Katja K, also known as Katja Kean (born Sussi la Cour on February 7, 1968 in Denmark), is a Danish former pornstar.
Katja had a somewhat unusual career in the adult film industry. She made her first porn appearance in 1997 at the age of 29, quickly rose to success, and left the business three years later. Although she made relatively few films, she worked with many prominent adult companies including Private, Wicked Pictures, and Sin City. She also appeared in many prominent men's magazines during her career in adult entertainment.
She also starred in two adult hardcore films produced by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Lars von Trier's company Zentropa: Constance (1998) and Pink Prison (1999). This is the first and only time ever a major mainstream film studio has produced hardcore porn videos. Both films became bestsellers and remained on top ten sales lists for years. Constance was nominated for three AVN Awards. Pink Prison won a Venus Award as Best Scandinavian Film. On March 12, 2006, pornographic films were legalized in Norway following a case which involved a positive critical appraisal of Constance and Pink Prison.
In 2002, Katja changed her stage name from "Katja Kean" to "Katja K" after a Danish family named Kean complained that they resented their family name being connected to a porn star.
Since retiring from adult films in 2000, Katja has enjoyed continued success in her home country. She has transitioned to mainstream acting roles and had a prominent role in the Danish sitcom Langt fra Las Vegas (Far from Las Vegas).
She sang with Danish musician Dario Campeotto on his single "Save Your Love". She also appeared on a 'Filur' track called 'Sunset Boulevard'.
Author Henrik List wrote a biography (based on interviews with her) titled Katja KXXX – Stjerne I Syndens By (ISBN 9788779730533), which sold well.
In 2004 she entered the world of fashion. She started her own lingerie company called 'Katja K – Based on a true story'. In collaboration with the Danish designer duo called Femmes Regionales, they have now created a couture lingerie collection.
Today, alongside running her company, she also gives lectures about personal branding. The University of Aarhus and Ernst & Young are some of the firms she has spoken at.
