Stoya
Stoya (born 1986 or 1987) is an American pornographic film actress, model, and writer. She began her porn career in 2007 in the alt porn scene, and since 2009 has also worked in non-pornographic media, including the 2016 lesbian fantasy series Dagger Kiss. Since 2019, she has co-written the sex column "How to Do It" for Slate under the byline Jessica Stoya.
Stoya

Toglenn · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Born
- 1986. · Wilmington.
- Nationality
- United States.
- Occupation
- writer, actress, model and film director.
- Fields
- pornographic film.
- Languages
- English.
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Stoya (born 1986 or 1987) is an American pornographic film actress, model, and writer. She began her porn career in 2007 in the alt porn scene, and since 2009 has also worked in non-pornographic media, including the 2016 lesbian fantasy series Dagger Kiss. Since 2019, she has co-written the sex column "How to Do It" for Slate under the byline Jessica Stoya.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
Stoya (born 1986) is an American actor, actress and author, among other activities. The actor was born in Wilmington.
Genres include pornographic film. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
VALÉORINE
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Stoya. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
World of VALÉORINE
Documentary connections
Only confirmed graph relationships appear here. Images are shown only when their identity and reuse rights both pass the documentary gate.
Documentary evidence
Evidence Panel
not yet certified
- Identity
- resolved
- Independent source families
- 0
- Admitted assertions
- 0
- Open conflicts
- 0
Authority files
wikidata · Q470442 · wikipedia · Stoya
In this article
Early life
Early life
Stoya was born in Wilmington, North Carolina to a Scottish father and a Serbian mother. She was named Jessica after Jessica Savitch. As a child, she wanted to become a dancer, and started dance lessons at the age of three. She was home-schooled and received her high-school diploma before the age of sixteen. Because her father worked in IT, Stoya had access to electronics and gaming equipment, through which she developed her love of technology. "I was three when I was using DOS. My mom taught me how to read, and my dad taught me how to navigate DOS." After moving to Philadelphia, she attended a summer program at UArts. Some of her jobs in Philadelphia included being a secretary, flier distributor, and a go-go dancer. Stoya appeared in several music videos for bands that, according to her, "no one will ever hear of." In May 2009, Stoya said that she would be moving from Philadelphia and relocating to Los Angeles in the fall of that year.
Pornographic film career
Pornographic film career
Stoya began posing for adult pictures for a friend, which eventually led her to modelling and working for alt-erotic websites. She chose her stage name based on a shortened version of her grandmother's Serbian maiden name and trademarked the name in 2009. Stoya was featured in two DVD productions for Razordolls, and she made a non-sex, cameo appearance in two Vivid Alt titles before being contacted by Digital Playground with a proposition to perform in a hardcore lesbian scene with Sophia Santi. The scene in question never happened, but, in August 2007, she met with several Digital Playground representatives and was asked if she would star in a pornographic scene with male talent. After careful consideration, Stoya agreed. In October 2007, Digital Playground signed her to an exclusive, three-year contract. Stoya is regarded as the company's first alt porn contract girl. The first scene that she shot for them was for Stoya Video Nasty (promoted on the DVD box as the first film featuring her engaging in heterosexual intercourse), but her first movie released by the company was Jack's POV 9. In 2012, Stoya was named by CNBC as one of the 12 most popular pornographic film actresses. Even though Stoya was under exclusive contract with Digital Playground, Evil Angel director John Stagliano received "special permission" in 2013 to cast her in the sequel to the adult film series Voracious. In 2014, she left Digital Playground and focused her career on directing. She financed and directed her first film in February 2014. On March 4, 2014, Stoya and Kayden Kross created the pay-per-scene pornographic website TRENCHCOATx. In addition to running the site, Stoya performed in and also directed some of the films. In 2018, Stoya launched the website zerospaces.com with her business partner, comedian Mitcz Marzoni.
Mainstream acting
Mainstream acting
In 2009, Stoya appeared in her first non-erotic film project as Kamikazi Shegun 5000 in the award-winning 48 Hour Film Project short film "The Kingpin of Pain". Stoya appears as a main cast member in the 2016 lesbian fantasy series Dagger Kiss. In February 2018, Stoya starred in the Serbian sci-fi film A.I. Rising (also known as Ederlezi Rising) in the role of the android, Nimani, on a space mission with a cosmonaut played by Slovenian actor Sebastian Cavazza. The two become romantically entwined when the cosmonaut starts to believe there might be something human inside his android companion. Stoya has acted in two of Dean Haspiel's Off Broadway stage plays: Harakiri Kane (Die! Die, Again!) (2017) and The Last Bar at the End of the World (2018).
