Interview with Stoya

Hello Stoya, those who might not know you, what is your name and please describe yourself?

Hi, I’m Stoya. Other people have described me as “incendiary”, “possibly feral”, “force of nature”, “pale”, “always a ruckus” and on occasion with less flattering adjectives. I’m kind of an overachiever in my own special way and always carry my laptop in my purse because sometimes I don’t come home for weeks at a time.

What prompted you to join the adult industry?

I baby-stepped my way into it. First, a buddy wanted to take nude photographs of me, and was willing to sit on them for a couple of weeks and wipe the cards and drive if I changed my mind afterwards. It sounded like fun, there wasn’t really any risk to try it, and sure enough it was fun. A couple of weeks later I had already started turning it into a really nifty side job. An offer came in to do a super wacky girl/girl and solo scene for a Jack the Zipper movie, and he was so interesting that I went for it. Kill the Bear is, in my humble opinion, some of my coolest work but the girl/girl scene wasn’t really that exciting, so I kept doing still photography. Digital Playground eventually lured me into their office with Sophia Santi, asked about banging dudes, and after a conversation with them it sounded like yet another fun adventure.

You recently came back after taking some significant time off. What were you doing while you were away?

I was doing a significant amount of traveling. I was doing the same things I always do in my off time: reading, sewing and more reading. I was working a relatively normal job in a restaurant because I get so bored if I’m not kind of over-scheduled and waitressing was a new experience for me.

There were some rumors floating around when you did leave last year, the biggest ones involved you and Digital Playground having a falling out over your personal decisions. You are still with them though so could you please say why you took the break?

That ‘please’ was very nice. Thank you.

There were a few things that contributed to my, uh, vacation. I had no idea that I was signing up for all the interviews and appearances and public attention when I initially signed my contract. I felt that I had met Digital Playground halfway on things like toning down my personality and look and that they were continually asking for more compromise. I didn’t feel like I was being heard or taken seriously when I brought up concerns. I just kept banging my head against the proverbial wall and towards the end I was always cranky with an 80% chance of bitter. My heart just wasn’t in the last scene that I did in ’09 and when things start to affect the quality of product something has to change.

Having spent quite a bit of time now seeing how some of the more mainstream parts of the entertainment industry work, it’s easier for me to understand Digital Playground’s perspective and reasons for doing things. I’m better able to both pick the battles worth fighting and put my foot down in a manner that they’re more likely to listen to, have the right discussions with the right people in the chain of command.

What would you say is your favorite scene you have done?

The 3-way on the Pirates 2 bonus disc with Katsuni and Belladonna. It was so much fun they had to blur parts out.

Do you have a particular performer that you wish to emulate as far as their career? If so who is it?

There are performers that I deeply admire but I’m following my own path. Which I kind of think is how they got so awesome in the first place.

Have you been approached for mainstream work in the past and if not is that something you would be interested in?

Yes and depending. I really wanted to do porn. Hardcore insertion of relative strangers’, appendages into my holes on camera and vice versa, sexually charged fetish and bondage imagery. Most ‘mainstream’ stuff just isn’t as interesting. If and when interesting projects come along, I’m all for it.

Who are the people that you really want to work with while you are doing movies?

As far as performers go, I’ve already worked with just about everyone I wanted to. There’s the impossible wishlist, Janine and Rocco, and Keni Stylez. I haven’t really been keeping tabs on who is new though.

What advice would you give someone that is thinking about joining the adult industry?

The short version. Try everything out at home before you agree to do it on camera. Always have a lawyer look over anything you sign. Keep your day job until you’re working steadily and making enough money to pay your bills. Save. Learn how to pack a suitcase efficiently.

How would people back home describe you when you were growing up?

(Laughs) I was homeschooled. We moved every 2-3 years. There pretty much is no back home.

What sort of things do you like to do when you aren’t working? Any hobbies?

I read, I sew, and I try to put a dent in the mountain of fan emails and messages on various social networking sites.

Are there any projects or special events coming up that you would like to promote, if so please do so?

I’ve got both a new movie, Love and Other Mishaps, and a Fleshlight coming out this month. Both are very exciting. The Fleshlight is actually prompting a Freudian moment of penis envy.

All photos of Stoya provided by Digital Playground.