I've seen news reports that there's a severe shortage of male actors in the porn industry. Is that true?

News is circulating online that the porn industry is facing a severe shortage of… male actors. "The number of actresses is growing rapidly, but there are practically no young men who want to break into the industry: the main reason for personnel hunger is that it is difficult for newcomers to "work" in front of the cameras, they get lost and cannot perform actions "on command". It is also reported that Newcomers often drop out after their first shoot, and studios end up having to cast the same actors over and over again—most of whom are no longer young.. Because of this, as Telegram channels report, there is virtually no competition among men, whereas women’s careers in porn are usually short. One Japanese porn actor stated that there are 10,000 women for every 70 men. He has already slept with 8,000 of them and won’t be able to keep this up forever; "Thanks to these factors, the profession of a actor becomes profitable for a man, provided that a person is ready to tolerate its features" - sum up the media.

In fact, this news story is a mix of facts and speculation, as well as a compilation of old articles from 2016 about the shortage of male actors in the Japanese porn industry. The key factors—a psychological barrier for newcomers, the lack of competition among men, the short career span for women, and the ratio of 70 men to 10,000 women—all stem from a 2016 interview with Japanese porn actor Ken Shimizu (known as Shimiken). The industry-wide shortage was discussed in articles from 2014 to 2018, but in October 2025, it is being widely shared on X (Twitter) and Russian-language websites.

What's the reality? What is the current situation for male actors in the porn industry in 2025?

Based on recent publications and discussions in the media and on social media, there is indeed a shortage of male actors in the porn industry (especially in the heterosexual segment), rather than a surplus. This is confirmed by articles from September–October 2025, in which experts note a chronic shortage, particularly among young men. The problem is a global one, but it is particularly acute in Japan and Europe/the U.S. Below, we’ll examine the key aspects, citing sources.

So, the British dominatrix Melissa Todd (has been working in the industry for 20+ years) said that over the past 10 years there has been a "catastrophic shortage of male actors." directors hold open castings on X (Twitter), but men who are interested online rarely come to the set or sign contracts. If one actor gets sick (for example, HIV, as in the case of 2014 in Nevada), it causes a "shock wave" - the industry is paralyzed due to a lack of replacements.

According to Freeones (updated in 2022, but relevant for 2025 trends), the number of porn actors per million residents is low in countries with a large porn industry: Japan — 14.15 (fewer than Bengal tigers, as the press likes to joke); the U.S. — 27.25; Germany — 7.45. There are many times more female actresses, which exacerbates the imbalance.

Regional characteristics:

Europe/United States: Younger generations (Gen Z) have sex less often than previous generations, which is reflected in the industry. At conferences like Xbiz Europe 2025, they discuss how OnlyFans and AI (virtual "girlfriends") compete with traditional filming, scaring men away.

Japan (JAV): A chronic crisis—one actor can work with 100+ female co-stars a month, which leads to burnout. By 2025, the problem had worsened: the industry was producing over 4,000 films per month, but there weren’t enough men.

The Situation with Male Actors in Gay Porn (2025)

Unlike the straight segment of the porn industry, where there is a chronic shortage of men (especially young men), the situation in gay porn is the opposite: There is no acute shortage of actors; the supply is sufficient or even excessive.. This is confirmed by the latest data from 2025 — the industry is thriving, with high views (Pornhub records millions of searches for top stars), active castings, and "gay for pay" (straight men starring in gay content for money). However, there are nuances: the competition is high, the pay varies (from $500-1000 per scene for newcomers to thousands for stars), and the actors complain about the exploitation of beginners. Below we will analyze the key aspects.

Key Facts and Statistics

Trends for 2025: The industry is growing despite the threats (Project 2025 in the U.S. aims to ban porn). Top stars: Malik Delgaty (No. 1 in views), Joey Mills (twink icon), Rhyheim Shabazz (Performer of the Year at the 2025 GayVN Awards). The 2025 GayVN Awards handed out dozens of trophies, demonstrating the industry’s vitality.

