411 Movies Interview: Belladonna

Posted by Tony Farinella on 01.10.2009

411's Tony Farinella sits down with Belladonna for an exclusive interview about the AVN Awards show, which is this Saturday at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Check out the full interview for all the details!

Beladonna is one of the hosts of the 2009 AVN Awards at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV. The event will take place this Saturday, and it will feature some of the biggest names in the adult entertainment industry. Belladonna knows what it feels like to win an award at this prestigious event, and she is looking forward to getting up on that stage and representing her industry. In my interview with Belladonna, we talked about her career, her family, the AVN Awards, and a whole lot more. For more information and reservations, visit the web site at www.mandalaybay.com, or call toll free at [phone].


TONY: As one of the hosts of this show, what exactly are you going to be doing?

Belladonna: My role, as a host, is to represent my industry the best I can, through my presence on stage, through the gown that I'm wearing, and really show the girls out there that are new what it's all about. With AVN, they told me that the reason why they choose certain girls is because of their presence on stage. So that was a really flattering thing to know that they thought of me. I'm excited, because I get to be up there and that's something that I think a lot of girls look forward to in their career. And I've been in this industry for almost ten years now, and to be able to host AVN is a really big deal and I'm very excited.

TONY: If someone hasn't seen the show before, how would you describe it?

Belladonna: I would call it an over-sized party with entertainment and people who are very comfortable in their skin and very willing to let loose and just kick back and have a good time. It's really great, if you're a fan of this industry, to just be in the room with every single person who works in our industry. I'm sure there are a few who aren't there, but, really, everyone comes out for this one. This is the biggest one of the year. It's just like walking into a big party. You're in Las Vegas; that already sets the tone. You get into this huge convention center at Mandalay Bay, and it's overwhelming but it's so exciting. You just have some drinks with your friends, talk at the table, the show starts, you have comedy, you have music, and you have all kinds of different skits that they've made throughout the year. You're excited to see who wins and what they're wearing. It's just fun. It's a blast. If you haven't experienced it yet, you should. And it's great that it's open to the public. It hasn't been like that for many years. So if you ever want to experience an awards show, this would be the one.

TONY: What has it been like watching this event grow over the past couple of years?

Belladonna: It's exciting. When I started coming, it was probably around 2000, so it's been almost ten years. It was a big deal every time for me, because that was the first time I'd ever seen it. Now, when we got into Mandalay Bay, it was like this is serious. Now it's on Showtime. This is the ultimate awards show for our industry. So it's been nice and interesting to see it grow like that, and I hope that it continues to grow and that more people come out and join us for it.

TONY: It seems like with this event, people are starting to become more outspoken about their love of adult films and it's not as taboo anymore. What's changed?

Belladonna: The Internet has a lot to do with it, with Myspace and all these social places for people to contact porn stars now. You have that, and then you just have a lot of girls and guys who are just really motivated and driven in this industry now. So they're really getting out there and doing all sorts of things that have nothing to do with our industry and really bringing a lot of attention to it. I think all of that helps. And then maybe people are realizing that it's sex but it's a job, it's a career, people take it seriously and they're not all crazy. Maybe they started to realize that, I don't know for sure, but I think it's great.

TONY: What does it mean to win an award at this event? How would you describe it?

Belladonna: Nerve-wracking, exciting. It feels good to be appreciated for all the hard work you do all year long, and I think anyone can say that. Being nominated is a great thing and that's just as good as getting an award, but, man, you work your butt off all year long and to have someone notice that and give you some kind of reward for it, it feels awesome. And I think a lot of people in the industry really pay attention to this awards show. There's a couple other ones, but this is the main one that everyone makes it to, and it's a big deal for everyone in the industry. They get to higher their rates if they get an award for certain things. And that goes on your box cover if you want something or everyone talks about it. So it's a huge deal.


TONY: A lot of people talk about your individuality and how you have a very unique appearance. How have you stayed true to yourself in this industry?

Belladonna: I really never make it a point to do anything on purpose. I think I've just always done what I wanted to do and never cared if people liked it or not. When I first started, a lot of people didn't really want to shoot me. Or they'd shoot me but they'd try to hide every tattoo on me or all this other stuff. That kind of hurt at first but then I realized if people are attracted to me outside of porn, why wouldn't they be attracted to me in porn? So I just kept that in my mind and did what I wanted to do. And a lot of girls are afraid to just do what they want to do, because they think, 'Oh my god, no one's going to like it. I have to look a certain way for people to hire me.' And I think that's not really the way you should go about things.

TONY: It seems like a lot of people go through different levels of success in this industry. They might start out like gangbusters but then they sort of tamper off. How have you survived and thrived in this industry?

Belladonna: It's funny, because I really believe I just am a lucky person. I really was lucky to find a great business partner who has only made me more successful just as a personal growth and that goes into my business. But I also think that having a boundless vision, like nothing is going to stop you. You're unstoppable and whatever you want, you can have it. And to have that kind of attitude, I think, really sets the tone for your life in general and your career. I don't know, maybe that's why, but I feel very grateful.

TONY: I read a very interesting interview that you did for The Salt Lake City Weekly and you talked a little bit about your family history and how you have discovered a lot of information about your family over the past couple of years. Are you still haunted at all by your past?

Belladonna: I would say I have moments, for sure. It doesn't haunt me throughout the entire day, but there's definitely days where I'm having a tough time. It could be three days, whatever. Things bother me. But I think what's great about it is talking about it and not just internalizing it and really finding out why you feel that way still or even talking to the person that made you feel that way. I just recently visited my entire family for Christmas, and I had this great idea to interview them all on tape and really get to know them or just talk to them about things that I wondered. And that was great.

