Arad Winwin
Arad Winwin | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Arad in 2018 | |
| Born | Mahmoud Reza Asefi November 27, 1989 |
| Occupation | Pornographic film actor |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
Mahmoud Reza Asefi (Persian: محمودرضا آصفی; born November 27, 1989), better known by his stage name Arad Winwin, is an Iranian American gay pornographic film actor, model and bodybuilder.[1][2][3]
Early life
[edit]Winwin was born in Tehran, Iran, and grew up in a big family with two brothers. He spent most of his time doing sports like soccer, karate, weightlifting, and bodybuilding competitions.[4][5] He joined the mandatory military service when he turned 18, and spent three years in active duty.[2]
In 2010, at age 22, he fled Iran, because he believed he would never be happy due to the lack of political freedom in a country where he could be killed for being gay. He escaped through snowy mountains— walking for two nights and three days— to cross the border into Turkey. He had no passport, and his family had to pay a guide to take him halfway through the mountains. In Turkey, he was arrested for having a forged passport and imprisoned for six months.[6]
In an interview with Gay Star News, Winwin said, "During this time Turkey was getting ready to deport me back to Iran where I would have been hanged for being a military deserter. I was able to get a message from prison to my family and they hired an attorney which contacted the United Nations refugee program. I was only accepted into their refugee program because the UN knew that I would be killed if I was sent back to Iran." He adds, "Being in a Turkish prison was horrible but I did meet other Iranian people in prison who were also trying to escape from Iran and they were the ones who told me about the United Nations refugee program that ultimately saved my life."[7]
Winwin had to stay in Turkey for three years for all of the UN paperwork to be finished. He was then flown to Dallas, Texas, United States. His case worker helped him get a job at an elevator company, but it did not pay much, and he spent the next year trying to pay off his airline tickets, as is required by the UN.[7]
Career
[edit]Adult entertainment
[edit]Winwin moved to Los Angeles, where he became a go-go boy to make more money. While there, he learned about the men's clothing company Andrew Christian, and eventually became one of their "Trophy Boys".[8]
Winwin made his pornographic film debut with Next Door Studios in 2014,[9] and became a Falcon Studios Exclusive in 2019.[10]
In 2018, Winwin starred in Bruce LaBruce's It Is Not the Pornographer That Is Perverse... in the segment "Purple Army Faction".[11] LaBruce considered the segment to be the sexiest film set he had ever been on, as it had a three-way between Francois Sagat, Winwin, and Dato Foland.[12]
In the same year, Winwin starred in Men.com's first scene featuring MMF bisexual porn, titled The Challenge. It created controversy over whether bisexual porn belongs on a gay porn website.[13] Winwin, who is a self-identified gay man, faced backlash from fans for acting in the scene, with some accusing him of being straight or of having "converted" to heterosexuality or bisexuality.[14] Winwin told the gay website Str8UpGayPorn that "I'm a gay man...This was only a job, and it was nothing more. Nothing personal. I was working, and it was like any other scene I've done".[15]
Bodybuilding
[edit]Winwin has participated in bodybuilding competitions under his real name.
