A retired adult film star, Lisa Ann, has raised concerns about the harmful impact of the growing appetite for ‘abuse’ porn on amateur female performers. As the demand for increasingly extreme scenes rises, these performers face significant challenges and potential exploitation within the industry.
Lisa Ann, who left the adult film industry in 2014 after a two-decade-long career, shared her insights in an interview with The Guardian. She expressed worries about the difficulties actresses encounter after leaving the industry, often attributing them to the rising demand for extreme pornography and the prevalent use of drugs among performers.
The industry’s trajectory towards more hardcore films and the pressure to engage in abusive scenes has a profound impact on the well-being of these women. Lisa Ann emphasized the inherent risks on set, where performers may find themselves in unsafe situations with unpredictable consequences.
The documentary Hot Girls Wanted shed light on the demand for abuse scenes, featuring disturbing footage that exposed the manipulation of performers to create the illusion of forced sexual acts. The desire for such content stems from consumers’ preferences, resulting in higher pay rates for extreme acts. Some performers can earn up to $2,500 per scene for the most radical performances.
Rashida Jones, a producer on Hot Girls Wanted, discussed the cycle young women often face when entering the industry. Due to a lack of sufficient amateur jobs, they are compelled to participate in more extreme scenes, which take a toll on their physical and mental well-being. The financial aspect also becomes burdensome, as high expenses for grooming, travel, and clothing cut into their earnings, making it financially unsustainable.
Jones highlighted the internal negotiations performers must undergo, facing choices they never anticipated, as they contemplate engaging in increasingly explicit and disturbing content to sustain their careers.
Disturbingly, a study conducted by Adult Video News revealed that a significant portion of the top-rented porn films depicted female performers appearing to be physically or verbally abused.
The title sheds light on the distressing reality of the adult film industry: the damaging effects of ‘abuse’ porn on amateur performers. The increasing demand for extreme content puts these individuals at risk, both physically and emotionally, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation within the industry.