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| Joanna Angel: Porntrepreneur |
But, what is perhaps more amazing, is that Ms. Angel, raised in an Orthodox Jewish family in New Jersey signed a development deal with Larry Flynt's production company, has a huge array of products bearing her likeness-- books, videos, other items unmentionable on a family blog like Buy A Tribe-- and a BA from Rutgers.
The consummate entrepreneur and iconoclast, Ms. Angel sat down with Buy A Tribe to answer a few questions on her work, her thoughts on her Jewish heritage, and forever put to bed the question whether Jews make for adept lovers.
Joanna, please tell us about you your work and your Jewish heritage.
Ok, well hello. My name is Joanna Angel and I'm what I call a "porntrepreneur." You know, like entrepreneur but with porn. I perform in and produce my own adult movies and run the day to day operations of my company, which is called Burning Angel. We are a web-based adult company that features girls with tattoos and piercings and shaggy hipster haircuts and stuff. It's a nice little cocktail of sex and rock and roll.
I grew up in a pretty religious household. We kept kosher, we kept all the holidays, and didn't drive or turn on lights on Saturdays. My mother is Israeli and we travelled to Israel a lot. The religion was extremely important to my mother and it was pretty much impossible to get out of going to a Seder or Shabbat dinner or anything like that. I protested to them a lot when I was in my rebellious stages of high school but even then I knew in the back of my head that they were kind of fun.
My upbringing affects my work in the sense that I'm a very hard worker, I have a very small ego, and even though I do things most Jewish ladies would consider immoral... I'm a pretty moral person. I totally abide by at least six out of 10 commandments!
Has your Jewish upbringing ever informed a specific career decision?
Eh, well... I turned down a signing at a tattoo convention because it was on Yom Kippur. The combination of working, and tattoos was just too much to have on my conscience on Yom Kippur. The holiday that year was on a Saturday, which was obviously the busiest day of that weekend long convention. Instead, I agreed to go on that Sunday, the slowest day of the convention. But when I went that Sunday, I totally got a free tattoo! It must have been God's way of showing me some karma.... even though Jews don't really believe in karma.
Who is your favorite non-adult Jewish film star? In your dreams, which non-porn Jewish actor/director would you like to see get involved in the industry? Why?
Hmm. I'm gonna say Sarah Silverman. I feel like if we met we would be best friends. People always tell me I look like her all the time. I don't really want her in the adult industry; I don't want to share her! I am selfish. I just want her to make one adult movie and that one should be with me. And it would be awesome.
I think I'm doing that right now, right? I really never thought being Jewish would be a marketing tool but in 2005 Heeb Magazine put me on the cover of their spring issue. They included me in their "Heeb 100" which is a list of the top 100 up-and-coming Jews. Ever since then I feel like I've become some kind of Jewish spokesperson for everything and anything related to sex and it's incredibly odd and awesome at the same time.
What do you think of the portrayal of Jewish women in mainstream media overall?
I think Jewish women are stereotyped as incredibly dissatisfied, whiney, materialistic, but powerful and sexy in a non-traditional way (short and busty instead of tall and skinny). Cute round noses instead of dainty pointy ones, etc.) Oh yeah, we're also known as a genre of females who resent dick sucking. Other than the dick sucking part it's not too far off.
Do you have any favorite Jewish mainstream performers whom you admire and try to emulate in your work?
Not really. Someone once told me I was the Mel Brooks of porn, but I never really did that on purpose. I actually think we have very different style of humor. If I emulate anyone in mainstream its probably Kevin Smith. Unfortunately, he is not one of us!
Do you think Jews have a greater or lesser preoccupation with sex than other religions commonly found in America? Do you think this contributed to your decision to become an adult film star?
I think Jews are all pretty obsessed with sex. Have you been to Jewish camp ? It is nothing but a big adolescent orgy with some random bouts of arts and crafts in between. However, I think in general, Jews really lack any kind of game, we're all pretty awkward, and we suck at all that stuff that happens that leads up to sex. However of you can get past all that weirdness and actually get us into bed, we kick ass in the sack.
Please kvetch below.
