Kayden Kross Writes Essay for N.Y. Times

NEW YORK — The New York Times’ Fashion & Style web section today published a first-person piece by adult entertainment star Kayden Kross.

The porn actress’ essay is called “For Kayden Kross, the Family Business Happens to Be Porn,” and discusses about her rise to fame to her current life as a mother and fiancee to adult performer Manuel Ferrara.

Kross tells the tale of growing up and setting financial and long-term goals, as well as earning an associates degree and transferring to Sacramento State. But after getting close to a degree that didn’t interest her and seeing a gloomy economy on the horizon, college began looking less like the ticket to financial security, she said.

"When the housing market plunged, I felt trapped. I did, that is, until one slow Friday night at work when a man dropped $30 in my lap to hear him out. The next week I was on a plane for Los Angeles," Kross wrote.

Kross, who discusses the virtues and turbulence of modern love in the piece, first met Ferrara on her first porn shoot at age 21.  

"Manuel sat next to me and introduced himself. He had a French accent and a thick mess of dark hair," she said in the essay. "'We’ll be working together,' he said, an innocuous comment under normal circumstances but a loaded one when the work is porn."

The two matched like two peas in a pod, but Kross admitted that "navigating love when both of our jobs involve having sex with other people can be stressful."

She noted that Ferrara became jealous and moody in the days before shoots.

"He knew it wasn’t fair to ask me to stop, but he couldn’t hide the way he felt. Finally he said he wanted me to quit my contract and move in with him, with the logical next steps being marriage and children. I was 27," she wrote.

Kross admits in the essay she gave up a lucrative contract, although she continues to perform on occasion, though only with Ferrara or with other women. But, she says, she still makes a good living.

"Yes, it’s a double standard that Manuel gets to perform with other women while I don’t with other men, just as it’s a double standard that he still works full time while I have cut back," she wrote. "But I am the mother of an infant daughter, and caring for her is my priority right now, just as providing for us as best he can is Manuel’s priority. In the end, our calculation isn’t so different from the choice millions of other working couples face these days."

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

Penthouse Names Hazel Winters August's 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named Hazel Winters as Pet of the Month for August.

Bree Mills Wraps Production on Pure Taboo Thriller 'The Secrets We Share'

Adult Time has announced that production has wrapped on the thriller, "The Secrets We Share," written and directed by studio CCO Bree Mills.

Evil Angel Drops Angelo Godshack's 'Hardcore Gangbangs 4'

Evil Angel has released director Angelo Godshack’s “Hardcore Gangbangs 4.”

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

Sabien DeMonia Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Sabien DeMonia stars with Jordi El Nino Polla and Danny D in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “Double Stuffed Sabien.”

Connie Perignon Makes Her Deeper Debut

Connie Perignon has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Deeper, alongside Kazumi and Anton Hardon in “Bare Witness.”

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Kaci Kennedy Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Creator Kaci Kennedy stars with her husband Dakota Sexton and Chocolate Rod in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Bad Bella Makes Her New Sensations Debut

Bad Bella has made her New Sensations debut, starring alongside Danny Mountain.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Show More