Lukas Gage is a walking contradiction. At least, according to himself. When the “White Lotus” actor opened up to Popsugar about what he needs from a partner, he wasn’t sure how to explain it: “I need love, and then I need to be left alone. I need a lot of attention, and then I need you to play hard to get. I need really intense one-on-one time, and then I need to spread my wings.” And if that sounds confusing, that’s kind of the point.
Just like the non-celeb normies of the world, Gage has toxic traits, experience with STIs, and conflicting views on hookup culture. He’s also had an awkward threesome and enjoys a very specific kink that may surprise you. But unlike his role as a sex bot in his most recent film “Companion,” this is what makes Gage surprisingly human.
As a spokesperson for HealthySexuals.com, a campaign that raises awareness for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a prescribed medication to protect individuals against the transmission of HIV, Gage is using his platform to normalize conversations around sex and prevention.
After speaking to the West Coast native, it’s clear he knows a thing or two about how to impress someone in the bedroom, which may or may not include a naked back handspring.
Popsugar: What does a healthy sex life look like for you?
Lukas Gage: A healthy sex life for me means being proactive about my health, being educated, being informed on all testing, and being very open and on top of it with my prevention options, like PrEP. I take PrEP, and I think the scientific advances that they’ve had with this medication is amazing. We should all be having open conversations about it and not be afraid to discuss this amazing med.
PS: You mentioned that testing is important for a healthy sex life for you. Have you ever had an STI?
LG: I was in a relationship with someone, and I thought it was monogamous, but it turned out, it was not [monogamous] on the other end. I was surprised with some STDs, and luckily, that experience was a huge catalyst in being on top of prevention options.
PS: What does your prevention look like now?
LG: Just being very routine with my testing, not being lazy and making it a huge part of my self-care. Just like working out or eating healthy or meditating, I have made it a part of my routine. I wake up, have my vitamins, coffee, and my PrEP.
PS: What do you think people should know about getting tested?
LG: I think that they should know there’s nothing shameful about protecting your health and being educated and informed. I think knowledge is power, and it’s easy to go get a test – there’s so many options that you can do, there’s so much information that’s out there.
“I would be annoyed to date me sometimes.”
PS: You recently played a sex bot in “Companion.” Would you ever own your own sex bot?
LG: Look, I have some conflicting thoughts about that. Ultimately, the answer is no, but I would be very tempted to. I would have to take it out for a night just to give it a try. But I wouldn’t date one, no.
PS: What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you during sex?
LG: It was a threesome gone wrong. I was not wanted, and it was embarrassing. I thought because I was the person being invited into it that I would be the special one, but it turned out, I wasn’t their cup of tea. I’m an acquired taste.
PS: If you really want to impress someone in the bedroom, what is your go-to sex move?
LG: A roundoff back handspring. I took gymnastics as a kid, so I still can do a back handspring. A naked back handspring? Can’t beat that.
PS: What is your toxic trait?
LG: I’m really needy. I need a lot of attention. I need a lot of validation and a lot of words of affirmation – so much it’s even annoying for me. Or, I cry a lot. I think that annoys people. I’m a big crier. I would be annoyed to date me sometimes.
PS: What is your biggest sexual turn-on?
LG: Being ignored. I like to be ignored by somebody for some reason, that’s a little humiliation kink that I have. I like to be ignored, but it’s part of the game, and then I want to be loved and fulfilled afterwards. But yeah, I think there’s a part of me that likes to just be treated like a ghost.
PS: Your upcoming memoir “I Wrote This For Attention” comes out on Oct. 14. What was it like writing it?
LG: It was a crazy experience: it was cathartic, it was scary, it was really hard. It took a lot of rewrites, and a lot of notes. It was a crazy experience, but rewarding . . . hopefully.
Taylor Andrews is the senior balance editor at Popsugar, specializing in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, travel, and more. With eight years of editorial experience, Taylor has a strong background in content creation and storytelling. Prior to joining PS in 2021, she worked at Cosmopolitan.
