Jessica Drake

Jessica Drake

Drake at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo; January 2011
Born (1974-10-14) October 14, 1974[1]
San Antonio, Texas, United States[2]
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[3][4]
Weight 115 lb (52 kg; 8.2 st)[3]
Spouse(s) Evan Stone (2002-2004)
Brad Armstrong (2006-present)
Website jessicadrake.com
No. of adult films
  • 355 as performer
  • 14 as director
  • (per IAFD as of April 2015)[1]

Jessica Drake (born October 14, 1974)[1] is the stage name of an American pornographic actress, film director, screenwriter, sex educator, philanthropist and radio personality.[4]

Early life

Drake spent much of her early life growing up around the state of Texas in different cities including San Antonio and El Paso.[5]

Career

While majoring in psychology at a college in El Paso, Drake took a job as a house dancer at a local strip club.[5][6] Through an agency, she later applied to be feature dancer at another club nearby, and here she met adult film director Michael Raven, who was photographing a contest.[5] Raven and his wife Sydnee Steele gradually introduced her to the porn industry. Drake began by posing for magazines and appearing on Playboy TV, and was later taken to a film set, where she was the "condom and lube girl" for a scene starring Jill Kelly and Mark Davis.[5]

In 1999, she made the decision to become an adult film actress and shot her first movie, which was directed by Raven.[5] She spent two years as a contract performer for the studio Sin City until May 31, 2002 when her contract expired.[7] She gained her first AVN Award in 2001, winning "Best Tease Performance" for her role in VCA Pictures' Shayla's Web.[8] In 2003, she signed an exclusive contract with Wicked Pictures,[9] after turning down offers from other companies.[5]

In 2004, during a HIV outbreak in the industry, she stated that she had only performed with men who wore condoms,[6] although gave the opinion that "working without condoms in the industry is less dangerous than going home with someone who you just met randomly in a bar."[10]

Her performance in Fluff and Fold, a romantic comedy set around a laundromat,[11] earned her the 2005 AVN Award for Best Actress, Video and the 2005 XRCO Award for Single Performance, Actress.[12][13] Along with comedian Jim Norton, Drake was chosen to co-host the 2007 AVN Awards,[14] and stated "this is probably the greatest thing that ever happened to me."[15] At the awards, she won Best Actress, Film for her role in Manhunters, for which Drake trained as a bounty hunter during pre-production.[16] Her directorial debut came in the 2008 film What Girls Like, having gained previous experience working as Brad Armstrong’s assistant director on titles such as 2007's Coming Home.[17][18]

She began writing screenplays during her tenure with Sin City,[5] and has since penned films including Dating 101, Love Always and Just Between Us.[17] In January 2009, she won her third Best Actress AVN Award, this time for her performance in Fallen,[19] which she has described as "the best movie I have ever been in."[20] In the film, she plays an angel trapped on Earth after the death of a woman she was sent to protect.[2] Around the time of the awards, she suffered a stress fracture to her left foot.[21]

With porn actress Kayden Kross, Drake co-hosted the 2009 XRCO Awards,[22] at which her role in Fallen won the award for "Single Performance, Actress."[23] She and Sunny Leone co-hosted the F.A.M.E. Awards in July 2010.[24] Drake was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2010 and the XRCO Hall of Fame in 2011.[25] Jessica Drake's Guide to Wicked Sex: Anal Edition (Wicked Pictures) was named "Specialty Release of the Year" at the 2012 XBIZ Awards.[26]

Appearances

Her name is often spelled "jessica drake" (all lower case). Drake's story as to how this came about was she was signing autographs at a convention about three months after starting in the adult business using "Jessica Drake" (proper case) but she was unhappy with how it looked. After the convention, she experimented with various ways of signing and settled on the lower case version of her name.[27]

