Belle Knox

Belle Knox
Knox at Exxxotica Atlantic City on April 12, 2014
Born	Miriam Weeks (1995-06-09) June 9, 1995 (age 21)
Nationality	American
Other names	Lauren, Aurora
Occupation	Former pornographic actress
Known for	Working in the adult industry
Height	5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight	92 lb (42 kg; 6.6 st)
No. of adult films	32 (per IAFD)

Miriam Weeks (born June 9, 1995), known predominantly by her stage name of Belle Knox, is an American former pornographic actress. She is known for performing in pornography while studying at Duke University.

Knox started doing pornography in 2013 to help pay for her $60,000 per year tuition costs. After the outing, she has publicly defended her decision to do the work, and the choice of discussing the situation. She believes her experiences are indicative of the rising costs of higher education in the United States. Knox took a college-sanctioned break from Duke University in early 2014 and later returned to continue her studies. Knox has also spoken publicly about her views of feminism and rights for sex workers. She has won a 2014 Fanny Award and a 2015 XBIZ Award.

Knox chose the name "Belle", inspired by Belle from Beauty and the Beast and the character of Belle from Secret Diary of a Call Girl; the name "Knox" is after Amanda Knox, exonerated in the murder of Meredith Kercher. She decided to enter into the pornography industry because she enjoyed sex and pornography, and compared it to her previous work as a waitress for a boss who treated her poorly, with a schedule that interfered with her studies, where she earned less than $400 a month after taxes. Pornography allowed her to control her schedule, and she could make about $1300 per scene. Knox had tried to apply for government loans but was told that she was ineligible, and did not want to apply for private student loans as she did not want to "strap her family with debt." She began working in pornography in November 2013, flying out to Los Angeles while on school breaks to perform in the films. In early 2015 Knox declined to comment on whether she is still filming adult movies, but announced later in the year that she was no longer in the industry.