Carter Cruise

Early life

Cruise was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Cary, North Carolina. She is of Cherokee and Welsh descent. She was home schooled during her childhood and went to Cary High School. In 2009, she enrolled at East Carolina University, majoring in psychology and pre-law. While in school, she was heavily involved in Greek life, pledging a sorority as a freshman. In late 2013, she left her psychology studies at ECU to pursue a full-time career in the adult industry. Prior to becoming an adult film performer, she worked as a Hooters girl and lifeguard.

Career

Cruise began working as an erotic model in the summer of 2013. She made her porn debut in August of that year after contacting the Florida-based talent agency East Coast Talents. She moved to Los Angeles in March 2014 and signed with the agency Spiegler Girls in June. That same month, she was featured in AVN’s “fresh” issue.

Cruise has appeared in several features, including "Mrs. Polito" in American Hustle XXX from Smash Pictures and as a stepsister in Cinderella XXX. She was cast as the lead in director Jacky St. James’ romance feature, Second Chances, produced by New Sensations.

In 2015, Cruise became the second performer to ever win AVN Awards for Best New Starlet and Best Actress in the same year, after Jenna Jameson in 1996. In October 2015, she signed an exclusive one-year contract with Axel Braun Productions.

Appearances

Cruise was the subject of an interview for Cosmopolitan magazine's website called "Sex Work", which profiles women who have careers in sex-related industries.

Other ventures

On November 1, 2014, it was announced that gonzo company Airerose Entertainment had selected Cruise to be their brand ambassador and spokesmodel.

Cruise is pursuing a career as a DJ/producer. On January 19, 2015, Cruise released her first track, "DUNNIT", a collaboration with Styles&Complete and Crichy Crich, for Buygore Records. In an interview, Cruise stated that she is working on several songs and has also done some writing for various outlets, including sex advice blogs.

Advocacy

Cruise is also friends with fellow collegiate porn actress Belle Knox. Encouraged by her father, Cruise contacted Knox because she believed that she was "one of the few people who could really understand what she was going through." With regard to the publicity that Knox received, Cruise commented that she was "disgusted and appalled by the way civilized society tormented an 18-year-old woman for being sexual. The whole affair really demonstrated how important it is that we improve sexual education and tackle stigmas, as well as foster compassion and empathy between people."

Personal life

In a 2014 interview for the online edition of Cosmopolitan magazine, she revealed that she has always wanted to be in the entertainment industry. She went on to say that she had not originally intended to go to college, but did so to continue a relationship with a man she was dating. After taking a semester off to assess and plan her future, she came up with the concept of "Carter Cruise" as a brand and as a means to accomplish her goals with regards to writing, acting, music, and fashion. Cruise stated, "How can I do all of these things in one lifetime? Porn was the first step because it gave me the capital and the connections to not only build my brand but also to lay the foundations for other creative things that I wanted to get involved in."

She stated in an interview that both of her parents know about her career choice and are supportive. Cruise, who regards her father as "the biggest feminist," recounts how during her upbringing, he facilitated meetings for her with female CEOs, writers, architects, and entrepreneurs. She acknowledges her full awareness of the stigma associated with pornography at the time she chose to enter the industry, recognizing the risks involved. She emphasizes her understanding and acceptance of these risks. A year ago I was sitting in class wondering what the hell I was going to do with my life and last night I got nine AVN nominations. You're in this whirlwind of experiences. I could write a book on the past year alone. I plan to do that actually."

Carter commented in an interview that she has had relationships with both men and women. Her first experience with another woman was with one of her sorority sisters and best friend in college.