BDSM has always called to me—who I am today is shaped by my kinky roots and personal lessons in discipline and endurance. I grew up in an authoritarian household where I found a sense of control over my body in training to be a professional dancer. Through this rigorous training, I learned the pleasure of pushing through physical pain and discomfort, and I became attuned to the dynamics of power and control.

Starting at a young age, I also understood the power of taboo. From getting reprimanded for teasing my classmates that I was going to drink their blood to being shamed for being turned on by a breath play scene in a movie, it quickly became clear to me that my openness to discussing taboo subjects was not socially acceptable. As I grew older, I became obsessed with watching old horror films—I loved the creativity of their practical effects and how they tackled themes around societal anxieties—and I was instantly enamored with any character who wore leather or latex.

I later worked in the creative field in New York City, which nurtured my love for queer culture, sensory experiences, and material fetishes—especially leather, latex, and metal. During this time, I increasingly began to seek kink out through art, film, performance, and music, and would find myself wandering through Purple Passion whenever I had the chance. But while I had dipped my toe into some of my interests through NYC’s queer community and nightlife scene, it still felt like something was missing from my life. Beneath my seemingly quiet exterior was a deep well of kinky thoughts and fetish fantasies. I knew I wanted to engage more deeply with BDSM.