Starlet Letters

This feature is part of the cover story of the January 2018 issue of AVN magazine. Click here for the digital edition. Every year since 1984 the most outstanding new female performer in the adult industry has been awarded a trophy for Best New Starlet at the AVN Awards Show. Some of the most legendary women in the history of adult film have won the coveted honor. Past winners include Ginger Lynn (1985), Savannah (1992), Jenna Jameson (1996), Tera Patrick (2001), Jenna Haze (2003), Bree Olson (2008) and Stoya (2009). Several of these emerging superstars received the honor and went on to enjoy Hall of Fame careers. We’ll find out who will be next to join some of porn’s royalty on January 27 at Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas at the 2018 AVN Awards. As we look forward to the show, we asked each of this year’s nominees one question: What does it mean to you to be nominated for 2018 AVN Best New Starlet? Here’s what they told us: Arya Fae What it means to me to be nominated for Best New Starlet is that I feel that I am finally being recognized for my work and all that I've put into my career and this alter ego of “Arya Fae” that I've built up. It's been such an awesome journey in figuring who Arya Fae even is. I hope to make my fans and myself happy with the work that I put out in this next year. Thank you everyone who nominated me because it's a fucking awesome feeling to feel recognized. I love you guys! Bella Rose I’m happy to be voted as a Best New Starlet [nominee]. It makes me feel very good about my work and it encourages me to keep succeeding! Chloe Scott I am honored to be nominated for [2018 Best New Starlet.] To me it's reassurance that I found somewhere that I can actually say I fit in, something that I belong to. Which means a lot to me. It would mean a lot to me to win as well. But there are so many other amazing girls in the category that are also so deserving, and being put in the same category as them is more than enough of a win for me. I want to thank AVN, my amazing agency OC Modeling, and all my friends who are more like a family to me in this industry for helping me get this far. This industry has its fair share of negatives just like the rest of the world, but it's my home and my family, and I think this industry has a lot of potential, along with the beautiful people it is filled with. I can't wait to see where this takes me. Elena Koshka It is with humble honor that I accept the nomination for Best New Starlet. This nomination has filled me with a strong sense of pride and thankfulness. I would like to thank you and the entire AVN committee for choosing me, although I feel there are so many other beautiful women, inside and out, that are far more deserving. I understand fully the responsibilities that come with this nomination, and will represent the adult entertainment industry in the best way that I possibly can. I look forward to continuing my journey in the adult world, new experiences, new challenges, new discoveries and so on. ... Being able to interact with people all across the globe has by far been the biggest blessing! Every day I get a chance to speak positivity into people’s lives, uplift, and be there for someone, and that’s ultimately the only thing in this world that really matters. I am excited to be making my way up in the adult world, spreading love, kindness and compassion to the many beautiful people I have come in contact with. The enthusiasm I have for revealing my most sensual, erotic and vulnerable love to the world is without limit. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.  Eliza Jane I am from a very small town. In fact, my graduating class was only 58 people. Coming from such a tight-knit community had its pros, but there were also a lot of cons. For me, that became most evident when it came to my sexuality. I was terrified of who I was sexually because I thought if anyone knew, it would make me an outcast. I didn't know anyone who was bisexual, nor anyone else who had ever shown interest in anything sexual that wasn't vanilla. So I spent years trying to hide my truth behind closed doors. It wasn't until later when I entered the adult industry as a webcam model and then later entered adult film that I learned there is a community for everyone. And this has become mine. Being able to be honest and open about all aspects of my life was all I ever sought, and now I have it. To go from a scared girl who thought things were wrong with her because of her sexuality to being nominated and recognized for her sexuality is beyond anything I ever expected. This is truly a dream. Giselle Palmer To me, being nominated for Best New Starlet means I am being recognized for breaking expectations and bringing something passionate, real and unique to the industry while remaining true to myself. It is truly an honor. Thank you so much, AVN! Honey