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Money Rant

Montana Fishburne

Yesterday I was on HLN with Jane Velez-Mitchell debating whether it was cool or not for Montana Fishburne to have released her own porn film.

My point, contrary to the other more morally confused commentators, was that it is perfectly OK for Montana to make a pornographic film.  That her father Laurence Fishburne‘s career will not be hampered by difficult questions on the red carpet.  That as far as I was concerned Montana’s decision was a ‘feminists dream’.  Of course I was being deliberately incendiary but it’s a news entertainment show.  That’s my role.

Seriously though, we are only ‘shocked‘ and ‘outraged‘ because a rich girl decides to make a pornographic film.  Why are we shocked?  Because our preconceptions about pornography and women in pornography are blown out of the water.  We still believe that women who make a choice to go into porn have no choice at all.  That they are the naive victims of unscrupulous men and to be sure, there is some truth to this on some occasions but not all porn is the same.

I am perfectly sure that when my friend Jenny Ketcham made porn she knew exactly what she was doing.

Montana Fishburn legitimizes pornography and scaily, for some people, may encourage a different sort of woman to make pornography a legitimate career choice.

Montana’s choice blasts the lie of the ‘sex tape’ out of the water.  Let’s face it, both Paris and Kim knew exactly what they were doing when their sex tapes were released.  They were complicit.  The tape would never have been released without their consent.  To be sure Rick Hilton never lost any sleep about the impact on his career after his daughter’s tape was released.

We live in Hollywood, fame and celebrity (even notoriety) is the goal for most people who live here.  To live in your father’s shadow when you too crave what he has but your options are few…what’s a girl to do?

Porn has become a legitimate way for a starlet to reach a mass audience and become a star.  The press is more than willing to collude with the associated lies.  That both Paris and Kim shot their sex tapes covertly merely attempts to disguise the truth.

I take my hat off to Montana Fishburne.  Let’s hope she makes a whole heap of cash.  The kids of the rich and famous are notorious wasters.  If this girl is as clever as she seems to be she’ll never ask her father for another cent.  For the time being Montana Fishburne will glory in the spotlight that until now has been reserved exclusively for her father and my guess is that more people, in the long run, will see her film work than his.

20 replies on “Montana Fishburne”

Hey, I say, “Good for her.” Far from deserving derision or pity, women who go into porn with eyes wide open and half a brain should be lauded for their understanding of the market & their courage in capitalizing on it for all its worth.

Interesting perspective. It made me look at a subject, that I had strong opinions about, in a different light. I’m not sure I totally agree, but it sure made me think differently. I like that.

hmmm, agree with the paris and kardashian part, agree that she wont take her daddys money anymore, but does a young woman of her age really know what she wants? i know i didnt, and some things you cant take back., such as children or a sex tape.

Interesting, Duncan. Thank you. When you reference dear Jenny Ketcham, I couldn’t help but remember the depth of her shame, tears coursing down her face, as she described herself as a “monster” regarding her choice of sexual behaviors. She is a smart, independent woman and I agree with you that she knew what she was doing… but look what it did to her. Sometimes our choices turn on us. We can think we have mastered the beast to deploy it to our profit until one day we find it controls us, greatly to our detriment. Accomplished porn professionals such as Jenna Jameson and Ron Jeremy appear to have total control over their world and their success. However, what is the price they paid in terms of their humanity and ultimately to their freedom? I fear for Ms. Fishburne. Just sayin’

Jenny was referring to the men she had treated badly..not her past sexual behaviors. Look what porn did to Jenny? It gave her training in life. Without porn she may not be in the position she is today..a book to publish for instance. Being ‘nice’ making ‘nice’ choices that toe the line are not as rewarding maybe to those of us who walked a different path. Our defects/mistakes/shortcomings have made everyone of us, ultimately, better people.

By Post Author

Duncan,

At this stage in her life, do you think that given the chance, that Jennie Ketcham would have advised Montana Fishburne or anyone else to go into porn if they have other options? Somehow, I think not. Unless I’m mistaken, she’s jettisoned every tie to the porn industry for the sake of her recovery and her sanity.

Respectfully,

Amanda

Amanda, you are wrong. Jenny would advise people to follow their dream, whatever that dream might be. She would certainly give advice to anyone going into porn as I would advise anyone who wanted to direct or produce. Anyway, as Jenny and I chatted today..and I doubt if you did..I really think, respectfully, that you don’t know her like you think you do.

By Post Author

Duncan,

When you spoke with Jennie K. did you ask her about the Fishburne situation? I’m not being snippy, I’d just be very interested in hearing her take on it. Especially, since despite a few crossovers from porn into “legitimate” acting, not many seem to have fashioned a stable acting career outside of porn. And that seems to be the point of the exercise for Montana Fishburne, to establish notoriety and to then parlay that into a legit acting career. Either that, or she’s mistaken being a celebutante for legitimate substance and worth which is sadly, all too common these days.

