About Devinn Lane
- Height: 5 ft. 4 in.
- Weight: 114
- Measurements: 34D - 26" - 36"
- Eyes: Brown Eyes
- From: Newport Beach, California
- Born: March 28
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
Devinn Lane's Awards
Award | Year | |
---|---|---|
Best Actress - Video AVN | 2003 |
Interviews
Interview With Devinn Lane - May 19, 2004
Phone Interview
PornstarEmpire.com: For how many years have you been a Wicked Girl, and what is it about Wicked that makes you want to stay with the company?
Devinn Lane: I'm actually in my fifth year at Wicked, and what makes me stay with the company is that they and I have basically...I don't want to say vision, because that sounds so dramatic...but I wanted my career to go a certain way - there were things that I wanted for my career, and Steve Orenstein (the owner of Wicked Pictures) was willing to support all of that without making any major changes to my personality or my appearance. So they've been very supportive in my career and in what I've wanted to do.
Q: Originally on camera, you were just a girl/girl performer. But about a year or so ago, you decided to do boy/girl as well. What brought about the change at this point in your career?
Devinn Lane: I started doing boy/girl about 18 months ago. A couple of different reasons...coming into the industry, you're always told that everyone will pressure you to work with boys and that you can't be successful or hired without working with boys. And that was kind of a challenge for me. I ended up having a very successful career working only with girls and receiving a lot of recognition within the industry. I felt it was important to kind of create an image for other girls coming into the business - that you can make your own decisions, you can decide when you're ready to work with boys...or do anal...or DPs...or whatever it is that you want to do. That you do have that option to make that decision and still be successful. You shouldn't listen to a lot of the BS and what people think - that if you don't do "this, this and that" it's not going to happen for you. So, it needed to be my decision, and people needed to know that it was my decision - that it wasn't a move based on pressure from any manager or pressure from Wicked or anything like that...it was entirely my choice. In fact, I had a manager that told me if I ever did work with boys, that he would quit. And I said, "Well...fuck you!" It's my body, it's my decision, and I'll do what I want.
Q: From reading a lot of reviews and seeing online comments on fans, I feel that your probably even more popular now that you've started to do boys. Is that your perception as well?
Devinn Lane: Well, I can't see like a huge flood of new fans. Were there some new fans? Absolutely. Did the fans that were already faithful and loyal appreciate it? They absolutely did. Did I have fans that never wanted to see me do boy/girl? Absolutely. So it goes back to the old rule of you're not going to make everybody happy. All you can do is your best. And that's what I've tried to do all along. So I probably gained some fans...I might have lost a few...but I've noticed that I have very loyal fans. I have a large and loyal fan base - even when I was feature dancing, I would have customers who would come in and see me...those customers that I used to dance for have now transferred over into my fans, and we're talking about fourteen years now. Essentially, I've had a career in some facet of adult entertainment for fourteen years.
Q: Now that you are doing boy/girl, are there any fantasies or scenarios you'd like to perform in front of the camera?
Devinn Lane: I wouldn't say "fantasies". I'm not really one to fantasize all that much. It never really develops into a fantasy...it develops into a thought of "Oh, that would be cool to do." And then I decide whether or not I want to do it. I have a very black and white personality. I'm either into it or I'm not into it. There's really no gray area with me - I'm pretty easy to read. But "fantasies"? I think that "Road Trixxx" probably gives me the opportunity to express myself and my personality the way that I truly see it moreso than any other project, because I'm not playing a character. "Road Trixxx" is reality-based pornography. I directed it and I produced it - so I got to make it into what I wanted to make it. I wanted to be real. That's what I like to do, and that helps fulfill what would typically be considered a "fantasy".
Q: Is "Road Trixxx" your next Wicked project that will be coming out?
Devinn Lane: Yes, "Road Trixxx" is my new series. It's like "Road Rules" with no rules! I picked everybody out...it was great. I just saw the project go to tape the other day - so it should be out within a month, I would say. And it's fantastic...and everyone around the office was very excited about it. Wicked has been wanting to do a reality-style project, and it's really like my line of expertise. Brad (Armstrong) does these big features, and Jonathan (Morgan) specializes in comedies...and really where I've found my niche is in reality, and I like doing it because I like real sex. I like putting people in real situations where they can just be themselves and not play a character. All they have to do is answer a few questions then have sex. So it's really what I like - it's what I like to give the fans.
Q: I know you started directing with your "Devinn Lane Show" series, directed "Road Trixxx" and will be directing the upcoming "Pillow Talk". Is directing something you enjoy a lot, and is it something that you think you might continue to do even after you decide to stop performing on camera?
Devinn Lane: Well, that was the plan all along. You can try to make your mark as a performer, but I think that that's short-lived for most girls...for about 95 percent of the girls in the industry. That was never really my plan - to make my mark as a performer in the industry. I wanted my own production company, which I already own - Lane Entertainment - my own distribution deal, directing, producing. I want my own projects, with my own directors, with my own contract girls. I want everything that all of the big companies have. And with that takes a lot of hard work. So taking the right steps and moving forward is very important. Yes, I do see myself in that position later on in life. As far as when will I stop working in front of the camera? I could never say that, because that's like the kiss of death...to announce retirement! Because girls always come back! Damn it! They always come back! And people are like, oh god - when is she going to retire again?!
Q: Being with Wicked, a lot of your films are adult features - meaning they are dialogue driven and they give you a chance to develop a character. Is the acting part of your movies something you enjoy, or do you prefer just to shoot the sex?
