The Rialto Report is a recurring column where we explore the nuances of the adult film industry and the community involved. During the golden age of adult films, women were definitely treated differently from men, but not in all the typical ways. Unlike their male counterparts, the women in the industry almost always earned more as it was the female talent that drew in viewers while men served a more functional role.
Looks mattered, but more often than not there was a niche to create or fill. Androgynous like Sharon Mitchell? No problem. Older like Jennifer Welles? Happy to have you. Disabled like Long Jean Silver? And there was no need to sleep with the producer or director to get the part. Actresses like Andrea True spoke about being propositioned at mainstream industry auditions regularly whereas adult industry filmmakers often treated her and fellow actresses with respect.
And many women choose whom they would β and would not β work with. That said, it was often men who were making the real money in the business. Producers and distributors were mostly male, controlling revenue as well as narrative. Some women describe their time in the industry enthusiastically, focusing on positives such as financial independence, a caring work community and feelings of sexual liberation.
Other women have shared tales of family rejection, social ostracization and personal shame. It has been their time since leaving the industry that can often be more complicated. Even for women whose time in the industry basically amounted to a summer job 40 years ago, repercussions can persist today.
Decisions they make now can be in part driven by whether they are public about their past or not. Some women have only recently embraced their adult history, finding community on social networks like Facebook. She discusses how the allure of the industry β focused for many on financial stability β will quickly slide into the consequences of participation.