Drake has appeared in several television shows. She appeared in one episode of the short-lived TV series The Money $hot,[28] and the pilot episode of Skin.[29] She made an appearance, along with her former husband Evan Stone, in the HBO special Pornucopia: Going Down in the Valley.[28] The pair appeared in an episode titled Love and/or Sex which pertained to couples working in the adult entertainment business.[30] In November 2007, Drake was among several porn actors to be guests on The Tyra Banks Show episode, "A Day in the Life of a Porn Star."[31] In 2008, Drake, Kaylani Lei, and Mikayla Mendez shot a scene for the mainstream comedy movie, Barry Munday, in which they played themselves as judges in an air-guitar contest.[32] Drake appears in the music video for the 2010 single "Telephone" by Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé.[33]

In 2014, Drake was on CNBC's list of "The Dirty Dozen: Porn's Most Popular Stars".[34] Later in the year a documentary series began airing on The Movie Network and Movie Central titled Love, Jessica. The first season of the series is ten 30-minute episodes. The show is produced by executive producer Richard Arnold, producer Lynnette Lanning, and director Kai Soremekun, the creators of The Right Hand at EWL Media.[35]

Jessica Drake and her husband Brad Armstrong in 2006

Drake, along with her husband actor Brad Armstrong, were featured in a 2014 story in Cosmopolitan magazine about costume design in adult films.[36] The magazine website's style editor, Charles Manning, interviewed the couple regarding their approach to costume design for productions where the actors are or end up nude for significant amounts of the scenes.[37]

Charity

Drake is affiliated with an organization that focuses on building homes and providing clean water to people in poverty-stricken and remote areas. She has performed charity work in Cambodia, Kenya and Tanzania. In 2012, Drake formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit to assist in domestic efforts. This is separate from her role in the adult industry and the "jessica drake" brand, since she does not want anyone to believe that she volunteers her time as part of a public relations campaign. Her charity work is done anonymously.[38]

Sex educator

Noting a demand for modern sex education,[39] Jessica Drake and Wicked Pictures launched Jessica Drake’s Guide to Wicked Sex, an informative series of erotic educational films. The first DVD in the line, Jessica Drake’s Guide to Wicked Sex: Fellatio, was honored with the 2012 award for Best Educational Release by AVN Media.[40] The series has been profiled on women’s lifestyle sites like XOJane.com.[41] In 2014 Drake added a video to the series that addressed a segment that she said was under represented, plus size. In collaboration with BBW performer Kelly Shibari, they released Jessica Drake’s Guide to Wicked Sex: Plus Size.[42]

"Guide to Wicked Sex" was also a weekly segment on Jessica's popular Playboy Radio show, "IN BED with jessica drake."[43]

Jessica teaches sex education seminars and workshops around the world, including addressing a class of licensed therapists at UCLA on May 3, 2012[44] and speaking on a panel at CatalystCon West sexuality conference.[45]

In February 2014, Drake spoke on a panel with fellow actress Tasha Reign during the University of Chicago's Sex Week where they were featured on a panel entitled Jessica Drake: From Porn to Sex Ed.[46]

Again in February, Drake along with fellow actress Tasha Reign spoke on a panel titled Porn, Prostitution, and Censorship: The Politics of Empowerment at Moore Hall at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).[47] The annual panel is sponsored by the Social Awareness Network for Activism through Art (SANAA) in honor of Eve Ensler’s V-Day Organization. Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues is an annual presentation on women’s issues.[47] Also on the panel were Ph.D. candidate in Cinema and Media Studies at UCLA and lecturer at Otis College of Art and Design Jennifer Moorman and UCLA Distinguished Lecturer Dr. Christopher Mott who leads a seminar titled "Pornography and the Politics of Sexual Representation." Panel coordinator Alec Moore said, "We are extremely thrilled to have Tasha Reign and Jessica Drake on board for our panel." "As a sex industry insider, and a Bruin, Tasha can provide us a unique perspective from her own epistemological standpoint, lending us her valuable insight into the politics of sexual representation." Reign is an alumna of UCLA.[47][48]

Advocacy

In April 2014, Drake was part of discussion panel at the USC School of Cinematic Arts titled "The Piracy of Sex." The event featured Drake and copyright enforcement activist Nate Glass and was hosted by David Lerner, Ph.D.[49]

