from www.askmen.com – The ‘60s get all the credit for revolutionizing what Americans think about sex, but even in the 21st century, America still has some serious sexual hang-ups to overcome. Thankfully, we have people like Sasha Grey to help us take off the blinders that have somehow obstructed our view of the Valley. Why are we so quick judge those who work in it when it’s more profitable than the music industry and we know so little about how it actually runs? Enter Sasha Grey.

At 22 years old and with over 200 adult films under her belt, she’s one of the most in-demand actresses in porn, which all started with a manifesto she penned at 18, outlining her plans to change the industry. Her latest film 9 to 5: Days in Porn — a documentary — follows Sasha, along with a handful of other intriguing people working in the porn industry, as they go about typical days over the course of a year, from their home life to time on set. While each of the film’s stars helps paint a well-rounded portrait of the Valley, Grey’s levelheaded approach to her job and her personal life will make you question why we’re so quick to stereotype porn stars, especially females — assuming that drugs, abuse and/or a fame obsession played a huge role in where they ended up in life. She spoke exclusively to AskMen about how she manages to balance her career with her relationship, why she’s stayed away from implants, her favorite porn, and how filming a porn scene can actually be pleasurable for the woman.

Q1: AskMen.com : This film is called 9 to 5: Days in Porn, but what is a typical day like? Is it 9 to 5?

Sasha Grey : It’s definitely not 9 to 5! Somebody asked me earlier what a pet peeve of mine was getting into the industry — because I did so much research on the business before I got into it — but what was something that I didn’t know about it. And that was getting your call-time at 6 or 7 p.m. the night before. It’s always changing, and people have to reschedule things at the last minute. Things always get switched around. You don’t have traditional Saturday and Sunday weekends. I don’t look forward to Fridays because I might be hosting a party on a Friday night or, as I have been lately, sitting at home in front of my computer working on my book. It’s always evolving and always changing.

Q2: AM : How do you make yourself comfortable before the first scene of the day?

SG : For me, it’s about meditating and trying to isolate myself and conserving all of my energy for the scene. I sit there and meditate or sit there and write.

Q3: AM : Can filming a porn scene actually be pleasurable for a woman?

SG : Definitely. One of the other things I do before a scene is I try to use a vibrator or something like that, so that I know that it’s not just about the other person; it’s for me as well.

Q4: AM : What are they keys to making a relationship work when you’re also an adult film star?

SG : I’ve been lucky enough to be in a relationship for close to four years. I have someone who really understands me and really appreciates me for who I am and not just for what I do. I think the first three months of our relationship were the hardest — learning how to:

“Hey, I’m going to set today”

“OK, see you later.”

That was definitely the hardest part, but now that I’m not shooting so much anymore, it has definitely gotten a lot easier, especially intimately.

Q5: AM : Yeah, I was wondering, do you still feel like having sex in your free time when that’s what you do professionally?

SG : In the first three months, I was shooting so many scenes that I would actually have to schedule sex. That was very obnoxious because part of the fun of sex is doing it spontaneously. Having to schedule it is so alien and so foreign, but I haven’t had to do that in a few years. I’m glad I don’t have to do that anymore.

Q6: AM : People never ask this to porn stars, but how do you choose your roles? Do you look for certain costars or directors?

SG : Generally, no. But ever since I started representing myself a couple of years ago, I definitely would only work for people I enjoyed being around, not people who were there just to get there and get out and get done as quickly as they can. That’s not exciting or fulfilling to me. I generally don’t think that makes the best product. I was definitely able to control that aspect of it, and what directors and production companies were the best to work with, and only working with them.

Q7: AM : You went into porn to change the industry. What would be an example of a movie you’re really proud of?

SG : I would have to say this movie I did with Andrew Blake. It’s called House Pets. It’s definitely visually beautiful.

Q8: AM : Obviously, sex addiction has been big in the news lately thanks to Tiger Woods and Jesse James. Do you think sex addiction is an actual illness?

SG : I think sex addiction is an actual illness. A lot of things can become addictive, but I do think in Hollywood it’s definitely something people are using as an excuse, to say, “Hey, I’m going to blame this on an illness rather than take responsibility for being unfaithful, or not telling you what I want.” I definitely think it’s a cop-out.

It’s definitely easier for the softer fan-bases to say, “Oh, it’s not his fault. He is sick!” It’s easier for people to swallow — no pun intended.

Q9: AM : The stereotype of girl who works in porn is that she’s either a drug addict or comes from an abusive background or both. How much of that do you actually see?

SG : You really don’t. Of course a lot of people smoke pot, but I don’t see that as a much problem unless someone is stoned 24/7. Aside from pot, I would say what I’ve witnessed in the adult industry, probably about 5% of the time I’ve ever been on set have I seen somebody obviously high on something other than pot. I don’t think it’s any worse than Hollywood, and I don’t think it’s any worse than people with really stressful jobs. It’s definitely not any worse than the demographic of 18 to 30 years, men and women.

Q10: AM : I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you, and you have a model’s body — not a stereotypical porn star body. Why have you stayed away from getting the gigantic boobs and all that we associate with a typical porn star?

SG : Thank you! I’m really confident. Of course there are times when I think, “God, I would love Christina Hendricks’ body, or I’d love Beyonce’s body.” The truth is, I don’t have that. If I tried to get that, it would look hilarious, and I would look like a blow-up doll. So how have I avoided it? I’m confident with what I have… and I’ve seen a lot of botched jobs to definitely make me want to steer away from that! Maybe if I ever have kids and my breasts drop to my ankles, then maybe I’ll get a breast lift or get an augmentation, but other than that I’m really happy with what I have.

Q11: AM : Speaking of families, has everyone in your life always been comfortable with your career path?

SG : It’s definitely not been super easy. That’s also a part of my personality — I like a challenge, and I like fighting for what I want. Otherwise, there’s no fun in the journey at all. My family and friends have definitely been supportive of me. I think the hardest part is making and maintaining friends, other than the ones that you had. But in terms of the quote-unquote struggle, in any branch of entertainment you constantly have to prove yourself and reinvent yourself and prove that you’re worthy of what you’ve been given.