Devinn Lane: You know, I go back and forth. I like doing both because sometimes it's just nice to do a vignette - like "Wicked Sex Party" - because all I had to do was get dressed up, go in and have sex. As much sex as I wanted...and honestly, about as much sex as I can handle. About halfway through the day, I was like "I don't think I can take anymore!" The plot and acting and stuff...I think that it would be more fun for me if I had a script that I felt was challenging. I have yet to be handed a script from anybody that was challenging. I think the most challenging script that I've had so far has been "Improper Conduct". The reason being that the character in "Improper Conduct" was manipulated. And because I'm not a person that is easily manipulated, I was playing a role that I was not familiar with. I've had all kinds of life experience...you name it, I've probably been there, I've probably done it. So that's where I pull from when I'm acting - the experiences that I've had. Because I'm not really that personality, that one ("Improper Conduct") was probably the most difficult. But I'm still looking for that one script that kind of throws me back a little bit and I go, "Woo...this one's going to be a little bit of work." I'm looking for that script. I want that script. Because I like the challenge. That's what makes it exciting for me - that it is a challenge. I like being challenged, and I like being put in the position to better myself and fine tune my craft.
Q: A little more serious question...I know earlier this year you were involved in a radio show in Atlanta that went awry and cost a couple of deejays their jobs. I was just wondering if I could get your take on the current political atmosphere concerning free speech, and how much the current political climate has affected you professionally...be it problems with appearances or signings out on the road.
Devinn Lane: Well, it has affected me directly because of the whole thing in Atlanta. First I must say it's very unfortunate that those deejays lost their jobs and that the FCC no longer has the ability to distinguish what is an accident and what is planned. It used to be that if it were an accident, then the radio station would be fined and that would be that. And that's what it should have been. However, the FCC and Clear Channel now has something to prove. You'll notice that the day after the Clear Channel announced their zero tolerance policy, the regular guys in Atlanta were fired. They were only on suspension until further investigation. Well, that investigation led to everyone believing that it was purely an engineer error - it was completely on accident and was not planned, because obviously these guys know that if something like that was planned, they were going to get canned. And nobody's going to do that. Nobody's that stupid. So, yeah, it has affected me directly. It's made me feel very sad that the government is not really focusing on the real issues that are at hand. They're focusing on what they think are the issues. I mean, how come we're not focusing on things like national health care? How come we're not focusing on finding Bin Laden? How come we're not focusing on the things that are the true issues? It's because (the current administration) is failing miserably, and they have to point the finger someplace else. So, let's point the finger at the evil pornographers. Let's point the finger at people that are "bringing our country down". And it's all B.S. It's all B.S.
Q: Having met you several times personally and keeping track of your career, I would say that you're one of the most level-headed and intelligent women currently working in the industry. What would you say to a young girl out there who may be considering starting a career in adult films?
Devinn Lane: There are two things. You don't necessarily need a manager or agent to be successful in this business. If you want to pay a manager or an agent, then that's fine - but be very selective with who is going to represent you, because whatever business that they do with other people in the industry is a reflection of who you are as well. They represent you. I would also say to keep in mind that you don't have to do anything that you don't want to do. Don't buy into the lie of "Well, if you don't do anal, you're not going to work" or "If you don't do boy/girl, you're not going to work" - don't buy into that lie...it's not true. Does it mean you'll have to work a little bit harder than everybody else? Absolutely, it does. You have to be willing to work harder, and you have to have to have something above and beyond the sex to give - and that's really what it is.
Q: For my final question I want to give you an opportunity to tell readers about your website (www.devinnlane.com), plus any upcoming movies, appearances or events that you'd like to mention.
Devinn Lane: I'm going to be shooting another Michael Zen movie in about three weeks called "Tough Chick", and I'm going to be shooting a Latin movie that I'm directing and producing for Wicked called "Latin Car Show Queen", and then I'll be off shooting "7 Lives Exposed" (Devinn's series on Playboy TV) for about three months...so nobody will hear anything about me for about three months! As far as my website goes, I interact with my fans one on one. I have a message board, I answer all my own e-mail, I've got video clips and pictures - you name it, I've got it. Video chats, webcam shows, the whole thing you'd expect from a top-notch adult site that's run by the star. I do run everything on my site, so if you have any comments or suggestions, I'm always open for that. And then the other promotion that I've got going on is called Adult Dream Vacations, and that is also a site - www.adultdreamvacations.com. I have spent the last year putting a massive event together that will take place December 12th through the 17th at Hedonism III in Jamaica, and it's basically an opportunity for fans to come down and party with me, Sydnee Steele, Kaylani Lei, Jessica Drake, Nicole Sheridan, Krystal Summers, Ashley Long, Voodoo and Evan Stone in a super, all-inclusive resort. And there will be events, like "Be a Wicked Model for a Day", where female contestants compete to have their own makeup artist and their own photographer do a photo shoot for them in Jamaica for a day. And there's all kinds of different activities on top of the resort activities...so you can go to the site to get prices and everything. The launching of www.devinnlanecash.com is my affiliate program. After all this time I have finally managed to find the time to launch an affiliate program. Because I haven't had one this whole time - just due to lack of time. Webmasters can go there...it's a $20 payout or 50/50 revenue for the life of the membership.
Q: Well, I want to thank you for your time and wish you all the luck in your future endeavors.
Devinn Lane: Thank you...I appreciate it.
Interview With Devinn Lane - October 30, 2002
On The Set of "About A Woman" in Los Angeles, CA
PornstarEmpire.com: So what's new in the life of Devinn Lane?
Devinn Lane: Oh god, must you ask? Right now I'm filming my latest movie, Jonathan Morgan is directing, called about "About A Woman". That should be out in a few months. The second season of "7 Lives Xposed" has just premiered on October 22nd. That's thirteen episodes that will run concurrently. Next month - that's November - I will be working on the Devinn Lane Show number five, we've saved the best for last. It will be what is considered a season finale for the Devinn Lane Show... Just expanding the Devinn Lane empire. [laughs]
Q: So what is "About A Woman" about?
Devinn Lane: It's funny, I've been with women on film in hardcore. The only other time I've played a lesbian was in "Infidelity", and that wasn't really my movie. In this particular movie I am playing a lesbian that is coming out of the closet.
