College Student Who Secretly Doubled as a Porn Star Blames 'Thousands of Years of' Patriarchy and Religion for Society's Negative Views on Smut

A Duke University freshman who works as a porn star to help pay her college tuition told CNN's Piers Morgan Thursday that "thousands of years of patriarchy and thousands of years of religion" have led society to "deeply fear sexuality."

Image via CNN

The student, who goes by her stage name "Belle Knox," said that pornography has empowered her.

"If I was just another college girl who does porn this would have been like a day of news, but I think that because I came out in defense of myself and because I really talked about how much porn empowered me and I really told my story, I think that that's what set this story apart," she told Morgan.

Knox described her experience in the porn industry as "freeing," while also sharing her belief that women are oppressed and told to believe that sex is a bad thing. For her, she said, porn has offered a positive outlet.

As for why so many people find pornography so shameful, she has a theory.

"Well, that comes from thousands of years of patriarchy and thousands of years of religion that leads us to this point where we so deeply fear sexuality," she said, later adding, "There's nothing wrong with watching porn."

Knox did say that she regretted hiding her profession from her family, saying that it made her feel "isolated."

Watch the interview below:

Knox's take on porn differs from statements made by some former adult stars who have left the industry. Vanessa Belmond walked away from a years-long adult film career, publicly sharing the physical and mental toll the lifestyle took on her.

Another former star, Brittni Ruiz, said her porn career led her to drugs and alcohol; she became a Christian after leaving the industry.

(H/T: Mediaite)

--

Featured image via CNN