Behind the scenes, Ames battled significant mental health challenges. She was diagnosed with bipolar depressive disorder and dissociative identity disorder (DID), conditions she attributed to her traumatic childhood. In interviews shortly before her death, she described experiencing debilitating flashbacks: "Some days I'll be fine and if I'm not doing anything I'll get these awful flashbacks of my childhood and I get very depressed and I can't get out of bed and cancel my scenes for like a week or two." She also spoke about the difficulty of finding proper mental health care due to the stigma associated with being an adult film performer. In 2016, she married Kevin Moore, a producer and director for Evil Angel studio.
Real Name: Mercedes Grabowski
Born: August 23, 1994 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died: December 5, 2017 (age 23) in Camarillo, California, USA
Nationality: Canadian
Years Active: 2013–2017
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
Spouse: Kevin Moore (2016–2017)
Mercedes Grabowski was born on August 23, 1994, in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. Growing up in a military family, she lived in several locations across Canada, including Petawawa, Ontario, near Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. She later moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ames was of Polish descent and experienced a difficult childhood. She alleged that she was sexually abused by her paternal grandfather, and when her father refused to believe her, she was sent to live in a group home at the age of 12. Despite these hardships, she was a cheerleader during her final year of high school and went on to study culinary arts for a year after graduation.
Ames began her career in the adult film industry in November 2013 at the age of 19. She quickly rose to prominence, working with major studios including Brazzers, Elegant Angel, Evil Angel, Girlfriends Films, Jules Jordan Video, New Sensations, and Sweetheart Video. Over her four-year career, she appeared in more than 270 adult films and accumulated over 100 IMDb credits. Her talent and screen presence earned her four AVN Award nominations, including three consecutive nominations for Female Performer of the Year. In 2016, she was named Twistys Treat of the Year. That same year, she appeared in a non-pornographic film, demonstrating her range as a performer. At the time of her death, she was ranked among the top 10 most popular performers on Pornhub.
Behind the scenes, Ames battled significant mental health challenges. She was diagnosed with bipolar depressive disorder and dissociative identity disorder (DID), conditions she attributed to her traumatic childhood. In interviews shortly before her death, she described experiencing debilitating flashbacks: "Some days I'll be fine and if I'm not doing anything I'll get these awful flashbacks of my childhood and I get very depressed and I can't get out of bed and cancel my scenes for like a week or two." She also spoke about the difficulty of finding proper mental health care due to the stigma associated with being an adult film performer. In 2016, she married Kevin Moore, a producer and director for Evil Angel studio.
On December 3, 2017, Ames was scheduled to perform in a scene for EroticaX News. When she discovered that her male co-star had previously appeared in gay pornography, she withdrew from the scene and posted a tweet expressing her concern about the lack of communication regarding performer backgrounds. The tweet read: "whichever (lady) performer is replacing me tomorrow for @EroticaXNews, you're shooting with a guy who has shot gay porn, just to let cha know. BS is all I can say." The tweet ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media, with many accusing her of homophobia. Ames, who was bisexual herself, defended her right to make personal choices about her body and health. The backlash intensified rapidly, with some users sending her deeply hurtful messages.
On December 5, 2017, just two days after the Twitter controversy began, Ames was found dead in a park in Camarillo, California. She was 23 years old. The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office ruled her death a suicide by asphyxia due to hanging. A toxicology report revealed the presence of cocaine, marijuana, the antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft), and the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam (Xanax) in her system at the time of death. Her final tweet, posted the day before she died, read: "Fuck y'all." Close friends and colleagues immediately pointed to cyberbullying as a primary factor in her death. Her husband Kevin Moore described her as "the kindest person I ever knew" and asked for privacy during the family's difficult time.
August Ames' death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and sparked a global conversation about the devastating effects of cyberbullying and online harassment. Journalist Jon Ronson investigated the circumstances surrounding her death in the acclaimed podcast series "The Last Days of August," which explored the complex factors including social media culture, mental health stigma, marital problems, and the pressures of working in the adult entertainment industry. The series drew parallels between Ames' story and broader issues of online mob mentality. Her death led to increased discussion about performer safety and mental health resources within the adult industry. Many organizations and fellow performers called for better support systems and anti-bullying measures. Years after her passing, August Ames remains one of the most searched and remembered performers in adult entertainment history, a testament to the impact she made during her brief but remarkable career.
August Ames (born Mercedes Grabowski, August 23, 1994 – December 5, 2017) was a Canadian adult film actress who appeared in over 270 films between 2013 and 2017. She was nominated for four AVN Awards and was named Twistys Treat of the Year in 2016.
August Ames was 23 years old when she died on December 5, 2017, in Camarillo, California.
August Ames died by suicide on December 5, 2017. Her death was ruled as asphyxia by hanging by the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office. Close friends and colleagues attributed her death to severe cyberbullying following a controversial tweet she posted two days earlier.
August Ames was famous for being one of the most popular adult film actresses of her generation. She appeared in over 270 films for major studios, received four AVN Award nominations including three for Female Performer of the Year, and was ranked among the top 10 most popular performers on Pornhub at the time of her death.
On December 3, 2017, August Ames tweeted that she had withdrawn from a scene after learning her male co-star had appeared in gay pornography. The tweet was perceived by many as homophobic, leading to intense online backlash and cyberbullying. Ames, who was bisexual, defended her right to make personal health choices. Two days later, she died by suicide.
"The Last Days of August" is a podcast series by journalist Jon Ronson that investigates the circumstances surrounding August Ames' death. It explores the role of cyberbullying, social media culture, mental health struggles, and the pressures of the adult entertainment industry in her tragic passing.
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