In an intimate affair earlier this month, YouPorn, the deliciously salacious pornographic website which happens to be one of the 100 most accessed websites in the world, hosted a private evening event at Paul’s Baby Grand in New York City. But who were guests of honors? None other than A’Ziah “Zola” King, Richie Shazam, Leah McSweeney, and Julia Fox. A gathering of sorts that saw guests dancing to the tunes of Samantha Urbani while sipping on cocktails also saw the lucky attendees listen in on an erotic story reading by Zola, Shazam, McSweeney, and Fox themselves. The stories, which delivered steamy lines such as “I took off my top and began dancing in the middle of the room. The wife sat on the plush red couch, and the husband sat on the black across from her. I undressed in the middle of the room until I was in nothing but my 8-inch heels.” from Fox’s reading, to “I was so turned on by her dominance and sexual energy from the second she walked in, that I would’ve probably done whatever she asked. I leaned back & let him please me in the same way I had just satisfied his wife.” from Shazam’s reading, helped embrace and champion sexuality on a whole new level.

Below, V’s Digital & Beauty Editor Kevin Ponce caught up with Julia Fox to discuss all things sex and everything it encompasses.

V Magazine: What made you want to partake in this evening’s event? What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of YouPorn + erotic stories?

Julia Fox: I love Zola’s work and jumped at the chance! I think it’s amazing that YouPorn has taken the initiative to create safe spaces where women in sex work can be celebrated and spotlighted. 

V: People have such a narrow-minded view when it comes to sex. How did you go about exploring your sexuality and growing into your skin that way? Do you still find that people are more closed off than you’d imagine?

JF: For me, entering sex work was instrumental in discovering my own sexuality because it was the only place I was finally free to explore and learn about myself and my body and my sexuality. I wish there were more safe spaces for that to happen naturally. I think, culturally, everyone is very suppressed or always feeling ashamed about their kinks.

V: Why do you think society is still so reserved when discussing the matter of sex? Do you think there is a way to shift the mindset of the public into thinking more freely

JF: I think talking about it is so important, and that’s why tonight’s event is so powerful. Hearing in intimate detail one of Zola’s first encounters in her journey of sex work was so empowering! Everyone in the room was turned on! And that’s the irony in all this: everyone loves sex workers when they’re watching porn or hiring an escort, but where is everyone when it comes to their rights and safety and being protected? There’s a lot more work to be done but tonight was a beautiful celebration of sex work and I was honored to be a part of it and share that moment with my girls.