Blessings,

Amanda

Duncan, Jenny retired from porn, You’re right we don’t know her, but I did see the damage on her face and my first thoughts were what Leslie wrote.

I would like to hear Jenny’s take on this, and I wish we had known you were going to be on tv too, maybe then we would have a better point of view.JMHO

my other thought is if Miss Montana made a choice to do this it was probably to give the middle finger to daddy.She is so young.

Duncan,

I wish that you had mentioned that you were going to be on HLN so that we all could have watched and been aware of the discussion. I wasn’t — thankfully — aware of the Fishburne controversy until I read the blog. In trying to catch up, I came across an article about her arrest for prostitution last year when she was either 17 or 18 since she’s 19 now. (I couldn’t find her birthday listed.) Also, mention was made in comments on the porn story about how unhealthy she looks and there’s speculation about sexual abuse. I, as well, think that there is more to the story that will come out in the months ahead. I also, stand corrected in that she, herself, said that she is not interested in using porn as a stepping stone to a legit acting career. She said that she wants to do porn to explore her sexuality, which would be fine, except for the arrest for prostitution. While porn — may — be a choice for a fame/notoriety hungry child of a famous actor, I doubt that prostitution can be seen in the same light. Something is wrong.

Pornography may have empowering elements for women and there are even some women who write and direct porn. Jenna Jameson only performed with her husband and created a small empire for herself. However, when you remember that Jennie Ketcham was deep into her sexual addiction while she was acting in porn, it makes you wonder just how “free” is this choice for women? Or men, for that matter. When Montana Fishburne says that she wants to do porn because she likes sex and she wants to explore her sexuality, it begs the question as to what’s stopping her from doing that without going into porn? Of course, yes, there is the financial aspect to it. Why do something for free when you can get paid… right? And you will have thousands of fans/potential stalkers, who will idolize you. Or the person they perceive as you.

As for prostitution, I am again, not against prostitution per se, but it seems that very few of the women and men who engage in prostitution are not exploited and abused by their managers or their clients. And from their own stories, a lot of them are damaged people and although other avenues might have been open to some of them, they couldn’t see that at the time. Plus, with all the controversy about Craig’s List being a portal for human trafficking and the exploitation of minors, this whole subject is now becoming ever more ethically, if not morally, perilous. Not that there was a time when a controversy didn’t rage about the issue. In short, while I believe that a person should be free to do whatever they want with their body, and that one is free to choose to be sexual in whatever venue, public or private, that they choose, it would give me much more peace of mind to know that these choices are made without the blinders and chains of addiction and with some awareness of the future consequences.

I do take issue with your saying “… my guess is that more people, in the long run, will see her film work than his.” So what? Why is that even up for discussion? What does it have to do with the topic?

Blessings,

Amanda

P. S. I don’t think that Paris or Kim intended for their private sex tapes to be released. I think that it’s possible to be a celebrity/fame-whore and still want to keep some private things, well, private. I’m sure that it’s hard enough for someone in their Jimmy Choo’s to be intimate with someone without worrying that you are getting fucked to be a notch on someone’s belt. Let alone to have the nightmare of having intimate filmed moments exploited afterward. I don’t give either of them a lot of credit, but I do believe that both of them were genuinely hurt and betrayed. Ditto, for Pam Anderson.

Duncan,

I looked for a clip of your appearance on both panel discussions of Montana Fishburne and Fantasia and I couldn’t find anything. And I tried. If you have links could you post them?

I did find this link: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2010/08/10/jvm.montana.fishburne.hln on which page is an interview with Montana Fishburne and a link to an interesting discussion “Has Porn Hijacked Sexuality” which is at the bottom of the page where “American Morning” clips are listed. Also, after watching Montana Fishburne on the clip and her referencing of Kim Kardashian’s sex tape that she feels led to her reality show, perfume and other endorsements — although I think that she might have been on the family reality show before the release of the tape — I have to say that apparently Ms. Fishburne is confusing the release of a private sex tape made for the viewing of the couple — and the sympathy that engendered — with making pornography meant for an audience. And she DOES say that she hopes that she can parlay her work in porn into other opportunities. And how many “adult stars” does THAT happen to? Reality shows, perfumes and other endorsements? She’s a bit deluded. Although maybe just her name on the film will get her some Benjamins, I wonder just how much of a “career” she will have? She’s not the most charismatic person. Compared to Jenna Jameson or Jennie Ketcham for that matter, she comes off very bland. No star power. I’m not trying to be mean, I just think that she’s got serious issues.

Blessings,

Amanda

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