Body Dysmorphia and Stripping-Asia (follow up)

Quick Overview

Asia reveals she almost died five years prior due to bacteria in her blood leading to a 30-day coma, and currently works as a stripper and porn star anonymously, while also discussing her severe body dysmorphia characterized by an inability to look in the mirror due to fear of aging, which her psychiatrist advised against.

Key Points: Asia experienced a near-fatal event five years ago when bacteria in her blood caused her heart to stop, resulting in a 30-day coma and a doctor's warning that she could never work again, though she currently works as a stripper and porn star. She suffers from body dysmorphia she calls the "picture of Dorian Gray issue," where looking in the mirror causes her to see an old, ugly version of herself, leading her psychiatrist to forbid mirror use. Asia holds a doctorate in physics and previously wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice, but felt overqualified for secretarial jobs after returning to stripping and porn due to being denied employment based on her high credentials. Her strict Italian-American upbringing, influenced by a past papal emphasis on women achieving physical perfection, instilled in her an intense obsession with her looks, leading to plastic surgery including lip fillers, Botox, and a butt lift. Asia is currently on Prozac and avoids alcohol mixed with her medication, but she states she does not use recreational drugs, though she observes customers using them. She received a four-carat diamond ring from a secret admirer whose identity she does not know, and she is currently not seeking marriage due to a difficult divorce from her ex-husband, who is not involved in their adopted daughter's life. The most important thing Asia recently learned is the necessity to "put God first," realizing she strayed by getting drunk and putting her own desires ahead of religious mandates for sobriety.

Context: This is a follow-up interview between an interviewer and Asia, focusing on major life updates since their last meeting, including a near-fatal medical incident, her current employment in sex work (stripping and pornography), her ongoing struggle with body dysmorphia, and reflections on her strict Italian-American upbringing and religious beliefs.