In this series of interviews with various different male strippers, your host 'Tom' will break down the intimate details of what its like to be a male stripper in Australia.
Today, our special guest has asked to remain anonymous for privacy reasons. So for the purpose of the interview he will be referred to as 'MS' (male stripper)

I caught up with our guest on a hot Gold Coast afternoon, we sat at a local cafe, ordered a few lattes and jumped straight into the thick of it (not to mention I almost poured salt in my coffee before we started).
Heres what happened:

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Tom:
When did you start male stripping and why?

MS:
Around 2011/2012. I started because I needed money. I got out of a long term relationship, and I obviously had to pay her out for some things because we lived together. So times were tight, and instead of working in a bar, I turned to male stripping.

Tom:
Do you enjoy male stripping?

MS:
I do, I like to see people enjoying my performance. Its like any job really, you go out, do the best you can and hope everyone enjoy's it.

Tom:
Has your enjoyment of stripping changed from when you first started as opposed to now?

MS:
I was probably more excited when I first started, but now it's more like a job. However I still get the joy out of seeing everyone laughing/smiling when I dance.

Tom:
Can you give us some insight into how girls act when you are dancing?

MS:
Well each situation Is different, some girls act very reserved because they have had a bad experience with male strippers. Other girls act very full on, and can be very 'hands on' with touching and grabbing.

Tom:
What do you get more often? The crazy girls or the reserved girls?

"The ones who have been married for 10/15 years, they get right in to it!"

MS:
If the brides 'mum' or 'nan' are there then it's generally more reserved. However when it comes to just the girls, thats when they are more wild.
For me, the ages between 25 - 35 are more reserved, but below AND above those ages the girls tend to be very wild. The ones who have been married for 10/15 years, they get right in to it!

Tom:
What does a male stripper need to be successful in the industry?

MS:
Obviously the body, it's your image, so thats how you sell yourself. But more importantly I would say your personality. You can be the best looking guy in the world, but if you can't hold a conversation, you're not going to get anywhere.

Tom:
Have you seen the film Magic Mike? Whats your opinion on the film? Is it realistic?

MS:
Yeah I've seen it, I don't know what its like in America, but in Australia it's a bit different. I wish I had money thrown at me! The girls in the film seem very intense, but in reality thats not always the case.

Tom:
So what are the differences in stripping here in Australia compared to the film?

MS:
I generally do private jobs, so when I rock up to a hotel/house, everything Is organised (music, payment) before I walk in the door. But if you were to do a stage show that would be more similar.
I'd say the main difference is the money, we don't have tipping in Australia, so the show is all paid up front before I start.

Tom:
There is a scene in the film where 2 male strippers dress up as cops, attend a house party to dance for money, then end up being attacked by a group of males.
Have you had any experiences like this? Any men attack you whilst dancing?

"next thing you know punches started to get thrown at me"

MS:
Yeah, my third week when I first started doing shows. On that night I had 4 shows on then I got a last minute booking for a 5th show. It was a 21st Birthday organised by the mum.
I was only dancing for about 5 minutes and still had about 90% of my costume on, when her boyfriend suddenly got jealous. I got pulled off her and next thing you know punches started to get thrown at me. He was quite drunk so he wasn't very good at hitting me, and then his girlfriend spear tackled him into a group of friends.
His mates then tried to fight me, but I grabbed my stuff and left straight away.

Tom:
Did the organiser tell you before the show there was going to be males attending?

MS:
No, I wasn't Informed. Now I always ask agency's to tell me if there are males at the party. 18th's, 24th's and other big birthday celebrations are generally mixed crowds.

Tom:
What are the most popular types of events you get bookings for?

MS:
I would say Hen's parties are the most popular, 21st's are probably second and after that you have your 'big ones' the 40th's and 50th's where the husband will hire you to dance for his wife.
Divorce parties are getting bigger now, they tend to be absolutely mental.

Tom:
Whats the weirdest event you have been booked for?

MS:
I've danced at an 80th birthday, and I've performed at three baby showers.

Tom:
Baby showers!?! Really?

MS:
Yep! Sunday morning baby showers! We're talking 10AM in the morning. They were all lovely girls, but it was just a weird situation.

Tom:
Haha, tell me more about the 18th birthday parties, what are they like?

MS:
Wild, those ones are very wild. And even the 18 year old guys get really into the show, cheering and having a laugh. I sort of feel like they are learning something also! haha.

Tom:
Have you ever had anyone under 18 at a booking before?

MS:
Yes I have, I always ask before hand, or If I think somebody looks under 18 I'll ask them. And if it's ok with everyone in the room, I will still perform, but only down to a G string, never full nude.

Tom:
Do you have any friends/family that disagree with what you do?

MS:
All my family knows what I do. I didn't want to keep it a secret, because I'm originally from Western Australia, and where I'm from word travels fast and eventually everyone finds out.
It's mainly only my big bosses at work (my day job) that I don't tell.
My family has supported what I do, and they have even advertised me on some occasions to friends for hens parties.

Tom:
Whats some of the craziest things you have seen In your time as a male stripper?

MS:
I had a group of girls start getting naked during my show once, I had no idea why, they must have pre-planned it or something. It was about 10 girls I think, and it sort of just turned into a weird half naked dance party.
I also had a girl bite me so hard on my chest I started bleeding!

Tom:
Bite your chest!? What did you do?

MS:
I pushed her away, packed my stuff up immediately and left, I had to do 5 other shows that night with bandages on my chest.

Tom:
Did they apologise to you?

MS:
The other gils did, but the hen (the girl who bit me) did not, she was really drunk.
I've also heard stories from another guy, who once said he bent over to pick up his costume after his show, and a girl stuck her finger right up his bum!

Tom:
So whats your policy on when girls get very "hands on"?

MS:
2 warnings, they don't get a 3rd.

Tom:
Do you get girls often wanting to engage in sexual contact with you?

MS:
I have had offer's, and when they do come on to me, I kind of laugh it off as a joke, as most of the time the girls are very drunk. I'd say 1 or 2 parties out of every 10, there will be a girl wanting to engage sexually.

Tom:
Anything embarrassing happened during a show before?

MS:
I have slipped a couple of times on wet floor tiles, which kind of throws away the shows sexy vibe haha,

Tom:
What costumes do you have?

MS:
Cop, Soldier, Sailor, Fireman, Construction worker, Top Gun, superman/clark kent, doctor.

Tom:
Do you have a girlfriend/partner? If yes what do they think of your job?

MS:
No current partner but I have had girlfriends since I have been doing this.
I find it's always a novelty to begin with, but 6 months in, it becomes the drag on the relationship. Mainly because your always working on the weekends and dancing for other girls instead of spending that quality time with her. Ultimately stripping has always damaged the relationship.

Tom:
Do you intend to keep stripping for much longer?

MS:
It's one of those things that has a limited shelf life. I'll go for as long as I can, but I don't want to be that 'old guy' with photos from 15 years ago haha.

Tom:
Thanks for chatting today mate, it's been good talking to you.

MS:
No worries, my pleasure!