18 year old Student Reveals She's Paying her N9.6m School Fees by Being a PornStar, Sparks Outrage (Photos)

An 18 year old Duke University student, Miriam Weeks, has caused nationwide outrage in the US for revealing she is paying for her $US60,000 tuition fees, about N9.6m, by acting in blue movies. Ironically, since the story emerged last week, Miriam has become the hottest name in porn.

Miriam — known as “Belle Knox” to porn fans — began her thriving porn career quietly, until she was outed by a fellow student a couple of weeks ago. A fellow Duke student, Thomas Bagley, had noticed her online, and she confided her secret in him.

However, Bagley revealed the secret that very night to a couple of fraternity brothers, and word spread
like wild-fire. Bagley later apologized, but the damage was done already. Criticism and bullying hit Miriam from all sides, forcing her to publicly come out.

When she was asked 'but why would you do porn?', Miriam replied:

People often ask me this question. However, the answer is actually quite simple. I couldn't afford $60,000 in tuition, my family has undergone significant financial burden, and I saw a way to graduate from my dream school free of debt, doing something I absolutely love. Because to be clear: My experience in porn has been nothing but supportive, exciting, thrilling and empowering.

The next question is always: "But when you graduate, you won’t be able to get a job, will you? I mean, who would hire you?" I simply shrug and say, “I wouldn’t want to work for someone who discriminates against sex workers.

I am not ashamed of porn. On the contrary, doing pornography fulfills me. That said, I vehemently want to have my privacy respected -- and I ask that anyone who knows my real name respect the fact that I am only discussing this publicly because it was made a public matter when I was confronted by a fraternity member who chose to tell hundreds of other men in the Greek scene.

You want to see me naked. And then you want to judge me for letting you see me naked. Today, I am choosing to reveal my porn identity to the world. My name is Belle Knox, and I wear my Scarlet Letter with pride.”

Miriam's father

 Miriam’s Catholic father Kevin and mother Harcharan, have been ‘floored’ by their daughter’s decision to turn to porn to fund her school fees. But they won’t abandon her, a family member told MailOnline exclusively.

While Miriam seemed to be flourishing in her fifteen minutes of fame, she did admit to one pang of conscience – keeping it all from her parents.

 'I regret not telling my family from the get-go. I think that was a really big mistake.'

Miriam on set