16 Sep 2007

Belladonna Retires

The Angelina Jolie lookalike will be a huge loss to the industry.

It's not been a good year for top-line adult stars retiring from the industry. First Jezebelle Bond, then, inevitably, Jenna Jameson, and now Belladonna, who has retired from the industry over fears over STDs.

This article is slighly bizarre in the blunt way it addresses her retirement and indeed the implications of her reasons for leaving, but if you push aside its slightly off-the-wall terminology then there are some serious points to be made.

It seems as an outsider that STDs are still not regarded seriously enough by the industry. Sure, there are HIV and AIDS tests in place, but that doesn't cover the plethora of other diseases and infections you can get.

Obviously, some productions are so low-budget that they really can't afford to test for these things. Also, some performers are penniless - they need to perform to earn and they're not going to damage those chances by admitting to having an ailment.

But really, more emphasis needs to be put on performers to get themselves tested and prove that they are fit to work. Having said that, some producers don't really care either, so it would be wrong to just blame the performers.

It doesn't help either that some people won't subscribe to a site or buy a product where the guys are wearing condoms. Attitudes need to change outright or you can expect more like Belladonna very soon.

Posted by Steve 10:19:00