She’s full of inventive new ideas, creative concepts for BDSM, and a master of consent. Her name is AstroDomina and she sat down with us to discuss her role as a dominatrix and the responsibilities that come along with that title. If you want to learn how to take on the role, have an interest in how BDSM works, or are interested in production techniques, AstroDomina lays it out below!
You can’t spell AstroDomina without DOM. How did you find yourself as the D in BDSM?
Great starter question! The D role certainly didn't just land on my lap. I worked for it. It also helps that I was born with a dominant personality and I'm an Aries (fire sign), so the role of a dominant came naturally to me. I should also thank my mother, a true vision of a matriarch, who served as my inspiration and gave me a solid vision of what a strong independent woman should be. I can remember that very first image of a dominatrix I saw in my younger years. I didn't understand it, but I knew it was sexy, dark, and mysterious, and I just had to learn more about her.
BDSM, kink, and fetish in general are very misunderstood. What are some misconceptions you hear or the silliest questions you receive about your work?
Oftentimes, people generalize all sex workers to offer the same exact thing... sex. In my line of work, it isn't uncommon for people to ask questions such as, "How much for sex?" or "Do you offer full service?" While some dommes do offer full-service, dommes like me strictly offer BDSM and fetish fantasy. Most people also think that I am a bitch, even without the leather on. I'm a professional bitch, not a real-life bitch. And finally, some people think that I am forced/coerced into this line of work, that I actually hate it. People couldn't be more wrong. I love what I do, and I'd do it again in a different life.
How has your work as a dominatrix evolved since you started?
I started out as an immigrant and went to winning awards and being asked to host and speak at seminars. I must say that I have grown a lot. It takes intention, proper training, and passion to become the dominatrix you were meant to be. And that takes time. The more money I made in this industry, the more I invested into my tools, my gadgets, my marketing, etc. I used to film all on my own using a pocket-sized Nikon and some natural lighting. Now, I have a collection of 10 different lights, 7 different types of cameras, a whole set of rigs, 2 types of drones, and a whole camera crew on standby! The more experienced I became with my skills, the more creative I got with my scripts, and the more excited I got. My confidence now as a professional dominatrix and fetish producer is far beyond what I could've imagined. It would've been a lot easier if there was a Dominatrix Training School of that sort. Maybe something I could investigate and start!
Are you still a lifestyle dominatrix? What does that entail day to day?
Being a dominatrix is not just a job for me. It's a lifestyle. And by that, I don't mean emasculating every man that comes my way and bark orders at people around me. While that might sound fine and dandy, there is a point where the dominatrix must take a break. Being a dominatrix also means taking care of other departments of your life and putting them in order. Like taking care of family, showing up for your friends, being on top of your self-care game and consciously giving back to the community. For me, that's all part of being a lifestyle dominatrix. The dominatrix might be off the clock, but her essence is still there.
How do you detach from the AstroDomina character, or have you become one and the same?
They are not one and the same. There is a fine line between AstroDomina and Sydney Max Lee. If I were to put it on a Venn diagram, the area where the overlapping circles meet would say “dominance & stubbornness,” HA!
What advice/tips do you have for new Models who want to dabble in BDSM content?
My main advice would be don't just dabble. Fully immerse yourself in BDSM and learn what it truly means if you want to be successful in this industry. Out of 50 new models who approach me to become their mentor, only 2 of them have any interest in the true nature of kink or BDSM. I receive a lot of inquiries from new models asking, "how do I become a findom?" or "please teach me how to be a findom," thinking that they'll make thousands of dollars overnight. I believe that's the wrong approach. With everything else, it takes time and effort to build a brand to get to the level you want.
Please share your top three tips for producing the best fetish content
If you are serious about starting your own fetish content and you only have enough money to invest in one item, lighting is where you should start. You can start filming your content on your phone and with proper lighting, you can tastefully create good content. Most mobile phones nowadays have excellent sound capture so even without a professional microphone you can get away with it.
Also, practice being comfortable in front of the camera. If you need to redo a video 10x just so you feel more at ease on cam, do it. Remember, the audience can see and feel what you are going through. A genuine soul will come through the lenses if that is what you portray. Don't be afraid to practice in front of a mirror to get used to the feeling of having yourself filmed.
