It was reported yesterday that August Ames, the adult film star, had passed away at the age 23. Toxicology reports were conducted and no official cause of death has been found yet, but many believed she may have ended her own life. This news came shortly after Ames received widespread backlash online for her comments about working with gay performers in the industry. "Whichever (lady) performer is replacing me tomorrow," she wrote online, "you’re shooting with a guy who has shot gay porn, just to let cha know." She then added "BS is all I can say Do agents really not care about who they’re representing? I do homework for my body". [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/AugustAmesxxx/status/937422512077471744]] This sparked a debate on Twitter, with some coming to her defence, claiming that gay performers are not subject to the same level of tests that straight performers do. In response to this, many pointed out that if you are taking part in a straight production then you have to follow the same protocol regardless of what you had worked on in the past. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/sinnsage/status/937765092610863105]] Ames later said she had nothing to apologise for, and that it comes down to her own health and wellbeing, writing "I CHOOSE who I have inside my body. No hate". Her final tweet, which was issued the same day as her death, simply read: "fuck y'all". [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/AugustAmesxxx/status/937834002768990208]] In light of this tragedy, and those in her friendship circle who have spoken out Ames' struggles with depression, her brother has now spoken out. James Grabowski posted a tribute to her on his private Facebook page, which was then shared across the internet. Wishing to make an official statement in light of this, he opened up to The Sun Online: "I want my sister's death to be recognised as a serious issue - bullying is not OK. It cost me my baby sister's life." "I will do what I can to be a voice for Mercedes [August's real name] but right now my family and I need to be left alone to grieve - we have lost a loved one." "I didn't want people switching my words around - it was supposed to be a private post. I just need to be alone and have some time to deal with this." [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BcLmbskgQq8/]] In addition to James' words, there have also been revelations about Ames' past, including her struggles with drug addiction and a traumatic childhood. She opened up about her past on the podcast Holly Randall Unfiltered, on which she featured in September. "I have an awful relationship with my dad. I tried to forget about it and talk to him about how I was feeling about my childhood and everything, because there was a lot of sexual molestation — not from my father but from his [redacted] — so I had to suffer from being molested by my [redacted]. When I finally told my dad, he didn't believe me."  "The issue was never resolved. All my life I grew up a liar by my dad and his side of the family." "Some days I'll be fine, and if I'm not doing anything I'll get these awful flashbacks of my childhood and I get very depressed and I can't get out of bed and cancel my scenes for like a week or two". [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BbQ3J84gsHY/?taken-by=msmaplefever]] She then spoke about how she deals with these issues, including attempts to get into therapy, a practice she isn't a fan of. On top of this, despite enjoying her career she still found her profession an obstacle in social situations. “It was just awful. It’s still recent where I have to keep myself occupied or else I start thinking about all that s**t and then I fall into a depression. I try to do therapy. I hate that word. I hate therapy.” “I would get in contact with some people and then I would feel badly because they’d be like ‘What’s your profession and I’d be like ‘Oh, I’m in the adult industry’ and then I’d feel like they’re like ‘Oh, that’s the whole reason that you are the way you are’ and then I’d get turned off" The Canada-born actress passed away in California on Tuesday. Many of her fellow adult actors and others who work in the industry came out to pay their respects to her following her death. Her husband, adult film director Kevin Moore, asked for privacy in the wake of her death, stating: "she was the kindest person I ever knew and she meant the world to me".

