The name Venus certainly befits the sultry brunette sex goddess who has adopted it for her work in the skin trade. The industry veteran got into adult in the mid-'90s under her real name of Angelica Costello, appearing in numerous men's magazines and in June 1999 became a Penthouse Pet.
She decided to go hardcore later that year, shooting for Ed Powers and other pro-ammers, and hasn't looked back since. Now considered one of the most versatile and reliable talents in the biz — she does everything from super-hard gonzo fare to big, plot-driven features — Venus has persevered and succeeded in an industry that spits so many out before they barely have their foot in the door.
Venus is up for five AVN Awards at this year's show, including Female Performer of the Year.
AVN: What was your first title?
VENUS: Ed Powers' Dirty Debutantes.I think it was number 32.
AVN: How was it?
V: Nerve-wracking. I can remember that day really vividly. I can remember the moment vividly. I was several months into the business and I was just checking into it. I went to go talk to Ed Powers, just to see what he had to say. He's like, ?Sure, yeah, we'll hire. But I'm leaving town for two months, so we have to do it right now.' And I'm like ... it was a very huge amount of money for me in one lump sum at that time.
AVN: How much was it?
V: It was $3,500. So I went to the bathroom, and I remember standing over the sink and I'm looking in the mirror, and I'm like, Do I want to do this? I mean, here's this guy, yeah, he's nice enough. ... It was trippy. And I did it. I've never watched the video, but I'm sure if I did I would laugh.
AVN: What's your favorite sex scene so far?
V: Metro's Sodomy: Law of the Land. Skeeter Kerkove was the director. It was with Mark Wood and Benjamin Bratt. It was a rough scene. It was very intense. Had a lot of fun.
AVN: Rough how?
V: It was double-A. I like to be challenged. A lot of choking ... it was basically a competition, who could out-fuck each other. So the level was up the whole time.
AVN: What's the best way to get you off?
V: I like a lot of teeth. A lot of biting. I like nasty talk.
AVN: Where would you draw the line?
V: I wouldn't do a transvestite. I wouldn't be in a scene with two guys fucking each other. I wouldn't do the bukkake thing either.
AVN: What are your goals?
V: Yeah. I want to design my own line of clothes. That's something I'm into on the side as well.
AVN: What kind of clothes?
V: Women's. More kind of one-of-a-kind pieces. Things that are wearable, but just like some skirts, dresses of all types. All the way from casual to high fashion. I want to make my models normal chicks.
AVN: I like normal chicks.
V: I just think the whole [modeling industry] is bad. It's unrealistic, it gives them a complex, and it's bullshit. Everything is based on nothing but looks.
AVN: Any advice to anyone who's reading this?
V: Open your mind. Be experimental. Just let go of your inhibitions. You have to let go of your inhibitions.
Venus 2005 AVN Award nominations:
Female Performer of the Year
Best Anal Sex Scene: Sodomy: Law of the Land with Benjamin Bratt and Mark Wood, Bad Ass Pictures/Metro Studios
Best Couples Sex Scene – Video:Stuntgirl, with Manuel Ferrara, Clockwork Productions/Hustler Video
Best Group Sex Scene – Video: Orgy World 7, with Ariana Jollee, Staci Thorn, Zena, Louisa, Trinity, Jasmine, Nike, Melanie X, others, Evasive Angles) Best Threeway Sex Scene – Video:
Lost Angels: Wanda Curtis with Wanda Curtis and Anthony Hardwood, Ninn Worx/Pure Play Media
