This article originally ran in the July 2015 issue of AVN magazine.
A lot of pundits both inside and out of the adult industry have pontificated about the spotlight that the new documentary Hot Girls Wanted shines (or fails to) on the recruitment of young women into the so-called “pro-am porn” world. We certainly have thoughts of our own on the movie, including a couple of questions: 1) just how “pro-am” the sector of the industry depicted can be considered given that a talent agent and major-distribution production labels have hands in it; and 2) why this particular agent recruiting girls via Craigslist is anything other than the modern-day equivalent of Jim South doing so via the back page of LA Weekly in 1982.
But one group that hasn’t been given a formal platform to speak their minds on HGW, ironically, is the very one whose story it purports to tell: the industry’s current class of “fresh” starlets. And so we gave them one. We asked a group of up-and-comers—all no older than 21 and active in porn no longer than about a year—what they thought of the movie and a couple of the issues it raises. A sampling of their answers follows.
Have you watched the documentary Hot Girls Wanted and if so, how do you feel about the way it portrays girls getting into the industry?
I feel that it was accurate enough; it showed what happens to a lot of girls who choose to do porn for the wrong reasons—like escaping their problems, fast and “easy” money—then realize it comes with a much larger price.
—Abella Danger
I feel like it portrayed what goes on in Miami, but not Los Angeles, which are two different worlds. Florida is home to a lot more amateur-style shooting. I thought it was portrayed negatively because it focuses on the in-and-out girls rather than girls who came into the industry to make a name for themselves. At the end, it showed a couple of girls’ success story and I wish they would have focused on them.
—Alice Green
Quite frankly I’m sickened by the way Hot Girls Wanted portrayed girls getting into the industry. Although they mentioned “amateur” several times, any civilian watching isn’t going to understand that that’s only half of the story. … Some of the scenarios spoken about in the film—such as flying all the way out to L.A. for a blowjob only to find out last minute that it’s a “forced blowjob” that the performer had no desire to participate in—would NEVER happen professionally. I always have 100 percent of my information before the shoot, and the free will to decline anything I don’t want to do.
—Aria Alexander
Couldn’t get through five minutes of it without tearing up. Basically it’s showing the truth on how girls get into the industry, small-town girls, beautiful girls. Girls with hopes and dreams and girls with no goals or [who] hope to get out of a small town where they have no future, like myself.
—Kacy Lane
This is my more personal opinion of the film. I am going to say, I cried almost the whole film. I cried because that was me in the beginning. I had been to those same places, met the same people, and shot for the same companies. I was told the same things and had my mind filled with all the same thoughts. Then I traveled to Los Angeles and signed with 101 Modeling, which is still my agency at present, and realized how much different the industry was. I have felt much more comfortable and encouraged shooting porn in Los Angeles with a licensed agency and bigger productions. To sum it up, this film is a very good description of how the porn industry works in Florida, but not how the entire porn industry actually is.
—Kate England
I feel that it doesn’t accurately portray women who are serious about the adult industry as a job. These girls did not know what they were getting themselves into. Any sex worker should be confident in their sexuality, and know when they are not comfortable in certain situations. “Ava Taylor” expressed in the movie that she didn’t like the scenes she was shooting, but never once did she say “no,” that she didn’t want to shoot. She accepted those jobs and any consequences are her own. From my start in the industry, I did my research and I looked into what I would be doing and who with. Any smart and business-savvy girl would do the same.
—Paisley Parker
I found it pretty apparent that Jill Bauer, Ronna Gradus and Rashida Jones intentionally showcased a group of inexperienced female performers which, for the most part, didn’t seem well informed—both by their agent, and by themselves. It’s beyond important to know what you’re getting into before you throw yourself into it, otherwise you’re making yourself vulnerable to getting taken advantage of, which is repeatedly shown throughout the documentary.
From the perspective of somebody aware of the fact that there is a large part of the industry made up of very professional performers, agents, production teams and companies, I found it deeply frustrating to see a film so aggressively disregard the existence of such. Past a personal disregard to the people working a lot more ethically than what the film so strategically conveys to be an industry norm, the film is harmful in that the already uninformed public is misled even more. With all that said, I think it is important to point out these issues within the industry with the intent of reform, which groups like APAC and FSC continue to pursue.
—Yhivi
Based on your own experience, what makes a brand-new girl feel most comfortable and encouraged when she begins working in the industry?
What made me the most comfortable was going on porn sets before ever doing it and seeing how natural everything was and the professionalism everyone carried. I encourage girls to do that if they can before ever trying it.
