Bonnie Rotten in New Interview, Leads Porn’s Tattoo Boom

VENICE, Calif. — Sometimes credit is given where credit is due, and a new SocialUnderground.com article is giving Bonnie Rotten a lot of credit — and they aren’t alone in offering their accolades.

“There are a handful of current performers in porn that I attribute with popularizing the tatted look, making it more ‘mainstream’ and accepted in the adult arena,” writes Sam Phillips. “Celebrities like Bonnie Rotten are the girls currently winning the highest achievements in porn.”

Starlet Payton Sin Claire agrees, saying, “Bonnie Rotten is one of the best performers out there and is heavily tattooed, but she would still be a beast regardless if she did or didn’t have tattoos.”

Veteran performer Nadia Styles says that she saw the change toward an acceptance of tattooed performers begin to happen in 2005, although the breakthrough moment came later.

“That’s when the women in porn that were well established and known had tattoos,” Styles said. “They didn’t have a lot, but they had a few that made them happy about their looks. But it’s not until these days that I feel it is much more accepted because of Joanna Angel and Bonnie Rotten.”

“People with tattoos are just really cool,” said Juelz Ventura. “People want to watch us. I can’t pretend girls like Bonnie Rotten and Christy Mack didn’t make a huge difference also. They kinda stepped in with all their tats, demanded attention, and opened their own genre for the extreme.”

One of the industry’s alt/tattooed pioneers, Joanna Angel, says Bonnie stepped everything ahead.

“When Bonnie Rotten came into the scene, I think she took it to another level,” Angel said. “I carved out my own hole in the industry where I could comfortably exist without worrying about whether other companies wanted to hire me or not. I also gave other weirdoes like me a home where they could feel sexy. However, I think Bonnie got the big studios to come around and realize that tattoos do not take away from sex appeal.”

Bonnie says she has “almost 40” tattoos but no plans for any major work in the near future.

“I think that tattoos add something else that is very interesting, and unique to someone’s look, especially if they are a hot porn star!” Bonnie said. “In the beginning I was told I would never shoot for the big companies, that I had no chance, and that people didn’t know what to do with me. But in 2012, I started shooting with New Sensations, and they did two showcases of me.”

“That pretty much opened the floodgates for everyone to shoot me,” Bonnie adds. “I shot probably 200 scenes in two years.”

To read the Social Underground story, click here.

For more information, visit BonnieRotten.com.

Related:  

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

Penny Barber Stars in Latest From MILFY

Penny Barber stars with Filou Fitt in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Male Rose Announces Ownership of Trademarks for Signature Pleasure Products

Pleasure brand The Male Rose announced that it has secured ownership of the registered trademarks for its signature products, including its namesake vibrator as well as the Gawk Gawk 3000.

Rissa May Toplines 'My Son's Fiancee' From Sweet Sinner

Rissa May headlines "My Son's Fiancee," the latest release from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

Orion Debuts 4 New Styles From 'Noir Handmade' Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced four new burgundy-colored styles from its Noir Handmade collection.

Dame Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for 'Hup' Vibrating Pillow

Dame has launched a crowdfunding campaign for Hup, its rideable, vibrating pillow, on Kickstarter.

Ariel Demure, Maisey Monroe Star in 4th Installment of 'Ripped for Their Pleasure' From Gender X

Reigning and two-time XMAs Trans Performer of the Year Ariel Demure stars with Maisey Monroe in the fourth installment of "Ripped for Their Pleasure," the latest title from Gender X Films.

Delilah Raige Makes Her Brazzers Debut

Delilah Raige has made her debut for Brazzers alongside Ricky Johnson in "Raige Hits The Stage."

Bellesa to Drop New Installments of 'Euro House'

Bellesa will release new episodes of its series "Euro House" after a three-year hiatus.

Male Power Debuts 'Peacocking' Collection

Male Power has introduced its new Peacocking collection of men's underwear.

A Look at the Trends Shaping Male Pleasure and Wellness

The male pleasure category was once defined by familiar products: non-powered sleeves and strokers, manual penis pumps, rings and a relatively small selection of prostate toys. Today, manufacturers draw inspiration from consumer electronics, sexual wellness, gaming, streaming content and app-driven interaction, while still relying on one of the category's oldest staples: the basic stroker.

Show More