In the latest instalment of our sex worker interview series "A Tryst With" we're chatting with New York Escort Marina Moonlight about tarot, magic, and karaoke.
We'd love to hear your ‘origin story’ as a sex worker.
Like many others, I always felt called to this sort of work. Like many before me, I’ve always been drawn to the whore in movies, stories, visual art, etc. I’ve always identified as a sacred slut.
Before getting into this work, I slept with men in exchange for offerings in a very direct and clear way. I thought I had found some loophole in life—to me, it was a brilliant idea! This was in my early 20s, but when I told my friends about it, some of them were scared for me. They were confused. There were people in my circle who found out and were very judgmental toward me.
I ended up ditching the haters and moving away. It wasn’t until my mid-20s, when I was unemployed, that I answered an ad on Craigslist for a dungeon near Bryant Park—a dungeon where many people have worked. If you know, you know.
From there, I worked at a sex party, then at a massage parlor, and eventually I settled on working as an independent GFE, which suits me well.
What did you find was a big learning curve for you when you joined the industry? Was there anything you took to like a duck to water?
I think the biggest learning curve for me was modeling and the marketing side of the industry. I started out in places that advertised for me, but once I went independent, I had to book my own shoots, style myself, and post my own ads. That was a big adjustment.
I’m not someone who enjoys having my picture taken, but I’ve finally learned to have a little more fun with it and see it as an art project—a way to document my life. I know I’ll have a lot of great photos to look back on when I’m older. At the same time, I have so many photos—it’s actually kind of overwhelming when I really think about it. But it’s nice to archive what’s been happening. I’ve learned a lot about social media, a lot about marketing, and how it all works.
Something I took to like a duck to water was the work itself. From my first session, it felt like I had been doing this work in lives before this one. It was incredibly easy for me. It’s always been easy for me to connect with people, both physically and emotionally.
I love allowing people space to be vulnerable and explore. I love getting to know people from all around the world, at different stages of life, and from all walks of life.
Is there something you wish the outside the community knew about sex work and sex workers?
I think one of the biggest misconceptions I encounter when interacting with civilians is that they assume the work we do is really easy. I think we make it look so effortless and fun—and sometimes, it is fun—but it’s also a lot of hard work. Not necessarily in the same way as other jobs, but it requires a tremendous amount of emotional labor.
When you’re working independently, you’re doing so much. You’re a business owner. Like I said, we make it look effortless, but unless you’ve walked a mile in my heels, you wouldn’t know.
What has sex work taught you about yourself?
That I am powerful, I am resilient, I am held, and I am so much more than this body.
What is your favorite part of sex work culture? What communities, people, places, and memories are important to you as a sex worker?
I think my favorite part of the culture we share is that we’re a part of a top-secret superhero league. At least that’s how it feels to me. When you meet another person in the wild who does this type of work, there’s usually a bond and a deep respect. We are also on the forefront of many political movements. Being a part of sex work allows me the time to be active in issues that are important to myself and others.
In regards to communities, people, places, and memories are important to me as a sex worker… I have so much LOVE for my SW fam in New York, and I also have a special place in my heart for the New Orleans community. At the end of the day we show up for one another and the experience is beyond words…
What has sex work taught you about beauty standards?
They’re only real if you believe in them. Fuck someone who isn’t into your look—there’s always another around the corner who is.
Coming into the industry, I was way more insecure. I judged myself by American, Eurocentric beauty standards—not because my family pushed them, but from absorbing them through magazines and films. I was obsessed with fashion magazines as a kid… not good!!!
Sex work forced me to break down what I’d been programmed to believe about beauty. Constantly taking photos, constantly looking at myself—it took a long time to love what I saw. I come from beautiful people—my mother, my father, my ancestors—so why did I think I was ugly? Why did I feel unworthy?
I did the work. I confronted those thoughts. And I don’t think I would have if it weren’t for sex work.
Working in brothels opened my eyes too. I saw coworkers who stayed booked and busy, and they didn’t look like supermodels. It made me realize beauty standards and real attraction don’t always align. Not that male validation is the goal, but it was a wake-up call.
Facing my own image, using my body for this work—it helped me unlearn toxic beauty standards pushed on us by companies trying to sell products. Honestly, I didn’t realize how beautiful I was until I started this work. I used to hate how I looked. Now, I love myself, and that helps me love others as well.
