Thursday, January 29, 2009

16. Darren James


Darren James (born February 25, 1964 in Detroit, Michigan) is an African-American ex-pornographic actor who sent shock waves throughout the adult entertainment industry and made worldwide headlines after testing positive for HIV.
The six-year veteran performer tested positive on April 13, 2004 after engaging in unprotected anal sex with Brazilian porn star Bianca Biaggi for a scene in the video "Split That Booty 2" in Rio de Janeiro. By the end of the month it was discovered that three actresses who had worked with James shortly after his return to the United States (two of whom were involved in the same production) had also become infected with the virus. These were Canadian newcomer Lara Roxx, Miss Arroyo, and Czech-born Jessica Dee. Viral load comparisons between Roxx and James indicated that James was "Patient Zero".
The ensuing fears of HIV infection (as well as the public scandal and criticisms of the industry that followed the outbreak) caused a one-month shutdown of production of adult movies in Los Angeles. And though never having been officially barred from performing sex in front of the cameras, James has since turned to directing.

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