By Erika Icon

YNOT – The mention of “dwarf porn” or “midget porn” tends to elicit crude, insensitive jokes. Lil Stella Marie is happy to testify that the joke is on the jokesters. The adult content niche may be small, but it is very real, very sexy, very vibrant and populated by performers who are very serious about their craft. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a small person to make a big name for himself or herself not only in porn, but also in mainstream endeavors.

Marie is determined to be a success story. YNOT caught up with the busy starlet, who is every bit as provocative off-screen as she is on-screen. There’s a lot of power in this tiny, feet-firmly-on-the-ground package.

YNOT.com: Who is Lil Stella Marie?

Lil Stella Marie: I consider myself an expressive artist in both the adult industry and mainstream. I’ve been working in adult films for five years now, minus a one-year hiatus for medical procedures. In a nutshell, I’m 4’2” with metatropic dwarfism.

I’ve loved theatre since I was only a couple of years old and eventually went to college to study theatre and art. I love freedom of expression, photography and having the opportunity to entertain people. And I love putting a smile on strangers’ faces.

How did you get into porn?

I was approached by an industry scout on MySpace and thought it was a joke. We talked, and the next thing I knew, I was hooked up with my first director, Jeff Coldwater. He called me up and we talked about the industry. I basically took a gamble and drove down to [Los Angeles] not knowing what to expect. It was a very liberating surprise.

What did you do professionally before porn?

When I first entered the industry, I kept my full-time job in business/government support with a major Fortune 500 company. I kept my alter ego separated from my other life and continued with my “normal life” and my “fun life.”

Is typecasting a problem for you? Do you do anything to avoid typecasting?

It’s extremely difficult in any film industry not to get typecast. In fact, it’s almost inevitable. It truly sucks, but that’s how the system works.

Typecasting can be a performer’s biggest enemy, but sometimes it’s a blessing because it allows more specific work with less competition and more creative involvement. I use my theatrical training to help make me more versatile in roles so I’m not just a midget, Munchkin or child stand-in. My training gives me the capacity to take on multiple people regardless of my size.

There are just a handful of porn starlets who are dwarves. What sets you apart from the others?

I like to utilize my theatrical training background and my upbeat attitude to project outward on productions. I don’t joke around when I say that. I completely submerge myself into a project. I take direction well, and I know how to direct, too. There is no negative criticism, only positive suggestions.

I’m not in [this business] for the money, and I believe that right there sets me apart from most starlets, [whether they are] dwarves or average-height talent. I love to contribute to any production, creatively and constructively, as much as I’m allowed. Since I generally travel far — from Seattle to L.A. — I mean business, and I make sure that I am absolutely worth their time and more.

You’re a dwarf, not a midget. Does it annoy you when people don’t get the terminology correct or are insensitive?

In the adult industry you have to laugh at everything, including that degrading terminology. Utilizing the term “midget” helps land me jobs, so I exploit it as it is. When it comes to educating people on set or in interviews or podcasts, that’s when I take the opportunity to really explain the difference.

I’ve been correcting people all my life about “midget,” “little person,” “dwarf,” “dwarfism,” “munchkin” … you name it. At least in porn, I can exploit the hell out of it as I see fit.

You’re in the cast of Not the Wizard of Oz XXX. What part do you play? What was it like to being on that set?

I’m the one and only Munchkin in Munchkin Land. I mean really … could you see me as Dorothy? [Laughs.] Probably not, even though I always dreamed of being Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz.

The fabulous part of my role is that my set, Munchkin Land, was meticulously constructed with amazing colors and a resemblance to the mainstream movie. I loved playing around on-set. I can only hope that I made [director] Will Ryder proud. That’s what I want to accomplish in the end: pride in my work.

What do you do in your spare time when you’re not filming or camming?

I’m currently working to establish a small business — a specialty bakery with my mother in the south end of the Puget Sound area. Since I am no longer with my other job, this is giving me a great opportunity to take advantage of my time. It allows me to own a small business and take care of all my health issues. My newest medical issue is being diagnosed with partial epilepsy last year.

Your Twitter bio notes you’re a motivational speaker. About what do you speak?

I used to do speeches at public schools, but since joining the industry I mostly work with groups that touch on eroticism and disabilities, etc. I’ve had opportunities in Portland to talk about sexuality with a disability, how to overcome obstacles, how to make ourselves more empowered, and how to appreciate and love our bodies and our minds. We must first love the body we are born into and then be open to sharing our stories and struggles without shaming away or hiding our powerful libidos.

What’s coming up for you? Anything you’d like to promote?

I’m working with a new agency to get more work on productions in LA. I love having the opportunity to join Christy Canyon and Ginger Lynn on Radio Sex SiruisXM 103 for interviews. I’ve been talking more with Ginger to promote my items on her website. I also can’t wait to celebrate the completion of Not The Wizard of Oz XXX in L.A. and next year at [the] AVN [Awards].

Where can people find you?

I’m in the process of getting a new website up and running. For right now, I use Twitter, Facebook, and other sites for communicating. I’m also on XXXFilmJobs and Adult Talent Registry.