Kayden Kross

Kayden Kross

Starting in November 2006 at age 21, Kayden Kross built a career in adult entertainment that spanned 15 years of performing and eventually transitioned into directing. Born Kimberly Nicole Rathkamp on September 15, 1985, in Sacramento, California, she briefly attended California State University, Sacramento before entering the industry after being scouted while working as an exotic dancer in Rancho Cordova.

Studio Affiliations and Career Arc

Kayden's first contract was with Vivid Entertainment, though a breach-of-contract dispute over unauthorized boy/girl scenes led to a settled lawsuit and her departure in 2007. She moved to Adam and Eve that same year, then signed as an exclusive contract star with Digital Playground in 2008, remaining there until 2010. That Digital Playground period produced several of her higher-profile titles, including Kayden's Krossfire (2008) and The 8th Day (2009).

After her exclusive contract ended, Kayden worked across a wider range of studios, including Brazzers, Reality Kings, Jules Jordan Video, Tushy, and Vixen. She also co-founded TrenchcoatX, a production company that later evolved into Deeper, giving her a significant role on the business and creative side of the industry.

Transition to Directing

Kayden began directing in 2012 and steadily shifted her focus behind the camera over the following years. Her directorial work includes Sun-Lit (2017), Sacrosanct (2018), Drive (2019), and Muse (2020). She won AVN Awards for Best Director (Non-Feature) in 2019 and 2020, followed by Best Director (Feature) in 2021. XBIZ recognized her with Director of the Year honors in both 2019 and 2020. She phased out performing after 2020 to concentrate on directing full time.

Awards and Recognition

Her performing career earned multiple honors, including a Hot d'Or for Best American Starlet (2009), the AVN Award for Best Actress for Body Heat (2011), and the XBIZ Acting Performance of the Year (2011). She was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2019 and the XRCO Hall of Fame in 2022. Her credits as a performer number over 250 titles.

Personal and Industry Connections

Kayden is married to Manuel Ferrara, a frequent collaborator and fellow longtime industry figure. The two have a daughter, born in 2014. Throughout her career she worked alongside performers including Stoya, Jesse Jane, Riley Steele, Angela White, and Mick Blue.

A blonde performer standing 5 feet 5 inches with blue eyes and a slim build, Kayden also maintained a visible presence outside the industry, contributing writing to publications such as The Daily Beast and Complex and appearing in the CNBC documentary Porn: Business of Pleasure (2009).