You make content as well as being an escort. Can you tell us about your process for shooting? What is your favourite style or thing to do in your videos?
I’m on a little hiatus from making content, but I’ll start again this fall.
One thing I love to do is make karaoke videos. In a way, it’s my siren song—I’ve even had clients book me because of those videos.
I think of my paternal grandfather. I never met him, but he loved to sing. My grandmother always said he was terrible at it—sometimes he even embarrassed the family—but he never stopped. I’m not the worst singer, but I love the idea of doing something just for the joy of it, even if you’re not amazing. That’s the essence of my karaoke character—goofy and free.
I also love dressing up. I love music videos. And honestly, singing is great for your throat chakra. I struggle with speaking up for myself sometimes, but singing regularly helps.
Karaoke is a divine practice for me—I try to go into the city once or twice a week to sing. I’m always down to go with fellow providers too! Most of my content is singing, with spicy videos and pics peppered in—yah know, to give people a little something to indulge in. ;)
How do you bring your own sense of personal style to your shoots?
I scramble at the last minute, trying to put things together. I don’t hold onto an idea too highly; I let everything form organically.
In general, the way I like to dress myself is based on the mood I’m feeling that day. There are times when I try to plan shoots and follow through with them because I’m inspired by a work of art, a feeling, a film, or a song. But honestly, most of the time, when I’m shooting, I have a general vibe in mind, but I don’t like to overthink how it’s going to turn out. It’s about comfort and expressing where I’m at that day.
There’s something about dressing yourself, it’s a spell—it’s about protection, about how I want to bring in an energy and that is so profound.
You mention magic in your profile. Can you tell us a little about what role this plays in your life?
For me, the magic I practice is all about gratitude.
I wouldn’t always have described it that way. When I first stumbled into the practice, it came more from a place of wanting and needing. I was in a space where I needed nourishment and sustenance, and I hadn’t yet found what worked for me. In the past, I used to confuse superstition with spirituality. I found that through spiritual practice, I could face daily existence.
But at this point, I feel like it’s a way to give thanks—for the earth, for this life, and for all the experiences I’m having, whatever they may be. It’s an exchange of energy that I can’t quite articulate, but I feel it deeply.
I think it plays a major role in my life. It’s what literally gets me out of bed in the morning. It helps me connect with people, and it helps me connect to myself.
You offer tarot readings! What has your journey with Tarot been like?
It’s something I picked up in my mid-20s. I had a friend who was really into tarot, and we’d get together and nerd out about tarot, our cards, and astrology. It was this very intense relationship—it was so weird because we were so close, and then one day, the relationship just completely shattered, and I haven’t seen her since.
That was the beginning of it, and I just stuck with it. My mother says that my great-grandmother read cards, and my other great-grandmother was a channel. Luckily, reading cards is very respected in my family. Even my grandfather on my mother’s side has given me his blessing and tells me, "Your great-grandmother would be so proud of you." I’m honored that I’m keeping this alive in our family.
I can’t help but do it. And every time I do, it’s funny because I wonder, "When’s the day I’m going to give someone a reading, and they’ll be like, ‘Nope, this doesn’t align with me at all.’" But that hasn’t happened yet, so that’s pretty cool. It’s one of those things where I do it, and it works. I’m not gonna lie—it makes me happy that there’s something I’m good at.
It’s fun for me to dig into someone’s subconscious with them, pull things out, and talk about it. I really enjoy channeling. I enjoy talking to people about where they’re at, and I love checking in with people.
I think it’s a great tool to bring into my sessions because it’s a better way to get to know one another.
For me, the best part of sex is: Transcending the meat cage.
My biggest pet peeve is: BAD FLUORESCENT LIGHTING…YUCK!!
My favourite album is: Houdini by the Melvins.
My favorite color is: Blue.
We'll get along if: You like mermaids.
Want to meet New York Escort Marina Moonlight in person?
Head over to her profile! 👇👇👇
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Our interview series' aim to highlight the wonderful providers who use our site. You can share your experiences in our A Tryst With... series on the Tryst.link blog, or let clients know just how you like it in our A Tryst About Town... series on the Good Client Guide.
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