Interview with Asian American porn star Annie Cruz

In the latest in my series of interviews with sex workers, I was finally able to talk to the adventurous porn star Annie Cruz. I first saw Annie Cruz a few years ago. I popped in a porn of some kind of another and there she was on my screen. After that she seemed to become more prominent in the industry. For a while I was seeing her videos all over the place. And now she’s into even more things. So she is likely to become even more widely known.

This will probably be the last interview I do for some time, unless someone very interesting comes along. I’m quite pleased with this question and answer session and I’m sure many of my readers will be too. Without further ado…

Although you’ve surely been asked this before, could you remind my readers how and when you got into porn?

During my freshman year of college – a private Catholic university in northern California – I had an enormous sexual awakening, and although I watched a lot of porn and was known for being quite the exhibitionist on campus, I never thought I would end up doing it. Sometime later, a couple of friends gave me a mini-intervention due to my sexual endeavors and after a counselor and my mother told me I had a sex problem, and to “fix it”. Somehow, I ended up in porn during the beginning of my sophomore year of college.

In Oct 2003, I shot my first scene, a girl on girl scene, for AsianDivaGirls.com, a company based in the Bay Area. From that point forward, I was in love with being in front of the camera. And it was then that my adventure eventually brought me to porn valley in Los Angeles.

What is your first sexual memory? What is your best?

My first sexual memory as in my earliest? I started masturbating at an incredibly young age, when I accidentally stumbled upon scrambled porn on an old television I had in my bedroom. As for my best memory… there are so many memories of which I cannot just choose one because different people, different circumstances, different everything all create a variation of great ones. However, I will give a fun one. The first time I ever squirted, when I was 18 years old. I had no idea what had happened after I gushed all over this guy. And it was a year following that, did I understand and start to learn the art of female ejaculation.

What is the most taboo sexual thing you did before you got into porn?

It all depends on what is even considered taboo anymore. I suppose I could say pegging – the act of female to male strap-on anal sex – would be one thing. During my sophomore year of college, my best friend at the time had wanted to fuck me anally. And I told him I would let him if he would allow me to fuck him in the ass first. He let me, and as agreed, I let him return the favor. I also learned what it was like to be in a dominant and submissive relationship when I was 18, in addition to playing with light bondage and pain play.

Did you ever get into swinging, dogging, group sex or anything else out of the “norm” before you did porn?

I was in a living relationship with another woman before I moved to LA from San Francisco to pursue porn full-time. We would often prey on unsuspecting men, bring them back to our place, fuck them, and then kick them out because we rarely shared our bed with anyone other than each other over night.

Sometimes, we would go to a sex club in San Francisco and let people watch us, and there was one time, when we brought one guy with us, who was unable to “perform”. I have a fond memory in which we invited a guy over and left him in the bedroom so that we could take a bath and have sex, while he sat waiting. There were more than just threesomes too. And of course, we also shared other women together.

I loved her because she was so open-minded and uninhibited like myself. And for the record, the only woman I could submit to. Dogging – public sex – was something I often did as well. Bar bathrooms. Parks. Parties. Playgrounds. Convent patio of the Catholic college I went. Against a tree in the woods. The list goes on…

Aside from the threesomes and foursomes I indulged in pre-porn, I did my first gangbang when I was a freshman in college. Five guys. They tag-teamed me anally, and I also did my first double penetration. It wasn’t until I met my ex-husband during my first year in porn that I discovered the swinging lifestyle, swing parties, and having an open relationship.

If you could start over again would you still have done porn?

I have grown a lot, learned a lot, and done so much because of porn. It’s been one interesting roller coaster ride that has given me opportunities to do music videos, mainstream movies, magazines, etc.. Not to say I needed porn to do these things, but still, I am grateful for a lot of wonderful things that I have been lucky to do. I don’t have any regrets, so I don’t know if I could say that I wouldn’t have done it if I could start over. There are plenty of things I’d have done differently in the beginning, sure. I suppose had I not gone down that road, I’d have pursued mainstream Hollywood instead. I took drama in high school and have always loved acting.