Adult film star August Ames recently faced online backlash after comments she had made about men who film gay scenes. She had dropped out of a shoot because she discovered her co-star had also conducted scenes with other men, with her comments on the topic were widely criticised by her fans. Ames, who had starred in over 270 adult films since her debut in 2013, passed away on Tuesday this week. Toxicology reports are being conducted, with no official cause of death confirmed at this point, but some are citing her struggle with depression as related to the death, with the recent backlash pushing her over the edge. [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BcEDuxBAltx/?taken-by=msmaplefever]] Her original comments were addressed to the actress who replaced her on the shoot, which she tweeted out on December 3. Many of the replies on Twitter questioned her decision to not work with certain actors for this reason, sparking others to come to her defence. "Whichever (lady) performer is replacing me tomorrow for @EroticaXNews , you’re shooting with a guy who has shot gay porn, just to let cha know," she wrote, adding "BS is all I can say Do agents really not care about who they’re representing? I do homework for my body" [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/AugustAmesxxx/status/937422512077471744]] Noelle Easton, another adult star, jumped to her defense, claiming that it is dangerous to work with gay performers as they don't have to follow the same rigorous tests that straight performers have to. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/NoelleEaston/status/937428037188009984]] However, many others in the industry pointed out that anyone filming straight pornography would have to follow the same protocol regardless of what other work they had been doing beforehand, to which there seemed to be no answer. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/LaRyanLeMay/status/937438350826463232]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/AlexisMonroexxx/status/937507448620957696]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/sinnsage/status/937765092610863105]] Some of her friends and colleagues have claimed that she had been battling depression, and that online harassment may have played a part in her death. After the news of her death came out Annika Albright tweeted, "You people should have known better than to berate her over her personal thoughts! Shame on all you for beating it into the ground. Online harassment is a real thing & it claimed another life". [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BcLmbskgQq8/?taken-by=msmaplefever]] After the critical response from Twitter, Ames said that she didn't have anything to apologise for and that her intentions were not malicious. She said the issue was about her choice of who she works with and her personal health, stating that she "f*cking love[s] the gay community". Her final tweet, which was posted on the day of her death, simply read: "f*ck y'all". [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/AugustAmesxxx/status/937834002768990208]] The Canada-born actress passed away in Camarillo, California. Many of her fellow adult actors and others who work in the industry came out to pay their respects to her following her death. Her husband, adult film director Kevin Moore, asked for privacy in the wake of her death, and said: "she was the kindest person I ever knew and she meant the world to me".

Sophie Anderson, a star in the adult film industry, has passed away aged 36, her friend has announced.

Anderson, 36, is revealed to have died just two weeks after her ex-partner Oliver Spedding, according to reports from the Daily Mail.

Rebecca Jones, a retired adult star and a close friend of Anderson, took to Instagram on December 5 to share the heartbreaking news and pay tribute to her friend.

Jones - who was best known as one half of the viral 'C**k Destroyers' duo along with Anderson - wrote a heartfelt caption, expressing her devastation and memories of their time together. She wrote: "I’m devastated hearing the awful news of Sophie’s passing.

"We shared some amazing times together and that’s how I’m going to remember her. The bubbly, funny, kind hearted soul who was outrageous on the outside but also so gentle behind closed doors.

"We were very close, and we shared a crazy time together that was totally unique to us. That’s how I will remember her. This is so tragic but I know you are now at peace. I will always always love you and hold a special place in my heart."

Anderson is survived by her four children.

The untimely death of Anderson comes after the passing of her ex-boyfriend Spedding, a former Crystal Palace soccer player who transitioned into the adult film industry.

Spedding, aged 34, shared his thoughts on the challenges of being a porn star in an interview on the Anything Goes with James English podcast, stating that it's "not as good as people think."

He revealed that he got paid £150 ($189) for each film and believed that he would have made more money had he stayed as a soccer player.

"I used to fight as well, maybe that could have gone somewhere," Spedding said at the time. "I was good at both of those things, but being a porn star, I thought that would be just as good - but it's not as good as people think."

Croydon FC, Spedding's old club, expressed their grief on Twitter, saying: "Croydon FC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player, Oliver Spedding."

The club paid tribute to Spedding's contributions on the pitch, describing him as a much-loved individual.

In the comments of Jones' heartfelt Instagram post, fans paid their respects to Anderson and those who knew her shared glimpses of her character.

"Sending love to everyone that loved Soph, that girl was so special. I’ve never laughed and cried harder with someone. So so special," one person penned.

A second added: "Unbelievably sad news. The two of you brought SO MUCH joy to countless people across the world and enacted such positive change on this planet. Sending so much love to you & to Sophie’s family."

A third said: "Absolutely devastating. She was such a wonderful soul," while a fourth concluded: "Sophie was an incredible person filled with so much love."

There has been no confirmed cause of death for either Anderson or Spedding at the time of writing.

Our thoughts are with both Anderson and Spedding's loved ones during this difficult time.

Featured image credit: Shirlaine Forrest/Getty

Adult film star Jesse Jane has passed away at the age of 43 alongside her boyfriend, according to reports.

As reported by TMZ, Jane - who rose to fame in the 2000s in the adult entertainment industry - was reportedly found dead at her home, beside her boyfriend, Brett Hasenmueller.

The couple was discovered deceased after authorities conducted a welfare check at their residence in Moore, Oklahoma, per the publication.

Law enforcement officers are thought to have arrived at the property after Hasenmueller's employer voiced concerns that they hadn't heard from him in some time.

Adult film actress Jesse. Credit: Gabe Ginsberg / Getty

It is currently unclear exactly when the couple passed away, and what their cause of death is. The outlet reports that an investigation is underway, with a medical examiner expected to disclose their findings in due course.

