Annie Sprinkle is an American actress, performance artist, sex educator and feminist. She is most well-known for her work in the adult entertainment industry, where she has been an outspoken advocate for sexual freedom and body acceptance for over three decades.
Born in Philadelphia in 1954, Sprinkle grew up in a conservative Catholic family. She was drawn to the world of theater and performance from a young age, and at the age of 17 began working as a stripper at the Lusty Lady in San Francisco. She quickly rose to fame in the adult entertainment industry, appearing in over 100 pornographic films in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In the mid-1980s, Sprinkle shifted her focus to performance art. She began to explore the themes of sexuality and gender, and used her art to challenge societal norms around sex. She often incorporated elements of burlesque, striptease, and body painting into her performances. She also began to focus on sex education, and has since written books and given lectures on the topic.
In the 1990s, Sprinkle moved away from the adult entertainment industry and into academia. She completed a Ph.D. in Human Sexuality at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco, and went on to teach at dozens of universities across the United States. She also worked as a sex therapist and studied alternative healing practices such as reiki and tantra.
Sprinkle has been widely recognized for her work in the fields of performance art, sex education, and sexual liberation. In 2010, she was honored with the Feminist Porn Award for her contributions to the field. She has appeared on several television shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, and her work has been featured in publications such as Time Magazine and The New York Times.
Today, Sprinkle continues to work as an artist, educator, and activist. She is a vocal advocate for sexual freedom, and hopes to create a world where everyone is empowered to express their sexuality safely and without shame.
