Parents Complain About Ex-Porn Star Sasha Grey Reading To Kids

Spurred by a role on the hit HBO series Entourage in 2010, porn star Sasha Grey has worked pretty hard to change her image into that of a hard-working and more serious actress. Last year she played in a little-seen Thomas Jane movie, I Melt With You and she’s scheduled for the Linda Lovelace biopic, if that movie ever gets the show on the road. Outside of acting, the actress is trying to improve her image through some highly public charity work, but as it would seem, there are some parents who don’t like it.

On November 2, Grey headed to Emerson Elementary School in Compton, Ca to participate in the national program “Read Across America.” During the event she read the book Dog Breath by popular kids comedy writer Dave Pilkey to a group of first and third grade children. According to THR, after there was growing dissent, Grey took to Twitter to explain her decision.

“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. I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner. I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am. I will not live in fear of it. To challenge non-profit education programs is an exercise in futility, counter-productive and anti-educational. I cannot thank my fans and “Read Across America” enough for supporting my decision. Your support and kind words continue to inspire me. I believe in the future of our children, and I will remain an active supporter and participant in education-focused initiatives."

Here’s the thing: I 100% laud Grey’s decision to take herself more seriously and redefine her career in a more mainstream way. There are plenty of charities Grey would be a great spokesman for. If she wants to speak out for shelter animals, or battered women, or anything not involving children, really, she could be a brilliant spokesperson. However, she shouldn’t expect to go into a situation where kids are involved and not get flak from someone. Fair or no, many people are going to have many opinions about her past choices.. Working with kids is just going to cause her past to get brought up again and again. She needs to square with that and make decisions that will give her career forward traction and not dredge up the same past bullshit, over and over again.