If you had been born with all the money you could ever want or need, would you have still done it?

Honestly, when I first started in this business ten years ago, I used to joke with people that if I was a millionaire, I’d still do porn because of how much I love it. There were so many times throughout my years in porn that I often told myself, “Wow, I almost forgot I’m getting paid to do this”. If I was born with all the money I wanted, I probably would have done it just for kicks. Not in a career-driven way but rather just for fun – do a few scenes just to say I did or to fulfill some fantasies I may have.

Have you had any issues with family or friends finding out about your adult work? Has it caused any problems in your personal life?

My maternal grandmother was the first of my entire family to address the truth about my doing porn. She said to me, “You’re my granddaughter. I love you. Nothing will ever change the fact that you are my granddaughter.” My parents soon accepted it, and they – along with the rest of my family – fully support me.

Do you have any fetishes?

Who doesn’t? I particularly love feet. I love having my feet kissed and sucked, while I am having sex. It drives me wild. I also love doing the same for others as well. For a really long time, I had a thing for hands. You don’t hear that too often, right? Then again, there’s a fetish for everything. There’s also something very naughty about watersports that I love. And of course, I’m into BDSM, and I love dominating worthless fools and helpless submissives.

You seem to do more around watersports and squirting than a lot of other women in porn. Is that because you like it, because fans like it, or some combination of both?

I love it! And so there’s no confusion for anyone reading this, watersports and squirting are two different things – although, both happen to be very wet. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t be saying I’m into pee play. But after having a bunch of girls pee on me once for a film, it changed my perspective on the fetish. I also love peeing on people who love it. As for squirting, I absolutely get thrilled, when I am able to make a woman, who has never squirted before, squirt.

Female ejaculation is something that many people are still skeptical about, and while there are many, who may just be suffering from coital incontinence rather than actually orgasming or ejaculating, it really does exist. It’s a different sensation and feeling, and you can definitely tell the difference between “squirt” and urine. It’s all in the taste and smell.

What is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in adult work? Is there any content out there that you wish you could make disappear?

There aren’t so much embarrassing things but rather a choice I made that I wish I had not. I did a movie for Anabolic with a double anal scene in which the director thought it would be funny for me to tell a fictitious story about losing my anal virginity at a young age. So I said that I lost it to my stepfather to over-dramatize the story.

I don’t even have a stepfather in real life, hence why I said it. Since it was all an act, I didn’t think much of it. I didn’t think about the repercussions of saying such a thing. That particular movie haunts me to this day with fans and people questioning me and pitying me, when it was all just fiction.

When I have to explain myself, lots of people tend to disbelieve me. So, I’ll say it here now for the record: I do not have a stepfather – never have – nor was I raped anally at a young age. In fact, the first time I ever had anal sex was during my freshman year of college, and it was consensual.

When it comes down to it, the only thing that matters is that I know the truth, and people, who know me personally, can attest that I am somewhat of a twisted fuck, who obviously made the wrong decision in creating a sick story for a film. It was a silly porn, people; not art imitating life. Do you question Tom Hanks for being gay and having AIDS just because of the movie Philadelphia? Moving on…

How is it shooting with Kink?

For the longest time, Kink was my favorite company to shoot for. They always took care of the models and work with everyone’s comfort levels. Also, contrary to what many may believe, their stuff looks a lot scarier than it really is.

What do you think of sites like Facial Abuse?

Frankly, I’m personally not into the sort of things sites like that produce. “Why did you shoot for them?” Some may ask. Well, I didn’t go through some of the emotional breakdowns or regrets that one would imagine most women, who have shot for sites like FA, would. I’m pretty fucking tough, and sometimes, it’s fun to see how far I can take it.

But still, I am sure many are still questioning why I did it. I have a really interesting story about my experience shooting for them. James Deen was my scene partner, and we had done numerous scenes together prior to working together for FA. The producers were bragging about how girls can’t handle their scenes with them, and how no one can ever be too extreme for that company. Challenge accepted.

