MANILA, Philippines – Popular porn star James Deen has been accused of rape or assault by a number of women, including adult film actress Stoya, whom he previously dated. Actresses Tori Lux and Ashley Fires have also spoken out.
James took to Twitter to deny the allegations, calling them "false and defamatory."
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There have been some egregious claims made against me on social media</p>— James Deen (@JamesDeen) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesDeen/status/671131836794331137">November 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I want to assure my friends, fans and colleagues that these allegations are both false and defamatory</p>— James Deen (@JamesDeen) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesDeen/status/671131915773022209">November 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I respect women and I know and respect limits both professionally and privately</p>— James Deen (@JamesDeen) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesDeen/status/671131998535090176">November 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
Speaking out
Stoya, who previously dated James, tweeted about her experience. "That thing where you log in to the internet for a second and see people idolizing the guy who raped you as a feminist. That thing sucks," wrote Stoya in a November 29 tweet.
"James Deen held me down and f*cked me while I said no, stop, used my safeword. I just can't nod and smile when people bring him up anymore," she said in another tweet.
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That thing where you log in to the internet for a second and see people idolizing the guy who raped you as a feminist. That thing sucks.</p>— Stoya (@stoya) <a href="https://twitter.com/stoya/status/670685987601825792">November 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
Porn veteran Joanna Angel said on Twitter that she was supporting Stoya. Joanna and James also dated in the past.
{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You have my support <a href="https://twitter.com/stoya">@stoya</a> . I’m here for you . <a href="https://t.co/KQZzHVIwcP">https://t.co/KQZzHVIwcP</a></p>— Joanna Angel (@JoannaAngel) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoannaAngel/status/670722734444249088">November 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}
In an essay published November 30 on The Daily Beast, former adult performer Tori Lux said that James previously "attacked and degraded" her in June 2011. In her essay, she recalled one incident that occurred after shooting a porn scene, where James allegedly asked her lewd questions, grabbed her by the throat, and hit her several times.
"I was completely stunned, having no idea how to react. I felt pressured to maintain a professional demeanor as this was a major porn set, with other people present and failing to intervene," she wrote.
Another porn actress, Ashley Fires, spoke to Buzzfeed about previously being assaulted by James in the communal bathroom of Kink, a porn company based in San Francisco. She said that after she broke free, James told her that she could come to his room later if she felt like it.
Kink also told Buzzfeed that it would cut ties with James.
"Our performers deserve not only safe sets, but the ability to work without fear of assault. Rape or sexual assault, with or without a safe-word, off-set or on, should never be accepted as a hazard of adult production. While many of the allegations against Deen are new, the pattern is alarming. Over the coming weeks and months, we will review our Model Bill of Rights to strengthen rights of performers off-set, and work with the larger industry to help performers to have been assaulted to more easily come forward," read the statement. Click here to view the full statement.
The Adult Performer Advocacy Committee (APAC) said that James had resigned as its chairperson, according to The Guardian.
Multi-awarded in the adult entertainment industry and well known for his good looks and a wide body of work (he's also been called the "Ryan Gosling of Porn"), James is a popular actor who's also starred in films, including 2013's The Canyons with Lindsay Lohan. – Rappler.com