Gold I have spent my whole life being handed more than my fair share of bad cards and have survived some pretty unimaginable things. I constantly struggled with the question, “What are you good at and what's your passion?” I've taken risks that have resulted in me being disowned and losing people around me. I grew up in an environment where individuality and following your passions was a crime met with severe punishment. I have worked jobs that proved to be empty and unsatisfying. I've been bullied, rejected, and constantly told I would never amount to anything. Upon entering this industry I found everything I had been looking for. I found my calling. I didn't think people would like me for who I truly was and I definitely didn't think that I would have the honor of receiving a coveted nomination for Best New Starlet. Despite all of my doubt I promised myself that I would not compromise who I was for anyone. This nomination validates all of the risk and struggle I went through to find my passion and my calling. This nomination to me means hope and acceptance. I have finally found a place where my individuality, passion and hard work aren't being swept under the rug. To be nominated for Best New Starlet is overwhelming and a complete shock. I would’ve never imagined I would go from picking mold off of leftover church bread to survive to being acknowledged for something I love doing in life. This nomination is confirmation that no matter what type of struggle you come from in life, if you work hard enough and pour your heart and soul into what you love it will not go unnoticed. I am humbled, encouraged, thankful and honored. Jill Kassidy Being nominated for 2018 Best New Starlet means so much to me. I’m so happy to be recognized for all of the work I put into my career and passion I try to show in every scene! I’m so grateful for this job and all of the support and love I get from my fans, agency, producers, directors and talent I get to work with every day. I have so many aspirations for myself in adult and I just feel so honored to be nominated for an AVN Award so early on in my career! Kristen Scott It's an honor to have been nominated for AVN's 2018 Best New Starlet. I've spent the last two years in this industry trying to learn as much as I could from everyone around me. I owe it all to those who have gifted me with their wisdom of the industry. I've met so many incredibly talented people. I'm so proud to be a part of such a diverse community full of forward-thinking sexual beings. Lena Paul Entering into mainstream adult was a move on my part to hone my craft as a pornographer and cam girl. To be acknowledged by my peers as a notable performer represents the culmination of a lot of hard work and sacrifice. It’s beyond satisfying (not to mention humbling) to be given this honor. Riley Nixon Being nominated for Best New Starlet is such a goddamn honor! I’ve worked so hard these past two years and to know that my work is being noticed and enjoyed means so much. I can’t wait for another great year of amazing sex! Scarlett Sage Being nominated for Best New Starlet means a lot to me, especially because the majority of my scenes have been girl/girl! I love creating a positive and fun set while doing my best to deliver scenes fans want to watch over and over again. Even though I like pretending to be the innocent reluctant teen, I really LOVE playing the aggressor and think that’s where I shine in my performances. It’s an honor to be recognized so thank you to AVN, all the wonderful companies I’ve worked with, my agency for putting me in the position to flourish, and of course the fans for supporting me. Sofi Ryan I’m so excited! It’s hard to put into words just how amazingly honored I am to be nominated as AVN’s Best New Starlet. There are so many wonderful new girls in the industry right now and to think that I got selected as one of the top 15 is an amazing feeling. I know it’s a cliché but it’s true, just to be nominated is more than enough for me. Just the nomination itself is such a blessing. But I don’t want to take all the credit. I’ve had so many wonderful people supporting me through this first year in the industry. I couldn’t have done it without them. I’m so grateful to everyone and especially AVN for making my first year in the adult industry so fantastic. Violet Starr Being nominated for AVN reminds me of the time we all come together. The beautiful people you meet matter most. After you get over the initial honeymoon phase of the porn industry, the people in the industry are the ones who still keep the fire going. Whitney Wright To me, being nominated for AVN Best New Starlet means that you’ve maintained relevancy all year through a number of ways: shooting, self-promoting, interacting with fans, and maintaining a great attitude and reputation. It’s seeing the effort that you put into your scenes come back to you.