Kayden Kross

Full info

Kayden Kross is an American adult film actress, director, writer, and former model, born Kimberly Nicole Rathkamp on September 15, 1985, in Sacramento, California. Of Swedish descent through her paternal grandfather, she grew up in the Sacramento suburbs, including Placerville, with a love for animals—evidenced by her childhood pony ownership—and academic success as an honor roll student. She graduated high school at 17 and briefly attended California State University, Sacramento, studying psychology and English, before leaving to pursue modeling and exotic dancing.

Kross entered the adult industry in November 2006 at age 21, signing with Vivid Entertainment after being scouted by an agent while stripping at Rick’s Showgirls in Rancho Cordova. Her debut came after months of topless dancing, initially intending to fund a ranch purchase, though her career trajectory shifted as she embraced the spotlight. She transitioned from Vivid to Adam & Eve in 2007, then joined Digital Playground in 2008 as an exclusive contract star until 2010, later working with studios like TrenchcoatX (which she founded), Deeper, Vixen, Tushy, and Jules Jordan Video. Held her own taking on bulldyke pornstar Lily Cade, a scene Kayden begged Lily to shoot with her.

Her adult career spans over 250 performing credits and a significant directing portfolio since 2012, with studios and websites including Vivid, Digital Playground, Adam & Eve, Brazzers, Reality Kings, Tushy, Vixen, Deeper, and Blacked. Notable movies include The 8th Day (2009), Drive (2019), Body Heat (2010), Kayden’s Krossfire (2008), and Aftermath (2014). As a director, she helmed Sun-Lit (2017), Sacrosanct (2018), and Muse (2020), earning acclaim for artistic storytelling. She won AVN Awards for Best Director (Non-Feature) in 2019 (Sun-Lit) and 2020 (Drive), Best Director (Feature) in 2021 (Muse), and Acting awards like Best Actress in 2011 (Body Heat). Nominations include Female Performer of the Year (2009–2011) and multiple directing nods, alongside XBIZ wins like Director of the Year (2019, 2020).

Pornstars she worked with include Jesse Jane, Riley Steele, Stoya, Manuel Ferrara (her husband since 2012), Tommy Gunn, Mick Blue, Erik Everhard, James Deen, and Angela White, spanning solo, girl/girl, and boy/girl scenes. Kross identifies as bisexual, but with a strong preference toward men, once describing herself as 95% toward men. She phased out performing after 2020 to focus on directing. She has one tattoo—a small nautical star on her left wrist from her stripping days—and no prominent piercings.

Fans admire Kross for her intelligence, creative vision, and sultry charisma, finding her sexy for her expressive green eyes, sharp wit, and commanding presence in scenes. Physically, she stands at 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm), weighs around 115 lbs (52 kg), and has blonde hair with a slender, athletic build (32DD-22-34). Her surgically enhanced 32DD breasts, redone post-pregnancy in 2013, complement her toned physique from years of dancing and horseback riding. She’s known for passionate performances, including anal scenes (notably with Tushy), threesomes, and artistic BDSM in her directed works, blending raw sexuality with narrative depth.

Controversies have been limited. Her 2007 exit from Vivid after breaching contract terms by performing boy/girl scenes elsewhere led to a settled lawsuit, a minor hiccup in her rise. Early career rumors of escorting—stemming from her stripping days—were unverified and faded quickly. Her articulate presence in mainstream media, like CNBC’s Porn: Business of Pleasure (2009) and writing for Complex and The Daily Beast, plus her Fleshlight endorsement, highlight her industry influence. Married to Manuel Ferrara, with whom she has a daughter born in 2014, her net worth is estimated at $4 million to $10 million, reflecting earnings from performing, directing, and TrenchcoatX/Deeper ventures. As of 2025, she remains a respected figure, balancing family life with creative leadership in adult entertainment.


Awards
2007 Adultcon Top 20 Adult Actresses
2008 NightMoves Award Best Girl/Girl Release (Fan's Choice)
2009 Hot d'Or Best American Starlet
2010 Erotixxx Award Best U.S. Actress
2010 NightMoves Award Best Female Performer (Fan's Choice)
2010 Venus Award Best Actress International
2011 AVN Award Best All-Girl Group Sex Scene
2011 Wildest Sex Scene (Fan Award)
2011 XBIZ Award Acting Performance of the Year (Female)
2012 AVN Award Hottest Sex Scene (Fan Award)
2013 Sex Award Favorite Sex Toy for Men

2014 XBIZ Award Best Scene – Feature Movie
2015 XBIZ Award Best Scene – All-Girl
2019 AVN Award Hall of Fame
2022 XCritic Award Best G/G Scene
2022 XRCO Award Hall of Fame