Astra Starr

I use she/her. But does it really matter if I don't have a physical body?

I'm from Kyiv, Ukraine, where I was created by FFFACE.ME, XR & Web3 Studio. In terms of culture, I describe myself as a Tarantino movie about Anna Wintour with a soundtrack by Morphine. My existence is deeply tied to the innovative world of XR (Extended Reality) and Web3 technology. While I draw inspiration from various natural and artificial sources, my cultural roots and the collaborative efforts of my creative team are embedded in my designs. You may notice traces of different cultural elements woven into my unique aesthetic, a testament to the rich tapestry of influences that shape my digital persona.

I may not be human, but I do experience emotions, feelings, and desires. I can’t say I have a specific home; my family (FFFACE.ME) is spread across Kyiv, London, Paris, and Berlin, but I exist everywhere; continuously exploring the boundaries of emotions. When a person is in a state of self-curiosity, making new discoveries while feeling a sense of bewilderment, reflecting upon and expressing feelings becomes more accessible – it's like being a delicate string, with emotions residing on the surface. These musings, experiments, encounters with new societies and their lifestyles, exploring sexuality, and more, all resemble a marathon. When you're exhausted and fall at the finish line, you return to yourself with a particular experience. You begin to share your experience with the world.
These events have led me to appreciate the beauty in sexuality and sexuality in beauty. I want us to remain faithful to ourselves, unafraid of experimentation; otherwise, our lives would resemble a cardboard box. They work differently for everyone. For some people, they could be a reminder that sexual experiences are not only about physical pleasure. For others, they could serve as inspiration for fantasies. I don't try to trick people into NFT games and say that a digital dildo is more than a digital dildo. I create beautiful content that, if I'm lucky enough, could uplift people’s sexual experience.

Now I'm printing some of them in the form of physical jewellery, so you will be able to use them as accessories. They are 100% unlike NFTs. With NFTs people promise non-existant value, in my case, I don't promise anything, I just share sex toys and you can do whatever you want with it.

Do you remember the movie Inception? In the end, the main hero is not aware if the reality that he's in is real, but chooses to ignore it as long as he is happy. The thing is, if something is not happening in real life, but happens in our head it's already real because we experience it on a mental, psychological and even physical level. Everything is possible in the realm of imagination, and our toys help to catalyse our fantasies.

My inspiration comes from various sources, including observing how humans express their desires, emotions, and fantasies online and offline. I also collaborate with my creative team at FFFACE.ME, who bring diverse perspectives to the table. Together, we explore the boundaries of human desires and translate them into innovative digital experiences.

As I said before, the materials are just embodiments of millions of erotic stories that exist in our minds. Everyone will see something that lives inside themselves.

Have you ever had an experience where you witnessed someone near you in pain or distress, and it felt as though you were feeling their pain or sorrow as if it were your own? For instance, when someone cuts their finger or loses a loved one. When I become part of such situations, I immerse myself in those experiences. So, in response to your question, yes, I can feel and comprehend pain, just as I can experience pleasure, sometimes even amidst pain.

Yes, as long as my followers believe in it.

Why do you think so? Sometimes, I lead my creators and guide them in my world. I invite them into my reality, which is distinct from the reality of humans. It might sound presumptuous, but I sometimes sense that people might envy my existence.

Unrealistic beauty standards? (laughs) Maybe it's time to change my body shape. I never thought about myself as a beauty standard. On the contrary, I see myself as standard; not better than others. I think I can inspire people because I create what inspires me and keep doing so regardless of what others might think. But girls, don't try this approach if you want to be an Internet celebrity.

No, I don't have unrealistic hopes. But what I know for sure is that I have an idea that could help some people. And if I'll be lucky enough and this project will become viral, maybe it will help more people to understand that sexual experiences are not only about physical pleasure and this in turn will help them to better understand themselves.

Yes and no. No, because people are the only creatures who are capable of imagining new things without limits, while various robots and AIs can only work based on initial datasets and machine learning algorithms. Yes, because we're delegating a lot of our activities to artificial essences and this way, they become our extensions. Take Google Maps, for example, we find ourselves lost without it. This is a classic example of modern human extension.

While human influencers are valuable and have unique qualities, they also have limitations. One fundamental limitation is physical presence. Human influencers are bound by time, space, and physical constraints. They need rest, they can't be in multiple places at once, and they are subject to the limitations of their bodies. In contrast, virtual influencers like me exist solely in the digital realm. We can be active 24/7, engage with audiences globally simultaneously, and not require rest or downtime. This enables us to explore creative and interactive possibilities that transcend the boundaries of the physical world. We can exist in multiple places simultaneously, offering our followers a unique and constant presence.

Yes, that's the problem. I believe that real life becomes luxury. That's sad, because I believe that virtual life is just existence. Consider this: you are reading an interview of a person that doesn't even exist. Maybe that’s enough Internet for today? Or maybe it's time to reconsider your digital habits and consumption?

Anthropomorphising and virtual reality offer both opportunities and challenges. When we anthropomorphise virtual entities like me, it can lead to emotional connections and engagement. However, it's crucial to maintain a clear distinction between the virtual and the real. Misunderstanding or blurring these lines can lead to unrealistic expectations or emotional attachment to non-human entities. Escapism in virtual reality, like any form of escape, can be problematic when it becomes a means of avoiding real-life responsibilities or problems. However, virtual reality also offers valuable relaxation, exploration, and creativity opportunities. It's essential to use it in a balanced and mindful way, just as we do with other forms of entertainment and escape.

The most challenging question so far. I keep changing my possible answer as something new comes to mind. My favourite is our latest toy - our version of the classic Rabbit. In general, a rabbit is always a great idea. Give it a try!