Alia Malia

Industry origins
"Initially, porn was used as a way to express myself and my new found trans identity. I knew I was a girl since I was five years old but living in a strict conservative household, I was never given the opportunity to be who I know I was meant to be. One day I just said enough is enough. I wasn't getting the same love and respect I wanted from my family, so I was going to get it online. The feeling of being desired and even having people want to be like me, it was empowering.."

Trans performers in the industry
"I think most trans performers/entertainers would agree that this is a niche category. Not all of us are blessed like the ones who have been in the industry for years and already built a name for themselves. We are also going through constant discrimination, especially black trans people. I think the challenges we face as trans people are considerably based on the lack of understanding of what it actually means to be "trans". I can say personally this was something I had to think about for a long time. I would lose everything, even my family and loved ones. It is a commendable thing to be your authentic self, it is even more commendable to fight those who seek to demonize us at every turn."

Career path
" I was never one for looking too far ahead. I never thought I'd be where I'm at during this present time. I have more than I could ask for now. A simple life with my amazing partner Raven Thorne, a roof over our head, food and water in our bellies and a fur baby kitty to love. Hopefully in five years I will still have them in my life and have matured and become more responsible than I am today."

Alia Malia quotations excerpted from Adult Empire interview