Q: Not to pry... but in real life are you straight?
Devinn Lane: No [laughs]. I am so truly bisexual it's ridiculous.
Q: So what are the challenges of playing a lesbian?
Devinn Lane: It's just a matter of taking it to the next level. I can remember not being comfortable with my bisexuality at some point in my life, and kind of telling one of my friends, who was a lesbian, that I was bisexual. It almost did feel like I came out of the closet. I grew up in a minister's home and it was very taboo...that lifestyle...and I kind of lived under my parents' thumb for a long time, so when I finally became comfortable it was kind of like a coming out for me. So you just take that and you apply it to a person that is actually gay. But I like men too. I definitely one of the truest bisexual females in the industry. I don't have sex with women for money. I'm not a gay for pay performer. I have sex with women because I enjoy it. I have two sides of my sexuality to feed which is kind of a double-edged sword at times. The good part is that if I am bored with one I can move onto the other, or I can have them both at the same time. The flipside is that it's double the work, because I do have two sides to feed. One always in need. One side is always needing when the other side is being fulfilled.
Q: Now you grew up in a minister's home... Do your parents know what you are doing?
Devinn Lane: They do.
Q: Two questions... What was their first reaction, and what do they say about it now?
Devinn Lane: My Mother past away in 2000, and she took the stance that 'I don't really like it, but if it makes you happy then you're my daughter.' My Father is very unsupportive. I do have other family members, aunts and uncles, who are extremely supportive. They realize it's a business and nothing else. They don't judge me. They love me for who I am.
Q: I'm guessing since you grew up in a minister's household you grew up in a fairly religious environment.
Devinn Lane: Oh, Jesus, yes.
Q: How has growing up in a religious environment, moving out here to Los Angeles, getting into the adult business affected your view of religion and spirituality?
Devinn Lane: I'm a California native. I grew up in Orange County so I've been here my entire life. I don't believe in organized religion, or support organized religion. I do however strongly support spirituality. Two entirely different things. Organized religion is a business like anything else and I will treat it as such.
Q: How did you get into the adult film world?
Devinn Lane: I choose to go in when I was ready to go in. I danced for a number of years and I met people, on and off, throughout the years that were in the adult business, or who had been in the business. I've always had access to it. I just ultimately decided when I was ready to go in, I'd go in. It was entirely my choice. Every choice I've made about my career has solely been mind. I'm not a pushover. I think a lot of girls are. I'm not pressured into anything that I don't want to do. I plan it, and I make sure I am a hundred and ten percent okay with what I am doing. Because if I'm not okay with what I am doing I shouldn't be putting it on film, because it's immortalized at that point.
Q: Why adult films?
Devinn Lane: I'm an exhibitionist.
Q: Good answer.
Devinn Lane: I'm an exhibitionist. I am totally comfortable with my sexuality. I am totally comfortable with sex. I'm totally comfortable selling sex. I like the industry. I like the people.
Q: What do you like most about it?
Devinn Lane: I don't think I could pick out one thing. It's definitely a creative outlet for me. Not just because I star, and I'm an actress. But because I direct and produce, and it's a really good creative outlet for me. It's really empowered me as a woman. There's a lot of women out there that feel it's so degrading, it's very demeaning to women. I strongly disagree. I think women have the ability to come into this industry, become extremely empowered by this industry, to be very successful, and to really make a statement, a positive statement, for the industry as a whole and for themselves.
Q: I've heard some women in the adult industry say that they feel that women have more power than the men in the business... Do you feel that's true?
Devinn Lane: Yes and no. I think that the business is predominately run by men and that's changing. Once more women start moving on the other side of the camera, and opening up their own businesses - toy companies, studios and whatnot - the women will truly be more powerful than the men. Right now the business is still predominately run by men, but the women have a potential to come up from behind.
Q: What are the differences between you acting and you directing? The challenges of directing as opposed to just acting?
Devinn Lane: Its really nice just to act some times, because I can walk onto a set and I can see all of the problems that take place and its not my problem. Where as a director - if the equipment fails, if there's some drama going on with talent, if there is anything going on or happening it is your responsibility as a director or producer to take care of it.
Q: What are your goals in the adult entertainment business?
Devinn Lane: Couple of goals. I've already started my own production company. I want to own my own business. I want to direct and produce material that women are not offended by, but men still really enjoy watching. I want to make a positive statement for myself and the industry as a whole. As a woman that is empowered by the industry and has made every decision, I just want to really educate people and dispel any myths they may have about the adult industry.
Interview with Devinn Lane - March 24, 2002
Phone Interview
PornstarEmpire.com: We had a brief chat with you at the Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas [January 2002], but your fans deserve a more in-depth discussion and an update on what's going on.
Q: You just got back from Australia not too long ago, right?
Devinn: We came back on the 9th of March...
Q: Was that your first time there?
Devinn: Yes, that was my first time there ever.
Q: What was the purpose of your visit?
Devinn: It was to promote Wicked and to sign with their foreign distributors. And to do stage performances and do radio interviews. It's much like...I want to compare it to LA Erotica, except on a larger scale and you don't get to dance topless at LA Erotica. [laughs]
Q: You didn't get sick when you got home, after being in a foreign country?
Devinn: I wasn't sick, but I had fallen on stage, so I had injured myself. Which is funny, because when I went to France to dance, I fell there, too! And I had been dancing for almost twelve years and I've never fallen, so I only fall when I go to other countries [laughs]. When I fell, all my weight went on my wrist. Your hand goes down instinctively to catch yourself, but I'm okay.
Q: I heard that you went there with other Wicked Girls, including Sydnee Steele. Do you travel a lot? Not just on the job, but in your own free time?
Devinn: Free time? [laughs] My last vacation was, I believe, in 1995!
Q: So when you go to Vegas or LA for conventions, it's business, but you try to enjoy yourself...
