The Big Question with Missy Suicide: 10-28-04
“Breaking Bread with The Rev” Edition
with Missy Suicide of SuicideGirls.com
Big Questions with The Rev. OJ Flow
I was introduced to the Suicide Girls world at the beginning of 2003 when SPIN magazine ran an article on DIY websites for the punk, goth, and emo set. I became instantly infatuated with SuicideGirls.com for the obvious reason that there were girls that I could relate to doing pin-up work in a site that was virtually self-run, as opposed to the airbrushed plasticity of Playboy, Penthouse and other similar venues. But I also came to find that the community that was established was infectious and addictive. The popular theory on SG is that people come for the women, but they stay for the community. The site is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate, it’s relatively inexpensive compared to typical adult entertainment sites, and it has so much to material offer for men and women aside from the “nude & tattooed” that it’s easy to forget that it is in fact adult entertainment by definition.
Just this week, SG features interviews with film directors Alexander Payne and Antoine Fuqua, actor Topher Grace, and Ren & Stimpy creator Jon Kricfalusi. They have an incredibly active message board with forums ranging from sex & relationships, to comics, TV & politics. While the folks at SG never reveal their exact numbers, it is known that they do receive over a million hits a month, and the guy-to-girl subscriber ratio is surprisingly balanced. It’s easy to make friends on the site who share common interests (while maintaining confidentiality, if desired), and I myself have made some great acquaintances — in person and online, guy and girl — from all parts of the globe.
Missy Suicide is the founder of this incredibly successful site (all models and employees take on the “Suicide” surname when they join the family), not to mention SG’s best photographer.
THE BIG Q&A
Missy, thank you so much for your time. As the year winds down, what have been the highlights of 2004 for SuicideGirls.com?
I think the highlight for me had to be going on the road with the burlesque tour and the publication of my first photo book. It was so exciting to see the crowds go crazy for the girls performance. I felt so proud of the girls, they got to tour the U.S. and Canada as well as play three of the largest music festivals in the UK. It was very interesting to meet all of the fans at the book signings and hear how their lives have been affected by SG.
What can we look forward to for the site in 2005?
We have lots in the works, I don’t want to spoil all of the surprises but there may be something in the comic book and action figure arena. We are also working on something to fit in your DVD player.
We’ve gotten to see the presidential candidates in action over the last few weeks with the debates and ceaseless campaigning. What is your take on the upcoming election?
I think the last election there was so much apathy. Everyone was so complacent after 8 pretty positive years of Bill Clinton that no one took voting very seriously. I think the 2000 elections proved just how important it is to be involved in politics and make your opinion heard. Whatever your take on the issues and the politicians it is so important that people participate in the process. I find it hard to believe that we, as a country are so evenly split in our convictions.
Personally I think that it would be a disastrous decision if America voted in another four years of Bush/Cheney but that is just my opinion, I think everyone should make up their own mind.
Do you see the current administration as a threat to the work you have put into SuicideGirls?
Not so much directly but I do feel that the overall climate set by this administration is not very conducive to personal freedom or self expression. I find it disturbing how religion so openly motivates legislation these days and how restrictive their definition of “free” speech is. I have not gotten the impression that the Bush team is very supportive of the arts and individuality. I think we should have all been very concerned when Ashcroft chose to clothe the Justice statues as one of his top priorities.
What is the status of SG’s relationship with Playboy.com? How did that come about?
Playboy ran a SuicideGirl of the week last spring on their website. The people at Playboy approached us, apparently there were some big fans of SG over there and they wanted to come up with a way to introduce their audience to the unique beauties of SG. I think it was a great opportunity for us to expose a larger audience to the amazing individuals on SG. It ran for three months and is over now. We do not currently have any other projects in the works with the people at Playboy but we have a great relationship and would be interested in working again with them. They were really the pioneers in pin-up, they have always showcased incredible pictures of beautiful women along with interesting content.
I saw the SG Burlesque Show on its second tour this year. I was told that the second go-around was a lot smoother in certain ways, would you agree? How has the show evolved and will they be doing it again?
I think we worked out a lot of the kinks with this tour. We had never done anything even close to a live touring show so we were kind of flying by the seat of our pants the first tour. We learned a lot on the road and I think the second show was more polished and we learned what “sight lines” meant and tried to accommodate for them on the second tour. I think the girls put on a phenomenal show, the first time and the second. They put on a very sexy, funny, unique and fun performance that is very much their own. I think that we will only get better at the logistics of putting on the live show and the girls will be able to really shine. I think as we grow we will be able to add all the bells, whistles and pyrotechnics but I think from it’s DIY early days the show has always been entertaining.
Are there any plans for and SG tour of another type, not necessarily a burlesque show?
I am not sure what that might be at this time but we are always open to new inspiration. Do you have an idea?
What is your vision these days for SuicideGirls, seeing as it has expanded exponentially?
I think there are a lot of exciting ways that the site has expanded, and we have a lot more opportunities and vehicles to spread the word with in the works. I think the hardest part of my job is making sure that everything remains true to the original concept. SuicideGirls is about self expression, respect and individuality. A place where women can feel appreciated for being themselves. That is the original vision for the site and I don’t think that will ever change.
Obviously, we owe big thanks to Missy for taking a moment at an obviously busy time and answering some questions. Definitely give Sucide Girls a look.
As always, if you have someone that you’d like to suggest for a Big Question, let Troy know at psikotyk@aol.com.
