Adult film star checks in for the AVN Awards
Asa Akira
The idea of entering the adult entertainment industry first appealed to Asa Akira when she was barely legal herself, but she didn’t expect to become one of its top Asian-American stars. Only four years after first appearing at the Adult Entertainment Expo, she’s been asked to co-host the Adult Video News Awards alongside blond bombshell Jesse Jane. Nominated in more than a dozen categories herself, the hard-working actress took time between shoots to discuss with Las Vegas Magazine’s Matt Kelemen just what AVN has meant to her career.
Q: The 30th anniversary of AVN is coming up and you are the co-host. It’s kind of a prestigious year to be hosting.
A: It absolutely is. I think any year hosting AVN is an honor. I remember the first year I got in the business, Jenna Haze was hosting with Belladonna. I remember thinking, “Wow, that’s so cool!”
Q: Hasn’t Jesse Jane hosted before?
A: Yes, this is her second time, which is comforting for me.
Q: How long did it take between the time you entered the business and became aware of the annual awards show?
A: I started in 2008. My first show, I wasn’t nominated for anything. But I did go, and I was signing for Red Light District (at the Expo). I got nominated for Best New Starlet the next year, in 2010. I was nominated for Best Actress, Best New Starlet and for a few scenes. I didn’t win anything that year; 2011 was when I started winning things.
Q: How did AVN and AEE change your perspective of your audience?
A: Everyone’s very respectful. To be honest, I didn’t really have any kind of expectations. It’s just something I didn’t even think about until I went, and then I met all of these fans. I always say, “AVN is a good gauge of where you’re at in your career.” You see how the lines get a little bit longer every year, and your fan base (has) grown. People bring box covers that are specifically yours; they bring things for you to sign. I just think that’s awesome. It’s like you check in and see how you’re doing.
Q: What about this catfight with Sunny Lane that you posted about on Twitter?
A: Oh, it’s not true! (laughs) Sunny Lane is making her comeback film for Mile High Media. It’s her first movie back since she retired. But we had a scene in which we are strippers and we have a catfight. We thought it would be funny to Twitter it. It was just a dialogue scene; there was no sex… But the scene turned out pretty hot! I think it’s pretty believable.
Q: Are there nominations for Best Catfight at AVN?
A: We were saying the same thing! If there were a category, we’d have a good chance.
