Nina Hartley Featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine

NEW YORK — Cosmopolitan magazine is continuing its love affair with the adult industry this time profiling legend Nina Hartley.

Hartley chronicled her early days in adult for the magazine, talking about her dancing in San Francisco in 1982 at the Sutter Cinema and later on at the infamous Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theatre. She also discussed her penchant for being a feminist.

“I was dancing one day a week and going to nursing school five days a week. Dancing was the culmination of a longtime history of public exhibitionism. I'm a '70's feminist, and I was told I had the right to live my life sexually on my terms and the responsibility to do it in a safe manner. For me stripping was that way. That was the place for women to go to be looked at naked while remaining safe,” Hartey told Cosmo.

The star also recalled her personal life experimenting with long-term relationships of more than one partner and just why she still performs in her late 50's.

“I do it for my own jollies, but also because in our culture, sexuality is sick and sick people need a nurse's care. People are suffering with sexuality, suffering from not being able to be at home in their bodies, at home in their skin. They're suffering from not being able to make human connections with other people on a healthy and safe and pleasurable level,” Hartley said.

She explained that people were hungry for sexual information and how to pleasure their partners back in the day, and how her dancing gave her insight into their plight.

While a dancer, Hartley said she always wanted to be in porn and got her opportunity after meeting Juliet Anderson, whom she described as the original MILF before it was a category. Hartley went on to star in Anderson’s directorial debut, “Educating Nina” in 1984.

Now, categorized as a “mature “performer, Hartley is candid about how she’s aged in the business as a MILF.

“Porn capitalized on that concept very well and came up with a category. Cougars and MILFs — it's been going on for about 10 years. A lot of decent, middle-age, middle-class married guys are parents, and it creeps them out to watch women who are their daughters' ages. Also, wives have a lot of power over what kind of adult material gets brought into the home. She's not going to have her husband watching twentysomethings, but she's going to be OK with him watching thirty-, forty-, or fiftysomethings. Boomers are aging, and a lot of boomers would rather look at someone who looks more like them,” Hartley said.

But the legendary actor feels she’ll still have legs in adult even after she quits performing. She said, “I see myself as a mix between Dr. Ruth and [sex educator] Betty Dodson. I love the idea of helping other people have sex.”

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

Lady Dee Stars in Latest From Immoral

Lady Dee stars with Paul Stalker and Charlie Dean in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions.

Adult Time Drops 'Busting Porn Myths Vol. 1' Informational Video

Adult Time has released the first volume of its new Performer Center series, “Busting Porn Myths.”

Octavia Red Stars in Final Episode of Bree Mills' 'Escape From Camp Conversion' From Adult Time

Octavia Red stars in the final episode of the Bree Mills-helmed thriller "Escape From Camp Conversion," from Adult Time studio brand Girlcore.

Octokuro Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octokuro has made her Vampired debut alongside Sata Jones in “Vampirella Unleashed.”

Natalia Starr Stars in Latest From New Sensations

Natalia Starr stars with Danny Mountain in the latest release from New Sensations.

Sabien DeMonia Drops Latest Evil Angel Directorial 'Depravation of Innocence'

Sabien DeMonia has dropped her latest directorial effort for Evil Angel, “Depravation of Innocence.”

Yhivi Makes Her Tushy Raw Debut

Yhivi has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Tushy Raw, alongside Dan Damage.

Cubbi Thompson Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Cubbi Thompson stars with Small Hands in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "She’s Good with Her Mouth."

Elegant Angel Premieres Lilly Bell Showcase 'Lilly Loves Girls'

Reigning XMAs Girl/Girl Performer of the Year Lilly Bell gets the spotlight in a new four-part showcase release from Elegant Angel.

Chloe Amour: Recharged, Refocused, and Ready for Real Love

These days, getting ahold of Chloe Amour on the weekend can be tough. She might ditch her phone, as was the case on a recent weekend while celebrating her birthday with family at Disneyland, riding the rides and taking in some sun.

Show More