Project 2025 is a large-scale conservative initiative designed to prepare for the possible return of Republicans to power in the United States, in particular, for a potential second term for Donald Trump. This is not Trump's official plan (he publicly distanced himself from it during the 2024 campaign), but a roadmap from far-right thinkers that involves a radical overhaul of the federal government. The initiative was launched in April 2023 by the Heritage Foundation, one of the leading conservative think tanks in the United States, and involves more than 100 organizations. The main document is the 900-page book "Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise", which serves as a "desirable list" of policies for the new administration.

Main Objectives and Components

Project 2025 focuses on strengthening the president’s executive powers, reducing the role of the federal government, and promoting ultra-conservative values. Key elements include:

• Expansion of Presidential Powers: It is proposed to replace thousands of federal employees with loyalists so that the president can directly control agencies (for example, through "Schedule F" - classifying employees as temporary, making it easier to lay off).
• Social Policy: Fight against "wokeness" – banning DEI programs (diversity, equality, inclusion), limiting LGBTQ+ rights, tightening abortion and immigration.
• Economics and Regulation: Tax cuts, deregulation of business, cancellation of climate initiatives (e.g. the Paris Agreement) and focus on "American manufacturing".
• Education and Health Care: Transferring control of schools to the states, reducing the role of the Department of Health and Human Services, and repealing Obamacare.
• Staff and Training: A database of 20,000+ candidates for government posts, plus training programs for "conservative warriors".

This is not just a theory: the authors see it as a tool to "save America" from liberal influence, with an emphasis on Christian values and nationalism.

Authors and Their Ties to Trump

Connection to Trump: Trump said in July 2024 that he "does not know who is for Project 2025" and called it "absurd." However, in October 2025, he began referencing elements of it (e.g., praising Vought as "from Project 2025"), and many of his team's policies (including JD Vance) are related to the project. Critics argue that this is a "shady plan" for MAGA.

Key Figures: Led by Paul Dans (a former Trump administration official), the authors include Russ Vought (former director of the OMB under Trump) and other veterans of the administration. More than 140 former Trump administration officials contributed to the report.

Supply vs. Demand: There are many applicants, especially among "straight" men — The demand for them in gay is higher than for authentic gay actors because of the "straight tasting gay" fetish. There is no "hunger" like in hetero: studios easily find performers, and top actors (such as Malik Delgaty or Rhyheim Shabazz) dominate views. Pornhub in 2025 marked 53% of gay viewers — men, 47% — women, with a peak of 18-34 years.

Compensation and Career: In the gay segment, men earn more (a minimum of $1000 per scene is recommended for beginners) than in hetero. A career can be long (10+ years), but requires constant body preparation and filming "around the clock". Campaigns seem #1KorNothing fighting for fair pay.

Reasons Why There Will Be No Labor Shortage in Gay Porn in 2025

• Straight men starring in gay films to make a quick buck—it’s a popular trope that sells. There’s no stigma, unlike in the straight world, where self-esteem suffers.
• Men in gay porn earn 2–3 times more than those in straight porn; studios aren't complaining about a shortage.
• It's easier to "work on team" — the audience is loyal, and the actors are often bisexual or open-minded. There are no escapes of beginners, as in hetero.
• Platforms like OnlyFans let you monetize your content; there are lots of collaborations and fan-created content.
• In the U.S. and Europe, there is a surplus; in Asia, the focus is on niche content, but supply remains stable.
• It’s easier to break into the industry, the pay is higher (up to $900k in net worth for top performers), and there’s less competition for roles (unlike for women). But there are risks: STI testing and burnout from filming. At the same time, there is exploitation of newcomers (low starting pay) and the threat of censorship (Project 2025 could affect everyone). Former actors share stories of trauma—emotional and physical exhaustion.

In 2025, gay porn is one of the fastest-growing segments, with a focus on diversity (twinks, bears, duos).