Melissa Harrington, aka Melissa Lincoln and Melissa Midwest, (born July 9, 1982) is an American pornographic actress, businesswoman and web developer. She has appeared in magazines including FHM, Gallery, Maxim, Hustler, Perfect 10, and Playboy, and was once attributed as the ninth most searched-for name on the internet. Widespread interest in several legal troubles led to her being labelled a "pornographic cause célèbre" in mainstream media.^[1]

[edit] Career

Harrington created the "Melissa Midwest" amateur pornographic website "just for fun" at the age of 21. Within three years, the site had achieved a dominant position in the genre. Harrington continues to maintain the site. After the success of her own website, Melissa launched a contest to help find a similar girl that she could help make successful. This contest led her to meet Adrienne, and together, they created a successful website around her, SweetAdri. Melissa also started an online store, a personal appearance service, and sells self-produced DVDs.

[edit] Cause célèbre

Harrington has been arrested three times over nudity charges stemming from activities related to her website.^[2] In December 2003 Harrington was arrested and ticketed for public nudity.^[3][4].

In January 2007, Harrington sued the city of Lincoln seeking $75,000 in damages with claims that Lincoln police have been harassing her by following her to her public appearances. She further claims that the city has been actively discouraging Lincoln businesses from hiring her.^[5]

[edit] Forced sex act controversy

In October 2006, Harrington was named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit by Hope Miller, a porn model also known as "Brooke Skye", in which Miller alleges that while performing on a radio program together, Harrington penetrated her with an oversized strap-on dildo against her will, at the demand of host, Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.^[6] Miller voluntarily dismissed Melissa Harrington from all lawsuits she had filed against her.^[7]

[edit] References