Given her former line of work, it comes as no surprise that ex-porn star Sasha Grey is a lightning rod for controversy. What is surprising, however, is that the actress’ most recent scandalous role is one where she remained fully clothed.
Grey, who has been working as an actress since quitting the adult industry in 2001, most notably as the star ofSteven Soderbergh’s “The Girlfriend Experience,” found herself in hot water after visiting children at Emerson Elementary School as part of their guest reader program.
After a number of parents complained, Grey released a statement defending her actions. “I committed to this program with the understanding that people would have their own opinions about what I have done, who I am and what I represent,” she wrote. “I believe in the future of our children, and I will remain an active supporter and participant in education-focused initiatives.”
Grey maintained that she had done nothing wrong in Compton on today’s episode of “The View,” where she questioned the school’s way of handling the situation.
“Should they have informed the parents? Yes. But they should inform the parents any time there’s a guest speaker,” said Grey.
The actress added that her trip to Emerson Elementary was prompted by her own, deep-seated passion for education. “Reading was very important to me as a kid, and it was very inspirational for me. I went to a school where that wasn’t encouraged so much, but my parents encouraged that in me and that has made me part of who I am.”
While some of the show’s hosts remained skeptical about Grey’s intentions, Whoopi Goldberg came to the actress’ defense. “You didn’t kill anybody, you haven’t raped any children, you haven’t vomited in church,” said the host. “My daughter grew up across the street, and we were great friends with two people who were in the industry. My thing is, do you feel it’s a stigma? Do you think it’s something disgusting that you did?”
Grey responded, “This is something I wanted to do… one of the larger reasons was to stop the stigma and stop the stereotypes that people have against the adult film industry… I grew up ashamed of my sexuality and I felt guilty and disgusted at my sexuality, and the more I researched and the more I opened my mind, it felt for me like it was a good decision and I don’t have any regrets.”
As for her future community service efforts, Grey has no intention of limiting herself because of this controversy. “If it’s not reading to children, I would like to devote my time, contributing to the community in some way, in some form… You see the pictures, those kids were so happy. It wasn’t about my past.”
Sarah Crow 
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