paul smith's Snaps & Bytes e-home
March 2006: READER'S LIVES - With Jessica Drake and Stormy Daniels of Wicked Pictures.
What was your childhood ambition?
Stormy - I wanted to be a veterinarian. I've tried putting my hand up a cow's bottom. And a horse's. It's like putting your arm in hot pudding. Or a Princess. Why do you think I'm in Britain? All this is just a front. I'm actually here to meet William.
Jessica - I was three years into a Psychology course at collage before I got into porn. Before then, as a child, it changed a lot. Lawyer, nurse- I wanted to be a cop for a long time.
What ambitions do you still have?
Jessica - I want to stay around the business. In front of the camera for 3, 4, 5 years and after that I'll decide. I've done some art direction, I've written scripts, maybe I'll direct. And then I want to retire and do nothing!
Stormy - Staying where I'm at for now. I'm under contract for four more years in front of the camera as well as behind. When the time comes I'll exclusively write, direct and produce. I've recently started my own production company, as that's the way to make real money. When I retire I want something to show for my time.
How did you come to be in the adult film industry?
Stormy - Like a lot of girls in porn I started as a dancer out of financial necessity, and loved it. I joined a higher-end club that had feature entertainers and decided that's what I wanted to do. That led to two years of magazine work. Eventually I followed a friend out to LA for a video shoot with Wicked. I was meant to stay for five days - that was three and a half years ago.
Jessica - Very similar! Dancing to put myself through collage, then magazines and Playboy TV. I spent a few months getting to know the porn industry before I committed to it, and I really liked what I saw.
What makes a good adult film?
Stormy - Passion! Great sex. And if there's acting in it, believable acting.
Jessica - I'm all about the penetration, but that's just me. Stormy's a little more romantic, but not me!
What other adult stars/companies do you admire?
Jessica - None. We're the best! And there's a reason why we're at Wicked and not somewhere else.
What's the funniest thing you've seen/done at an industry event?
Jessica - I was on a set doing a girl-girl scene, wearing a strap-on and Teri Weigel, who wasn't supposed to be in the scene, just jumped in. We're making a whole lot of noise. Then the police turned up because someone had reported a domestic disturbance. I was just stroking the strap-on, walked around a corner, and this cop's jaw hit the floor. He called his partner in to hang out for a while and they took their time checking the place for a body.
If you couldn't have your job any longer, whose from the adult world would you like? And what would you do with it?
Jessica - I wouldn't say Steve (Wicked Pictures President) because he's got way too much responsibility on his head. Maybe I could be Janine (another famed actress) so I could touch myself all day long.
Stormy - Steve's sort of a sad case. He makes all the money but he doesn't get to have sex with any of the hot girls. That's another reason not to take his job.
If we gave you £1000 to spend today, what would you do with it?
Jessica - I'd be at a day spa. I could really use some pampering right now.
Stormy - I'd be hoarding it away - I haven't bought anything for a long time. That or spending it in a shoe store.
What's your idea of a great night out?
Stormy - We go out so much working, and dancing, that a great night out is actually a great night in. And I'm so sad I usually sit at home and watch porn! For research. I'm not above going to other production companies and begging for free porn.
Jessica - A big bucket of greasy chicken too - legs, breasts and thighs! I'm a lot like Stormy. With so many industry events, and all the travelling, I really just want drive-thru and a DVD. Porn or not.
What car do you drive?
Stormy - I have a Lexus SUV. Not the big tall one, the in-between size.
Jessica - A little white Mercedes convertible. It's fast!
What was the last gadget you bought?
Jessica - PSP. And a curling iron yesterday. I've been to so many countries I have hair tools from all around the world and I couldn't figure-out what to bring to the UK. So I brought a lot of adapters but I burned out my curling iron. There was smoking and melting.
Stormy - I've recently taken up bowling, so can my ball count? It was custom made with extra deep holes so I wouldn't break my nails with it. It's got my name on it, and it's quite festive - Sparkly! And I've got matching pink patent bowling shoes.
If your house was on fire and you only had chance to save one thing, what would it be?
Stormy - My Puppy. She's called The Detective Olivia Benson. Named after my favourite character on my favourite TV show; Law and Order. It's the only television I watch. Benson or The Detective for short.
Jessica - I'm a CSI fan myself. If I had to rescue something it'd be a box I have that's completely full of stuff from my childhood. I lost my dad about six months ago and it's got all his letters - basically everything that's important to me is in this box.
What is your biggest regret in life?
Jessica - Being in a relationship for a bit too long, which prohibited me from doing the things I wanted to do. I allowed someone to make certain decisions about my life for me.
Stormy - Not poisoning my ex-husband before he took me off his life insurance. But really, I don't have any regrets. Even when bad things have happened, they've led to something good.
Who from this industry would you most like to have a quiet, candlelit dinner with?
Stormy - You know Jessica's going to say Janine. I'd want someone who I could pick their brains. Maybe Greg Alves who runs Zero Tolerance. I really admire him.
Jessica - A quiet candlelit dinner wouldn't stay that way for long with Rocco. We'd just wipe everything off the table and go for it. Janine can watch! I've had dinner with Ron Jeremy before now; it was all, "are you going to eat that?"
What's the best thing that has happened to you in the last 12 months?
Jessica - Professionally, I've had a bunch of movies come out which I'm really proud of. Personally, after my dad died I got much closer to his family, strengthening those bonds. It made me prioritise what's really important in my life and I've grown so much in the last 12 months.
Stormy - It's been a big year for me - so much amazing stuff. Probably the biggest deal was getting my production company and doing exactly what I want with Wicked. That's huge both professionally and personally, because it's my future.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.
Jessica - I was really nerdish when I was younger. At school I was this tall, skinny bookworm and I was really brainy. Then I got friendly with the hottest girl in school, we slept together and I blossomed into the slut I am today! Our school actually changed their dress code because of us - we were scandalous.
Stormy - This is true, I swear. I paid a boy $250 to take me to the prom and then screw me.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Jessica - Porn years are like dog years. Don't stare at the sun is another good one. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. "This too shall pass", is something my girlfriend says to me. No matter what's happening, how bad, or how deep the shit is, in days, weeks, months or even years, everything will be fine.
Stormy - "Take people for what they're worth". Someone who works for me always says that. And more annoyingly, "Sometimes that's just the way it is". Don't run with scissors, always hover in public bathrooms, and don't lick the bowl.
What would you like to be doing in five years time?
Stormy - That's an easy one. Directing and producing great porn films.
Jessica - Celebrating life! Just being happy doing whatever I'm doing in the adult industry.