The Amazing Ms. James

For the most part, stars in this industry lack staying power. We can debate why this happens, although it happens in the movie business in general, and also places the music industry and professional sports. When you meet a famous person — in however grand of a way you define that for the circumstance — it can be a wonderful experience. Ten years in, Kenna James is still riding that wave, and few people deserve it more.

Ms. James, Kenna James

Ten years after launching her career on the cover of Penthouse Magazine, Kenna James has a lot to celebrate. In commemoration of her 10^th year in the industry, we sat down with the ‘16 Pet of the Year to talk career, co-stars, and what it’s like on top.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since you first appeared on the cover of Penthouse’s February ‘15 issue. How did your journey into adult begin? How did you decide that the adult industry was the right place for you?

Ms. James: So funny enough, I was actually camming when I first heard about the industry, I always knew it was there obviously, but I never really considered it a viable option until an agent approached me on my webcams one night and offered me the opportunity. I was like — this is how girls get trafficked, I’m not doing that! Then I started talking to him more, I did my homework. I found out it was legit — he was an actual agent. So I considered the option. I made the decision to go ahead and try. Then got scared and canceled — right before my trip!

You almost passed up becoming a performer?

Ms. James: Well, it’s such a big decision. Once you’re out there, you’re out there and it doesn’t go back. The reason I got into the industry was because of Penthouse. [The agent] came back to me after I was like, “Hey, I’m gonna put a hold on this” and he goes, “I sent out your images and Penthouse wants to make you a Pet”. I didn’t really know what that meant at the time. So I went to talk about it with a few friends of mine. They were like, “Do you know what that means?” I didn’t. They had to explain it. That was why I took my first leap out to LA, almost 10 years ago.

What was it like after you know, you started shooting? You mentioned it was a big decision. Like, was it a conversation that you had with your parents?

Ms. James: No, I didn’t tell my parents until after!

What was that conversation like?

Ms. James: Well, I did a parody and I knew my parents liked the show, but I didn’t know what their porn habits were, so I just went ahead and said, “Hey, guys, there’s this movie. Don’t watch it. I’m in it. By the way, this is what I do.

Did you have any mentors in the industry when you were first getting started?

Ms. James: There’s been a few. Sam [Philips]. The first time I met Sam was in her old apartment in Hollywood. She was set to be my chaperone for Sturgis in 2016 for Penthouse Pet of the Year. I wanted to meet her first to make sure everything’s cool and make sure we vibe well. … I went over to her house and we hit it off pretty quick but it wasn’t until we actually got to Sturgis that our friendship solidified. We had the best week together hanging out at all the events, hanging out at the bar, just hanging out in our rooms together. And now she’s been my best friend for the last eight years almost?

Was she helpful when you decided to make the transition from Pet to performer?

Ms. James: Sam gave me a place to stay after I left my agency in 2016. She gave me advice on how to contact people, how to hold myself during business meetings, and gave me a place to crash. She’s been like a mother figure to me more so than any other person in my life. Really.

Were there any other people that helped you when you first entered the industry?

Ms. James: Dani Daniels. She’s a phenomenal performer. She was one of the first girls I ever worked with — actually the first girl I ever worked with in the industry. She gave me such helpful advice and made me feel so good about myself and what we did. James Dean was actually another one, he met with me at a Starbucks for a couple hours in California. Just to teach me how to brand myself and what branding really was, like, how to have longevity, how to have a career that’s strong.

Now that you’re an established performer, what advice would you give to somebody who’s new?

Ms. James: Don’t do anything that you don’t want to do. Don’t let anybody push you in any direction you don’t want to go. It’s okay to take your time. Just explore yourself and be comfortable. I always went to like other performers that I knew [for advice]. Like, “Hey, I’m having this issue.” I find that’s still where a lot of people go. Like, if you’re staying in the model house, or you have close friends that have been in for a while, we typically tend to try to gravitate to [new performers] and tell them, “Hey, this is how you do it.” Especially if I see someone younger on set that is newer to the industry. Like, “Hey, do you have any questions?”. I try to help as many people as I can and I know a lot of people in my position also do.

It sounds like performers really show up for one another.

Ms. James: There’s so much discrimination, so much bias toward us. People don’t really understand you know, how our industry works or how we work or that we are really just normal people that choose to do sex work.

What do you feel are the biggest misconceptions about adult performers?