James and I laughed at them, and I looked at him and said, “Only one rule, James: Don’t punch me in the nose.” We did an incredibly rough scene – the roughest scene Deen claims he has ever done if you just ask him. Our scene was so extreme that the director made us do a verbal consensual confirmation on camera afterward. By the time the scene hit the internet, there was so much unusable footage too hardcore for them that the scene was cut down to 16 minutes. And I assure you, our scene was much longer than 16 minutes. Challenge completed.

Would I ever shoot for them again? No, I already did it once just to do it. Would I recommend other girls to shoot for them? No. Unless you truly are into that sort of “abuse”, by all means go for it. I don’t knock people’s fetishes or desires, and there are some, who are really into that sort of thing.

How much of what you say is acting and how much is a genuine love of sex? I remember seeing you on an episode of Howard Stern riding a Sybian and you said you loved sex and would fuck random guys on the street. Do you really do that? I know an American girl who is into finding random guys to fuck but she says she actually has a lot of trouble finding safe, willing partners online or elsewhere. Any advice for her and others in her position?

The reason why I got into porn in the first place is because of my genuine love for sex. Just see my answer to question one. Back in 2006, when I first appeared on Stern’s show, I probably would have fucked randoms. Times change, however, and so do I. Don’t misunderstand – many can affirm I still have my insatiable appetite for sex; I am just much pickier about the partners I choose and where I find them, especially since people in the adult biz have the trust to keep each other safe by being safe outside of “work”.

Before I got into porn, I frequently found my random partners from the internet – obviously, I stopped doing that ages ago – or from places I just went to. I was always extremely forward, so perhaps that is why it was so easy for me to meet people.

I remember a time, walking in downtown San Francisco with my ex girlfriend, and as we walked past a good-looking guy, I simply started talking to him. Flirting. Next thing I know, I’m at his place. A lot of people act like it’s difficult. It really isn’t. If your friend has problems finding willing partners online, where is she looking?

I suppose the best advice I can give her is to join a website that specializes in adult meetings – like Adult Friend Finder for example – if she hasn’t already tried that. It seems to be a much better bet compared to my wary encounters from random chat rooms back in the AOL and yahoo days.

How do you think porn can continue to be profitable with all of the free content now available online? Has the advent of file sharing, tube sites and the like put a big dent in your earnings personally?

It’s tough to say. I started in this business in late 2003, and it’s incredible how much of it has changed over the years. Back then, it was extremely profitable. These days, companies have diminished, while some shoot less now and don’t pay as much. Both producers and performers are constantly struggling. Surprisingly, I still get signups to my website, though not as nearly as much as I used to years ago. But it’s not much.

Would it change if I started generating traffic again? I don’t know. Things are just too different now. However, my current income comes mostly from wrestling these days as I don’t really shoot porn anymore.

Who is your favorite porn star of all time?

It’s hard to choose just one. I have nothing but a lot of love and respect for Ginger Lynn and Nina Hartley. These are true porn stars from their time and even now. Porn has evolved so much throughout the years, and I feel like I should have done porn in another era… back when women truly loved sex and expressing it. Unfortunately, over the years, women like that are hard to come by. I also mustn’t leave out Belladonna, who wasn’t afraid to do what she wanted or how. Lastly, I have much respect for Tera Patrick. Aside from being gorgeous and smart, she defied the stereotypes most people have of women in porn.

What do you think of bukkake? How about Japanese porn?

In all of the crazy things I have done in porn and out, I have never done a bukkake. I feel like I would have to be in a very submissive and humiliating position to endure that, and it’s quite difficult to put me in a submissive position. I’ve never really watched Japanese porn, but hentai on the other hand, makes for great masturbatory material.

What do you think of prostitution? Would you ever consider escorting?

