My first encounter with Chi Chi LaRue, the drag persona of Larry Paciotti, was at the Parliament House in Orlando many years ago. Chi Chi was in town to shoot a video. That night, Chi Chi made an appearance at a nightclub surrounded by some of her performers and the crowd followed. Then Chi Chi was a plus size diva with an oversize personality and a charming wit. Today Chi Chi is one of the most recognizable names and faces in the gay porn industry and, thanks to gastric bypass surgery, a thinner more beautiful version of her former self. Chi Chi LaRue, who now directs under her company Channel 1 Releasing, is also an international DJ and a brand name. Having worked as a director since 1988, LaRue has directed hundreds of gay porn films and even ventured into straight porn for a while but left because condoms are not always worn in straight videos. LaRue is a major supporter of safe sex and includes the self-directed video Safe Sex Is Hot Sex/Wrap It Up on every video.
