Until very recently, I was of the ignorant assumption that all women who worked in porn were either forced into the industry or did so out of desperation. I assumed that no female in her right mind could ever enjoy working as a porn actress. I quietly believed that these women were suffering tremendously and despised every moment of their careers. Before conducting research for this article, I viewed pornography as a destructive, degrading business.
Then I discovered Céline Tran. Better known as Katsuni from her career as a world-famous porn star, Céline Tran’s story changed my perspective.
Born in Lyon, France, in 1979, Tran describes herself as a shy, reserved young girl. As a student, Tran studied political science before dropping everything to work in the porn industry. In her recently published TEDx Talk, Tran emphasizes the fact that she did not experience a rough childhood, nor was she abused or forced to begin working as a porn actress. These are common misconceptions about women and young girls who have careers in pornography. Well, maybe it’s more accurate if I say that these were my misconceptions. Tran, however, proved me wrong. In her presentation, she reiterates that she made this decision independently. And so, her journey of self-discovery began.
Oh, and Tran isn’t just any porn actress: she is real deal pornography royalty.
Through the course of her thirteen-year career, Tran became internationally acclaimed for her work. After spending the first portion of her career working in France, she decided to relocate to the United States. Tran is now known as the most successful French porn star of her generation. It is important to recognize that this talented young woman made waves in her industry. She worked hard, felt fulfillment at the end of a workday, and became wealthy because of it.
It was Céline Tran who ultimately taught me that not all women working in this field are doing so out of desperation. It was Céline Tran who taught me that it is possible to enjoy life as a porn star. She describes her journey as one of self-emancipation. Tran explains how this line of work gave her confidence and pleasure – not sexually, but spiritually. It’s necessary to recognize the benefits that this career had for her as a growing, passionate woman.
Céline Tran is a success story, no matter how you slice it. In the past, I had a tendency to immediately judge another woman simply because she worked in pornography. Negatively labeling someone you do not know based on their career choices is unjust.
Why is it that we choose to unfairly judge someone who receives great pleasure and satisfaction in their work?
Tran defines pornography as “a succession of images that combine to create a stimulation intended to bring pleasure.” It’s as simple as that. This is her line of work and rather than making assumptions about her character, we should welcome her passion and grit.
Céline Tran found comfort and embraced her expressive, artistic side as a porn star.
Of course, this is all before porn became easily accessible on the Internet and social media. Tran outlines this change in the industry as one that diminished the amount of humanity that the work contained. She ultimately left her job as a porn star and began the search for a new career path. In a recent interview with Konbini news, Tran explains that due to the changes occurring within the industry, she suddenly became unrecognizable to herself. Tran realized that she no longer recognized the environment she had worked in for so long. It was time for a renaissance.
This is where things get tricky. Because of the label society has placed on her due to her notorious past, Tran is discovering that starting from square one is far from easy. Could you imagine having to outline your porn career on your resume? Or having to explain to a potential employer what your qualified skills are based on your background? What if the man interviewing you is familiar with your work?
How does one go about recreating themselves post-porn?
Tran acknowledges that her departure from the porn industry was both liberating and incredibly challenging. That being said, this talented woman continues to tap into her potential. Tran currently works as a sexuality coach, masseuse, blogger, and even has a black-belt in martial arts! Her blog “Ma Vie De Ninja” (“My Ninja Life”, in English), contains posts about sexuality, wellness, and the enormous range of Tran’s worldly experiences. I find it so inspiring and uplifting to hear about her experiences and her struggles as a woman simply trying to make it in this world.
The initial prejudice I had towards Céline Tran and women in her line of work disappeared as I heard her story. I wanted to write this article to demonstrate that we should actively seek to erase stereotypes and judgments that we hold about others. The taboo associated with the porn industry is immense. Nevertheless, porn actors and actresses are humans as well, and we shouldn’t be so close-minded as to dismiss their worth.
If someone is happy with the decisions they make, then that should be enough. Happiness is really all that matters in the end, isn’t it?
Read also:
Feminist Porn? The Women Who Changed The Adult Industry
It’s Time To Demand Justice For Mia Khalifa
It’s Time To Address The Fetishization Of Asian Women