Writing
Writing
Stoya has written sex advice columns for Slate, Vice, The Verge, and Refinery29. For her Slate column, "How To Do It", she uses the byline Jessica Stoya. She has published pieces in The New York Times, New Statesman, Esquire, and The Guardian, as well as an article in Porn Studies, a peer-reviewed academic journal. She published her first book in 2018, entitled Philosophy, Pussycats, and Porn, a collection of personal and critical essays.
Personal life
Personal life
Stoya has acknowledged the importance of social networking in her career; she was active on MySpace, Twitter, Tumblr, and various Internet forums. In June 2009, she was reported to be dating Marilyn Manson, but they later broke up due to Manson's touring schedule. Afterwards, she dated pornographic film actor James Deen for several years. In 2015, Stoya publicly accused Deen of raping her, writing on Twitter: James Deen held me down and fucked me while I said no, stop, used my safeword. I just can't nod and smile when people bring him up anymore. Deen denied Stoya's allegations, calling them "false and defamatory". Following Stoya's tweet, eight other women went public with assault allegations against Deen, while Stoya herself became a target of online harassment. Several adult film studios severed ties with Deen, and the website The Frisky terminated his column.
Selected publications
Stoya (2015). "Noooooooodie Girl". In Lee, Jiz (ed.). Coming Out Like a Porn Star: Essays on Pornography, Protection, and Privacy. Berkeley, Calif.: ThreeL Media. pp. 284–286. ISBN 978-0-9905571-6-6 – via the Internet Archive. ——— (2018). Philosophy, Pussycats, & Porn. La Vergne, Tenn.: Not A Cult. ISBN 978-1-9456-4943-1.
Awards
2008 Eroticline Award – Best U.S. Newcomer 2009 AVN Award – Best New Starlet 2009 AVN Award – Best All-Girl Group Sex Scene – Cheerleaders 2009 XBIZ Award – New Starlet of the Year 2009 XRCO Award – New Starlet 2012 AVN Award – Hottest Sex Scene (Fan Award) – Babysitters 2 2014 XBIZ Award – Best Scene - Feature Movie – Code of Honor 2018 FEST Beograd – Best Actress – Ederlezi Rising 2019 XBIZ Award – Best Actress - All-Girl Release – Talk Derby to Me

AEE2008_Nikon_Day1 190
J Chang from USA · AEE2008_Nikon_Day1 190 Uploaded by Gohe007

Miami Eroticaxxx 5-8-09 Nikon 425
J C from USA · Miami Eroticaxxx 5-8-09 Nikon 425 Uploaded by gohe007
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.About Jessica Stoya – Hello, I'm Stoya. January 2026.
- 2.Jessica Stoya. Slate.
- 3.Stosuy, Brandon. An Interview with Stoya. The Fanzine. January 18, 2008.
- 4.The Charlatan's conversation with adult film star Stoya. The Charlatan. 2012-09-03. 0315-1859.
- 5.Hess, Amanda. Stoya, Pop Star of Porn. The Village Voice. April 24, 2013.
- 6.Wink, Christopher. South Philly's Stoya: adult film it girl on DOS, social media and leaving Philadelphia. Technically Philly. 2009-05-27.
- 7.Stoya. Can We Learn About Privacy From Porn Stars?. The New York Times. SR5. March 9, 2014. 0362-4331.
- 8.Digital Playground. Digital Playground Announces the exclusive signing of Stoya. October 18, 2007.
- 9.Stroud, Matt. Meet South Philly's Stoya. Philadelphia City Paper. November 12, 2008.
- 10.Sullivan, David. DP's Stoya Makes Her Boy/Girl Debut in Jack's POV 9. AVN. December 6, 2007.
- 11.Morris, Chris. The Dirty Dozen 2012: Porn's Most Popular Stars. CNBC. January 18, 2012.
- 12.Miller, Dan. John Stagliano Discusses 'Voracious' Sequel. XBIZ. June 11, 2013.
- 13.Morris, Chris. The economics of being an independent porn star. CNBC. January 17, 2014.
- 14.Allouche, Lucie. Stoya Takes a Bath and Talks About Her New Pay-Per-Scene Porn Site. Vice. March 6, 2015.
- 15.Garcia, Laia. How Stoya's progressive new online space is revolutionising porn. Sleek-mag.com. 13 Nov 2018.
- 16.Krumm, Allison. 48 Hours of Philmmaking. Phillyist. May 15, 2009.
- 17.A lesbian 'Lord of the Rings' makes its debut on Valentine's Day. Divinemagazine.net.
- 18.Delia, John Sr. 'A.I. Rising' Android in Love. Aced. 11 March 2019.
