By day, Lake Russell works as a carer, providing support to the elderly and people with disabilities. But by night, she’s living a completely different life. Wellington-born Lake first dabbled in porn in 2007 to help pay the mortgage. Now at 60, she’s still creating X-rated content with no intention of leaving the world of erotica anytime soon.
“I was worried I’d feel ashamed getting back into the adult industry, but it’s been an empowering experience,” says Lake.
“I love being able to pick up my phone and chat with my fans.”
Her adult film career started when she was living in the US with her ex-husband. Both actors, the couple had bought a house in upstate New York and were living off Lake’s savings. As well as using the money to renovate.
“We’d moved from New Zealand to New York to be closer to his family,” she tells.
“We felt sure there would be more acting opportunities in the US, but after arriving, we realised that wasn’t the case. We were both in our forties and work was scarce. We got to the point where we couldn’t pay the mortgage.”
Where it all started
Her ex suggested that Lake could try working in the porn industry.
“The idea didn’t faze me,” she says.
“I knew how good the money was and I’d always enjoyed sex. It was really just acting – with fewer clothes “So the next day, we called some agents in the adult film industry. I was worried my age would go against me, but it wasn’t an issue. One agent told me, ‘There’s plenty of demand for cougars.’”
Within a week, Lake was headed to Miami to meet her new agent and star in her first adult film.
“I played a psychiatrist who seduces a young man,” recalls Lake.
“My first time on set was nerve-wracking as hell, but thankfully my partner was good-looking, respectful and put me at ease.”
Over the next two years, she made more than 100 adult films, earning up to $50,000 a week. But while she managed to save her home, her relationship ended in 2009.
“Ultimately, I decided to give up porn and move back to New Zealand, to be closer to my grown-up daughter and look after my mother,” shares Lake.
“Neither had any idea how I’d been paying my bills, but when I confessed, they were supportive and I felt no shame about my past.”
From Care work to OnlyFans
She decided to retrain as a carer, providing high-level support to people with disabilities and the elderly.
“It was a far cry from porn, but one of the best things I could have done,” she insists.
Now based in Northland, Lake says she did try dating and had a few short-term relationships, but she didn’t fall in love with anyone.
“When I opened up about my past, they felt threatened and backed off,” she reveals.
However, one of the friends Lake had confided in about her past porn work informed her about adult video-sharing site Only Fans.
“I reckon you could make a killing on there,” he told her.
“People would love to speak to an old-school porn star.”
Lake set up a profile, and found a legion of old and new fans waiting for her.
“They’d all seen my movies and wanted to pay me to chat about my work!” she says.
Older, wiser & still sexy
When fans began requesting new content, Lake was happy to oblige – but with the warning her body didn’t look the same as it once did.
“I was 20 years older and had gained weight,” she explains.
“Things weren’t quite so pert and my hair had a few silver strands. But I felt more comfortable in my own skin than ever and I was bombarded with compliments about how good I looked. One man told me I was hotter now than when he first discovered me!”
Lake says she’s been honest with her mother and her child about her side hustle, and they both love and accept her as she is.
“What I love about getting back into the adult industry now is I show up as me, rather than a character,” she reveals.
“In my forties, I was so self-conscious about my appearance. But now I don’t get my hair or nails done and wear what I like. Incredibly, my male fans find it sexy!”
Lake has used the extra money from Only Fans to help pay for her horses, alpacas, cats and dogs, and says she has no intention of giving up her gig as a carer.
“Both jobs bring me joy!” she enthuses.
“It would be easy for people to have a go at me for being a porn star at 60, but so far, no one has. Even if they did, I wouldn’t care! I’m living life my way and I’m doing it for myself.”
