Video Actor: August Ames

August Ames, born Mercedes Grabowski on August 23, 1994, in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, was a prominent Canadian adult film actress. She entered the adult entertainment industry in 2013 at the age of 19 and quickly rose to fame, appearing in over 290 films during her career. Ames was known for her striking beauty and curvaceous figure, and she became a fan favorite due to her charismatic on-screen presence. She earned multiple AVN Award nominations, winning two in 2015 and 2017, solidifying her as a respected performer within the industry.

Outside of her professional life, August Ames faced significant personal struggles. She grew up in a military family, often moving during her childhood, and endured a traumatic upbringing that included sexual abuse, which deeply affected her mental health. Ames was open about her battles with depression and dissociative identity disorder. Tragically, her life ended on December 5, 2017, when she died by suicide at the age of 23, following a cyberbullying incident related to a tweet she had posted.

Ames’ death sparked widespread conversations about mental health and the pressures faced by adult performers, leading to initiatives such as Pineapple Support, which provides mental health resources for the industry. Her legacy remains influential, not only for her work but also for the discussions around mental health and the importance of compassion in the entertainment industry.