The Don Juan XClusive: Jay Crew, Behind the X

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If there is one thing that deserves to be written about in the world of adult films, it is the nature of the giving performers who do more than just star in the films that you love. For almost a decade now, my favorite excursion, and there are so many to choose from, has been covering an expo/convention for my beloved XCritic. It is here that a writer gets to spend the most amount of time with the people who make the films seen across the globe, in every country, even the ones afraid to admit it. You literally get to meet everyone, both behind the camera, and in front. This is what brings us to our hidden subject of this week's column entry, the one, and only Jay Crew.

For as long as I can remember, this man has been the fine wine that has made the world fall in love with performers, and performances that have “years backing them.” What do I mean by that? In the era of MILFS, older women and getting finer with age, Jay Crew is the man, who began his career right in the moment of powerful, sexual fermentation. He was literally forty years old when he began working as a performer. Believe you me, this man could, and still can, put on one hell of a show. Before 1997, the industry had its fair share of handsome older gentlemen make their way onto a director’s set. Never before had we seen a performer with this much range, this much passion. It goes further than I think any fan will know, either. From the start of his career, Jay Crew has also been an industry member who gives back to the business. Jay has also done more than you can imagine behind the scenes, to ensure that the porn you watch, was quality beyond anything you know. It did not matter what type of starlet was cast with him, Jay Crew would make the production five-stars, and unforgettable. 

In today’s professional porn world, it has become a very common thing to see a male performer in many genres. In the days when Jay Crew began his illustrious film career, this just was not something male performers did. Teen, BBW, Feature, MILF. These are just a fraction of the genres that this screen legend helped to get into the mainstream eye. Never forgetting his independent roots. This is where my tale begins. When I happened to meet the man, very briefly, in passing for the first time at AVN. On one of my first trips to an adult convention, learning the ropes of what this industry was, and is at its core.

Independent cinema, it is created and developed in so many places within the great minds of our business. In my opinion, never more so than at these wonderful adult expos. This is where I saw the presence that Jay Crew brought to performers minds, and hearts. I had been helping a friend to get some shoots lined up with directors and producers attending the convention. It was here that I heard a buzz of Jay helping out performers, with their own independent creations. This was years before OnlyFans. He was offering advice, and even technical help on the product they were looking to give to their fans. It is not often that you hear of a director. A man who has shot with porn giants like Sin City, Penthouse and VCA, offer to help a new performer take that next step into production. It takes not only a heart, but a mind, and patience to see someone through. Especially when it is a skill that takes years, and years to simply understand. That is Jay Crew. That is when I discovered what his most amazing offering to the world of XXX is. Industry legend Jewel De’Nyle said it best when I approached her to put her thoughts into this article, about how a man made such a difference behind the camera. Before the lights turned on.

“My dear friend Jay, he was always a pleasure on set. When I was performing on set, he would always make sure everything was set up perfectly to make the talent look incredible on camera. He would, and still does, light up a room in more ways than one.” —Jewel De’Nyle

I do not think there is anyone in the world, who has more respect within this business, as that of Jay Crew. A comment from Jewel De’Nyle, that is the gold standard in my book. Because that is the performer that she was, and still is. It takes the most special of artists to capture that woman’s respect, and admiration. I found this to be another of Jay’s calling cards within my travels in the business. In a day and age when people offer to help a performer operate their OnlyFans ot sixty-five percent of the take. Jay Crew is still that man helping performers to develop true film projects, documentaries, and gorgeous ManyVids scenes. Doing so not with dollar signs in his eyes, but with love in his heart. I have seen this too many times to tell every story, but the great Coralyn Jewel, who came to me with the idea of this article, says it best. A woman is who the essence of the performers he has helped to create massive brands for themselves, while making friendship, and love, part of the production package. 

"Jay Crew is, in my heart, one of the most generous, caring, genuine men I have met in the industry. I believe in the power of community and prayer. JAY, you will beat this, and it will be just another chapter for your book. Your second family stands with you. We love you.”—Coralyn Jewel

Well, we done-did “spilled” the beans here now didn’t we. The subject of this column, he is getting set for one of the biggest battles of his life. A fight with cancer. One thing I know, being a man who hopes to one day accomplish half the things that Jay has. Is, that people like him, they are really the souls who made this industry the most special to work in. That is due to how much Jay Crew has touched his fellow industry members heart, and soul. Doing so with his directorial visions. His heart, his mind, and artistry. Wrapped up with a true to life compassion for all that this industry includes. The good and the bad. Did I mention, he did all of this, while directing, acting, performing, and advising. The most wondrous part? The man has been this way for over twenty years in the business, and his wonder is not limited to the legends of the game. He is set to go under the knife on Monday, June 13th, and one thing I know this will not be, is his final performance. He has touched the lives of too many stars of the future. People climbing the mountain. Helping them to understand and navigate it’s terrain. 

“Jay Crew is one of the kindest, most professional individuals I've worked with over the years. I really hope he gets better, staying right here, in our industry, for many, many more years to come.” —Nickey Huntsman

It takes a hell of a lot to choke up one of the most amazing young women in our business like Nickey Huntsman. A starlet also known to be a hidden treasure of the industry. Somebody who has worked with them all, and still takes time for every soul they still encounter on a day-to-day basis. Both of them, never letting their heads get filled with toxic ego, looking down on anyone. No matter their rank, or stature. That is unique in the entertainment world, and a not too well known secret about the XXX side of the tracks. That is the most encompassing thing about being in the business. We are all a family. And, it is people like Jay Crew who helped to solidify that feeling with so many. Creating the warm blanket, four walls, and roof over our heads when the world “storms” at us like a category five hurricane. Which happens more than any civilian will ever know. There is nothing more sacred in the XXX world, than a man like Jay, who offers so many those places of safety, and unconditional love. 

