Controversial reality show Porn Star has postponed its second round of auditions after the producer of the show suffered a severe heart attack.
The auditions, to have been held at exotic strip club Lollipop Lounge in Randburg this weekend, have been put on hold until producer Donovan van Wyngaard recovers.
Contestants were meant to show off their sexual skills in front of a judging panel at the strip club as part of the next round of auditions in Joburg.
The show has come under severe criticism over the past few months, with church organisations and individuals expressing their “disgust” at the new reality show.
“Donovan suffered a heart attack brought on by the severe stress he has been under with regards the controversy surrounding the competition,” said Dr Devine, spokeswoman and judge for Porn Star.
“He has not only been challenged by organisations, but threatened with his life as well,” she added.
The stress has not deflected Van Wyngaard from continuing with the show.
“He feels very strongly about constitutional rights and freedom of speech. All six of the judges completely concur with his philosophies.
“We believe that choice is our God-given right and no other human being has the right to judge our choices or to try through dogma, beliefs and aggression to prevent people from living their choices.”
The reality show is in search of South Africa’s next male and female porn stars.
Many people thought the porn industry should be seen as a career, like other industries, Devine said.
“DJ Fresh promoted freedom of choice on his show on March 30 and the callers who came through I found to be refreshingly open-minded, with a good sense of humour.
“It’s the typical overzealous church organisations who wrongly feel it is their duty to decide what is good and not good for society.
“They are completely removing the freedom of choice aspect which is everyone’s God-given right.”
Devine and the other judges on the show – Lollipop Lounge owner Gigi; Arthur Calamaras (Adultworld Group, Sexpo); Joey Hensen (male porn star); Elzabe Kruger (female porn star); and Carike van Wyngaard (co-producer of Porn Star) – said they all looked forward to the next round of auditions and judging contestants on sexual performance.
“Previously we judged confidence, character and looks, but now we are judging performance,” Devine said.
“Size does count. Contestants will be judged on premature ejaculation, staying power, the ability to continue under stressful conditions, technique, special skills and, as in all working arenas, initiative and leadership skills,” she added.
While the reality show has yet to hold auditions in Cape Town and Durban, it had received more than 1 000 applications in Gauteng.
“We have had a lot of fun to say the least and are even more excited that the auditions are now being held at Lollipop Lounge,” Devine said.
“It is great that the competition is associated with this venue and Gigi, who is a good example of an incredible woman who is in the sex industry and a formidable force to be reckoned with in the business arena,” Devine added.
She said the judges and producer were taken by surprise by the number of South Africans interested in Porn Star.
“Judging by the number of excited applicants entering Porn Star, the competition is definitely going to provide people with a fabulous opportunity and some great exposure, which is now heightened by the recent development with Sexpo,” she said.
The sex convention has joined forces with Porn Star, which will be showing off its winners at this year’s Sexpo in Durban and Johannesburg.
Two winners – male and female – will get to star in Hustler’s 2011 end-of-year film and pocket R5 000 in cash.The winners will also receive a contract ensuring one film role every six weeks for the next year.
Plans to broadcast the reality show on TV are well under way. - Saturday Star