Tommy Defendi certainly gives new meaning to the term March Madness. At least in 2010 he will.
The Chicago native is Mr. March in a new calendar for 2010: The Working Men of Rentboy.com .
"I'm really excited about it; this is the first time I've ever had anything like this," said Defendi, 20, who recently moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "I've been featured in magazines [ in the past ] , but I've never done anything that's going to be hanging on someone's wall."
For at least 31 days.
"I think this calendar is going to bring a lot of attention to me, help get my name out there a lot more, and also give me the chance to meet a lot more people," he said. "When approached [ to appear in the calendar ] , I was up for it 100 percent; I was stoked.
"The thing that's special to me about this is, there are so many Rentboys, so the fact that they asked me truly is an honor."
Defendi is one of 13 featured in the calendar, chosen from about 1,400 employed by Rentboy.com .
"Obviously when we were planning this calendar we chose people who are gorgeous, which Tommy is," said Sean Van Sant, president of Rentboy.com . "I first met Tommy about a year ago and the thing that struck me about him was, he's very happy, very articulate. He's really a sweet, earnest boy; he's not just all into himself.
"He doesn't mind being out and proud about being a porn star and an escort."
Defendi grew up in suburban Melrose Park and attended high school in Northlake, where he played varsity football and baseball before graduating in 2007.
"My life in Chicago was great; I love it there and someday I'll be coming back there [ to live ] ," said Defendi, who made his porn debut in early-2008. He has appeared in such titles as Hot Jocks Nice Cocks, Men Hard at Work, My Brother's Hot Friend, Seize Your Bottom, and South Beach Seductions.
Defendi was a multi-talented prep athlete who, ironically, was a baseball pitcher and wide receiver in football. No kidding.
"I was a pretty good [ football ] kicker; I was kicking 55-yard field goals by my junior year in high school," said Defendi, who also played soccer while growing up.
And in one of his movies, he stars a high school quarterback.
"When I started filming [ gay porn ] , I was completely straight, but after having done so many videos, I'm so comfortable with same-sex [ relationships ] . I'm open-minded sexually," said Defendi, who now labels himself as bisexual—and he is single, by choice. "I'd rather have it that way."
Defendi said he plans to go to college to study photography, and eventually wants to expand into high-end fashion modeling.
"Looking at my life today really shocks me because, when I was a kid, I had a whole different perspective on how my life was going to play out," he said. "I always thought I'd go to college right after high school and get a degree in four years.
"As I look at my life now, wow, it's kind of crazy. When I first started [ in porn ] , I thought it was going to be just a one-time thing, but now it's a huge thing for me, something I never expected. It's been a great experience; I've gotten a lot of opportunities. I feel very grateful, very fortunate for all the work I've gotten."
And what about a high school reunion in a few years?
"I'm probably going to go," he said. "A lot of people from school talked a lot of [ smack ] when they found out what I was doing; word got around. But I don't really care. I have a lot of people from school who respect me for what I do, as well as people within the gay community.
"I was really flirty with a lot of the girls in high school. I was very popular [ then ] . That's why it was such a big deal when everyone found out what I do for a living, because no one ever expected me to turn out like this. They all thought I was the 100 percent straight hot guy who would get with the cutest girl."
