There are a handful of porn stars that get past their own celebrity and become savvy business people. They are the ones who create a following and build a brand. Vanessa Blue falls squarely into this category having been in adult for more than a decade, the popular star has not only become a favorite among fans of ethnic porn, but she’s built an online network of websites that feature some of the most sought-after girls in the business including Gianna Michaels, Sara Jay, Roxy Reynolds, Jada Fire and more.
But what’s more impressive is her ability to satisfy fans with a niche that delivers. Her empire includes her own blog, DVDs, live chat, vacation photos and even 148 photos of her in tight jeans. “I love my tight jeans and I wanted to take a few photos of myself in my tightest pair of jeans before I tore them apart because my ass is growing! You can see how tight they are and how they squeeze my big ass right in them! Enjoy!” she says.
My focus is on all of the things that I find attractive and sexual. To me, that would be mixing it up and putting women in roles they either truly enjoy or have never done before.
It’s the combination of a focused ethnic niche and personalization that’s vaulted her into major performing gigs with top adult companies including Hustler, Adam & Eve, Playboy, her own FemDomX website and video titles distributed by Justin Slayer International and her Gemini Filmworks line. But aside from her killer bod, it’s her outspoken candor that makes her plain ol’ sexy.
How did you enter the adult business?
Well, back in 1997 I was doing some light femdom modeling and stripping and through a good friend at that time I decided to enter the XXX world to do a few scenes. I never thought I’d be on the box cover of any of that work. Needless to say I was wrong! After I’d made the box cover of Ed Powers’ “Dirty Debutantes” I decided maybe there was something in this business that I could work with. I immediately knew then that I wanted to produce the product and not just be in it. But I knew I needed to study the industry some more so I did a few more scenes after that to gain a better understanding of it all … and the rest is history.
What was your first impression?
Honestly, my first impression of the adult business wasn’t the best. I wasn’t really being hired for the kind of work I wanted to do and the better companies were not into my look. I was turned down by most of the top companies that I approached for work and while that would be a stopping point for some it made me more determined to put myself behind the camera. My impression of the industry and its shortcomings did not change for quite some time and I even quit performing for a few years at the start of things. I’d only done about 16 or 17 scenes and grew tired of hearing that I wasn’t what they were looking for, or that they’d like to hire me but I couldn’t work with the people I wanted to work with. That’s when I decided to take some time off to figure out a better game plan then just waiting to be handed the right opportunity. I realized that an opportunity for me would have to be created, by me.
So that changed things. What are you doing now?
Currently, and for the last 10 years I’ve been producing content for my websites. In between I’ve worked for a few awesome companies like Adam & Eve, Playboy, Hustler and now Justin Slayer International.
Do you consider yourself primarily talent or a businesswoman?
Both. In my world those two words are one and the same. I work as talent when the opportunity comes to do something new, or to work with people that I enjoy working with. I could never call myself just a “businesswoman” because not all “business” people in adult have a true understanding of what it’s like to be on both sides of the camera. Anyone can push paperwork and dress the part, but that singular sort of title separates you from the hard work you did as a performer to get to the business side of things.
What is your primary focus in the adult business?
First is my fans. Second is ethnic, interracial and femaledominant productions. My focus is on all of the things that I find attractive and sexual. To me, that would be mixing it up and putting women in roles they either truly enjoy or have never done before.
Who in adult inspires you?
No one, really. I’m not inspired by the acts of others and no one else should be either in my opinion. How can you focus on your own life and goals if you are focused on the life and achievements of someone else?
Now if we altered that question a bit and changed it to “Who in adult do I respect the most?” My answer would be women like Meredith Christopher with Adam & Eve and basically any female performer that has endured the ups and downs of the adult business and proven to the naysayers time and again that you don’t need to be a size 3 or look illegal to have millions of fans and move product.
What are your feelings on ethnic adult productions/websites?
There simply aren’t enough of them, never have been in my opinion. There aren’t enough ethnic models being put into star positions. And too many productions are focused on stereotypical themes that many find difficult to enjoy. But I do understand that ethnic product is considered a niche. That oftentimes means aged or extreme ideals when it comes to production and sales. At the end of the day though, it’s rarely about feelings or fair business. It’s about money.
Name some industry issues that are important to you.
There are way too many issues that are important to me with regard to the adult business. So I think it’s better to give you a short list of the issues that I talk about when I meet a new model looking to enter the adult business. Things like, thinking before acting, controlling public persona and image, solidarity amongst performers, “official” porn star websites, condoms, STDs, unaddressed mental health issues and impossible “after porn” transitions.
I’d also address social networking and image suicide, the cost of free porn. Agents, webmasters, work ethics, snitching for success, the “black” rate, niches, and being emotionally sane and comfortable amongst a judgmental planet.
How is being a woman in adult different from a man?
Uhh, the men in adult know how to write their names in the snow with timely precision? I don’t know! I’m not a guy and since I have such penis envy I probably shouldn’t be speaking for them either [laughs].
What are your plans for the immediate future?
Great sex, a little cum in my hair, a shower followed by a few fatalities — courtesy of Mortal Kombat. After that, perhaps my cum-squirting strap-on, a hot girl and a camera?
Each month, industry news media organization XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives.