Devinn: Well, you know, I travel to a lot of places where I'll able to let loose a little bit and enjoy. What I tend to do: I don't go out and feature much anymore. I take one local booking and one out of town booking. But when I would feature [tour] a lot, I would always rent a car, and go out and drive around during the day to kind of take in sights. I don't spend a lot of time in my hotel room. I really try to take advantage of the climate that I'm in, because I don't know if I'm going to be able to go to that place ever again. You have to take advantage of the moment!
Q: So you last had free time around 1995? My research reveals that you've been in the adult business since at least 1999...
Devinn: Yes.
Q: Prior to that, were you always in a working in a career connected to the adult industry, or were you working in the mainstream?
Devinn: I've been connected to the adult industry for almost twelve years in some way, shape or form. I started dancing a week after I turned eighteen.
Q: In LA?
Devinn: In Orange County. I've been in the ballet for six or seven years now.
Q: Really? Did you take lessons as a little girl before dancing professionally?
Devinn: No, I've never done that, but I was always kind of a ham as a kid. I always did certain little shows for my family, like tap-dance shows [laughs]. I've always been somewhat of an entertainer, and I've always been attracted to putting together stage performances.
Q: When you were in high school, did you participate in the arts?
Devinn: I was in drama, I also played a lot of sports - dramatic and competitive! [laughs]
Q: When you first started stripping, but it difficult or did you take to it naturally because you enjoyed entertaining?
Devinn: It was tough! It was so scary! Anybody who says it wasn't scary the first time is lying! You get up there and all these people are looking at you. It took me a couple of times, and then it was natural. I was like, "yeah, I love this!" It was very exciting. And then I started putting shows together and doing stage performances even as a housegirl. And the bigger the crowd, the better it was for me! I also did the lapdancing.
Q: You were born in Southern California?
Devinn: I was born in Orange County. I spent a lot of time in Newport Beach. I went to La Mirada High School, and I think Janine went to La Mirada High School as well. But my parents moved around quite a bit, but I spent the majority of my time in the Costa Mesa and Newport area.
Q: When you started dancing at age eighteen, did you have your eye on eventually doing magazine photo shoots and becoming a Penthouse Pet and all that?
Devinn: No, actually I didn't. The whole Penthouse thing came up very suddenly, and I had already been dancing for seven years. I've never really given [Penthouse] much thought, because I never really thought that I was ever a possibility. I just didn't think that someone would be interested...
Q: You gotta be kidding me!
Devinn: No, I'm not! I just didn't think anyone would be interested in having me.
Q: How did they contact you?
Devinn: A guy by the name of Roy Garcia came into the club and just saw me dancing there - I was dancing as the house girls - and he said "you know I'd like to get you in. I know some people who shoot for Penthouse and they'd love to shoot you." And I was like, "what?!" [laughs]
Q: Were you at that time meeting adult stars [who were touring] at the dance clubs you were performing in?
Devinn: Yeah, I did. They didn't have features, but I had met a few of the adult stars who had come in to dance in their free time; the ones who had retired and weren't doing movies anymore, or whatever the story was. So I had access to them. I didn't even know that featuring was really out there. Then I met a girl who had retired from the industry. She will remain nameless, because she kind of moved on. But she had said, "oh, well, you know...I feature!" and this and that, and I was like "wow! I really want to do that! I want to travel!" And she told me, "well, you need credits in order to get a good rate." And I started featuring with two magazine credits, this was even before Penthouse...
Q: What was one of the magazines that you were in before Penthouse?
Devinn: My first publication was Club International, and that was October 1998. And I met [editor] Lisa Massaro, who, to this day, is one of the greatest people I met in this industry. She's awesome. They gave me a cover and they gave a centerfold, and I was just thinking "oh, my god, this is so cool! I love it!" And I've always been an exhibitionist, so I was like "yes! I have even a bigger audience!"
Q: So while you were dancing, was the money good enough to maintain a living, or were you doing other stuff, or taking classes?
Devinn: Oh, I've always been able to provide for myself. I have very strong...not just survival instincts, but I know how to handle my business.
Q: I noticed how you try to handle your own affairs, because you have that web page up: www.fakeboobsbigdeal.com...
Devinn: That was something that was created for me by Danni Ashe, over at Danni's Hardrive.
Q: I'll go back to that later on. So after dancing and being in magazines like Club International, was Penthouse the biggest exposure you had at the time, before you got into The Howard Stern Show?
Devinn: Yes, Penthouse was the largest exposure. I met with [photographer] Earl Miller...I met with [photographer] Stephen Hicks. Stephen Hicks was the one who actually shot me for Penthouse and did the layouts. He called me up and said, "how would you like to be the next Pet?" I was really excited and then he called me and told me a few weeks later and he goes, "by the way, they're giving you the cover!" And I went, "wow!" I would have never thought that they wanted me in the magazine, so it was really an honor!
Q: At that time, were they suggesting that you also do some girl-girl or boy-girl layouts?
Devinn: No, I ultimately have always decided what I'm willing to do, what I'm comfortable with. That it's my life to decide what I'm willing to give to everybody. Because I think that a lot of girls don't realize that coming into the industry, the money is really good, but you're really giving a lot of yourself. And you have to be okay with what you're doing. And I'm perfectly okay with what I'm doing; I enjoy what I do. But I think that there may be some girls out there who tend to focus too much on the money.
Q: So you approached this industry very cautiously...
Devinn: I didn't approach it really cautiously, as much as I approached it with a plan ahead of time. I knew what I wanted to do!
Q: I missed that particular Stern show when you were on. Was it for promoting Penthouse at the time?
