Confessions of a Video Vixen (Paperback)

by Karrine Steffans (Author) "OCTOBER 2001..." (more)
Key Phrases: video shoot, Los Angeles, New York, Man Apart (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"An easy, entertaining read... a cautionary tale that contains a timeless message to a new generation of women." -- --South Florida Sun Sentinel --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
"An easy, entertaining read... a cautionary tale that contains a timeless message to a new generation of women." (--South Florida Sun Sentinel )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (October 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006089248X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060892487
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (477 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,843 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

408 of 459 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Look Just a Little Bit Harder Beneath the Surface..., July 12, 2005

By	Keisha - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions of a Video Vixen (Hardcover)

This book was very straightforward and well-written. Karrine's story is very true-to-life and frightening, but not for the reasons that you might think...

After I read the book, I realized that I've read about "Karrine" before. Her face and individual details of her life may vary from others, but her background is the same as many top porn stars. It's all there: the extreme neglect of her parents, violent beatings, rape, abuse and mental cruelty. All done to her before the age of 16. Jenna Jameson (#1 porn star) has a similar background and biography.

Look a bit deeper at this book (forget about all the glamour and the videos and hip-hop stars for a second). What do we learn here? We learn that if families and friends devalue and abuse young girls and cause them to hate themselves and their own bodies, you can virtually guarantee a future stripper, hooker, or porn star. Why? Because she's been taught all her life that she's stupid, she's unlovable, and she's a waste, except for her mouth and the private part between her legs. It shouldn't surprise anyone that she uses it to get things in life.

Karrine didn't create herself - the people and systems that allow girls to get abused and abandoned (her mother beat her - her Dad wasn't there for her) created her and the other women like her. She doesn't deserve our scorn, she needs counseling, support, and love. There but by the grace of God...who's to say that any of us women wouldn't have been in her shoes given the same circumstances.

This is not to say that Karrine always made the right decisions. She abandoned her son with her abusive husband, and she got hooked on alcohol and designer drugs. She used people, and she allowed herself to be used repeatedly. Women who are devalued tend to develop a "warped" irrational way of thinking.

From reading this book, you kind of understand that Karrine will never really get out of the game. She's too far engulfed in it. Behavioral science has already proven that there are only three things that spur you to change your life dramatically in a short period of time: a near death experience, extreme illness, or a deep religious experience. (For example, Vanity, a sex kitten from the 1980's and Prince protegee' did not change her ways until her drug habit nearly caused her death and she lost her kidneys - now she is a married born-again Christian). Barring any of that, I expect that Karrine will continue her sexpot ways. After all, it's gotten her this far.

All that being said - this is a cautionary tale. It is OUR caution that we should protect, love, and nurture our young girls. Otherwise, we can expect to churn out many more Karrine's in the world.

And another thing - this book points out that it takes two to tango. Sure, it was wrong for Karrine to put herself out there in such a scandalous manner. But it's also equally as sick and demented for men to "trade" and prey on damaged and defective young ladies.

126 of 140 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating yet sad, July 6, 2005

By	BookRemarks (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions of a Video Vixen (Hardcover)

Although this is a tell-all book, something that some of the readers may find appalling, there are important lessons to be learned from Confessions of a Video Vixen. I believe that there will be a few aspects of Karrine's story that are relatable: many women have low self-esteem, many seek to be loved and feel valuable. Unfortunately, based on the writer's childhood and family environment, she wasn't provided with a stable and loving upbringing. She sought acceptance through sexual relationships and she has no self-respect, both of which contributed to her downfall.

Because of her unfortunate foundations, it is sad and fascinating to see the path she traveled that led her to experience so many unfulfilling and sometimes dangerous sexual relationships with men in the entertainment and sports industries. I believe that Hollywood paints such a false and misleading picture of success - the more money you earn, the more material things you acquire, and the more you associate with the so-called in-crowd, the more valuable you are. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth and the book serves as a good wake-up call.

Although Ms. Steffans went through much pain and heartache, maybe her story can be a harsh reminder that self-esteem cannot be based on the acceptance of others - people can let you down - and your true value isn't based on the false security of materialism, things come and go.

This book should be read by young women who believe that being a video ho is something to be proud of. This book will show you the downside of the industry that isn't often publicized -- and if some young lady's life can be altered - perhaps Karrine's story is worth telling, even if everyone doesn't agree with how she's telling it.

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Huh?????, July 6, 2005

By	Sable "SmartnSxy" (Da Chi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions of a Video Vixen (Hardcover)

Wow, I am truly feeling like "what was the point"? I must say, I started out feeling bad for this young lady and the things she went through (tacky momma, rape, uprooted from loving grandma', etc.). I even felt bad for her and all of the abuse she endured while being "married" to Kool G Rap (that says a lot about a person - you're married to a woman and you don't even know her real name or age....research, brotha; RESEARCH). Lot's of women get caught up in abusive relationships, especially taking her past experiences and age into consideration. I thought she was on the right track when she left...oh, what a fool I was. Here's where my problem with Ms. Steffens arises. It's easy to make a mistake once or twice, but to continually do it over, and over, and over, is just STUPID!!!!!! I do believe that she liked being treated like a whore! Ice T had done PLENTY for her to "get on her feet" and make her own way. She wanted to be treated like a whore and that's just what she got. I think it's terrible that she now puts these wives in such a position (Shaq's wife, Ja's wife, DMX's wife (who looks as if she'll run into her on the street and rip her heart out with her bare hands) and Whitney Houston). She's not just "putting the fellas out there" she's putting their wives and kids out there. Clearly she doesn't care to humiliate the hell out of her own child, (ie. a big a$! picture of the kid in the book not to mention the stupid dedication to him in the beginning of the book), but it's not fair to put innocent people in this mess. It's humiliating!!!! As is in Hollywood (and other cities) every game has rules. You, Ms. Steffens, ate well, drank well, got high, had monies transfered into your account, got cars (3) and condos. You broke the rules with this "tell all" book. ALL OF THE MEN (BESIDES JAY-Z) should be ashamed of themselves. I NEVER heard you mention a condom except for that one "head-job" you gave to Jay. Fellas, he wouldn't even let her give him head without a condom and you'll go raw? That's just nasty!

I call it "tell all", but in actuality, you didn't tell all. Why not put "papa" out there? You put everyone eles s*&$ out there? Oh, I'm sure he's still giving you money, which is why I can't feel sorry for you. What was up with P. Diddy acting all nervous at the party when he saw you again?

You haven't learned a lesson from any of this mess. As for the people that encouraged you to put this out there, they are complete HATERS and knew that this would stir up trouble.

You are such a lost soul. You were treated like a HO, but managed to "LOVE" each and every one (or a great deal of these men). Are you nuts? How did you think you were in love. I don't blame Usher for treating you the way that he did. Again, you deserved it!!!!

Again, after reading the first few chapters my heart bled for you. I just KNEW that there would be some type of light at the end of the tunnel. There was not a flicker. You mentioned that you still have "friends and people that you see in the industry" which means you still get it on whenever needed. HOW SAD!!!!