—Abella Danger
My experience, I was young, so everything at first was overwhelming. People underestimate the magnitude of what’s going on. There’s a camera crew, lights, location, and a partner that you just met that is meant to create a beautiful scene on camera. Once I got used to it, I learned to adapt to everything and work well with others. My advice to girls just coming in is find a reputable agent that you can trust. Ideal Image Models helped me understand that it’s okay to say no and save your money! Stick around nice people and you’ll have an enjoyable career.
—Alice Green
When I first started out I had some trouble remembering to open up to the camera, so I think experienced male talent to help guide you those first few scenes is crucial. Keep yourself healthy, eat and sleep well, get a bunch of exercise and all that jazz, because if you feel smoking hot, you look smoking hot! Also, I cannot stress this enough but GET ON BIRTH CONTROL! Your body is a temple and now your source of income, so treat it with respect! A little bit of money isn’t worth gambling with such easily preventable things. (For more of Alexander’s thoughts on the movie and the industry, see her longer article on AVN.com)
—Aria Alexander
I’ve been in the industry for a little over a year; guess that is still considered new. Got to love what you do to be good at it. Can’t be scared of the outcome or what people think. You need to go into it with the right mind—not let things get to your head. You need goals to keep you sane. It’s not easy; not everyone has it, either.
—Goldie
The one thing that made me most comfortable in this industry when I first started out a year ago was knowing that I’m not alone. All the girls around me, all the girls I met, will tell a sad story. Some won’t, but most do. Just knowing that I wasn’t alone gave me the drive to stay in the industry for a year. The money is comforting, too, to an extent. I can pay my bills, I can go back to school. But I’m not here for the money. I’m here to turn a career I never thought I’d have into something that lasts.
—Kacy Lane
In my opinion, since I’m still new, I need encouragement in every way—coming from my fans, directors, or even views from my scenes. Always receiving honest criticism and feedback from each scene I shoot from the male or female talent makes me feel super comfortable!
—Karlee Grey
My first shoot was In the VIP with Reality Kings. I would be going with a few other girls from my model house and I was very nervous. A couple other girls had already done the shoot in the past and assured me that I would have a blast! They made me feel a little better, but I was still trying to catch my breath when we pulled up to the club where the shoot would be. What made me feel most comfortable is the male talent we would be shooting with were very nice and made me feel a lot better. My first shoot was so much fun and I definitely couldn’t wait for the next shoot! Every shoot I ever went to, the male talent and production crew made me feel like a queen. Always introduced themselves and complimented me, which was definitely a huge confidence booster and very important when you are a new girl. ... You need all the confidence boosting you can get in the beginning!
—Kate England
Knowledge is everything. When you show up to a set and you know no one, or what you’re doing, of course you’re going to feel a bit uncomfortable. But if you know what to expect, and you know what kind of scene you’re doing, you can be more confident. Those girls had a very unprofessional agent. I can expect at least a few days in advance to receive an email from my agent saying the time of the shoot, where it is, who is working on the set, who I will be shooting with, the testing requirements and what kind of scene it is, as well as specifics on wardrobe and grooming. I feel that I know exactly what is going on, and no one can take advantage of me when I am prepared.
—Paisley Parker
If you are comfortable with yourself, it makes [you] comfortable around others as well. Don’t be afraid to take directions and criticism, because when you first start, most people have pointers to help you get ahead. I recommend to new girls that you should look into what you are doing and don’t do anything outside your comfort level. Find an agent who works well with you and come prepared!
—Jamie Sullivan
Information. Both of the industry and of yourself. Knowing who I am and where I want to go has helped me a lot with navigating to a space where I feel respected and in control as a performer.
—Yhivi
Click here for a longer essay by Aria Alexander and click here for a longer essay by Kate England. And click here for a movie review by Rachael Madori.
Pictured above, top from left: Abella Danger in Big Round Asses (Airerose), Aria Alexander in Restraint 2 (New Sensations), Alice Green in Babysit My Ass 5 (Joey Silvera/Evil Angel), Jamie Sullivan in Black Panthers (Lexington Steele/Evil Angel), Kacy Lane in Too Big for Teens 16 (Reality Junkies/Mile High), Karlee Grey in Stacked 3 (Hard X/Mile High), Goldie in Teen Lesbian Fantasies (Filly Films/Combat Zone), Paisley Parker in Girls Night Out (Wicked Pictures), Kate England in Better Than Mom (Kelly Madison/Juicy), and Yhivi in Cum Swallowing Auditions 17 (Amateur Allure/Jules Jordan Video).