Devinn: Well, it's funny how I got on the Stern show. I was doing a five week tour while my issue was out. And my brother who is in New York called me up and he said, "you know I called the Stern show and I explained to them that I'm gay or bisexual..." - whatever it was at the time, I think he thinks he's more bisexual now, I don't know - "...and my sister's on the cover of Penthouse Magazine, and that our dad's a minister. And they [the Stern show] ate it up, they want you to call them because they don't believe me!" And I said, "what!?" So I'm sitting in Redding, Pennsylvania because I'm featuring in Al's Diner and Cabaret, and [my brother] gets me this number and I call it up, and I told them "hi, my name's Devinn Lane, and my brother called you." And they're like, "oh, that story was true?! When do you want to come in?" And that was a Thursday or Friday, and they had me in on a Monday. That was in '99. My Penthouse issue is October '99. It's funny, October is a good month for me. All these good things happen to me in October!
Q: That's quite a jump to go from Penthouse to something more mainstream like Stern. Was that your intention, to get into the mainstream as much as possible?
Devinn: Well, I've never been an aspiring actor. I didn't even know I had any acting ability until Cash Markman handed me my first script. I looked at it and I go, "what?" He said, "you can do this!" I thought, "all right!" So I tried it and I was really hooked on the acting aspects after that because I found out that there was more too this than just the sex, which is easy for me, because I like sex! And it's just progressively gotten better for me. I have all these new avenues that have just opened up. I just take a look at it and I go, "okay, is this something I want to do?" And it's either a yes or no; it's that easy for me. If I am into it and I like it, then I do it. And if I don't and I'm not one hundred percent sure that it's something I want to do, then I either step back and I think about it before I make a decision, or I just finally say, "no!"
Q: I understand. So when you were on the Stern show, you got discovered by Wicked's Steve Orenstein...
Devinn: Yes, Steve Orenstein had seen me on The Howard Stern show and liked me a lot. And my manager Lucky Smith had actually brought me in to meet with Steve because they were looking for another [Wicked] girl. It's interesting because this is all what Wicked's about: Wicked doesn't hire girls just for their sex scenes. They want to hire girls who are a reflection of the company, that are able to handle themselves appropriately. Steve hired me because he knew there would be a lot of really tough questions that were thrown at me [on the Stern show] and he liked how I handled the situation.
Q: Now before you began working for Wicked, you had been doing movies for other companies...
Devinn: I did. I had only been doing movies for maybe six months before I was contracted. I did a couple for Vivid, a couple for Dreamland, one for New Sensations, one for Video Team.
Q: How did you enter the field of doing adult videos?
Devinn: I pursued it myself.
Q: Did you go to the well-known Southern California talent agencies to get work?
Devinn: I made a couple of phone calls to people that I knew, to find out which companies I wanted to work for ahead of time.
Q: When you began working, did you make it clear to the studios that you prefer not to do guy-girl scenes?
Devinn: I told them I wasn't ready for it. I told them that when I was ready to give up that part of my life, that I would let them know.
Q: I did happen to catch a repeat episode of your show, 7 Lives Exposed [on Playboy Channel]. Now it's my understanding that you created that show?
Devinn: Basically, yes.
Q: And you sold it to Playboy, and right now, we're just waiting to see if it gets picked up for another season.
Devinn: Correct.
Q: In several of those episodes, well, at the least the one I saw, you have sex with one of the guys.
Devinn: I had worked out a deal where they were willing to only show...because it's a little harder than what they normally show. Because of all my hardcore material belongs to Wicked, I have special deals with Playboy TV.
Q: There's a segment where you have sex with a character named Jeremy. Is this your first on-screen boy-girl scene, and will it lead to more in the future.
Devinn: No, because Jeremy was later in the season. My first was with Ten and Antoine. I did that because I felt that I needed to set the pace for what that place was supposed to be about; [to let the cast know] "okay, this is what we're here for. Let's have fun. Let's make it safe. Anything goes, [but] obviously, there has to be mutual respect between people.
Q: The Jeremy that you mention on www.fakeboobsbigdeal.com, is that the same guy in the 7 Lives Exposed show?
Devinn: Everything has been settled. There is no dispute or controversy over what's going on. I know that Playboy is rerunning the season. People might see that and think that there's some controversy. But it's from a few months ago and everything has since been resolved.
Q: And just to explain briefly, people can go over to that site and see what the controversy is about, you did it to clear up any rumors and to maintain your character and reputation. You were trying to be straightforward...
Devinn: I want to maintain a good reputation in this industry, period.
Q: So it was at that point in 7 Lives Exposed when you felt ready to do a boy-girl scene...
Devinn: Like I said, I make all of my decisions. I don't do anything unless I'm a hundred percent sure that that's what I want to do. No matter what the name of the game is, ultimately, it's my decision. I really want to stress that because a lot of people think "oh people are to do this, or to do that" and that's not true! You have the power to make every single decision that you're involved in this industry. You have the ability to say, "no" but a lot of people won't say "no" because they need the money. To me it's not about the money. I'm not in this for the money. If you're in this for the money, you're doing it for the wrong reason [laughs].
Q: I think that back in the seventies and early eighties, the public believed that there were a lot of victims - that people like Linda Lovelace were into doing sex. I mean, she might have been according to her tell-all book, whether or not you believe what she wrote...
Devinn: She might have been. She might not have been. She might be bitter for a lot of different reasons. We don't know the whole situation. That's not really the [general] story today.
Q: Well, the "victim" idea doesn't seem to apply to you at all, which is one of the reasons why we want to interview adult stars who are also working behind the cameras. But going back to the boy-girl scenes, there are moments in movies like Vegas Or Bust and In Style where you share scenes with a guy. I think In Style was one of the first where you share a scene with a guy, namely Devinn Wolf.
Devinn: Yes, In Style was the first.
Q: And in Vegas Or Bust, you share a scene with Mark Davis.
Devinn: There's one with Briana Banks and Mark Davis, and there's one with Vince Voyeur and Miko Lee. I liked the scene with Mark and Briana, but I think the scene with Vince and Miko is just hot. It rocks!
Q: Although you don't have sex with these guys, you do kiss them, and there's some caressing and petting going on. Fans on our Pornstar Empire Forums want to know if there's going to be more of that in the future, and whether you'll go further with the boy-girl scenes.