Personal life

In 2002, Drake married fellow porn actor Evan Stone, but they later divorced in 2004.[5] As of 2009, she was living with Wicked director and performer Brad Armstrong, her partner for six years.[2][50] She has stated that she wishes to keep her personal relationships out of the spotlight.[5]

Drake is a pescatarian and stated in a 2014 interview that she only eats fish and had not eaten meat in over three years.[51] She identifies as bisexual.[52] She has six tattoos.[53] Her brother and father were more supportive of her career choice than her mother.[54]

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Jessica Drake". IAFD. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 Borgus Weems (September 7, 2009). "Profile: jessica drake Shatters Stereotypes". AVN.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  3. 1 2 Christina (April 18, 2012). "Interview with jessica drake". AIPdaily. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Christina (March 8, 2013). "Interview with jessica drake". AIPdaily. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Big D (August 7, 2006). "Inside the Porn Studio: Inside jessica drake". XRentDVD. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  6. 1 2 Nick Madigan (April 17, 2004). "H.I.V. Cases Shut Down Pornography Film Industry". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 25, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  7. ↑ Eric Black (August 2002). "Jessica Drake Leaves Sin City, Marries Evan Stone". AVN. Archived from the original on December 22, 2002. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  8. 1 2 "AVN Awards past Winners". AVN Awards. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
  9. ↑ "AVN - Exclusive: Complete 2008 eLINE Award Winners from Venus Berlin". Business.avn.com. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  10. ↑ Nick Madigan (April 25, 2004). "Sex Videos On Pause, And Idled Actors Fret". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  11. ↑ Heidi Pike-Johnson (August 1, 2004). "Fluff and Fold". AVN.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  12. 1 2 3 Jared Rutter (January 9, 2005). "The 22nd Annual AVN Awards: A Jenna Jameson Kinda Night". AVN. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  13. 1 2 "XRCO". XRCO.com. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  14. ↑ Bob Preston (January 15, 2007). "'Manhunters,' 'Corruption' Big Winners at 2007 AVN Awards". XBiz.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Jessica Drake Named Host of 2007 AVN Awards". AVN.com. September 1, 2006. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  16. ↑ David Sullivan (December 22, 2006). "Best Film Nominees Discuss Upcoming Awards". AVN.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  17. 1 2 Steve Javors (May 8, 2008). "Jessica Drake Makes Directorial Debut". XBiz.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  18. ↑ Nelson X (May 5, 2008). "Jessica Drake Makes Directorial Debut for Wicked". AVN.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  19. 1 2 3 David Sullivan (January 11, 2009). "2009 AVN Award-Winners Announced". AVN.com. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  20. ↑ Jared Rutter (January 11, 2009). "AVN Adult Movie Awards: Blow By Blow". AVN.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  21. ↑ Mark Kernes (February 18, 2009). "AVN's Best Actor, Best Actress Sidelined By Medical Problems". AVN.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  22. ↑ Tod Hunter (April 17, 2009). "XRCO Winners Announced". XBiz.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  23. 1 2 "2009 XRCO Award Winners Announced". AVN. February 26, 2009.
  24. ↑ "The F.A.M.E. Awards Reveals 2010 Winners". AVN.com. July 10, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
  25. 1 2 "2010 Nominees". AVN.com. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  26. ↑ "2012 XBIZ Award Winners Announced". XBIZ.com. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  27. ↑ Cindi Loftus (June 2007). "jessica drake". Xcitement magazine. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  28. 1 2 Jessica Drake at the Internet Movie Database
  29. ↑ Jessica Drake appearances
  30. ↑ Pornucopia episode listing
