A powerful sex drive in high school led Karmen Karma to dive headfirst into adult entertainment at age 18, producing solo content when she’d get home from class and researching potential revenue streams online — like the proper, budding businesswoman that she was (and is, more than ever).
Soon enough, she was shooting porn with major studios, working hard and playing hard. Along the way, she blazed a trail of sobriety after realizing that drugs and alcohol were taking their toll on her health.
Society can think what they want about sex workers, but there’s not many jobs out there that can provide the financial freedom and security that performing has brought me.
Wiser by a decade now, rocking that gym body and that rock-solid sobriety, Karma is an iron-willed stay-at-home mom with an acclaimed book on Amazon — “Overcome: A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction, Sex Work and Recovery.”
Rising high with the prosperous tides of indie content, Karma has more control over her finances and creativity than ever before, via premium social media networks and clips platforms. To chronicle this dynamo of ambition, strength and sexy allure, XBIZ has named Karma the Clip Star of the Month for December.
XBIZ: What led you to a career in the adult industry?
Karma: The first time I ever saw pornography, I knew I wanted to do it one day. I’ve been naturally sexual as long as I could remember and I knew the adult industry was my calling.
XBIZ: How did you get involved with producing independent content?
Karma: I actually started producing my own content back in high school. When I started approaching my eighteenth birthday, I was Googling any website I could make money off of from my small hometown. When I got home from school, I would make solo videos in my room and sell them. Eleven years later and I’m still at it!
XBIZ: Tell us what your preferred platform is for selling your clips and access to live streaming?
Karma: My favorite way to share my content is my premium Snapchat through FanCentro. I love that I can interact so personally and see what my fans think about my shows! As for selling individual clips, ManyVids is always my go to!
As for live streaming, I will occasionally do a free cam show for all of my website members of ItsKarmenKarma.com through ModelCentro, but I don’t cam anymore. I found it’s not practical as a mother to be sitting around waiting for tips. I have to make the most of my time and that’s why clips and Snapchat are ideal for me.
XBIZ: How do you market yourself via social media and your chosen content-selling sites, to expand your fan base?
Karma: I market myself with the things I know I’m confident with and the things I’m known for. Mainly, a lot of twerking and blowjobs. I’ve always been an open book on social media and I think my fans see that and feel a closer connection to me because of it — which then turns into subscribers.
XBIZ: What is the “Karmen Karma” brand in a nutshell?
Karma: The “Karmen Karma” brand is hardcore. My fans know they can expect freaky content from me. I’ve always been known for my wild scenes and my deepthroating. My scenes are never vanilla, I go full throttle. The dirtier, the better.
XBIZ: How do you stay healthy, in body and in mind, while maintaining such a strong work ethic?
Karma: Health is now what my life resolves around. Not even five years ago, I was destroying my body with drugs and alcohol, only fueling it with fast food between drug binges. I was in and out of the hospital for health issues. Never did it occur to me to take care of myself until I got sober on Jan. 24 in 2015.
I started going to the gym to replace going out and I fell in love with bettering myself. I know to be successful I need to be healthy in mind and in body. It’s very important for me to take care of myself mentally — which includes things like meditating and blocking trolls on social media.
I’ve been in the industry long enough to learn that arguing with anyone online is a waste of time. So I block any negativity and don’t acknowledge it. Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed with having to be on social media so often for work that I need to take 24-hour social media breaks — which completely reset me mentally.
XBIZ: Discuss the ways you’ve elevated your game over the years, to pursue multiple revenue streams and capture higher quality content.
Karma: The industry has really changed in the last few years. When I first came into the industry I was making all of my money through shoots for professional companies. Now I make my money through my own platforms and don’t have to work for anyone else.
This gives me the comfort of working from my own house and owning the rights to my content. I like having the power to do what I want and not feel pressured to do any sex acts I’m not comfortable with. Plus, I’m making more money now than ever. Content has really changed the game!
XBIZ: Tell us about your book “Overcome: A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction, Sex Work and Recovery,” which has garnered a lot of praise from folks for your eloquent bravery.
Karma: I wanted to write my book for quite some time, but because I had no literary connections, I had no idea if it would even get published. I spent two years writing and when Rare Bird offered to publish, it was surreal.
I’ve been an open book on social media for a decade now and so many women and even men have told me it inspired them to get sober, not care what people think, etc. — I knew I had a story that could help other people, so I just worked hard and stayed dedicated to my dream.
I still can’t believe I’m an author! The feedback I’ve received has been remarkable. I can’t believe how many people have started a sobriety journey after reading it. It’s truly the best blessing I’ve had.
XBIZ: Any inspirational peers or friends in the industry, who help you stay motivated, while offering a support network?
Karma: My life is so separate from the porn industry that I don’t hang out with other performers too often. I live in San Diego and am so busy being a stay-at-home mom and I do that purposely so I can compartmentalize myself. There was a time where I let “Karmen” take over my life and now I let work stay work.
In my personal life I have a close group of friends but I’ve learned the hard way to not let everyone know my business. My biggest motivation is myself — to be a better person than I was yesterday.
XBIZ: What are your ambitious career plans for the upcoming year?
Karma: To continue killing the online platform game! I have a plan with my financial advisor that could have me able to retire by the age of 31 (in 3 years) - which is mind-blowing and all thanks to sex work.
Society can think what they want about sex workers, but there’s not many jobs out there that can provide the financial freedom and security that performing has brought me. I’m so thankful for my industry.