Devinn: I never rule out anything, because I think one of the worst things you can do...Actually, two things you can do which are just terrible in my mind: (a) announce that you've retired [laughs]. And (b) to say, "oh, I'd never do that [a specific sex act]." So I could not sit here and say, "oh, I'll never do it!" because you never know what happens in your life. Something could change. You could change your mind, you can say, "hey, you know what? I think I'm ready to do this!"
Q: So we should just wait and see and tune in?
Devinn: Yes, when I'm ready to cross that bridge, I'll cross that bridge. Believe it or not, I have many, many fans that are kind of...they don't want to see it [a boy-girl scene]! I have very loyal fans, there are people that are my fans that I danced for twelve years ago. It's a different thing with me than I think with a lot of girls. Sometimes, my fans get a little jealous! [laughs] Believe it or not! They're like, "no!" They think that somehow it's going to change the way they look at me, especially the ones that have met me and have talked to me. They tell me, "oh, no. We don't want you to change. We love you the way you are!' And they're happy about that. And I think a lot of focus on the whole boy-girl scenes come from within the industry, not directly from the fans. And for girls out there that are only working with girls, I mean the only thing that I can tell them is that if that's what you're comfortable doing, there are lots of people out there that want to watch it. There are still hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions, of men out there - and women! - who still want to watch it [girl-girl scenes]. And I have a large female following, by the way.
Q: I see your point. Janine is one of them [who only does girl-girl scenes], and except for that home video she did with that rock singer, she's never done a boy-girl scene and she is still one of the most popular actresses ever.
Devinn: Her popularity is still at the top, and it surpasses a lot of those who do work with guys. It's really whatever you want to do, and once you've established yourself as "okay, this is who I'm doing, this is what I'm okay with." And when you tell people that, they get it! They really do.
Q: Do you get tired of being asked these same questions on that subject? I must be the hundredth person to ask about this area...
Devinn: No, I don't because every time somebody asks me about it, it just pushes me out there and it lets people know where I'm coming from. And people tend to respect...they don't like the normal answer of, "oh, well...I don't know. I don't know why." Well, I know why! I do what I do because (a) I enjoy what I do; (b) I know that at the end of the day I have not given up anything for just money, which makes me feel good about myself; and (c) I call the shots when it comes to my life and my career. And that's how it has to be!
Q: Speaking of calling the shots, we know that you recently have produced features for Wicked...
Devinn: Actually, Beautiful/Nasty was the only movie that I had produced for Wicked, and it was nominated for Best All-Girl and it won for Box Cover of the Year. I was very proud because it got a lot of recognition for being my first production, I was like, "yeah, I'm so all over this!" That was the goal to begin with doing movies, I knew that I was coming in to do movies not just because I wanted to work as talent, but because I wanted to direct, too.
Q: Were you a fan of adult movies before you started doing behind the scenes work at Wicked?
Devinn: Probably more of mainstream, than adult. I had always been fascinated with adult but I don't know that I was necessarily a fan. If I had to think of someone off the top of my head that I was a fan of, I would have to say Rocco and Jeanna Fine. They are the people that I remember seeing. I'm not sure why, but somewhere in my head those two stuck.
Q: Before producing, were you studying other people at work, besides doing commentaries for a movie like Vegas Or Bust? Were you watching other porn directors like Brad Armstrong or Jonathan Morgan at work?
Devinn: Oh, yes. Anytime that I'm on set, I'm paying attention to what's going on. Definitely.
Q: So you're learning as you're performing...
Devinn: Yes, for two years I just stand back. I learn very quickly. I've dealt with different directors and producers, and I've asked questions. And it's really cool, because everybody has been more than willing to give out information. Some people in mainstream don't want to talk; they don't want to give up their secrets or what they consider to be their secrets because they're afraid that you may be more successful one day. Most people in the adult industry realize that the pie is big enough for everyone to be successful.
Q: In Beautiful/Nasty then, you assumed all the duties that a producer normally does...
Devinn: [laughs] I found that out quickly! I thought, "Hell! Producers don't get nearly enough credit!" They really don't because they do all the foot work, and they deal with, for lack of a better word, they deal with all the shit!
Q: Everyone looks to you if anything on the set goes wrong...
Devinn: They do everything. The director comes in and calls the shots and deals with the camera and this and that. Producers deserve a bit more credit than they get. I think AVN should give out an Award for this...
Q: If a movie gets an award, doesn't the producer take home the statue, like the Academy Awards?
Devinn: The director does. The director gets it all! [laughs]
Q: When you took the job as director, were you nervous?
Devinn: I really was because I tend be to be a perfectionist, too. So I pay attention to everything. I have a really good relationship with [director] Mark Stone. We were both on the same page which made it really, really easy. And he offered up any help. I just asked questions like, "who do I need to call for this?" and "what do I need to get?" But I had paid enough attention on sets to know what I need to do. It's just a matter of getting phone numbers and knowing how to get a hold of people, which is really what I didn't have...
Q: Right...
Devinn: And watching it come together, I was thinking "okay, this wasn't so bad!" But directing is a whole different thing.
Q: And you just directed a film called Forbidden Zone...
Devinn: Wicked may change [the title] to "The Devinn Lane Show." That was shot in February [2002] and we're already gearing up for April. I came up with a bunch of concepts, and I brought them into Steve. And I said, "Steve, when I came in to see you two years ago I told you ultimately I wanted to direct and produce. Do you think this is possible?" And he replied, "yeah!" We talked for a while and they signed me for three more years to not only star, but to also direct and produce my own series. So I brought all these concepts to him and he said, "well, you know I like this, and I like that and I like that. Let's see what we could do." And I thought about it and I'm like, "oh my god, I can do everything I want to do because it's my gig." And that's how it [The Devinn Lane Show] became kind of became a variety show because it wasn't one particular thing: it wasn't a feature; it wasn't a gonzo because it actually had me playing some different characters. Some things were funny, and some were serious, and some were educational. It was a variety of things so it made sense to make it an adult variety show.