  31. ↑ John Stuart (November 29, 2006). "Jessica Drake, Savanna Samson to Headline 'Tyra Banks Show'". XBiz.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  32. ↑ David Sullivan (May 15, 2008). "Wicked Girls Wrap Mainstream Film 'Barry Munday'". AVN.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  33. ↑ "jessica drake, Alektra Blue Imprison Lady Gaga and Beyonce". AVN.com. March 12, 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  34. ↑ Chris Morris (January 13, 2014). "The Dirty Dozen 2014". CNBC. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  35. ↑ Staff. "The Movie Network, Movie Central Air 'Love, Jessica' Docu-series". Adult Video News. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  36. ↑ Manning, Charles. "Meet a Couple Who Designs Costumes for Adult Films". Cosmopolitan.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  37. ↑ Staff. "Cosmo Talks Costume Design with Drake, Armstrong Mag looks at porn power couple who also design the costumes for their movies". Adult Video News. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  38. ↑ Roberts, Darren (2012). The Unsexpected Story: The Real Story about the Billion Dollar Adult Entertainment Business. Clearly Confused Inc. p. 81. ISBN 9780985403201.
  39. ↑ "Talkin’ Sex With jessica drake". CraveOnline. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  40. ↑ "AVN Announces the 2012 AVN Award Winners". AVN. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  41. ↑ "EVERYBODY EATS THE CAKE: MY DAY ON AN LA PORN SET". XOJane. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  42. ↑ Shaulis, Sherri. "On the Set for 'Jessica Drake's Guide to Wicked Sex: Plus-Size'". AVN.com. Adult Video News. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Jessica Drake Brings Sex Education to Playboy Radio". AVN. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  44. ↑ "Jessica Drake Addresses UCLA Class of Licensed Therapists". AVN. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Jessica Drake Joins CatalystCon Sex-Ed Panel". AVN. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  46. ↑ Bickard, Scott. "University Of Chicago To Host Second Annual Sex Week Feb.8 - Feb. 16: Top Five Workshops To Attend". University Herald. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  47. 1 2 3 Staff. "Jessica Drake, Tasha Reign to Speak Feb. 18 on UCLA Panel". Adult Video News. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  48. ↑ Kernes, Mark. "Porn Stars and Academics Talk Sex at UCLA Forum". Adult Video News. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  49. ↑ Kernes, Mark. "Join Jessica Drake & Nate Glass for 'The Piracy of Sex' at USC". AVN.com. Adult Video News. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  50. ↑ Jared Rutter (September 30, 2008). "Wicked Releases ‘Fallen,’ Brad Armstrong’s No. 100". AVN.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  51. ↑ Bartholet, James. "AVN Live Profile: Jessica Drake". Adult Video News. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  52. ↑ "Jessica Drake – Golden Girl". Xtrememagazine.com. July 14, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  53. ↑ "jessica drake on Twitter: "@FRIDEATH I have 6 other tattoos."". Twitter.com. 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  54. ↑ http://www.vox.com/a/porn/jessica-drake
  55. ↑ Steve Javors (October 14, 2009). "NightMoves Announces Awards Winners". XBiz.com. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  56. ↑ "2006 Eroticline Prizewinners" (PDF). venus-berlin.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 24, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  57. ↑ "EroticLine-Awards 2006–Die Gewinner". German Adult News. Archived from the original on January 5, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2007.
  58. 1 2 "2007 AVN Award Winners Announced". AVN. January 16, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2007.
  59. ↑ David Sullivan (October 22, 2008). "Exclusive: Complete 2008 eLINE Award Winners from Venus Berlin". AVN.com. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  60. ↑ "Past Winner History". NightMoves Online. 2013-12-28. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  61. 1 2 "Past Winner History". Nightmovesusa.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  62. ↑ "2010 AVN Award Winners Announced". AVN.com. January 10, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  63. ↑ Peter Warren (February 22, 2011). "XRCO Announces 2011 Nominations". AVN.com. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  64. ↑ "Winners Announced at Inaugural Sex Awards in Hollywood". AVN. October 9, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  65. ↑ "AVN - AVN Announces the Winners of the 2014 AVN Awards". Business.avn.com. January 21, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  66. ↑ Dan Miller (January 16, 2015). "2015 XBIZ Award Winners Announced". XBIZ. Retrieved January 16, 2015.

Notes

External links

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