Jesse Jane is predominantly known for her career in adult entertainment, and her work for Playboy, where she hosted a popular live show, Night Calls.

She also made notable appearances in media, showcasing her versatility as an actress such as a cameo appearance in the 2004 comedy film Starsky & Hutch, a remake of the original TV show.

The late star also displayed her acting skills on television, having a guest role on the popular HBO series, Entourage - which is about Hollywood's entertainment industry.

Jesse Jane was reportedly found dead alongside her partner. Credit: Barry Brecheisen / Getty

Many of Jane's heartbroken friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to her.

One person named Joone heartfully penned on X (formerly Twitter): "I am heartbroken by the loss of my friend, Jesse Jane, who was a remarkable person and a phenomenal artist. She touched so many lives with her grace and beauty, her infectious laugh, and a smile that lit up the world. I’m honored to have known her and to have been her friend."

Joe D'Amico expressed his sorrow, writing: "It is with a heavy heart, I am shocked & saddened by the news my dear friend of over 20 years, Cindy Howell also known as adult film star, Jesse Jane has passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to her son. Rest In Peace, Jess…(one of our first pics, 21 years ago & our last pic, last January)."

Photo editor Sam Phillips added: "I am in shock after reading former adult star Jesse Jane is dead from an apparent drug overdose. Jesse was the sweetest and kindest human on this planet. I hired her for her very first movie role, a mainstream one called, Busty Cops, before she did adult films. I am Devastated."

Our thoughts are with Jane and Hasenmueller's family and friends at this devastating time.

Featured image credit: Gabe Ginsberg / Getty

Adult film star Sophia Leone has tragically died at the age of 26 after being found unresponsive in her apartment.

On March 1, the professional adult actress was discovered "unresponsive" in her New Mexico home "by her family," according to a GoFundMe page set up by Sophia's stepfather, Mike Romero.

The Miami-born adult star broke into the industry in 2014 and has starred in over 80 films, her IMDb page shows.

She is best known for her roles in movies such as the 2016 release Bad Neighbor directed by Ryan Madison and 2019's Cooling Down.

Albuquerque cops are reportedly investigating her death as suspicious and are also looking at it as a home invasion homicide, as revealed by her Los Angeles-based modeling agency, 101 Modeling.

"To be clear, Sophia death is being investigated as a robbery and homicide," the agency penned on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday (March 9). "We're going to take time off social media because this is difficult."

Read the tweet below: 

A fundraiser was set up by her family to help with the financial obstacles they will face in this devastating time. As of the time of writing, $10,115 has been raised of the $12,000 target.

"The Sudden loss of Sophia has left her family and friends devastated and in shock, on top of the difficult process of grieving and seeking justice for Sophia the family is also facing the financial burden that they were not prepared for," the description reads. "I am reaching out to all of Sophia’s supporters and the community during this incredibly difficult time.

"Sophia without question deserves the absolute best memorial and you can help us. Any donation no matter the amount will go straight towards the costs associated with the investigation, funeral expenses, and any other costs that may arise as the family works through this heartbreak," they continued.

Sophia's step-dad describes her as a "beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend," adding: "She had a deep love for all animals, specifically her three pets. She enjoyed traveling and always found ways to make everyone around her smile.

"As her Stepfather, I want to personally thank you for your kindness and generosity during this difficult time. Sophia will be deeply missed but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved her. May she rest in eternal peace," he concluded.

The donation page does not give any information surrounding the investigation into Sophia's death, however, it mentions "seeking justice" for their loved one.

Credit: GoFundMe

Many of Sophia's colleagues and friends have taken to social media to express their heartbreak over her death.

Brian Berke, who runs Leone’s Florida-based agency, AMA Modeling, wrote: "At 18 years old you started with me at AMA and now at 26 I have to say goodbye. We had such an Amazing Bond. Always reminding each other how much we cared. I was supposed to be your guardian angel. A piece of me is gone. I love you, Sophia."

"Sad sad day waking up learning Sophia Leone has passed away," Riley Kay Carlson penned. "I love you baby girl you taught me so much in the industry early on. I hope you are in a better place now."

101 Modeling also added: "Our hearts are broken by the untimely and tragic passing of our beloved Sophia Leone. A beautiful spirit who touched many of us. RIP sweet angel and know how much we loved you."

Our thoughts are with Sophia's family and friends at this heartbreaking time.

Featured image credit: Mbbirdy / Getty