- 19.Cristi, A.A. Fall Season Announced at The Brick!. BroadwayWorld. September 12, 2017.
- 20.staff author(s)-->. The Last Bar at the End of the World at Urban Stages. BroadwayWorld. April 15, 2018.
- 21.How to Do It. Slate.
- 22.Stoya. Vice.
- 23.Stoya. Please meet our new sex columnist, Stoya. The Verge. July 18, 2015.
- 24.Stoya. The Best Sex Advice, Courtesy Of Stoya. Refinery29. January 31, 2014.
- 25.Jessica Stoya. Slate.
- 26.Stoya. Can There Be Good Porn?. The New York Times. March 4, 2018. 1553-8095.
- 27.Stoya. What Is Porn?. The New York Times. March 16, 2018. 1553-8095.
- 28.Stoya. What porn actors don't talk about. The New Statesman. June 1, 2015.
- 29.Stoya. 10 Things Stoya Learned from Masters of Sex. Esquire dead link. January 2026.
- 30.Stoya. Making porn actors wear condoms is not the best way to protect us. The Guardian. November 16, 2012. 0261-3077.
- 31.Stoya. Feminism and the mainstream. Porn Studies. 1. 1–2. 201–202. 2014. 2326-8751.
- 32.Reith, James. Stoya: 'I thought female sexuality was an OK thing?'. The Guardian. 2018-06-28.
- 33.Clark-Flory, Tracy. Stoya Is 'Over' Talking About Feminist Porn. Jezebel.
- 34.Stoya.
- 35.Rifkind, Hugo. A most bizarre encounter with Marilyn Manson. The Times. 5 Jun 2009. 0140-0460.
- 36.Loftus, Cindi. Xcitement Interviews: Stoya. Xcitement.com. April 2011.
- 37.Deitz, Bibi. When Did James Deen And Stoya Date?. Bustle. 4 December 2015.
- 38.Stoya. December 17. Graphicdescriptions.com.
- 39.Mack, David. Rape Allegations Against Porn Star James Deen Raise Consent Issues in Porn Industry. BuzzFeed News. ABC News. December 2, 2015. 2641-9599.
- 40.Visser, Nick. Porn Star Stoya's Rape Allegations Against James Deen Prompt Powerful Hashtag. HuffPost. November 29, 2015.
- 41.Broder Van Dyke, Michelle. Porn Actor James Deen Blasts 'False And Defamatory' Rape Claims. BuzzFeed News. BBC News. November 30, 2015. 2641-9599.
- 42.Nashrulla, Tasneem. Here Are The Women Who Have Accused James Deen Of Sexual Abuse And Assault. BuzzFeed News. December 1, 2015. 0261-3077.
- 43.Lee, Jiz. Porn and Labour: The Labour of Porn Studies. Porn Studies. 3. 2. 104–106. 2016. 10.1080/23268743.2016.1184474.
- 44.Waugh, Chris. Gender-Based Violence: A Comprehensive Guide. Springer. 431. 2023. 978-3-031-05640-6.
- 45.Carroll, Rory. Porn Industry Groups Cut Ties to Star James Deen Amid Sexual Assault Claims. The Guardian. November 30, 2015. 0261-3077.
- 46.Digital Playground Wins Four Awards at Venus Berlin. AVN. October 21, 2008.
- 47.Sullivan, David. Exclusive: Complete 2008 eLine Award Winners from Venus Berlin. AVN. October 22, 2008.
- 48.Sullivan, David. 2009 AVN Award-Winners Announced. AVN. January 11, 2009.
- 49.Duncan, Edward. XBIZ Announces 2009 Award-Winners. AVN. February 13, 2009.
- 50.Miller, Dan. 2009 XRCO Award Winners Announced. AVN. April 16, 2009.
- 51.AVN Announces the 2012 AVN Award Winners. AVN. January 22, 2012.
- 52.Miller, Dan. 2014 XBIZ Award Winners Announced. XBIZ. January 24, 2014.
- 53.48. Međunarodni filmski festival - FEST 2020. Fest.rs.
- 54.Petković, Vladan. Ederlezi Rising sweeps the Serbian awards at Belgrade Fest. Cineuropa. March 5, 2018.
- 55.XBIZ Award Winners. Xbizawards.com. January 2019.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Film memorabilia
37,589 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Stole JankovićPerson
- Stomy BugsyPerson
- Stone Cold Steve AustinPerson
- Stormy DanielsPerson
- Stoyan RadevPerson
- Stratford JohnsPerson
- StretchPerson
- Stringer DavisPerson
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Stoya?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.