Getting caught watching an adult film by your parents might have to be one of the most embarrassing moments in a person’s life. But imagine having to tell your parents you are the one being watched — that you make a living as an adult film star.
Five performers did just that. And told Vox how it went:
Jessica Drake, 39
Her body of work: With over 316 performance credits to her name, Drake has been one of the adult film industry’s most well-known performers since making her debut in 1999. In 2010 she was inducted into the Adult Video Network Awards Hall of Fame. She also was once married to adult film star Evan Stone, and after divorcing him in 2004, later became involved with Brad Armstrong, another adult film star and director.
Breaking the news: “I wasn’t close to my mother at all, and she took it upon herself to tell my father in the worst way imaginable: she sent him pictures of me having sex,” Drake tells Vox. “I didn’t realize this until much after the fact. When I managed to talk to him about it, he didn’t want to discuss the particulars of my job for obvious reasons (and neither did I), but he told me as long as I was happy and being safe, he loved me and supported me.”
Stoya, 27
Her body of work: The Village Voice called her “the prettiest girl in New York,” but she may also be one of the smartest women in the industry. Stoya has written for Esquire and Vice and, through home-school, received her high school degree before age 17.
Breaking the News: Stoya didn’t just have to tell her grandmother that she was starring in adult films, she also had to tell Grandma that she was using her name as her stage name.
How did grandma react? With good humor, telling her granddaughter, “I hope that no one at the nursing home gets us confused and tries to put my feet behind my head, because I don’t bend that way anymore.”
Sophia Fiore, 22
Her body of work: A former fitness model and female bodybuilder, Fiore is relatively new to the adult film world with only 20 films to her name. She was nominated for an AVN award for Most Promising Starlet.
Breaking the News: Mom had practical concerns. “I’ve always had my head on my shoulders, and my mother knows that. She just wanted to know where I wanted to take adult performing as a career,” says Fiore. “She told me if I was going to be in porn, to make sure I don’t suck. Pardon the pun. LOL.”
Shy Love, 35
Her body of work: A former performer, Love is now part of the industry on the other side of the camera. In 2006 she started her own agency, Adult Talent Managers, and she is also part-owner of a nightclub called 13 Pure in Colorado Springs. She was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame, 2013.
Breaking the News: Mom took it better than dad. “My mom wasn’t for it, but she wasn’t against it. Her view was, ‘You already went to college, you’re well-spoken and well-educated. It’s not like it’s the only path. If this is what you want to do, I want to know you’re safe about it,’” recalls Love. “That’s all she cared about, my safety and nothing else.”
Things didn’t go as well with dad. “I’m Jewish, but my dad is a born-again Christian, so he was like, ‘God is never going to forgive you on these matters,’ ” she says.
Chanel Preston, 28
Her body of work: After performing in over 256 titles, Preston has made a name for herself by launching her own sex education web series on YouTube called “Naked With Chanel.” She was also featured in Cosmopolitan magazine for her noticeably toned physique in an article entitled, “4 Porn Stars On How They Stay Fit.”
Breaking The News: Preston’s parents weren’t thrilled, but they’re loving and supportive. “I think my mom was a little grossed out by it, and my dad was very quiet, as I’m sure he found it to be pretty awkward. Both of them were a little concerned about it, “ she says. “But they know I am an adult and can choose what I do with my life. Neither of them have ever treated me any different because of what I do and have been supportive for the most part.”
Read more about how porn stars told their families at Vox.