TONY: If someone is going through the same thing that you went through, what's the best advice you can give them on how to handle it?

Belladonna: I just think my advice for people is to really be aware of how you're feeling and to not hide it and to talk about it. Even if it's with your spouse, write it down and get it out, because you can really learn a lot by talking about it. Just being honest, I think, has a lot to do with it and not worrying about judgment. If somebody loves you, they're going to love you, no matter what, and that should be the attitude that everyone has. I hear a lot of girls and guys in the industry who are afraid of what their families are going to think or are already hating them for what they do or making them feel terrible. Regardless of what you're doing, I'm sure that happens in a lot of families. If you love somebody, you're still going to have an opinion on what their life is like, but it's their life, and if you love them, no matter what, then you should support them.

TONY: For you, personally, outside of the financial reward, what do you get out of the industry?

Belladonna: I'm the type of person where I get really bored very easily, so what I love about my job is it's always different, it's always changing and I'm always around different people. I can go out on a different location if I want to be inspired, I can go on trips, I get to travel, and I get to meet thousands of different people from all different parts of the world. One year, I stopped dancing, and the next year, I'd go dance again because I got excited to do it again, and I love that I have that much control over what's going on in my life. I love the freedom. I love being able to not be the stereotype and really show people that you can be a good person and do this job. Yes, you have your ups and downs and you have your shitty days and you have the days where you hate what you do, but you're still thriving as a person.


TONY: Do you think we'll ever see a day where a mainstream adult film finds its way into theaters?

Belladonna: That's hard to say. I would like to say yes, but I feel like America is so far behind when it comes to sex. Not only America but Australia as well. I'm sure many other countries are a lot worse, but Europe is the place I think that would happen. Maybe it already does happen there. But I would love to see that happen. And I would say yes, I do see that happening one day, because I would love to have that.

TONY: I'm sure you're tired of answering this question, but as far as your ABC interview, looking back on it, do you find it a blessing or a curse?

Belladonna: Now, today, I would say it's a blessing. Before, when I first saw it, I was so embarrassed and so hurt and so disappointed. A lot of people call me naive, but, in my mind, yeah I guess you could call it naive, but I had a lot of faith in people. And it sucks to have to go throughout your life and really start to change that view. And, still, to this day, I'm having to realize that people are not as good as I thought they were. Because I want to be that good for people and I am that good for people, and why wouldn't anyone else do that? But the reality of the world is that people are not fucking like that. And to sucks to have to have your image of people crushed. It happens so often now. I'm going to give them a chance and give them the benefit of the doubt, because everyone deserves that. And then they just crush all that right there in your face. But, anyway, I really don't know where my career would have gone without ABC. Even though I hated it at the time, I really am thankful for having that. People are always like, 'I'm so glad I got to see you on that because I became a fan.' So, yeah, it's a blessing.

TONY: Is it ever hard to separate yourself from what you do?

Belladonna: There's times where I've gone through periods of, after having my daughter, I just didn't really feel the same about it. I didn't really want to have that much sex with other people. I really had this overwhelming feeling like I need to protect myself, I need to be nurturing and not giving myself away to so many people. I went through those periods and I dealt with them and I stopped performing as much, but I've gotten back up to where I just desire so much more again. I want to be in there. I think that must be just a natural feeling that people get. I mean, women, maybe, because they're the mothering beings.

TONY: How much of what you do for a living does your daughter understand?

Belladonna: Well, she knows that we make movies. I think that's really all she knows. At this point, she's still very young, but I think around five or six is when she's gonna start to be like, 'So, what kind of movies do you make?' But I'm not afraid. I have a younger sister, and she was curious, and we talked about it. I didn't tell her details of what I did, but I told her I make movies that only adults are allowed to watch and that's it. And she didn't really ask anymore questions.

TONY: What has it been like coming to terms with what you do for a living and not being embarrassed to tell other people about it?

Belladonna: It feels great. It really does. I used to be nervous, especially after having a daughter. It didn't really bother me as much before, but when I got pregnant, I was like, 'Are there going to be people out there that aren't going to want to let their kids play with my kid because they have this image in their head of what a porn star would be?' But I realized that I shouldn't assume that other people aren't accepting of what I do, because I was wrong. I went to a birthday party for one of my daughter's best friends and their parents were exactly the opposite of what I thought they were going to be. So I said, 'Maybe I'm the one who should stop thinking that way.' But I've been lucky. People have been really accepting and really kind to me. And maybe that is because of my honestly and openness, I don't know.

TONY: Finally, what are your plans for the future?

Belladonna: Currently, I just finished Dark Meat 3, which is just another one of my gonzo movies. Now, next month, we're going to Big Bear. We're taking a big group of girls for an all-girl movie and it's going to be like Cabin Fever and this is something very different for us. We've never taken a group of girls up to a cabin in the mountains that's done all these cool activities. So that's exciting. I also am shooting a horror movie outside of the industry, which I'm really excited about, because I've really gotten into acting lately and it's nice to do something different all the time. No Warning 4, another girl movie of mine that I just finished. It's really intense, hardcore girl-girl stuff. Going to write my autobiography this year, so I'm really excited about that. You don't want to give yourself too many things because then you get overwhelmed with that list. But, yeah, that's it.

TONY: Thank you so much for your time. It was great talking to you.

Belladonna: Thank you. Have a great day.