College Newspaper Profiles Melissa Midwest

LINCOLN, Neb. — Adult web model Melissa Midwest was recently profiled in the Daily Nebraskan, the student newspaper of University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The article describes Lincoln native and current resident (real name Melissa Harrington) as an entrepreneur and delves into her day-to-day activities operating her burgeoning business, which includes MelissaMidwest.com. The website is 3,994th most visited in the world, according to web analytics tracker Alexa.com. According to the statistics, 41.8 percent of visitors are U.S.-based and the rest are from overseas.

Six years into the adult entertainment industry, Melissa “owns multiple websites, real estate and a hair salon,” the article states.

Harrington spends many nights working past 3 a.m. “to edit video and pictures, update the sites, chat with my affiliates, work on advertising and marketing.”.

Each morning, the webmaster checks her websites' statistics, browses her online forum and responds to fan email. She shoots new sets for the Internet a few times a week and performs a live webcam show on Sundays.

Melissa’s career took off when she posed for pictures in magazines such as Maxim and FHM, then decided to send nude pictures to all of the adult magazines following a performance at an amateur strip night at a Lincoln bar.

"I sent in some pictures to all the adult magazines, and all of them called back with offers," she told the Nebraskan. "After that, I decided I needed a Web site, so the few fans I was starting to get could follow my career."

At one point, her name was the ninth most searched-for on the Internet, according to the report.

With increasing fame came controversy. In 2004, Melissa was fined $150 for posting nude pictures of herself online, then in 2007 she sued the city, alleging that police officers were harassing her in public and asking businesses to avoid working with her. She eventually dropped the suit, but not before making a point.

"It was one of those things I did to let them know I won't be pushed around," she said. "I have had so many people come up to me and say how brave I was. I have had older women and moms e-mail me or come up to me and say, 'I wish I could be more like you.'"

With celebrity status in her hometown, Melissa is able to resist the lure of the big city.

"If I had moved to L.A., I would have gotten caught up in that scene, and my work would have went to shit," Harrington said. "[Here in Lincoln] I can stay focused, and I love that. Also, all my family and friends are here, and I could never leave them for good."

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

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Show More