MY INTERVIEW WITH ASA AKIRA!!

Over the years, I’ve developed friendships with many adult actresses, whether it be through Van, the odd junction between Streetwear and job, or simply because to be able to say something like that – well, it’s not as rare as it once was.  Nowadays, mega stars are literally the girls next door and hardly live up to the preconceived stereotype of abused, fatherless, drug addicts.  Instead, they can be well-educated, career-minded, and have healthy relationships with their dads.  In an era where celebrities are made off job tapes, social media has smeared the line between selfie and self-objectification, and hardcore mega stars like Sasha Grey can handily transition into mainstream Hollywood, the stigma of being in adult just doesn’t bear the same scent.  Plus, my sweet star friends are some of the coolest, strongest, most resourceful people I know.  Maybe it’s the nurture of the practice or the nature of the performer, but their confidence and fierce independence are hard to match.  Also, boobs (JK).

I remember when Giant Robot issue 14 came out probably more than a decade ago now, and Eric interviewed Asian megastar pioneer Asia Carrera for the magazine.  At the time, that was a pretty big deal. First, to read an objective journalistic approach to an adult industry professional.  But also to see Asia as a MENSA-minded Rutgers graduate, breaking all sorts of socially constructed boundaries fencing in Asian-Americans.  It humanized her and gave my people new dimension.  Also, BOOBS. JK.

Asa Akira is a popular Asian-American mega star in the industry today, for those of you pretending like you don’t know who she is.  And like Asia, she is also affecting how the world understands Asian-American women.  As Dave Choe’s co-host on the DVDASA podcast, Asa has had just as much reach with her clothes on than any filmed gangbang could achieve.  Her latest endeavor is Insatiable: A Love Story, a collection of true short stories from her 28 years as a nice icon.

Asa came by The Hundreds Homebase last week to catch up.  We toured the landscape from mega-addled childhood to Streetwear dudes and their daddy issues…