another? Are you happy with the path your career has taken? If you could turn back the clock, would you start a career in wrestling first?

I definitely don’t regret or try to hide my background in adult – it’s definitely been a big part of my life and I’m not ashamed to say it, but it’s also definitely proven its problems when trying to get into other fields. I just really hope that they can see that I’m more than just an adult actress. There is more to me than that.

In 2008, you stepped in to a wrestling ring for the very first time and took part in the XPW Miss Extreme Contest, followed by participating in the ring with WEW, all with no previous wrestling experience. How would you say stepping in the ring for the first time compares with your first role in porn?

(laughs) They were both kind of scary (laughs). You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. Everything just seemed sort of natural. Everything just takes its own course and hopefully something good comes out of it in the end.

You’re used to a different type of dialogue. Porn is mostly physical communication and although wrestling is mostly physical, too, using your body in a different way, you do have to create your own voice. Tell me about that transition.

I did a couple of films where I had speaking roles (features) before a scene. I’ve actually been complimented by a few people saying ‘you actually speak better than half the girls do,’ so that’s nice to hear. To me, I don’t think I’m actually trying. I’m just doing, like I said, whatever comes naturally. My biggest thing on the wrestling side is I need to learn how to speak louder so that the crowd can hear me. I tend to speak a little too quietly.

Wrestling is even taking a different toll on your body, physically. I haven’t heard about too many injuries while doing a film but, I only assume you’re more prone to injury in the wrestling ring?

You would be surprised (laughs). Actually, it was probably in my first year in adult, I ended up popping a rib out of place and it still gives me issues every now and then. I was on some rather precarious boxes stacked up and I actually fell off of them.

These are little behind the scene moments we don’t know about. Now, you also had some problems with your knee. I know it’s taken some time away from wrestling. Was that a wrestling inflicted injury?

Actually, it was from a car accident. It still gives me problems, but I try to just ignore it and get through it. It really depends on what I do and how active I get with it … but that’s okay, that’s what ice is for afterwards, right?

(laughs) Exactly! I was watching a clip from an April 18 show this year and you walked into the ring with a chair. I’m wondering if you’ve ever taken one to the head yet?

I have not (laughs). I would definitely be nervous about doing that. Hopefully the adrenalin from that would over power the pain I might feel.

No kidding!

At least for the moment (laughs).

I watched another clip of you on youtube.com and I can’t believe how badass you are in the ringl Your attitude and personality in your films don’t compare. In your films, I found that you’re really sweet and very natural, but in the ring you’re like this totally different person. Where did that attitude come from?

You know, I think it’s always been there. I don’t know if it was because I was brought up to be nice. That really is my personality. I mean, I’m a very nice and loving person but I think it was always there under the shadow … slowly in my personal life growing thicker skin. So, it’s definitely come out through wrestling. I can be the little bitch when I want to be.

Who are you more like now in real life, the Trina we’ve watched in films or the Trina in the wrestling ring?

Probably the Trina more in films … uh well, never mind (laughs). Probably more like that softer sweet person. I’m a very friendly person, but it’s fun to get under people’s skin, I will admit.

Do you miss performing in adult films?

A little bit. It’s fun, you get to express yourself in a way most people are kind of shy about, or nervous about. To me, I don’t see it as a dirty thing, I don’t see it as a bad thing. It’s part of life, we all do it.

I mean you have like 400 film titles to your name. Is there one specific project you worked on that stands out from the rest?

I can’t think of a title off the top of my head, but there are scenes that stick out more than others. There were times when I was like ‘I was on top of my game today and that was HOT!’

And how do you get to that place where you’re in the zone and you’re ready to perform?

I don’t know really. I view both porn and wrestling as entertainment. I love putting on a show for people and I also feature dance so I travel to different clubs around the U.S. Everything is all really similar when you break it down. I love putting on a show knowing that it’s going to make people happy, which ever aspect it may be. That’s what makes me happy, giving people something entertaining and great to watch.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

Something people don’t know about me? (laughs) I hate that question (laughs). Well, if life was going to go the way I was planning it after high school, I would be in the military right now. The coast guard is actually what I was looking at doing. To this day, I’ll be honest, I kick myself in the ass for not doing it. Whenever I see them on the news or see helicopters fly in the sky, I’m like ‘Ah, that’s supposed to be me.’

You’ve accomplished a lot though.

Yes …

What’s the last movie you’ve watched or the last book you’ve read?

I watched Inception last week. Amazing movie! The last book I read was by John Grisham. I read a lot of his books.

I read that you’re into creative writing. Have you ever considered script writing or more behind the scenes work in porn or perhaps directing another film?

I’ve definitely considered the directing aspect and being behind the camera. I think that could be a lot of fun. I’ve been in front of the camera enough times to figure out what they’re doing on the other end. In terms of writing though, I used to write a lot when I was younger, childhood up to high school. I kind of fell out of it, but now when I think about it, I’m a little intimidated by it. I’m sure if I sat down and started writing I could get back into it. I don’t think I ever learned how to expand my stories. I have the ideas in my head, but it would be interesting to revisit it.

Now although you haven’t officially announced your retirement from the adult industry, I,ve read that you will be back. What would it take to bring you back at this very moment?

It would have to a specific person I’d be working with or a big role or movie.

That would be the driving force to draw you back in?

Yes!

What’s next for you? What can your fans look forward to?

I’m trying to get back out to the show I work in back in Texas called RCW (River City Wrestling). I’m trying to get back out there in the next couple of months. If you go to the YouTube page you can see my promos that I did for them.

In one clip I saw you walk in to the arena with a Canadian flag. Was that with RCW?

Oh, that was in southern California. This show I haven’t really been able to get footage yet. I had given someone my camera and the first half was recorded, but they didn’t get the second half and that’s the really cool part I want everyone to see because I probably got to do the most ring work I’ve ever got to do. I know it wasn’t perfectly executed, I haven’t really had that much training, but I got to do this whole thing with another girl where she had to kick me and I grabbed her leg. I ended up kicking her and bounced off the ropes and gave her another kick. She was in the corner and I jumped off the ropes and did the 10-count punches. It was a lot of fun and like I said I’m sure it’s a little sloppy, but I had such a great time.

Do you prefer wrestling women over men?

I understand women a little bit more. I know from the fan side of it seeing the girl going up against a guy is always much more exciting.

One last question … can you spell the name Trina without using the letters T-N-A?

(laughs) No you can’t!

(laughs) That promo was brilliant! I loved that! Fans of Trina Michaels can check it out on her MySpace page.

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