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There are some dangers and problems in the porn industry currently and if you are not aware of them, you are very prone to fall victim to them. This list is not meant to scare you, just to inform you so you can make an educated decision as to whether this industry is something you can handle.

Along with the problems and dangers, there are many great things about the porn industry. It can be very lucrative for some. It can be a lot of fun as well and it can definitely allow you to express and explore your sexuality. As a porn performer you will meet and network with lots of nice, good and interesting people.

The porn industry can be a good place to work while you figure out what else you want to do with your life. Many people start as performers but later find their way into other areas of the industry behind the scenes and sometimes to into industries outside of the porn world entirely.

Here is a list of dangers and problems in the industry, simply so that you are aware.

Con-Artists pretending to be Managers, Agents & Agencies	There are many people claiming to be pornstar managers and agents (who are not) that advertise on adult industry job boards every day. MANY of these evil con artists have the goal of getting you in DEBT to them & ripping you off by taking more than 10% to 15% of your pay. Do your research on ANYONE you work with before you actively begin working with them. Please read my "Taking the Agency route" section of this site for more details.
Prostitution ring leaders and pimps	The porn industry is full of both small time and incredibly successful illegal prostitution ring leaders and pimps (male and female). The only place in the United States where it is legal to work as a prostitute is in Nevada brothels (such as The Bunny Ranch). I suggest if you're interested in working in the "private" world of adult entertainment, you read up on the technicalities of being a legal escort (and I suggest you remain independent if this is the path you choose). Now I will say that some legal escort services, illegal prostitution ring leaders and "pimps" are excellent business men/women, run their businesses "ethically", and only work with adult talent that has a CLEAR MINDSET as to the nature of private adult entertainment. However others are not, and may be very dangerous. Just like the "con-artists pretending to be agents" many pimps may be violently dangerous and may use unscrupulous tactics to lure in unsuspecting women. Some of the more dangerous pimps and prostitution ring leaders will use mind control, drugs, psychological intimidation, physical intimidation, psychological abuse and physical abuse techniques. Young women who are runaways, who have been abused as children/teens (sexually, emotionally or physically) and/or who have low self esteem are prime targets. Once you fall in with the more dangerous illegal prostitution rings or pimps, it can be VERY DIFFICULT to leave. Some women never are able to leave the illegal prostitution lifestyle, and wind up dead or so damaged that they can no longer function in the regular world. Please check my "Vital Porn Shoot Travel Info & Tips" section for additional information and tips.
Abusive Boyfriends	Again, young women who are runaways, who have been abused as children/teens (sexually, emotionally or physically) and/or who have low self esteem are prime targets for abusive boyfriends. Women in porn often attract these men, and these men often TARGET women in porn. Why? Because typically women who work in the adult entertainment industry are more forgiving of and accepting of an abusive man than women in other industries. Women in the adult entertainment world also typically have less of a support system outside of the relationship than other women. Abusive boyfriends usually are very "nice", "sweet", "charming" and "charismatic" guys when you initially meet them, but later they turn physically, emotionally and/or psychologically abusive. A good number of PORN INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS (both in front of and behind the camera) become abusive boyfriends so BE CAREFUL DATING ANYONE IN OR OUTSIDE OF THE ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS if you become a porn performer. Many male porn industry professionals in fact are in the business for the SOLE REASON of hurting and abusing women (I have met and could easily name quite a few). If you're unsure as to whether or not to date a porn industry professional (or anyone for that matter), do your research online (just Google their name, you'll be surprised as to how helpful Google.com can be), do a background check and/or simply ask your peers about the person. If a man has been abusive to someone in the past, most likely he will be towards you as well. Abusers rarely can break their pattern. Abusive boyfriends are often sociopaths and breaking up with a sociopath is often more difficult for the victim themselves than the abuser.
The "Casting Couch"	It is NOT REQUIRED for you to perform ANY sexual acts at all on a go see or audition. If someone tells you otherwise they are NOT someone that you need to work with. The only person (or people) on a porn set that you are required to have sex with are the people you are performing on camera with.
Development of Low Self Esteem	Not all, but many women who get into porn already have low self esteem to begin with due to an abusive childhood or for other reasons. Unfortunately becoming a porn performer in some cases can lower a woman's self esteem even further than before she got in the business. It is very important that you maintain a "regular life" outside of the porn industry (including friends outside of the porn industry) to aid in keeping your confidence up. Maintain interests, hobbies and set realistic goals that you consistently work on achieving! If you find that you are beginning to feel worse about yourself after entering in porn, than you did prior to entering porn, then porn is not for you.
Development of a Negative Self Image	Again, not all, but many women who get into porn already have a negative self image to begin with due to an abusive childhood, boyfriend or for other reasons. Unfortunately becoming a porn performer in some cases can lead to a woman feeling even more negative about her physical appearance than before she got in the business. Please read the "Where will your Look Fit In" section of this website. It is very important that you are at least somewhat confident in your appearance before you get into porn because there are MANY people in the porn industry who's goal is to BREAK YOU DOWN by any means necessary in order to BREAK YOUR CONFIDENCE in order to persuade you to do things that you normally wouldn't be comfortable with or consider in an effort to control and manipulate you.
Development of Health Problems	Please read "Health Issues and STDs" section of this site.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse & Addiction	Drug & alcohol addiction is porn is very common in the porn industry due to many women using the drugs and alcohol to numb themselves, because they don't want to or have trouble facing the reality of what they do for a living. Only do in porn what you are comfortable doing. If you find yourself unable to work in the porn industry sober, then it's time to move on to another occupation.
Lack of roles for African-American performers.	Though times are changing and both the ethnic and interracial porn markets are expanding, there are still currently not nearly as many roles for African-American performers as there are for people of other ethnicities. (The same, however can be said for the mainstream entertainment world as well). I am not aware of any African-American contract stars (aside from Heather Hunter around a decade ago) to date - if there are any, please email me their names. I sincerely hope that being that we now have an African-American president, some major porn studios will add some African-American stars to their rosters. The lack of ethnic contract stars has become GLARINGLY obvious, and says quite a bit about the mentality of studios which regularly sign, market and promote the Contract Stars of whome become the porn industry's icons.
Many African-American performers receiving below standard-rate pay for porn scenes.	Some studios are wonderful and give equal pay to performers of all ethnic backgrounds. However others DO NOT. Adult industry male talent, Justin Long wrote a very thorough op/ed in regards to this matter on LukeIsBack.com In order for many African-American men and women to work regularly in porn, they are almost forced to agree to receiving a substantially lower amount of money per scene than their Caucasian, Latin and Asian counterparts. This trend needs to end.