Ashby Winter has always considered herself to be shy. Growing up as an introvert with a general dislike for school, she lacked attention from her peers but found solace in her passion for anime and rock music. One extroverted pursuit she did enjoy, however, was dancing, and she trained in the classic styles before transitioning to hip-hop.
Winter also delighted in doing her makeup and gleaning cosmetological tips from how-to videos on YouTube. Inspired by her increasing mastery of her craft, she decided to pursue a career as a professional makeup artist and then spent her first paychecks on cosmetics and wigs so she could make cosplays of her favorite anime characters.
Portraying Crystal Maiden from “Dota 2” and Misa Aname from “Death Note” helped her build the confidence and skills she would later use for attracting ardent fans. But what finally inspired her to explore adult work was her fierce desire to achieve success independently and to feel a greater sense of purpose.
Fusing her love for being in front of the camera, her cosplaying prowess and her makeup abilities, Winter found it to be an easy transition and, after a prolific whirlwind of a year, was even named Best New Performer at the 2024 XBIZ Europa Awards. Now, Ashby Winter shares her hopes and dreams in this feature interview.
XBIZ: Which performers and directors have brought out the best in you over the past year?
WINTER: If we’re talking about male performers, then Troy Francisco. He is a great professional, capable of creating some kind of sparkle around him. In my first scene with Troy, he surprised me by being able to make me squirt. Not all actors are so skilled with their hands, if you know what I mean! Those who have worked with him will understand me perfectly well.
As for the girls, it’s definitely Nancy Ace. She was my co-star in my first scene with a girl, and I was very nervous. I was pleased to work with such an open and charismatic performer, and I enjoyed spending that day with her. Our chemistry was beyond compare. She is my crush! She is extremely comfortable to work with and she has a superpower: to tune you to the perfect working vibe.
When it comes to directors, Julia Grandi is my true love for all time. Unlike some productions I’ve worked on, she creates wonderful conditions for the performers and her team is amazingly friendly. Also, I love working with Romero from Hentaied. In my personal life, I love watching horror films, so when I was invited to do his kinds of scenes, I was excited to become part of my favorite genre.
XBIZ: What were a few of your best shoots this past year, where you felt the scene really showcased you?
WINTER: There are some scenes I can’t mention because they are not out yet, but I’ve worked on several big productions this year. Among these scenes, there’s a particular series and some extravagant movies my fans will definitely appreciate. My favorite scenes are all about the sun, seaside fun and holiday romance. There’s nothing more sexy than two hot bodies enjoying each other on a beach, or somewhere high up on a mountain. As you can see, I have an outdoor fetish!
XBIZ: How do you stay healthy and balance work with life?
WINTER: I’m a workaholic girl, so my work is a source of energy for me. As for health, we can divide it into physical and mental. To support my body, I go to the gym and do martial arts. As for my spiritual well-being, I love reading and spending my free time outdoors in the woods and mountains. I also study English to improve my skills and be more sociable, and I am even thinking about getting a professional education as a linguist. I would like to study more languages and be a polyglot. This will be useful for filming—and in life, there will always be someone to talk to, no matter where I am. That’s a win-win!
XBIZ: When you’re not shooting, what other revenue streams do you pursue?
WINTER: I prefer to develop one particular sphere, which is my current studio-centric work. I’d rather work hard and grow in this field than distract myself by tackling too many things without going deep into any of them. That being said, while I try to give it my all on set, sometimes I do post my content on Fansly. However, it is very difficult to make content yourself after you have seen dozens of people on a pro set, each with their own role, working together to create amazing content. I really like this grander way of shooting because my goal is to feel good, look good and act professionally on camera.
XBIZ: How do you handle social media marketing to keep fans engaged?
WINTER: I pay a lot of attention to my social media because today it’s a crucial aspect of being a public personality. It’s a big part of my job, taking a lot of time and mental energy, though several people support and help me with it. I regularly order professional photo shoots so that my Instagram profile looks decent. I invest my money wisely, in my looks, to maintain the interest of my subscribers.
XBIZ: What was it like winning the title of Best New Performer at the Europas this year?
WINTER: Frankly speaking, I didn’t think I was going to win this year. I did not think I had shot enough; I was thinking maybe I might be nominated next year. So you can’t even imagine how surprised I was when I heard my name called. That was something out of this world! Imagine working just day by day without expecting anything, and then someone says, “Hey, you’re the best!” It was really surprising and brought me a lot of joy.
XBIZ: Any big goals for this coming year?
WINTER: Developing my social media, then taking a vacation to Thailand with my friends—before getting back to work and reaching newfound heights. Also, I have a passion for snowboarding, and I can’t wait to go Switzerland and enjoy the view from the Alps. If we talk about long-term goals, I want to start investing so I can keep my earnings and think about the future without stress. Also, I want to obtain a diploma. It’s important to think about all scenarios that could happen and to be prepared. Moreover, it’s really healthy to keep your brain working!