Q: When you took on this project, did you write it yourself or did you hire writers or collaborators?
Devinn: No, I write it myself.
Q: Did you have fun directing? Was it like producing?
Devinn: Producing, I was like, "okay, I've done this, I could do this again." Directing...I was more nervous directing than I was producing.
Q: Why is that?
Devinn: The technical aspects. There's a lot that you don't know going in. And I asked Brad Armstrong, "what did you think of your first film?" He said, "I look back at my first film and you think it's the greatest thing you've ever done in your life. And then years later, you go [mock horror] 'oh my god!'" [laughs] And it's probably going to be the same thing with me! I'm so excited! But that's what makes it good - the excitement. The director ultimately sets the tone for the set. And you have to be pumped up and you have to be excited because you want everybody else [to feel the same way]. I've already had my crew tell me, "you know, we work for a lot of people but we really feel like we should be doing an extra good job for you..."
Q: When will this film be released on videocassette and DVD?
Devinn: It's slated for beginning of May. It will go into editing next week [first week of April].
Q: Who's going to be starring in it?
Devinn: You've got Nikita Denise doing a DP with Steve Hatcher and Ian Daniels. You've got me doing a three-way with Nakita Kash, who I hired for Beautiful/Nasty. She's an awesome girl to work with! And a girl by the name of Phoenix Ray who is just remarkable. There's an anal scene with Zana and Lee Stone. You have a scene with Mark Anthony and Calli Cox. And you have a scene with me and Lola who I've worked with several times before who is absolutely one of my favorite girls to work with. Then you have a scene with Stephen St. Croix, Dru Barrymore and Monica Mayhem, which was slammin'! And you have a solo scene with [Jubilee] - gosh, what is her name? - I can't remember right now, how terrible! [laughs] A solo scene with a girl that came over to my house and masturbated on my own bed!
Q: Is that right? Was that her audition?
Devinn: [laughs] Actually, it was...okay, I'll give you this: one of the characters I play, is this pseudo-kind of rock star who writes really cheesy songs about masturbation. But the rock star thinks that they're really good, because you know, it's a rock star thing! They always think they're songs are good, even if they're really bad! [laughs] So, I've got this song, but my inspiration to write these songs are the little groupie girls who come over to my house and masturbate.
Q: Let's talk briefly about your personal life again. I understand that your mother passed away not too long ago...
Devinn: My mother passed away in August of 2000.
Q: I'm sorry to hear that. Does your family know about what you're doing?
Devinn: They do. My father doesn't like it. My mother was...you know...she didn't like it, but she took the whole "mom" stand and that was [her telling me], "I love you. Whatever makes you happy, I love you no matter what." And that's what parents should do with their kids. If they're responsible and they're in this industry and they're not messed up on and this and that, then parents should be supportive. Because this career can be treated like any other job: you go in, you go to work, you're supposed to be professional. I find myself to be very fortunate because I actually get to enjoy my work, and most people who work 9 to 5 jobs feel like they're stuck at their jobs. And they may not enjoy it!
Q: Do you have a boyfriend right now? Are you married?
Devinn: No. I was married a couple of years ago. I've been divorced for over two years. I travel too much to carry on a relationship.
Q: So when was the first time you masturbated and started exploring your sexuality?
Devinn: Very young age...probably not legal to say. [laughs] I've always been a little bit more sexually advanced than most people. But because I grew up in such a sexually repressed environment, once I got out on my own, I really explored.
Q: Now, how does a guy attractive a girl like Devinn Lane. Assuming you could get time out of your professional life, what kind of man do you look for?
Devinn: I like men that are not arrogant. Arrogance is the number one thing that will just turn me off of a man completely. However, I like confident men. In know that there's a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and sometimes it's mistaken. But I tend to distinguish them very quickly. I like men who have their own ambitions. If you don't have any ambition and you don't have a drive to succeed in whatever it is that you're doing - I couldn't care less if you are a dishwasher - it doesn't matter. If you are driven to succeed in that restaurant to eventually become the general manager, I'm okay with that. But I don't like men that don't have any ambition at all. It drives me crazy! Because I'm very driven, and in order to carry on a relationship or even a conversation with somebody, I need somebody that can match me. And that's where probably playing sports has really tailored my personality because I am competitive.
Q: Okay, and do you have a preference for build and looks and so forth?
Devinn: No, I've dated all shapes and sizes. No preference. It's a personality thing as with women! I pick the girls that I work with and I obviously pick the men that I have sex with in my life really more based on their personality than what they look like. Because if somebody has an attitude, I swear I will not think twice about that person.
Q: What about immediate projects coming up?
Devinn: I'm shooting with Michael Raven in a film called Breathless. And I'm shooting The Devinn Lane Show.
Q: Is that going to be Part 2?
Devinn: It's going to be a series. I'll be shooting every other month. There's definitely going to be three in the series, possibly five. It really depends on where I want to go as a director, because you've got Jonathan Morgan who shoots features and a lot of comedy. You've got Brad Armstrong who shoots large features and vignettes and all that stuff. I don't know that I'll ever want to shoot features. I'm not ruling it out. But I want to do stuff that I have fun shooting and I want to keep the set lighthearted, and I want everyone to enjoy themselves and have a good time. Sometimes when I shoot for Brad and I'm there for twenty hours, you feel like, "uh, should I just die already...please?!" [laughs] I don't know if I want to put people through twenty hour days. But there's a trade off: he's Director of the Year [for] Euphoria. Those were twenty hour days, and it won movie of the year [at the 2002 AVN Awards]!
Q: At the AVN Expo in Las Vegas [January 2002], you were very friendly and personable when meeting them and you obviously try to do a lot for them.