Most importantly, follow through with your schedule. If you've committed to producing 3 videos a week for the next 6 months, then it is imperative that you follow through with that. Commit to the schedule and you will see results!
Consent is pivotal to safe and successful BDSM, and a core value of the Pornhub community. As an expert in this area, can you share some tips on how to ensure there is consent and safety in the BDSM community?
Of course, consent and safety are paramount in the BDSM community, and as a dominatrix, I take these aspects very seriously. I just recently did a video about BDSM consent and safety but here's a short summary:
- Open Communication: Communication is essential. Before engaging in any BDSM activity, have an open and honest conversation with your partner about their boundaries, desires, and limits. Clearly establish what is acceptable and what is not. Use safe words or signals to ensure clear communication during a session.
- Consent Education: Make sure both you and your partner are well-educated about consent. Understand the concept of enthusiastic and ongoing consent. Remember that consent can be withdrawn at any time during the activity.
- Negotiation: Engage in negotiation before any BDSM play. Discuss specific activities, intensity levels, and any potential triggers. This helps create a mutual understanding and sets the foundation for a safe and enjoyable experience.
- Safe Words and Signals: Establish a set of safe words or signals that indicate when a scene needs to slow down or stop entirely. Respect these signals without hesitation, and make sure your partner knows they can use them without judgment.
- Check-Ins: Regularly check in with your partner throughout the scene to ensure their comfort and well-being. Non-verbal cues and body language can be essential indicators of how they're feeling.
- Education and Training: Stay informed about safe BDSM practices and techniques. Attend workshops, read books, and seek advice from experienced members of the community to enhance your knowledge and skillset.
- Consent is Ongoing: Remember that consent is not just a one-time thing; it's an ongoing process. Continue to communicate with your partner even outside of BDSM roleplay to ensure boundaries and desires remain clear.
- Risk-Awareness: Be aware of potential risks associated with BDSM activities and work together with your partner to minimize them. This includes having proper equipment, understanding potential health risks, and knowing how to respond to emergencies.
- Respect and Trust: Build a foundation of respect and trust with your partner. This creates a safe environment where both parties feel comfortable exploring their desires.
- Community and Support: Engage with the BDSM community to learn from others' experiences and to have a support network. Joining local or online communities can provide valuable insights and resources for ensuring consent and safety.
Imagine yourself in a dream location with dream collaborators, where is the set and who are the people? Set the stage for us!
I imagine myself in a palace carved from the belly of a mountain with a luscious forest somewhere in the tropics, where the bluest water is smashing against the feet of that same palace. (Think Taj Mahal for said palace). Camera zooms into the palace and you see men all dressed in fetish clothing... latex, leather, PVC, all sexy. Some are kneeling in front of women, and some are walking around at work. Camera pushes to the right and you see every woman of every color wearing gold, diamonds, and other shiny things having the time of their life, eating, drinking and being all sexy inside the palace.
Drone zooms to the other side of the mountain and you see the other side of the palace under renovation. A part of the palace is still under construction, and you see me and my other collaborators herding, whipping, flogging and managing all the men at work. I see myself and my other friends in the scene such as Ceara Lynch (a dom friend), Kazumi (a porn friend), Ava Marie (a Filipina cam model), Helena Locke (a dom friend), maybe Apo Whang Od (a legendary Filipina tattoo artist), Chelsea Handler (a Hollywood comedian) and so many other women who inspire me... in my dream scene.
The goal is for the completion of the Tropical Femdom Palace in this dream scenario. The title of this dream movie? "Palasyo ng Kapangyarihan" which means "Palace of Power" in Filipino.
Besides cracking the whip, what kind of activities do you enjoy doing? Any hobbies, passions, or causes you want to tell us about?
Funny you ask. When I'm not on top of a cage barking commands at my subs, you'll either find me barefoot on top of a mountain or in the ocean with the sea creatures. I'm a very active and outdoorsy gal. My hobbies include racing/drifting sports cars, skydiving, freediving, hiking barefoot, playing badminton, climbing/bouldering, acroyoga, and calisthenics. I've been brushing up on Kali/Escrima (Filipino knife fighting) and recently picked up Muay Thai.
In my personal life, I am very passionate about the ocean and keeping it healthy. As an islander who grew up in the Philippines, it's imperative to me that I raise awareness about a healthy ocean because millions of lives depend on it. I would hate to see it get trashed because of negligence and greed.
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