We have done 51 of these “Where Are They Now??” features for 2015. For the final one of 2015, and with both the AVN and XBIZ awards coming in January, I wanted to take a look back. Only this time back to see what happened to some of the Best New Starlet nominees from AVN, XBIZ, XRCO and NightMoves from 2014 and 2015. They say ‘fame is fleeting’ and in the adult industry it sure can be. A number of these girls came roaring in like a lion when they began but have since have just basically almost vanished from sight.

Carmen Caliente – This Tampa girl hit the porn scene running and was quickly a fan favorite with her spicy Latina looks, body and talent. Not only did she score well in gonzo and all sex features, she also scored a major role in the award winning parody “Not Jersey Boys XXX”, also starred in Airerose Entertainment’s “Sorority Car Wash” and “Pure 4” along with several other well received releases. Then this Best new Starlet nominee just seems to have faded into the background.

Katarina Kay – This petite New Orleans blonde was another one who hit the scene with a big impact that caught everyone’s attention. She was featured in Kelly Madison’s “Born Flirty 6”, “Pure 2” for Airerose and the all female “Lesbian First Timers” for Girlfriends Films. There were others that helped get her a Best New Starlet nomination. But in 2015, while she is still doing some films, she is another that has seemed to fallen into the “where are they now?

Belle Knox- Talk about coming on like a hurricane, di this young lady ever do that! After being outed at Duke U. as a porn star, Belle Knox was seen everywhere, was on every show, was making personal appearances and got into doing films all in 2014 and was a surefire nominee for Best New Starlet. Many even thought she’d be the winner of the award. Given all the publicity around her, the film releases and appearances it seemed plausible, However, she didn’t win and now in 2015 she has become virtually a shadow of her rise to fame in 2014.

Kayla West – She came on the scene in 2014, had some very solid films in her first year working with some major stars and major companies. She dazzled in “Brothers and Sisters 3” for New Sensations and others. Her dark hair, all natural body and great looks made her a quick fan favorite. It also made her a solid nominee for Best New Starlet by AVN. While she didn’t win the future looked bright for Kayla and then after about 20 films…..poof!

There were several others from that class of 2014 and 2015 we could have also included who came on strong and then faded from view. Fortunately, there have been a number of continuing successes from that 2014-2015 group, Carter Cruise, Mia Malkova, Jillian Janson, Dillion Harper, August Ames, Keisha Grey, Jessa Rhodes just to name a few. So while fame may be fleeting for some, for others it’s the very beginning of a great career. I am sure that some of these girls will be the subject of a future “Where Are They Now??” some twenty or thirty years down the road.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN