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

Tiffani Time Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Newly crowned XMA Creator Awards Rising Clip Creator Tiffani Time stars with her husband Benfit and Jax Slayher in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Karmen Karma Stars in Latest From Ricky's Room

Karmen Karma stars in the latest release from Ricky's Room, titled "A Long Time Cumming."

Cubbi Thompson Makes Her Jules Jordan Debut

Cubbi Thompson has made her Jules Jordan debut alongside Lexington Steele in the studio's latest release.

Seth Gamble Drops Trailer for Upcoming Feature 'Once Upon a Time in the Valley'

Multi-XMAs winner Seth Gamble has released the trailer for his upcoming Wicked Pictures feature, "Once Upon a Time in the Valley."

Ryan Reid Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Ryan Reid stars with Damon Dice in “A Day in the Life,” from Brazzers.

Andylynn Payne Toplines Joey Silvera's 'Trans-Active 30'

Andylynn Payne headlines director Joey Silvera’s “Trans-Active 30” from Evil Angel.

Violet Myers, Megan Faith Star in Latest From Slayed

Reigning XMAs Premium Social Creator of the Year Violet Myers stars with Megan Faith in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint Slayed.

Coco Bae Returns to Brazzers

Coco Bae stars with Danny D. in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “The Cock Collector.”

Penthouse Names Kira Shine June's 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named model Kira Shine as Pet of the Month for June.

Jade Greene Makes Her Reality Kings Debut

Jade Greene has made her Reality Kings debut alongside multi-XMAs winner Mick Blue in "Ski Boat Skeet."

Show More