Devinn: Yeah, I do. I think the only time anybody's ever written anything about me seeming a little off, was I believe when were in New Orleans where we had like a VSDA [Video Software Dealers Association] or something like that, and it was a month after my mother passed away. And at that point, I felt "okay, no one know what has happened so I'm allowed to look a little out of it!" Other than that, no one has really said anything [critical], because I really do enjoy what I do and I enjoy meeting people and I take time out for my fans and I let them know that I appreciate them. And I answer my own e-mail, because I think those things are important. I can't tell you how many times people have sent me e-mail and I've written back to them and they're like "oh my god, I can't even believe you answer your own e-mail!" Well, yeah I answer my e-mail because that's the hand that feeds me! Devinn@Devinn.com is the e-mail address.
Q: I know that basic, old-fashioned manners are important to you. At the Vegas Expo in January, we talked about the AVN Awards Show, and how people can sometimes be rude when there are presenters on stage, and the audience is roaming around for a drink, or not paying full attention to the show....
Devinn: The environment that I grew up, and granted it was very extreme, but I was always taught to be pollute and to say "thank you" and "please" and "your welcome." And for someone who was speaking, to always give them your undivided attention and to be respectful to the fact that they have something to say. And yes, there are people that get up on their soapboxes at the AVN Awards, and they should! They should be allowed to do that [make speeches] obviously to a point, because you want to keep the show flowing and timely. But I I think that people who have gone to jail for us [for First Amendment causes] and have enabled us to do what we do, have the right to get up there and say what they feel they need to say. And a lot of people don't understand that; they take it for granted: Oh, I'm here. I'm shooting porn. I'm directing; I'm producing; I'm starring or whatever. They just think this is something that has been easy to do for a number of years. But I've checked the history: it hasn't always been like that! [laughs] It's been very difficult at times, and people have fought really hard for us in order for us to do this, and I think that you should give them a little respect. It's kind of a "respecting your elders" type of thing. And I think that there should be a mutual respect between performers, too. If somebody is up there saying thank you, why not listen?
Q: I saw the Award Show in 2001 and many in the audience do behave rather rudely.
Devinn: I could never present myself in that fashion. I can never give that impression of me, the company that I work for, and the industry as a whole to the public. I just can't do it. It just seems like it's no good for anybody. Because there are people out there that want to give a positive image of this industry. And just by being disrespectful at the AVN Awards is not just helping anybody at all.
Q: Like I said before, fans, in general, can sometimes be overzealous. We can be rude, and ask you to pose for the thousandth picture and sign the thousandth autograph. And there are some pornstars who act like they're doing everyone a favor by being there. And they certainly don't aren't as fun as you...
Devinn: Well, thank you. I'm never doing them a favor by being there. They're doing me a favor by purchasing my products. When the fans are flying to Las Vegas, or just driving from wherever just to come see me and get my autograph...come on, that's a lot! I can't say that I would do that for any movie star. I really can't! [laughs] So I admire that type of dedication in my fans. The least I can do is give them my four hours a day when I'm on the floor and to be happy to see them. And yes you deal with people that are overzealous and know everything about you and you've taken a hundred pictures. But I've said it once, I'll say it five million times: If you don't like it, you're in the wrong business. You haven't thought it out thoroughly enough. You haven't thought about what it is that you're giving of yourself. You've got to give one hundred and ten percent. Because if you don't you'll end up like one of those girls that come in and out in two years and is all bitter and pissed off at the industry for no reason other than the bad decisions that she's made on her own.
Q: That's a really good attitude to take...
Devinn: You never ever want your fans to feel like you're unapproachable, and that's been goal of mine. Because contract girls, honestly, have a really bad reputation...maybe not to the fans, but within the industry. You always hear the term "contract girl attitude." I don't want anybody to say I have that attitude because if they do, I'm going to have to check myself, because there is something obviously wrong! And you don't want to ever make anyone feel like you're unapproachable. I look back and I go, "okay, four years ago I wouldn't have even thought they wanted to put me in a magazine!" [laughs] And I have to remember that. You always have to remember that. I try to be as unassuming as I possibly can. I know that any point I can be replaced. In a heartbeat, they can replace me. And I never want to assume that I have the job because of my status or whatever it is that you want to call it. I never want to assume that. That is a dangerous place to be.
Q: As a fan of adult, I really wish more performers were like you. It also occurs to me that many people over at Wicked are also very approachable and have no airs or pretensions, like Brad Armstrong and Jonathan Morgan.
Devinn: You'll find that about the people at Wicked in general though. Steve Orenstein hires people that he likes and people he feels will represent his company the way he wants it represented.
Q: Is there anything else we want to mention or promote?
Devinn: Wicked has "Essential Elements"; it's a toyline. I'm going to be writing a review column for Adult DVD Empire.
Q: What else is going on?
Devinn: We have the toy line. I have about twenty product out on the market. My website is www.devinn.com. I do live webcasts. I am installing a jpeg push camera in my home. It was supposed to be installed by the 25th of March, but I just bought a house. So that took a little bit of my time, so now we're shooting for April 1. You can always visit Wicked Pictures.com and learn more about the other girls and the company, if you want a calendar of events about us.
Q: Are you going to be having a commentary or Forbidden Zone or The Devinn Lane Show?
Devinn: We will be offering commentary. I have Mark Stone as my number one camera guy. I love how Mark shoots. He shoots the way I think, and that is, if the sex is going good, just shoot it! Don't stop the rhythm, just do whatever you have to do to get all the angles that you need. You are going to get all the things that you get on a Wicked DVD on the Devinn Lane show as well. And you'll get a bonus scene.
Q: Is it going to be hidden as an easter egg?
Devinn: You'll to have to talk to Crawford about that. But I know that I wanted to shoot a bonus sex scene for the DVD.
Q: Well, we really appreciate you taking the time to talk with us. Again, have a fun and happy birthday!
Devinn: Thank you! It was a pleasure!
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