Balamory actor’s daughter
I want to show the world what else I can do
Julie-Anne Barnes It was the story which scandalised Balamory.
When it was revealed happy- go- lucky painter Spencer’s real-life daughter was a budding actor in adult movies, it seemed the fictional Hebridean children’s utopia would never be the same again. But now Raylin Joy, the daughter of Balamory actor Rodd Christensen, can laugh at the irony. The 30-year-old has quit X-rated films and has spoken for the first time about her raunchy alter ego Skin Diamond. Rayl in, who lives in LA, has embarked on a new musical journey and is launching a career as a pop star. She said: “I’ve given so much of my sexuality to the public for such a long time. Now it’s time to show them something else. “I realised I was so focused on work all the time that I was living this Skin Diamond persona 24/7 and losing sight of who I was as a person. “I studied acting and performance at Lauder College in Dunfermline and that’s when I started dabbling with music. I think music is more challenging and demanding. When I got into the adult industry, it was for giggles. block pornography websites. In January, Transport for London warned that people who watch porn on public transport in London will be reported to the police. Raylin refused to discuss most of the controversies surrounding the industry but admits there are many young women who find it difficult to leave. She said: “There are some issues in the industry and I wanted to make sure I was in charge of my journey. I think girls find it hard to leave because of the money and attention. “And there’s the stigma society has about porn. It’s not for everyone. Most shouldn’t do it.” Raylin started as a dancer in Edinburgh’s Fantasy Palace, where she said she made lifelong friends, before moving to the US via London. She said: “I showed up in LA with my suitcases and I had $200 in my pocket. It was very, very difficult at first. “My long- term plan was to move to LA. But it just happened faster than I had planned.” Her first adult industry scenes were shot in Paris while she was still living in Scotland. She said: “I was in college studying acting and I wanted to get into modelling. “I had dyed my hair pink and I got tattoos. I was doing nude modelling and I went to a fetish club for the first time and loved it. “I then had the opportunity to go to Paris to shoot my first scenes and I fell in love with it.” Raylin admits that she has always had the support of Balamory actor Rodd, who has returned to the US and is living in Las Vegas with Raylin’s mum. She said : “My grandmother was getting older so my parents came back to take care of her.
“My little sister Heather was born in Scotland and she really misses it too.
“Throughout my career, my parents have been very supportive and loving.
“I want to be the voice for following your dreams. I have a song called All Night, which is about doing things your own way, even if it scares you. There is a sexy element but also a heart-warming aspect. “My song Sunny Grey is doing well too. It’s about battling your own struggles.”
Raylin admits she may face an uphill struggle to make her mark in the music industry.
She said: “It is a scary leap because I have to start again. I have to build up my music library and not only do I have to prove I can sing but I have to fight the stigma of my past. That is daunting.”
Raylin is hoping her former film fans will also follow her music.
She said: “There are people on Twitter who follow me who went to the same school as me.
“I miss Scotland and I think about it every day. America is a new country and you don’t get a castle beside a shopping centre. “I love a steak bridie and I get excited for Greggs if I’m ever back in Scotland.”
Raylin is open to the idea of moving away from downtown LA to a quieter part of the city. And she has been taking care of her health.
She added: “I’ve been a smoker for a decade and I’ve stopped smoking cigarettes.
“I’ve also been taking vocal lessons and see a voice coach.
“I’ve stopped shooting adult films and I’ve been focusing on music. If you want to do something, you have to do it 100 per cent.”
I love having a steak bridie and get excited for Greggs if I’m ever back in Scotland. I miss it every day