The Freedom of Self-Expression
with Playboy Africa January 2023 cover star Tori Black / @officialtoriblack
Photography by Miles Long / @mileslong4real
MUA: @gypsecouture
Ratnip Productions @ratnipproductions
We’re happy to have you on Playboy! Can you give us a bit of a background on your career as a model and where it all started? So excited to finally be working with Playboy! I’ve been modeling since 2007 for the adult industry, with several appearances in mainstream entertainment. I’ve always enjoyed living life on the wild side and being in front of a camera has always given me a rush! It’s an absolute dream to work with such an iconic company.
Having a full schedule must make it difficult for you to get much alone time, talk to us about the top 3 must-dos to ensure you fit in some well-deserved down time? As for downtime, I make sure I accomplish a few things each and every day, just for myself. I believe that nutrition is the basis of everything, so making myself a nutritious but also enjoyable meal (at least one!) per day is a big deal. Obviously making 3 flawless meals a day isn’t always attainable, but I make sure at least one of them is entirely homemade and makes me feel thoroughly satisfied. The next daily practice for me is exercise. If I go a day without movement, something feels off, so while some are more rigorous, even on my sleepy days I fit in something soothing like yoga. The last, and probably my most favorite, is an orgasm a day! Whether by myself or with a partner, it’s the hands-down best way to put me to sleep after a full day!
What does it mean for you to be seen as a strong, intelligent, ambitious woman? As a woman, there’s always been much to say about how we should behave, what we should look like, how we should speak, and even how we should live. As an ambitious woman, the only option was to rebel against all of the boundaries laid out before me. To be a strong and independent woman, is to be a rebel against societal standards, and therefore, we are warriors. I am a fighter and will always be, and I consider it a blessing to be born with fire in my belly.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about what you do? The world is full of misconceptions about people women like me. The worst of which, in my opinion, is to believe we were the first victims and that’s what ‘led’ us down this path. Although there are many things to unpack with that sentiment, the one I most want to dispel, is the idea that as a victim (of anything) you are to carry that title through every choice you should ever make in life either as a vouch or a discredit to your own gumption. I am not my past, nor are you. We are affected but not limited to or by any trauma of any kind. In order for women like me, or society in general, we have to stop looking at each other and trying to find the cause or explanation as to why people are different than us, it’s attacking the wrong side of the issue, and can cause more harm than good.
What does freedom of self-expression mean to you? Freedom and self-expression are at the core of my personal values. I feel like it’s been a never-ending journey, as each bit of freedom I find only helps me define more, to myself, who I am. Through many stages of self-expression, I can look back and see just how far I’ve come as a woman and for that, I’m forever grateful. Without freedom and self-expression, I don’t know if I would know myself.
We absolutely love your Instagram, your content is very dynamic, inspirational, and downright sexy, could you perhaps tell us what your personal experience as an influencer has been like? As an “influencer,” I’ve found it to be an enormous challenge to remain true to myself. It’s incredibly difficult to have so many brands, companies, and even fans feel as though they have a say in how you should portray yourself. My biggest hope is that I can keep myself as real and genuine as I’ve ever been. I am who I am, no amount of attention or money will ever change that.
3 things that you can’t go a day without. Coffee, exercise, and showers! I’ll admit, I’m an addict to all 3. Coffee in the morning is a must, and I have to work out every day to feel good inside my body. I would try to blame living in Hawaii for my shower habit, however, it’s been a ‘thing’ forever, long before I came here. Something about the warm water, the sounds, the peace. I could shower 5 times a day!
What about those crazy DMs you must receive! Care to share a few funny stories regarding those? I think the funniest DMs are always the people pretending to be me, trying to befriend me. Or better yet, trying to ask for help in scamming people! It never ceases to amaze me how delusional some people can be; scammers are by far the worst!
Now we’re sure you experience a lot of male attention on and offline, any advice you would like to give to men out there who are hoping to catch your eye the right way? Trying to catch my eye is a subtle but intense task. As I’ve seen it all, it’s not easy to stand out. Beyond all, you must be genuine. After that, I like smart and funny, sassy but not ignorantly cocky, creative and obscure. The first step in catching my eye is flashing as many of those traits as you can in the shortest amount of time possible, and oh, also be nonchalant about it. Haha, just a small task.
What is the absolute worst thing a man can do to completely put you off? I don’t like liars. I can smell them out from a mile away, and if I catch you lying, everything you’ve ever said automatically is written off. Once burned, twice shy.
That said, what advice would you have to give to all women out there when it comes to love and relationships? For women and men alike, I would recommend being true to who you are, and in that, be open and honest. You won’t find someone who loves you while pretending to be someone else.
Thank you so much for sitting down with us and letting us get to know you! Any last words for our readers out there? Check me out on my OnlyFans for more daily content! My handle is officialtoriblack. Love you and thank you for all the years of support!
