Crystal DiGregorio, a former pastor and one-time church planter in New York, is once again at the center of controversy after publicly defending her return to the adult entertainment industry. DiGregorio, who previously left a career in pornography, later entered Christian ministry and helped lead New Beginnings Christian Life Church before stepping away from pastoral leadership.
Now, DiGregorio says her decision to return to pornography reflects personal freedom, honesty, and a rejection of what she describes as judgment within the church. Her story has reignited debate among Christians about repentance, sexual ethics, trauma, and the nature of grace.
Crystal DiGregorio’s Journey From Pastor to Pornography
Before entering ministry, DiGregorio spent roughly a decade in the pornography industry, appearing in more than 100 films. She later described the work as emotionally numbing and deeply damaging, saying her first experience felt like abuse and left her crying for hours afterward.
An honor-roll student in high school, DiGregorio became a single mother at 16. Financial strain led her to begin stripping, and after moving to California, she entered pornography at the encouragement of an agent. Although the income improved her circumstances, she said the work left her empty and dependent on alcohol and painkillers to cope.
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DiGregorio has said childhood sexual abuse played a significant role in her choices, explaining that she was “constantly seeking male attention” she did not receive growing up.
Her life took a dramatic turn after a serious car accident while driving under the influence. The incident prompted her to attend church with her sister, where she says she surrendered her life to Jesus.
In 2015, DiGregorio married Pentecostal minister David Bassette. After facing ongoing criticism related to her past, the couple left their church and later planted New Beginnings Christian Life Church, where they served as pastors. DiGregorio said she hoped her background would help her reach women affected by abuse and the adult industry.
She described the church as a place without judgment, where people felt accepted regardless of appearance or history.
Several years later, DiGregorio and Bassette divorced, and she stepped away from ministry. Though no longer serving as a pastor, she remains an ordained minister and continues to identify as a Christian.
She later announced she was returning to adult content by launching an OnlyFans account, a subscription platform commonly used for explicit material. Acknowledging criticism from Christians, DiGregorio responded bluntly.
“Nobody in this world can send me to hell. Only God can,” she said.
She has attributed her departure from ministry largely to what she describes as harsh judgment within the church, expressing frustration with expectations placed on pastors’ behavior and appearance.
