LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Before summer began, no one had heard of Montana Fishburne. But the daughter of Oscar-nominated actor Laurence Fishburne, now the main guy on “CSI,” was eager to make a name for herself.
On August 18, Vivid Entertainment released the aptly titled adult feature Montana Fishburne. Mission accomplished. With the movie perched atop Adult Video News’ weekly sales chart, Fishburne has been fielding offers ranging from television and a book to ringtones. For better or worse, it seems the 18-year-old newly minted adult film star has broken into the business. She recently spoke about the adult entertainment industry and her plans to outgrow it.
Have you spoken with your family since the film was released?
Montana Fishburne: I did talk to my father. He told me he was embarrassed by me. My mom just says, “I love you.” We don’t talk about it every day. She wants me to be happy and doesn’t want me to get dragged into the dark side of porn.
What is the dark side of the adult film industry?
Fishburne: Drugs. A lot of girls have low self-esteem and resort to drugs and other destructive behaviour.
When did you decide this is what you wanted?
Fishburne: I’ve been aware of the industry for four years. After I turned 18, I started to seriously think about the best way for me to enter (the business). I was impressed with Kim Kardashian’s success after her tape was released by Vivid and decided to call the company to see if I could arrange a meeting. I met with (founder and co-chairman) Steven Hirsch and convinced him that I knew what I wanted, and we planned my movie debut.
Reports indicate that you made upwards of $250,000 for the film. Can you confirm this?
Fishburne: I can’t really talk about it, but I made some money. It’s keeping me in the place I live.
Given the success of the film, has vivid approached you to appear in additional features?
Fishburne: They offered it to me, and I’m talking with them about it, but I haven’t signed on to anything yet. I don’t know if I want to do it right away, I’m actually getting a lot of mainstream offers. I want to pursue those opportunities and then come back to it.
Can you reveal what offers you’re considering?
Fishburne: I can’t be specific, but they are acting roles. I’m open to scripted and reality. It just all depends on what the project it is. If something truly interests me, I’ll get super involved and want to make it happen. That’s why I did this movie.
Do you think releasing this film will have a negative impact on your career moving forward?
Fishburne: Kim Kardashian’s sex tape was released, but she still got past that. Even though she got all that negative attention for it, she still has all these other ventures going on now. That is what I want to emulate: having a tape come out and still being seen as a positive person. Not just, “She’s a porn star.”
Your father clearly is upset by your actions. Do you think you two will ever reconcile?
Fishburne: Until he respects me and accepts me for who I am, I don’t think we will have much of a relationship.
An associate of your father’s reportedly tried to buy all the videos in an effort to keep your film from being released. What’s your reaction to that?
Fishburne: Yes, they were trying to stop it from being released, but the videos had already been shipped out. I understand that they were just trying to look out for my father, but I was happy it wasn’t done.
Did you have a traditional upbringing despite being the daughter of a celebrity?
Fishburne: It was traditionally unconventional. I’ve had divorced parents since I was 2, and my dad was a really famous actor, so it was as conventional as it could be. We had the best of the best: private schools, travelling all over the world. I’ve had a happy life.