Personally, escorting isn’t my cup of tea. It just isn’t something that interests me, so I don’t think I’d ever consider doing it. In porn, performers are required to have a clean test to shoot, and they know who their partners are. To me, that was much safer because of the trust everyone has amongst each other. I used to have a very strong opinion on escorting. I was totally against it. But I realized in the end, we are all whores in our own little ways after all whether or not in the sex industry, haha. My biggest concern for those, who escort, is safety and protection. Sexually and otherwise.

I know you’re Filipina, but I’ve read that you were born in America. How connected are you with the Philippines? Do you visit often? What do you think of the huge prostitution scene there, especially the huge red light districts like the one on Fields Avenue in Angeles City?

I have only visited the Philippines once, and I was 3 years old. I am not really that connected with the PI, so I couldn’t tell you how I feel about the prostitution scene out there. However, off topic, my mother has told me many times that the hookers out there are absolutely stunning, especially the ladyboys.

Do you do feature dancing, adult webcamming and things along those lines? Do they pay better than porn shoots? Are they fun or a pain in the ass?

I have considered feature dancing. Webcamming is fun, but it’s also exhausting because my most frequent request is squirting. A girl can fake an orgasm, but squirting is an entirely different thing. I found that doing that continuously for a long period of time fatigued me brutally in addition to fans being super demanding.

I always try to do different things to mix it up like anal and DP. So doing all of that plus squirting sometimes didn’t seem to be enough. Camming can be great money but definitely not more than what one would make on a porn shoot in a day.

Ever run into any weird or creepy fans that caused problems?

Yes, many times on several occasions. And I’d rather not give them the pleasure by discussing them here publicly.

How long do you plan on gracing the world with your porn videos and pictures?

I’ve been pursuing other projects outside of porn as of late. Not to say that one cannot find me in other videos and photos that are not porn-related, however. In which case, I’ll grace the world until someone tells me I shouldn’t anymore, haha.

Aside from smut that can be found on my website, which I plan to keep up until I feel it’s time to shut down, I’ll always have wrestling. Pro-wrestling fans can enjoy my alter ego Nasty Annie Gunn at ProStyleFantasies.com.

What advice do you have for other women who are considering getting into porn?

The porn world has changed drastically these past few years. With piracy and tube sites continuing to kill the industry, I don’t feel like it’s a smart move to start in a business that feels like it’s feast or famine for plenty of others. I would not recommend anyone to pursue work in porn right now. However, if this is truly something one wants to get into, be sure of the following:

•     Understand the repercussions of working in adult, if you don’t want friends or family knowing. There is a huge chance they will know sooner or later.
•     Only do it if you enjoy sex… and understand that porn sex is different than “home sex”.
•     Don’t ever let anyone control what you want or don’t want to do. You are the only one who can decide this.
•     Know that if you plan to get another job after having done porn for a long period, it may be difficult
•     Don’t just do it for the money. As previously stated, the biz has extremely changed with companies shooting less and paying less. Girls are working for half their rates just to make ends meet or to keep working, and it’s sad.

What was the last book you read?

Batman Earth One by Geoff Johns is the last graphic novel I read. I am currently reading The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule, the story of serial killer Ted Bundy

What are your plans for the future?

Right now, I am working on some comic book-related stuff that I’ll announce more details with in the near future. I will continue to model, creating interesting and fascinating artistic pieces as seen in my non-porn mainstream portfolio. Film projects and the like are on my list of ventures currently. I’ll still be creating websites for other people as I indulge in web and graphic design, when I have the time. I’d love to go back to school to study computer animation and game design. Lastly, I’m going to continue my travels all over the world and continue this crazy adventure I call my life.

To wrap up, thanks a lot for taking the time to answer these questions. Is there anything you’d like readers to check out?

Thanks for having me! Please visit the following:

My official and only adult site: http://www.AnnieCruz.com

My blog: http://MemoirsOfTheDamned.com

Follow me on Twitter @AnnieFuckinCruz

Anything else can be found in the links sections of both my sites listed above!

You can also find many pictures and videos of Annie in action over at Freeones.