Ms. James: I think the biggest thing that we have is that people think we’re just dirty, filthy people that will do anything. When in reality, we’re one of the cleanest groups of people you’ll ever meet in your life. Fourteen-day standard testing, blood and urine swabs. Most people that aren’t in the industry haven’t had a single STD test in their life. I mean, I think that’s probably one of the biggest things. That people think that we’ll do anything for money, but in reality, no. … I have such a list of things I won’t do.

It seems like there’s been a lot of change to keep up with in the industry, too. How have you seen the adult industry transform in the last ten years?

Ms. James: Oh, God, it changed massively. Honestly, it goes back to COVID. That was really the big change. Before you were really focused on studio work and, you know, trying to build there. Now that you have all of these methods, OnlyFans, LoyalFans, or whatever. Now you have an avenue to create your own content. So now not only are you really kind of working with studios to stay relevant, you’re now creating all of your own content. So you’re working twice as much if you keep up the same progress. I’ve noticed a lot of girls have slipped off from working studios as much, and are really trying to market their own image, which is also great.

It sounds like a lot of the mainstream work that you’re doing now, serves more to support and advertise?

Ms. James: Pretty much. You just got to use that as an avenue to like keep your fans going and keep that audience coming in to get new eyeballs on you.

So when performers are going from a mainstream set to shooting their own content, it seems like there’s a lot of work involved. Now you’re the performer AND the cameraman, the lighting guy, you’re booking the location…

Ms. James: You’re booking talent, if you don’t want to [do a content trade with another performer]. You’re your own studio, basically at this point. Yeah. It’s been a hell of an adjustment for me personally.

What would you say are the most challenging parts of being a content creator?

Ms. James: Consistency. Consistency is the hardest part for me, because I’m still trying to, I guess, in a way, hold on to the old part of the industry. I like shooting for companies. I like shooting with studios. I like doing fun projects, everything. But I also know that I have to keep up the stock side of revenue now. So in between all of that, you’re scheduling content, sometimes I’ll hire somebody [to shoot], sometimes I won’t. Sometimes it’s really good, sometimes I just put [the camera] on the tripod and we just go.

Do you have any advice for staying motivated and keeping up the consistency that’s required?

Ms. James: I just remember what my fans tell me in those moments. They’re like, “We just like you. We don’t really care what it is.” You’re always gonna have certain people that are like, “Hey, we like it like this. We like this way or we like it this way.” But the core group of my people — like I’m a very natural person, I don’t wear a lot of makeup. Generally, if I get away with it, I don’t wear makeup at all. I don’t really dress up all that much. I just like to chill. I’ve really tried to incorporate that into my content. So I don’t have to stress and be like, I have to put on this whole glammed up version of me. In reality, here’s what I am. Love me or like me, or don’t. It’s cool either way.

What’s it like meeting your fans in real life?

Ms. James: I love interacting with my fans. The majority of them are such wonderful people and they’ve been fans for several, several years. I’ve seen them consistently at AVN, at XBIZ, at feature shows. I really love seeing them, but by the end of the [event], I’m also so exhausted.

Do you have any funny stories from on-set that fans don’t know? You don’t have to name names.

Ms. James: I actually do have one! There was this guy and it was the first time we’d ever worked together — the only time I think we’ve ever worked together actually. We start going at it, and it’s literally five minutes, and he’s like, “Oh! Oh! Oh!”. He comes and then he goes, “Alright, I’m good!” He just wipes it off, and we just go. I’ve had moments where guys pull out, they’re like, “I need a minute”. I’ve had guys pull out and like, full off smack their fucking dick just to [keep themselves from climaxing]. But I love it. Those moments are honestly, like, “Oh, yeah, I’m so good. I know. I know”.

Well, you certainly know what you’re doing! What else do you love about what you do?

Ms. James: I love the freedom that my job gives me to do anything I like. I get to make my own schedule, I get to go and do my own things, I get to decide who I want to work with, who I don’t want to work with. I don’t feel like you get that in most other jobs.

Is there a specific type of content that you like to make the most?

Ms. James: Anything passionate. I like to really incorporate what I like into my content — and that’s just passion.

Obviously there are many places one can find Kenna, so we shall settle for Instagram (and remind you — at least as of right now — of her famous boyfriend too). Honestly, wherever you find Ms. James, you will be happy you took the time. In a land overwhelmed with fakes, it can be inspirational to hang out with someone real for at least awhile. … Of course you can also catch a pic of Kenna at this most recent Expo in Las Vegas if you look carefully. She had on much more hilarious shorts on a different day, but the bosses here would not let us use that photograph. Bosses are always way too concerned about getting sued, y’know?