The critics of our industry can be harsh. Few understand what really goes on behind the closed doors of the adult film set. Secrecy is what has kept us safe for so many years. It has given us a place to be ourselves, be the people that we have been from birth. I don’t think the business would be such a place without people like Jay Crew. Now that it is his time of need, I think there is no better time than to resurrect those old methods of love. The music industry, professional sports. They all require the same amount of dedication, and life-sucking time and energy to be successful within. Porn, it is no different, contrary to what most civilians think and believe. It is not just a bunch of people showing up on set, looking to collect a paycheck, and getting their rocks off. It’s more like the starving artist with talent, looking to make the best art that they can, so that they can do what they love forever, and keep the mortgage paid. It takes hard work to create fantasy on film. Now, what does separate porn from these other forms of entertainment. It is that very love I talked about within our walls earlier. It is a respect and understanding that we are here for one another. No matter what it is that we are facing. An angry mob, a political witch hunt, or cancer. We are here to support our porn brothers and sisters in their time of need. Having their back within a world that does not offer us the same kind of understanding that the other mediums I discussed get without a moment's hesitance from the public. Jay Crew, I hope you know that you are one amazing human being. A pioneer, an innovator, an inspiration. As you get set to take on a foe that we all know you will defeat. Know that there are many humble souls out there in this world, who became that way because of your actions, your kindness, your dedication. You know, that age-old term, “work is never work if you do what you love.” Well, it is you, Jay Crew, who has made such poetry ring true in today’s society.

Here at XCritic, we choose to celebrate the man, the director, the post-production expert. The man who made pre-production a place where stars were born. With a filmography that is well over five-hundred. I hope that this piece helps to educate the fans, and the critics of the industry, to see something more. To see that a male performer is not just something we see on the screen that turns us on in the business. Oh, no. They are something more. Something that lives beyond the silver lined clouds of fantasy, and erotica. It is here that you will find a good place within society, that many call home. A place where the people watch out for one another. Look to solve each other’s problems with kindness and compassion. For it is here that you will find the best people on the planet. Those are the things that always came about within a three-day weekend, which included Jay Crew within the guest list. That atmosphere that is created annually, becoming an intoxicating love potion. It is truly formed in this writer’s heart by people like Jay, and all those contributed to this article. Wishing to celebrate his career, and will his heart to defeat cancer. And, that he will! To close this article out the right way, I will say that if you are looking for kindness, acceptance, respect and love, you do not always have to look to a football field, or a sound stage, or even an amphitheater. Sometimes, the wonder of this world is found in places that people least suspect to find it. That is the true brilliance, and backbone of the porn world, and the great people found within it, like Jay Crew.

They say, if someone can write it best, yield the floor to the greats, so that you can end an article with a bang. I can think of no better pair, than the legendary Magdalene St. Michaels, and the one, and only Syren De Mer….

“I first met Jay in 2009 on the set of “The Babysitter”, for Sweet Sinner. We were scheduled to film a scene together, and right off the bat, he was so warm and welcoming to me. At one point we both had to get our ID’s out for paperwork, and I took a look down at his Drivers License and exclaimed, “no way! He said what?” I ran to get mine and showed it to him. I was so excited. It turned out that he was one day older than me. We both thought that that was “pretty cool.” Since that day, we have never failed to wish each other, “Happy Birthday.” We had great sexual chemistry during our scene, and I can honestly say that he is truly, a genuine, and passionate performer. “He’s the “real deal” when it comes to lovemaking. I’ve not had the privilege of working with him since then, but over the years we have run into each other during AEE/AVN in Las Vegas, and at other Industry events in Los Angeles. If we spot each other, we never fail to say hello, and I always make sure I get a picture with him. He is such a beautiful soul, and I will be sending positive, healing vibes and all my love his way for a successful surgery, and a quick recovery for all the days and weeks ahead. Love You, Jay!” - Magdalene St. Michaels

“Where do I even begin? I've known Jay for quite some time now, and to put it simply, he is a beautiful soul. He's genuine, warm, caring, outgoing, talented & silly. And, has an amazing cock to boot! He loves this crazy industry, and everything that has to do with it. I've seen him produce his own content, work as an actor, a pornstar, and set crewman. He's amazing at it all & to be honest, I'm jealous of how easily he grasps anything that's set before him. He really takes pride in everything he does. And he should! You can always expect an amazingly fun day when he's around. He's never been afraid to work hard to achieve the final goal. This difficult thing that he is going through, right now, it won't be any different. He is strong in so many ways, and there are so many of us that will stand by him...forever! I am proud to call him my friend!” - Syren De Mer

Jay, all of us within the XCritic family would like to wish you a very speedy recovery. Sending our love, and prayers everyday. I wanted to personally thank Coralyn Jewel and Sweet Sinner for providing the most amazing pictures to compliment this spotlight. Jewel De’Nyle, Nickey Huntsman, Syren De Mer, and Magdalene St. Michaels. You all are the definition of class acts. And the foundation of wonder within this business. Thank you for all you have done to shape this letter of love from the world, to Jay Crew.