The photographs in the book were taken at the 2006 and 2007 annual Adult Entertainment Expo, held in Las Vegas, giving an unfiltered look at the adult celebrities and personalities gathered for the show.
“It’s been really positive,” Grecco told XBIZ of the response from mainstream consumers. “It’s been fun and people love it — it’s a great mix of good photos and words.”
In attendance at the book signing; rocker Dave Navarro, who penned a foreword for the book and author Lonn Friend, who co-wrote the introduction.
A golden bust of Elvis overlooked the counter where several starlets featured in the photos signed for a steady stream of book buyers including Wicked Picture contract stars Jessica Drake, Carmen Hart and Kristen Price.
Mohawked and tattooed actress Michelle Aston was wearing a copper and silver-colored latex design by Tressa Williams of Fierce Couture, who also designed a special corset-like cover for the “Naked Ambition” deluxe edition — retailing for $250.
In the book, Aston’s tattoo was color-enhanced with make-up. But, as with the other portraits, all of the subjects pictured were left untouched.
When asked how the performers were reacting to their photos, Grecco said, “Most of them dug it. We didn’t do any retouching. From an artistic standpoint, we kept it as a social document, so we weren’t retouching pictures. They shouldn’t look like commercial photographs. A couple of girls picked it up and went, ‘Hmmmm, I’m not retouched here.’ We definitely wanted that approach because we didn’t want it to look like a video box cover.”
Also on hand for the signing was classic star Randy West, and starlets Alektra Blue and Nautica Thorn.
Thorn was overheard telling West that her mom knew of him from his films.
“Well, your mom was probably primetime, back when I was primetime,” West replied, jokingly.
Producer/director Max Hardcore was there to sign as well, accompanied by starlet Layla; the pair was photographed together in the book.
Grecco said that he has also been working on a deal for a film documentary based on the making of the book. The movie followed him throughout the 2006 expo, as well as following the experiences of starlets Nautica Thorn, Joanna Angel and Déjà Vu contract performer Sunny Lane at the show.
He added also that he is hoping to have a booth at this year’s AEE where fans can purchase “Naked Ambition,” and then take it around the show floor to collect autographs of their favorite stars.
Beyond that, Grecco said his next project may capture an insider’s view of another type of entertainment media.
“I think the next one will be on politics,” Grecco said, trading the adult convention floor for the political one. “Absolutely, there are a lot of similarities.”