| Year | Contest | Division | Category | Rank | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | NPC Europa Super Show | Men's Bodybuilding | Middleweight | 1st | [16] |
| NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic | 4th | [17] | |||
| Novice Lightweight | 1st | ||||
| Men's Physique | Class A | 16th | |||
| 2018 | NPC MuscleContest Excalibur | Men's Bodybuilding | Novice Light Heavyweight | 2nd | [18] |
| Light Heavyweight | 6th | ||||
| Men's Classic Physique | Class B | 7th |
Public image and political views
[edit]_(modified).jpg)
Winwin was one of the 15 models of varying ethnic backgrounds featured in Sex = Power = Freedom (2017), a photo book by Andrew Christian, who sought an inclusive and multicultural feel for the book, wanting to express the message of LGBTQ empowerment in the political sphere.[19]
In the light of Donald Trump's travel ban in January 2017, Christian told Gay Star News, "Arad's story is a reminder of how offering refugees a home in the US can not only transform their lives but may actually save their lives. It is a tragedy that our LGBT brothers and sisters will die, along with many others, because of Trumps [sic] new extreme vetting policy."[7]
Speaking out against the immigration ban,[20] Winwin said, "I am extremely saddened by Trump's new policy on immigration I think it is important for Americans to know that people are seeking refugee status in the USA because they love America for the freedom this country provides. I am sure the new policy will create much needless suffering among innocent people who just want a better life and the policy may even be counterproductive if extremists use it as part of their message of hate."[7]
On November 6, 2024, following the 2024 United States presidential election, Winwin shared an Instagram post congratulating and showing support for Donald Trump.[21] In a subsequent interview with Out, Winwin criticized Democrats, Joe Biden, the LGBTQ community, and drag queens, and referred to those who responded negatively towards his Instagram post as "haters" and "insane". However, he also stated that had Kamala Harris won the election, he would have congratulated her as well. Previous posts on Instagram by Winwin were critical of Harris, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Joe Biden.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ "Arad Winwin". Men.com. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ a b "Gay Porn Star Arad Winwin, Falcon Studios Ink Exclusive Contract". JRL CHARTS. 2019-07-15. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ Baret, Julie (2017-02-02). "Arad Winwin : Réfugié iranien devenu mannequin lingerie". Têtu (in French). Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ "A Win Win Situation [cover feature]". The Fight Mag. 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ "Andrew Christian Model Arad WinWin - Puerto Vallarta LGBTQ+ Travel Guide". GayPV. 2017-01-29. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ Koff, Derek de (2017-02-01). "Model Arad Winwin opens up about fleeing Iran and his time in Turkish jail". Queerty. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ a b c d Hudson, David (2017-01-30). "Meet the gay man who fled Iran and found freedom as an underwear model in the US". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31.
- ^ "This Hunky Iranian Soldier Escaped his Country on Foot and now Works as an Underwear Model". Cocktails & Cocktalk. 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ "ARAD: Introducing Hot Newcomer with A Body of Greek God". QUEER ME NOW : The Hardcore Gay Porn Blog - Gay Porn Stars, Muscle Men, Anal Sex, Gay Porn News, Free XXX Pics and Videos. 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ Alexander, Terrie (2019-07-12). "Arad Winwin Becomes Newest Falcon Studios Exclusive AVN". AVN. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ Neuwave, Robert (2018-08-30). "Bruce LaBruce/Cockyboys Team-Up 'Flea Pit' Now Available On DVD AVN". AVN. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ Jeknavorian, Mike (2020-09-28). "BRUCE LABRUCE – 120 SECONDS". Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ "First bisexual scene at Men is with Arad Winwin, Daxx Carter & Silvia Saige (tip @ Tchelo)". MenofPorn.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-31. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
- ^ "Men.com Users Upset With Bisexual Video Featuring a Woman Because of Course". Intomore.com. Archived from the original on 2018-08-04. Retrieved 2018-08-04.
- ^ "Exclusive—Arad Winwin Responds To Criticism Of Bisexual Scene And Questions About His Sexuality: "I'm A Gay Man, And This Was Only A Job"". str8upgayporn.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-14. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
- ^ "2014 NPC Europa Super Show". NPC News Online. Archived from the original on 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ "2014 NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic". Rx Muscle. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ "NPC MuscleContest Excalibur Championships". NPC News Online. 2018-12-17. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ Wong, Curtis M. (2017-01-26). "Andrew Christian's Steamy New Book Dares To Bare... And Inspire". HuffPost. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ "Meet the Andrew Christian Model Speaking Out Against Immigration Bans". www.pride.com. 2017-02-03. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- ^ Sim, Bernardo (2024-11-09). "Gay adult star gets Pounded after coming out as a Trump supporter". The Advocate. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ Sim, Bernardo (2004-11-08). "This gay adult star is getting dragged for pro-Trump posts". Out. Retrieved 2024-11-10.