While almost all porn actors use screen names to hide their real identities, triple X rated films would not sell if the faces of the skinflick stars are pixilated. Friends of these sex performers who watch their films would often recognise them, especially if they don't wear masks or heavy make-up.

Other telltale signs of the real identity of porn stars would be the size of their specific body parts that viewers focus on such as the breast, vagina, penis, testicles and buttocks. Skin tone, body hair or lack of it as well as birthmarks and tattoos are also giveaway to the identities of porn stars, especially for people with whom they have had sex.

But what if it is not their friends and acquaintances who identify them but their parents? How did they handle those embarrassing if not potentially dramatic moments?

Five female porn stars shared their experience with Vox.

It was the mum of 39-year old Jessica Drake, the star of 316 porn films since 1999, who broke the news to her dad by sending Jessica's photos having sex. Fortunately for her, the father did not ask for details about her job and expressed his support and love for his daughter so long as she is happy with what she is doing.

Jessica is an Adult Video Network Awards Hall of Game awarded and was in a relationship with fellow porn stars Evan Stone and Brad Armstrong.

In the case of New Yorker Stoya, 27, she not only told her job to her grandmum but also informed her she borrowed granny's real name as her stage name. The bemused response of granny was: "I hope that no one at the nursing home gets us confused and tries to put up my feet behind my head, because I don't bend that way anymore."

Sophia Fiore, 22, used to be a fitness model and bodybuilder before she decided to foray in porn films. Though she has only made 20 adult films, she had garnered the Most Promising Starlet award from AVN. Like her two colleagues, her mum did not get mad at her career choice, but told her, "If I am going to be in porn, to make sure I don't suck." Of course, suck here does not refer to fellatio but that she doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

Shy Love's mum was also understanding of her choice in life and only wanted to be assured of her safety. However, her dad - a born-again Christian - disagreed and admonished his 35-year-old daughter, "God is never going to forgive you on these matters."

Chanel Preston, 28, has her sex education web series on YouTube titled Naked With Chanel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pl463mD3kw) and 256 porn films. Her parents were admittedly not thrilled with her job and she thinks her mum was a little grossed out when she found out about her daughter's source of income, however, they respected her choice and "neither of them have ever treated me any different because of what I do and have been supportive for the most part."

Recently, Belle Knox, a freshman Duke University student, made headlines after she told the entire school that she is a porn star. After her public admission, Belle was offered a hosting job for a Web-based reality show that would pit 16 wannabe adult film star against each other for the $1 million prize.

The contestants of The Sex Factor would be 8 males and 8 females. Casting calls through Twitter would be held in California beginning May. The judges of the reality show are also known porn actors, namely Tori Black, Lexi Belle, Keiran Lee and Remy LaCroix.