NEW YORK — Opining over the recently outed Duke University student porn performer Belle Knox, adult star Stoya has penned a column on the issue of Internet privacy for the New York Times.
Stoya’s take on the “hysteria” that has surrounded the student’s porn revelation centered on the stark transparency of people’s personal information on the Internet — especially where porn is concerned.
Recalling how her own “Stoya” stage name and persona blew up on the web, Stoya's article pointed out that an alter-ego label no longer protects talent from the prying eyes of the scandal-hungy media or anti-porn witch hunters.
“I am on the board of the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee, which offers peer-to-peer education and supports performers’ rights. In the introduction to its Porn 101 video, my colleagues explain: ‘There is a great likelihood that everyone you know will see these images, or at least find out,’ and ‘You cannot expect your legal name to remain a secret, and a stage name will not fool people who recognize you,’” Stoya wrote.
The star said that although her porn branding has benefited her — she, and others in the industry — are more than their porn images, and cautioned that outsiders often pass judgment on just few snippets of available digital information.
Add to that the haters who will likely bully and try to disgrace anyone in porn, as is the case with Knox and others simply because their cowardice can hide behind their computers, aspiring porn performers would be wise to recognize the inherent risks of online exposure.
As the piece pointed out, Knox's situation created a firestorm of controversy following her outing and her being identified by her Duke pen name, “Lauren,” ultimately forcing her to reveal her real stage name online — whether she liked it or not.