Charlie Forde seems to infuse raw passion into every project she touches. Yet even beyond her sensual allure and undeniable star power, the prolific adult performer and director brings something deeper to the table: an unwavering dedication to her craft, her friendships and the causes she cares about.
One of those causes is curled up beside her: her beagles. Forde’s eyes light up as she describes her animal rescue work.
“I foster for the Beagle Freedom Project,” she tells XBIZ. “We teach them how to be dogs again. They’re born in captivity, raised in labs, so they don’t know what life outside a cage looks like. Seeing them go to new homes is so rewarding.”
Nor is her nurturing spirit limited to animals. Whether mentoring fellow performers, directing her own films, or advocating for mental health awareness, Forde pours her heart into everything she does.
If anyone ever deserved the sobriquet “more than just a pretty face,” it’s Forde. She’s a woman in control, navigating her career on her own terms while breaking barriers in front of and behind the camera. Now, with a thriving brand, an XMA-nominated directorial debut, and a thriller feature film in the works, Charlie Forde is proving that she’s here for the long haul.
From Saving Animals to Stealing Scenes
Forde’s journey into adult film may not have been planned, but her knack for it suggests that it was meant to be.
“I was finishing veterinary school and needed extra money,” she recalls. “Someone suggested I try adult film, and I did — and realized I was good at it. I never looked back.”
Unlike many who leave their past careers behind, however, Forde sees no reason to choose just one path.
“I never officially traded scrubs for set life,” she clarifies. “I still plan to sit my exam in the U.S. so I can practice here. I love both worlds. Being a vet is intense — six times the national suicide rate, brutal hours, constant emotional exhaustion. Adult work gives me a creative outlet, but being a vet gives me the intellectual challenge I crave.”
The contrast between the two careers might seem jarring, but for Forde, it’s the perfect balance.
“It’s a powerful feeling to save an animal’s life. But it’s also nice to step away from that intensity and escape into something creative.”
She recently rechanneled some of that creative energy by taking the plunge into directing, after having long been a force in front of the camera. Her debut project for Pure Taboo, titled “Surprise Me,” immediately made waves, earning a nomination for Best Featurette at the 2025 XMAs — a considerable feat for a first-time studio director.
“I loved it!” she enthuses. “I’m used to directing my own content, but this was on a whole new level. The team was so much bigger than I’m used to, and it was amazing to create any shot I could imagine.”
Beyond the cinematography and steamy performances, one element that helped set the title apart was the underlying sexual tension she was able to portray.
“I believe the best sex comes from foreplay and anticipation,” Forde explains. “It’s not just about the act itself — it’s about the build-up, the tension. That’s what makes a scene unforgettable.”
Just as meticulous as Forde’s directorial vision is her attention to chemistry.
“When I cast, I really think about who fits the role,” she says. “If I can, I let performers choose their scene partners. Chemistry can’t be faked — it makes all the difference.”
Forde has also dipped her toes into the mainstream world, appearing in both film and a music video. It’s an exciting prospect for any performer, especially in an industry where “crossing over” has often felt out of reach.
“I think the adult industry is sick of being hidden behind red curtains and hoping that the general population will find them, and mainstream is the ultimate avenue for exposure,” Forde affirms. “However, mainstream is still quite prejudiced against the adult industry and although it’s changing, it’s a very slow change and reliant on specific directors and producers. We have a long way to go.”
She also notes that, while adult performers excel at creating authentic onscreen chemistry, mainstream acting requires a different skill set — one that even seasoned actors spend decades perfecting.
“There are actors who spend 20 years working on getting their lucky break and not achieving it,” she points out. “It’s an excellent avenue to pursue, but we should all have an alternative option to protect ourselves in the event that we either are forced or choose to leave.”
Finding Peace of Mind in a Stigmatized Industry
Despite the glamorous perception of adult work, it can be an isolating career that often costs performers their friendships, family relationships, and support systems. Sadly, Forde experienced this firsthand.
“When my friends from high school found out I was in sex work, I sat them all down and said, ‘If you have questions, talk to me. I’m safe. I’m happy. I’m healthy.’ Out of 14 people, only three stuck around. The rest never spoke to me again.”
That kind of rejection can be devastating, but Forde says she found a new family within the industry.
“Your friends become the family you choose,” she says. “There are people that are showing up for me in super-big ways. I would go to war for my girlies!”
Beyond personal relationships, adult performers also face online harassment — a brutal reality of being a public figure in a stigmatized industry.
“I make a point of personally replying to everyone who writes a troll message to me on social media,” Forde says. “It’s interesting — about 30% actually change and apologize once they realize I’m a real person.”
While she’s obviously good at standing up for herself, Forde also credits therapy and organizations like Pineapple Support for helping her navigate the emotional weight of the job.
“For me, it’s extremely important that people understand it’s okay to be having a difficult period and that they will get through it,” she shares. “Mental health is extremely important in this industry because we’re making an active decision to be a part of a minority that is never going to be accepted by everyone.”
‘Playing With Adrenaline’
Despite a recent spinal surgery, Forde has a stacked lineup of projects ahead and is more determined than ever.
“This year has been brutal,” she admits. “But I’m pushing through. I’m directing, filming, and getting stronger every day.”
Indeed, Forde’s next venture is her biggest yet: a psychological thriller that flips the script on traditional stalker narratives.
“It follows a girl who’s cripplingly shy and doesn’t stray outside of her routine,” she reveals. “She starts watching a guy in a coffee shop. She gets obsessed. She starts following him. But then… he starts following her back.”
With Casey Calvert, Nathan Bronson, Ken Fields and Vince Carter attached, the project is already turning heads. Betting big on herself, Forde is crowdfunding the film and partnering with brands for product placement.
“I love playing with adrenaline,” she says. “That fight-or-flight feeling — whether it’s your first kiss or something dangerous — it’s intoxicating. That’s what I want to capture.”
