Asa Akira Is Insatiable, And We Love Her For It

Most people know Japanese-American beauty Asa Akira as a porn star, actress and director. But now, she's made the jump from sex actress to author. With the release of her first book, a memoir titled Insatiable: Porn—A Love Story, Akira has put her stamp on what is, for her, a new corner of the world.

In Insatiable, Asa Akira takes readers into a world that most of us don't get to see. The world of graphic sex scenes, porn stars and strippers is laid bare (pun 100% intended) for the delight of Akira's audience. As a memoir, it is a bold, candid and quite often shocking work, but in a beguiling manner that will keep you turning those naughty pages.

We got to speak to Akira regarding her work in pornography and her new book, which is out now and available here.

YourTango: What first propelled you to write Insatiable?

Asa Akira: I've always loved to read and write. Journaling is something I started when I was young, maybe in the third or fourth grade. I noticed there weren't really any "porno memoirs" actually written by people currently in the business- so I thought, "why not me?"

YT: It is a very candid work. Was that difficult, or liberating?

AA: Being candid is something that's always come very naturally to me. I think the best humor, and most interesting stories come from honesty. That being said- with this book being released, ironically, I feel the most "naked" I ever have in my life. Writing it didn't feel so difficult, but waiting to see the response of the readers is torture.

YT: Why Porn? Have you ever wished you'd taken a different path?

AA: Porn has been my ultimate fantasy for a long time. I knew that if I didn't do it, I would forever look back and say "I wish I had done it when I had the chance." I really do believe that for a certain kind of person, a person like me, porn is the best job in the world. Even if I won the lottery today, I would continue to do porn.

YT: What do you see yourself doing when you retire?

AA: I'd love to continue writing, whether it be books, columns, articles, or whatever. Starting a family is also something I might be interested in.

YT: Do you plan on having children? If so, how do you plan on talking to them about your career?

AA: Having children is something I go back and forth on. There is a part of me that thinks, in a very primal sense, that if I don't have children my life will be worthless. Then there is also a part of me that is scared to have children- what if their classmates tease them for having parents in porn? What if they can't accept me? My hope is that if I have children, I'll be able to raise them to be non judgmental and confident. How, I don't know. I'd like to say I'd be honest and upfront with them about my job and past, but it's impossible to know how exactly I will feel once I'm a mom.

YT: How often do you get tested? Do you work for a company that pays for testing?

AA: Everyone in porn gets tested every two weeks. Without an STD test less than two weeks old, no one will work with you. We pay for the testing ourselves.

YT: A lot of people say porn sex is not real sex. What are your thoughts on that?

AA: The sex and orgasms I have on camera are real. I can't speak for anyone else, but personally, I don't emotionally clock out, or mentally check out. I enjoy having sex in front of the camera, and thinking about being watched turns me on. I see porn not only as a job, but as an extension of my personal sex life.

YT: How does your sex life with your husband differ from sex in your movies?

AA: Toni and I have all kinds of sex. Being that we are highly sexual people, we definitely bring the crazy porno sex home with us. But we also have very vanilla, two-minute quickies as well. The main difference between porn sex and home sex, is that after home sex, I still like to hangout with my partner.

YT: It's a tough industry in that porn stars are judged for what they do. How do you cope with the societal stigma?

AA: Honestly, it doesn't bother me. I knew going into porn that I was essentially signing up to be outcasted. I'm ok with that. If it weren't taboo, I don't even know that I'd be as drawn to it. Normal is boring.

YT: In your opinion, what's the biggest misconception about porn stars?

AA: I'd say the biggest misconception is ... anytime we are generalized as a whole. Like we are not ALL drug addicts, rape victims, etc. We are from all walks of life. Many of us are just really hyper sexual, sex-positive feminists.

YT: What's the biggest lesson you've learned about sex as a porn star?

AA: Always pee after sex. Always.