Stoya Pens Article on Performer Pay for the NewStatesman

LOS ANGELES — Adult star Stoya has penned an article for the NewStatesman on the lack of open discussion about porn star compensation.

The star said that talent is often not forthcoming with each other about their rates, often resulting in “wildly inaccurate figures” that adversely affects the industry as a whole.

One example cited a well-known performer who said she was paid $12,000 for a double penetration scene when it was in fact about $1,200-$1,400. These exaggerated fees and lack of transparency makes it difficult for performers to gauge their worth and often upsets the whole pay scale, according to Stoya.

The article also went on to explain why most companies try to get as much out of a worker as they can for as little pay as possible pointing to the cost of doing business that includes transportation to the set (sometimes from a different city, or even state or country), personal grooming, and STI testing fees.

Stoya said when shooting her self-funded film, “Graphic Depictions,” total male talent was paid only $4,500, or about $750 per male performer per scene; while $4,200 went to females, three of whom identify as female and one who is gender-neutral, which is $1,050 each.

The associated stigma of being a public sex performer, coupled with the risk of disease and physical injury makes it even more crucial for talent to be able to know what they’re worth across the board in order to demand fair pay, Stoya maintained.

”Every job has its own scale of standard rates and its own complex system of extra bits of cost, risk and value which must be navigated. To me, the most glaringly obvious way of arming workers to attain appropriate pay is to drag all of these numbers and factors out into the sunshine and discuss them openly," Stoya wrote.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Jade Kimiko, Cecelia Taylor Headline 'Women Seeking Women 199'

Jade Kimiko and Cecelia Taylor topline “Women Seeking Women 199” from Girlfriends Films.

Kaela Luna Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Kaela Luna has made her TransAngles debut alongside Parker Savage and Harrison Feels in “Jackhammering Kaela.”

Adult Time Marks April Fool's Day With 5 Satirical Releases

Adult Time is marking April Fool’s Day with the release of satirical scenes from five of its series.

Adult Time Wraps Production on Bree Mills' Feature 'Escape From Camp Conversion'

Adult Time has wrapped production on its latest feature, the Bree Mills-helmed "Escape From Camp Conversion," from its Girlcore studio brand.

Daisy Fox Makes Her TeamSkeet Debut

Daisy Fox makes her TeamSkeet debut in the latest episode of the studio series "She's New," titled "A Foxy Little Newcomer," with Nicky Rebel.

Elizabeth Skylar Performs Her 1st B/B/G in Latest From New Sensations

Elizabeth Skylar has performed her first B/B/G in the latest scene from New Sensations, with Codey Steele and Milan Ponjevic.

Lynna Nilsson Fronts Latest From Immoral Productions

Lynna Nilsson performs her first DVP in a new trilogy from Immoral Productions, alongside Matt Bird and Brad Knight.

Anna Claire Clouds: From Nashville to XMA Gold

The photo shoot is going great. Anna Claire Clouds knows all her angles. The moment the cap comes off the camera lens, Clouds tilts her head just so and deploys her signature dreamy eyes with all controls set to “smoldering.” Girl knows what she’s doing.

Lilly Bell Takes the Spotlight in 2 New Adult Time Scenes

2025 XMAs Girl/Girl Performer of the Year Lilly Bell stars in two new scenes from Adult Time.

LorReign Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Content creator and former Colorado sheriff's deputy LorReign has made her debut for new Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY alongside her husband Anthony and Jax Slayher.

Show More