What does it mean to be a “porn star”

The adult industry has lots of unique jobs, but porn star is the most well-known one. However, do you know what this career entails?

What is a porn star?

What’s it like to work as a porn star?

OnlyFans vs traditional porn stars

Keeping a competitive edge

The takeaway

Today, we’re looking at what it means to be a porn star, what it’s like to work in porn, and how to compete in this exciting industry.

Let’s dive in.

What is a porn star?

Porn star is a casual way to refer to the actors in pornographic media (aka porn films). Anyone who stars in a porn film is a porn star, and there’s no amount of films or special acts you need to perform to reach “star” status.

Some may argue that only the most famous porn actors are “porn stars”, but it’s a term that can generally be applied to anyone who appears in the films.

What’s it like to work as a porn star?

Porn stars and actors have a very different life to the average office worker. But it might not be as glamorous or orgasmic as you may expect.

Filming porn is a rigorous job that takes lots of shoots, re-shoots, and acting skills. That’s not to say making porn isn’t fun – many actors love their jobs and do find it pleasurable. However, it isn’t like the private sex most of us are having. Instead, it’s carefully calculated and larger than life to look even better on screen.

How often do porn stars work?

One of the major questions porn actors receive is, “How often do you work?”

Most UK couples only have sex once per week. Only 12% are getting down and dirty every day. It’s only natural for us to be curious about how much sex porn stars are having, and the answer is what you’d expect – porn stars are filming every day and multiple times a day.

Since porn stars get paid per shoot, they typically try to keep their calendars as booked as possible. More shoots = more stable income. So, it’s not uncommon for these talented actors to hop from scene to scene daily.

But remember, while the final cut of a porn film doesn’t mimic what goes on behind the scenes. Porn stars can take breaks between cuts and take medications or add lube as needed. It’s a physical job and can be tough on the body. Porn stars must take time for self-care to let their mind and body rest.

What does being a porn star include?

Working as a porn star looks different for each actor. Some work with agencies to book jobs. Some find work independently. Others continuously work with the same studio. There’s no right way to work in this industry, and that’s the beauty of it.

The one similarity between all porn actors is that they perform sexual acts for films or media. But those sexual acts don’t have to be the same!

As a porn star, you can specialise in a specific niche (such as BDSM, anal, or MILF). You can also focus on LGBTQ+ porn, threesomes, or other arrangements. Sometimes, you don’t even need a partner. JOI and solo-play porn are also extremely popular.

Are cam models porn stars?

Anyone can create content in the digital age. As long as you have a recording device and Wi-Fi, it’s possible to create your own porn and upload it without a studio.

Web cammers and amateur models might not have the budget and team that porn companies have. But they’re still creating porn films, so by definition are porn stars. These days, the top cam models have big budgets and as much fame as top porn actors. So, it all depends on the individual scenario. More on this below.

OnlyFans vs traditional porn stars

OnlyFans is one of the most popular platforms for adult media these days, but it offers a different working style to traditional porn. Instead of working with studios, producers, and agents, OnlyFans gives actors the power to control their image and content.

Plus, it allows one to earn jaw-dropping wages – but not everyone reaches this level. Only the top percentage of performers achieve hundreds of thousands. Whereas for career porn stars, it’s easier to achieve a steady salary (as long as you’re on top of bookings).

When you rely on OnlyFans (and similar websites), you must control your social media image. You’ll gain most of your followers from what you share online, and regularly posting can be tiring. In contrast, traditional porn stars don’t need to interact with their audience as much. Of course, they can do it (and it usually helps). But it’s not a deal breaker.

Neither path is better than the other! They each have their pros and cons, and many adult performers embrace both.

Keeping a competitive edge

Like most creative industries, adult performers need to keep a competitive edge to stand out from the crowds and maintain a steady audience.

For a porn star, this could involve delving into a niche. This means you won’t have broad appeal, but it does allow you to focus on a select audience, which can be profitable in the long term. For example, some porn stars might focus on foot fetish content or solo play.

Porn stars also tend to collaborate with other well-known performers. Making porn with another professional allows you to access each other’s audiences and potentially gain new fans. The more known your collaborator is, the better exposure you get.

As touched upon above, porn stars also tend to diversify their work. For example, alongside making porn, they might start an OnlyFans, offer live cam streams, or try phone sex. This allows admirers to see another side of them that’s not available on screen.

However, porn stars must maintain boundaries between themselves and their audience. While it’s tempting to go all-in and show as much as possible of their life to their fans, it can have detrimental effects on their mental health. Maintaining separate personal and work lives is key.

The takeaway

Being a “porn star” means different things to different people. However, we hope this overview has helped you understand this career better. The adult industry is a fast-paced place with lots of technological advancements, so make sure you stay ahead of the trends!

Learn more about sex work and pornography on our blog.