Gawker.com Profiles 'King of Porn Gossip' Mike South

LOS ANGELES — Gawker.com, the New York-based media news and gossip site, has profiled veteran adult industry blogger Mike South, referring to him as "The King of Porn Gossip."

Gawker writer Adrian Chen characterized South as a highly controversial figure who regularly breaks porn news and holds adult industry power players accountable in his own unconventional way on MikeSouth.com.

"A large part of what makes South such a phenomenon is his fearless — some would say reckless — railing against the entrenched institutions and figureheads of the adult industry," Chen writes. "The porn industry sometimes seems to combine the oversized egos of Hollywood with the inscrutable power structures of organized crime. Mike South Hulk-smashes through it all with an anarchic distrust of all concentrated power and a Wikileaks-style taste for radical transparency. He's a self-styled defender of porn's powerless and self-described 'gun-totin' Libertarian."

The 54-year-old South, who is also a veteran porn producer who currently resides in Atlanta, tells Chen that he loves the adult industry and embraces his role as a voice for adult performers.

"When somebody mistreats the talent, or somebody does something scummy, that's a story and that's why a lot of people within the industry turn to my blog because it is a mirror on them," South says in the story.

South continues, "I identify with the performers more than the company owners, and the producers and directors and I tend to stick up for the little guy, and I see the little guys as the performers. Now, don't get me wrong, I'll be the first to tell you that half the problems in this business come from performers acting like they're retarded, but still, they're my people."

In the article, South is credited with "spearheading" the removal of the rogue PornWikiLeaks site in 2011, as well as being a go-to source for developments during the adult industry's syphilis outbreak in August.

South told XBIZ Friday that his site is being "slammed" with traffic as a result of the Gawker article, which was the site's lead story today.

"Adrian spent a lot of time on this, he’d been talking to me for well over a month to put that together," South said. "The article reads more like a piece from Rolling Stone than what you get on Gawker.com, so I’m blown away by it. I think it’s a great read."

South added, "It's really fascinating to me to see myself through someone else’s eyes, so I never fault anybody for calling it the way they see it. I also want to thank [XBIZ founder and president] Alec Helmy for throwing some nice words in there. That was kind of a surprise. What can I say but thanks."

To read the full Gawker.com piece, click here.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Nadia Jay Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Nadia Jay stars with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Fucking the Bath Voyeur."

Tommy Gunn Reflects on His Legendary Past as He Looks to the Future

Tommy Gunn is wearing an eyepatch. It’s not an homage to the classic "Pirates" porn parody franchise, in which Gunn takes on the Johnny Depp role. The eyepatch is a temporary measure to help him deal with a nerve palsy that came out of nowhere several years ago and affects his vision from time to time. Gunn needs his vision. As one of the adult industry’s longest-serving male stars, he still has plenty to look forward to.

Rocco Siffredi Directs New Rebel Rhyder Showcase

Evil Angel has released Rocco Siffredi’s Rebel Rhyder showcase title, "Rebel Meets Rebel."

Shalina Devine Toplines 'Thr3e #7' From Dorcel

Shalina Devine headlines the latest release from Dorcel, titled "Thr3e #7."

Chloe Amour Headlines 'Unfaithful Betrayal 3' From Bellesa Films

Chloe Amour toplines the third volume of “Unfaithful Betrayal” from Bellesa Films.

Misty Addams Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Misty Addams stars with husband Island Boy Brandon and 2024 XMA Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Pastelle Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Pastelle has made her TransAngels debut alongside Ali Rush in "Royal Sucksession."

A Day With Mike Quasar: Porn, Pets and Wit That Won't Quit

Mike Quasar has been working in the adult industry for 34 years. The highly respected veteran director admits to feeling a little astonished by this fact.

Kelly Holland's Industry Animal Rescue Charity Event 'Vice Is Nice' Returns Saturday

The 13th annual Vice Is Nice event, a long-standing adult industry fundraiser for Animal Rescue Alliance (TARA), will take place Saturday in Chatsworth.

Show More