I guess the old adage “never say never” is true after all.

I always said I would “never” do a boy/girl scene, and I meant it. And now here I am about to do one. Granted it’s going to be edited as soft-core so it won’t be an “explicit” scene. And it’s for a lesbian feature film, so I haven’t defected to the other side or anything. But it will still be a brand new experience for me.

Originally I didn’t expect the scene to have much importance. It was meant to show the relationship between a “straight girl” character and her cavalier, thoughtless boyfriend. I’d planned to cast a functional male performer in the boyfriend role, as soon as I could figure out who the best candidate was. But I certainly didn’t think I’d be into the scene on a sexual level — I just wanted to get it over with.

I’ll admit that it’s not often I feel an overwhelming attraction to a man. I experience moderate attractions from time to time, and every now and then get a respectable (if fleeting) “crush.” But rarely does it motivate me to spring into action. I don’t pursue men or dream of romantic trysts with them. I’m much more likely to develop such fantasies and feelings toward a girl.

But every once in a while my mind and body has an unexpected reaction to someone of the opposite sex. This exception happened most recently in Las Vegas during the 2008 AVN convention. I was hanging out at Circle Bar with Michelle Lay one night when somehow we got on the topic of male porn stars.

“I don’t know who any of them are,” I admitted. “I never watch boy/girl porn. I don’t think I’d want to be with any male porn stars. Oh, except maybe that one guy…”

“Who?” Michelle asked excitedly.

“I don’t know his name but he’s really beautiful – I think he’s French?”

“Manuel Ferrara!” she said, guessing the one man who fit that description.

“Is that his name? Yeah, he doesn’t seem like a typical porn guy, but I’ve never met him…”

And then suddenly, as if on cue, Manuel Ferrara was standing in front of us. It was as if he’d simply dropped out of the sky.

“Manuel — we were just talking about you!” Michelle said. “Nica was just saying that you’re the only guy whose porn she’d want to watch!”

Manuel turned to look at me and I was instantly frozen. Felled by a tragic case of “deer in the headlights” syndrome. Couldn’t move; couldn’t speak. Finally I uttered “hi” – or I think I did. Manuel was very gracious about my sudden catatonia, though he looked a bit puzzled. He was charming and friendly and then he moved on.

“Nica, I hate to say this, but you just acted kind of retarded in front of him,” Michelle whispered to me.

“I don’t know what happened,” I said. “I couldn’t even open my mouth.”

“Oh my god — YOU like a BOY!” Michelle teased.

Over the next few days it seemed the Gods were having a marvelous time at my expense. Everywhere I went I would run into Manuel Ferrara. I’d pass by him in the convention hall, at the bar, in the lobby, at the awards show. And any time our paths crossed Manuel would be charming, sweet and elegant. Me? I acted like a complete moron.

“Please do not be afraid of me,” Manuel said to me in his terrifyingly sexy French accent. He didn’t want me to be uncomfortable, and he couldn’t understand why I was having so much trouble.

“I’m sorry,” I told him. And I was sorry — for myself. I meant to act sophisticated and confident; not like a fifteen year old girl meeting her favorite rock star. But despite my odd behavior we managed to become friends by the end of the week. Our friendship was largely based on the fact that I couldn’t speak to him in full sentences, but to him that was part of my charm.

“I’d like to say more to you, but I just can’t seem to talk,” I explained.

“But that is what is so cute!” he said.

Manuel is nice to girls. I can’t stress enough how powerful that is, and how easy it is to pick up on. There are plenty of guys (particularly in Los Angeles) who strut around like they’re God’s gift to women, and exude a vaguely hostile, contemptuous vibe toward the gentler sex. Manuel is not one of those men. His love of women and generosity of spirit makes him even more beautiful than do his high cheekbones, full lips and gorgeous body. And that combination of extraordiary beauty and sincere humility is intoxicating.

When I returned to Los Angeles I turned my attention to Sweetheart’s next feature film, “Angel.” I needed to cast my character’s boyfriend — a role that would be limited to some heated dialogue and a quick soft-core scene. I called Katherine Annelle to ask her advice about male performers.

“What about Manuel Ferrara?” she suggested innocently.

The Gods were up to no good again. But the idea was certainly exciting, and I trust Kathy’s judgment. I decided to ask Manuel if he’d be interested. (That is, if I could get the words out.)

Manuel graciously agreed to play the role. Then he added, “You are aware that most people do not hire me for my acting, right?”

Gulp. Yes, I’m aware. Am I ever.

I told him that I’d never done a boy/girl scene before, so we’d both be trying out new territory albeit in different ways. He said he was game.

After casting Manuel it occurred to me that although the scene will be edited as soft-core, it will now be authentic — just as my girl/girl scenes are. I won’t be faking the attraction or the chemistry, and I know I can trust him to lead the way to a great scene — rather than one I just want to “get over with.”

So it seems the Gods weren’t having fun at my expense in Las Vegas, after all. They were just pointing me – speechless though I might have been – in exactly the right direction.

Look for Nica Noelle’s first ever boy/girl scene in the upcoming Sweetheart Video feature film, “Angel.” Check www.sweetheartvideo.com for more details and upcoming release dates.

Love,
Nica

Director, Writer & Performer
NicaNoelle@aol.com
SweetheartVideo.com

Watch Nica now!
(Watch her as Sydni Ellis!)