Traci started doing nude modeling at the age of 15, and then started appearing in dozens of adult films between the ages of 16 and 17. Though she claimed to be 18 at the time, when the truth came out years later, it scandalized the industry and earned Lords' notoriety.
Her role in the scandal would be debated for many years. Many adult actors who performed with Lords felt betrayed that she intentionally misled them and felt she sought to bring down the industry. Others, though, saw her as a victim who was exploited by agents and producers.
Lords later became a mainstream actress and was a student at the Lee Strasberg Institute in Los Angeles. Lords starred in a number of movies, including John Waters’ Cry-Baby and Serial Mom. She has also appeared on numerous TV series, most notably Melrose Place.
Her last adult film, 1986's Traci, I Love You, was Traci Lords' last pornographic film and the only one featuring all of her scenes intact that is legally available in the U.S., as it was made two days after her 18th birthday.
As of May 2024, she has amassed 134,000 followers on her Instagram platform.
