LOS ANGELES — New Sensations award-winning director and writer Jacky St. James is profiled by Salon.com in a piece entitled "The Woman Who Conquered Porn: How Jacky St. James Became the Most Important Name in the Business.” The article, written by Jenny Kutner, discusses St. James' rise in the adult industry, her feminist approach to erotic filmmaking, her struggles with negative stereotypes surrounding pornography, and her newest feature "The Submission of Emma Marx II."
"I was truly mesmerized by the business — just how much creative freedom existed in it," Jacky St. James told Salon. "And when, in life, especially as a woman, can you go into a job and be a production manager, a director, a writer of a piece within a few months? It’s unheard of. Most women in Hollywood work years trying to climb the ladder to do that — and I was doing it right out of the gate. So, for me, there was something really appealing about the fact that I can be successful and have a lot of creative control and be a woman."
Salon also spoke at length with St. James about her latest feature "The Submission of Emma Marx II: Boundaries," a sequel to the acclaimed 2012 New Sensations' BDSM blockbuster. An antidote to E.L. James' "Fifty Shades of Grey," "The Submission of Emma Marx II: Boundaries" tells the unflinching tale of a contractual BDSM relationship from the point of view of a strong and independent young woman still grappling to control her sexuality as it grows more deviant. Penny Pax and Richie Calhoun reprise their roles as the kinky and conflicted couple, Emma Marx and Mr. Frederick.
In the interview, St. James admits her inspiration for "The Submission of Emma Marx" and its sequel came about from her dislike of "Fifty Shades of Grey" protagonist Anastasia Steele.
"It just drove me crazy because I can’t believe that that many women in society would feel like Anastasia Steele somehow resonated with them as a character. I hated her," St. James said. "I couldn’t root for her because I thought she was pathetic. It felt kind of like an homage to those 1800s romance novels, where these women are very weak, and then the woman is attacked by a man and suddenly falls in love with him. I wanted a woman who was independent already. I thought the more fascinating and compelling storyline was a woman who was grappling with her sexuality. It was more about her struggle with that versus her struggle with wanting to be loved by someone. Obviously, she wants him to love her, but that’s not her end goal."
To read Salon.com's profile on Jacky St. James in its entirety, click here.
"The Submission of Emma Marx 2: Boundaries" co-stars include Riley Reid, Sara Luvv, Van Wylde, and Logan Pierce. It is slated for February release.
Jacky St. James Profiled by Salon.com
Copyright © 2026 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
Angela White, Madison Ivy Lead New Threesome From Brazzers
Multi-XMAs winner Angela White and Madison Ivy star with Ricky Johnson in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Couple or Throuple?”
Taylor Wild Performs 1st DVP in Latest From New Sensations
Taylor Wild performs her first DVP with Damon Dice and Alex Legend in the latest release from New Sensations.
Melissa Stratton Headlines Latest Volume of Sweet Sinner's 'The Stepmother'
Melissa Stratton toplines the 18th volume of "The Stepmother," the latest release from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.
Leana Lovings Returns to Parasited
Leana Lovings stars with Aria Sloane in the latest scene from Parasited, titled “Strange Visitors.”
Samantha Reigns Stars in Latest Release From Evil Angel
Samantha Reigns stars with multi-XMAs winner Mick Blue in a new anal scene from Evil Angel.
Lucy Mochi Returns to Hentaied Pro
Lucy Mochi stars with Dolly Orchid in the latest scene from Futanari XXX, titled “Secret Sauce.”
Dakota Lyn, Addison Vodka Front Latest From Blacked Raw
Dakota Lyn and Addison Vodka star with Jason Luv in the latest release from Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Blacked Raw.
Madison Wilde Headlines 'Tempting Schoolgirls' From Reality Junkies
Madison Wilde toplines "Tempting Schoolgirls" from Mile High Media studio imprint Reality Junkies.
Tiffani Time Stars in Latest From Kink.com
Tiffani Time stars with multi-XMAs winner Derek Kage in the latest installment of Kink.com's "Edged and Bound" series, titled "Unleashed Edging."
Amy Nosferatu Leads New Release From Grooby
Amy Nosferatu stars with Ryan Bones in the latest release from Grooby Girls, titled “Not the Real Estate Agent.”