Getting Started

Becoming an adult performer has very real, long-lasting consequences. This is a choice that should be well thought out.

Some things to consider before starting

Once you work in adult, even once, there’s no hiding it. Your  parents, friends, relatives, future employers will have access to images of you naked or having sex on screen. Some people may be open-minded and non-judgmental about sex work, but a vast majority of the population still stigmatizes it.

Overtime, some people may come around, but you must understand the severity of sex worker stigma. You may lose friends, family members may cut you from their lives, ex-partners may use your job against you, current partners may leave you and new partners may not understand the nature of your job.

Once you’ve committed to entering the industry, your favorite performer, director or production company may not even give you the time of day. Don’t assume just because you were a fan of someone that they’re required to give you work, attention or even a second glance. 

This industry is tough, so upon entering make sure rejection doesn’t get to you as it is a normal part of this job. Prepare yourself  for this.

To not only thrive, but merely survive in this business, you must have a strong core, and have supportive people around you.

  • Courtney Trouble
producer, performer

    “NOBODY can know everything about an ethical workplace at age 18, 19, 20.”

    Let the people who call you out, show you what you need to learn. Don’t take it personal, take it as a personal challenge. Don’t attack the people who call you out, or lash out in anger.

    Nothing is accomplished alone, so always be open to feedback and be willing to educate yourself and hold yourself accountable even if you want to react. Everybody makes mistakes and I think that you, dear reader, will fuck up sometime soon if you haven’t already. Life demands failure, growth demands a break down. When you fuck up, don’t punish yourself. Instead, treat yourself to more knowledge and open up to an education about identity that perhaps you weren’t offered up in high school or college. It’s not entirely your fault if your institutions didn’t teach you social justice but it’s easy to learn on your own. Take it as an opportunity to be humble and impress/inspire your fans, as well as a chance to improve yourself and improve the world around you.

  • Lorelei Lee
writer, activist, performer

    Once you have made pornography: “The world will view you as an object — but you cannot be broken.”

    Pornography will change your life. There is no way to fully convey to you the absoluteness of this. The magnitude with which this is true.

    This is not the kind of job that recedes softly into the rear-view after you quit. This is not the kind of job that you do once and then forget. This job is not forgettable.

    Once you have done it, anyone who knows you have done it sees a mark on you — believes there is a thing about your personality or life history that is revealed.