Dear Santa: 21 Performers We’d Love to See Make a Comeback in 2026

Getting Riley Reid, Elsa Jean, and others back on studio sets would be a Christmas miracle, but we haven’t lost hope

By Austin King

and Andrew Curse

Dec 11, 2025 • 1 min read

How’d you like to wake up on Dec. 25 and find Riley Reid and Elsa Jean under your Christmas tree?

OK, maybe that’s far-fetched.

But what about a note from Santa saying Riley and Elsa had decided to return to studio porn? Gina Valentina, Gabbie Carter, Kenzie Reeves, and a host of other retired stars, too.

It would certainly be a Christmas miracle, but hey, we’re allowed to dream, aren’t we? And there are no restrictions on holiday wish lists.

So this is ours.

Here are 21 former stars we’d love to see return in 2026.

Chloe Cherry

When fans tuned in for Euphoria’s second season, they met Faye - all sharp humor, oddly endearing chaos, and that instantly recognizable look that made Chloe Cherry trend overnight. Before all this, though, Chloe was ours. In porn, she was fearless, game for anything, and impossible not to love. A comeback might seem far-fetched now that she’s a Hollywood name, but we can’t help wishing our breakout star would step on set at least one more time.

Eliza Ibarra

Eliza’s last act before vanishing from the industry was to become a Fleshlight Girl - a move that feels ironic, if not a little cruel. She gave fans access to her holes, even if molded in plastic, and then promptly disappeared. But honestly? She’s forgiven. She’s too hot, too talented, her bottomless throat alone the stuff of legend, for anyone to stay mad. And maybe - if we choose to see that Fleshlight as a parting gift rather than a farewell - there’s still a comeback tucked somewhere in her future.

Jade Maris

Some performers leave quietly, but Jade somehow managed to turn her short run into a whisper that never stopped echoing. Even as she stepped back for personal reasons, fans held onto those final Blacked, Deeper, and NewSensations scenes like breadcrumbs. She’s resurfaced a few times, hinting at returns before vanishing again, but the fact that people still talk about her says it all. If any star feels destined for one more act, it’s the striking 25-year-old.

Kay Lovely

There’s always debate about who has the most incredible breasts in porn - and whether they should be big, perfectly round, or impossibly perky - and the usual legends inevitably come up: Angela White, Autumn Falls, Nekane, Dillion Harper, and more. Then came Kay Lovely, whose perky pair seemed engineered to end the debate altogether: ideal shape, ideal volume, flawless nipples, the complete package. And she didn’t just look the part, she worked like it too, averaging around eighty scenes a year during her three-year run. If there’s any justice in the world, we’ll get at least one more chance to see her steal that conversation all over again.

Kimmy Granger

Kimmy has returned, left, and teased returning so many times that it almost feels like cheating to include her here - but she’s too iconic to ignore. Few performers have ever embraced the identity of “pornstar” with as much joy, pride, and sheer charisma as she has. Whether she’s cementing her status as one of the greatest riders the industry has ever seen, nailing taboo roles with total commitment, or being effortlessly hilarious on social media, her impact truly lingers. And if she ever decides to shoot pro scenes again, even briefly, it would feel less like a comeback and more like a homecoming.

Paige Owens

Paige traded studio lights for study halls, and judging by the straight-A streak she’s been posting on social media - including absolutely crushing Calculus - she’s nailing college just as confidently as she nailed her porn career. And what a career it was: a brunette stunner with perky tits, an athletic frame, and the fearlessness to dive straight into anal, handing over her A-card in under ten scenes. She walked away to build a different future, but if she ever chose to return, we’d welcome her back just as fast as she once jumped into the deep end.

Lily Larimar

Hard work is common in porn, but Lily was in a league of her own, shooting at a pace that only someone who genuinely loved performing could maintain - and porn loved her right back. And part of that love came from her vibe: the sweetness in her smile, the warmth in her attitude, the magnetism that made fans crave anything she touched, whether it was a new scene or just an interview. Her co-stars must have felt it too, as some of her best work came from threesomes with heavy hitters like Kylie Rocket and Charly Summer. She ultimately stepped away after that intense run, but the benchmarks she set are the kind that beg to be broken… and who better to break them than Lily herself?

Mia Melano

Every few years, a performer appears who feels unreal, and Mia was one of those once-in-a-generation anomalies - a comet blazing through the sky. Freshly 18 yet shaped like a full-fledged supermodel, she had that blonde glow, perfectly balanced height and curves, and breasts so breathtaking that her limited nine-scene run felt mythic. So striking that fans still circle back to those performances years later. And if we’re already talking celestial wonders… maybe one well-aimed shooting-star wish could pull her back into our orbit again.

Riley Reid

There are many ways to become a legend in porn. Maybe your energy is unmatched. Maybe you outshoot everyone - and better yet, you can do any type of scene. Perhaps you have an iconic tattoo, or maybe you’re just impossibly hot. And then there’s Riley, who somehow manages to be all of those things at once. The petite brunette burst onto the scene in 2010, and after more than a decade and over 650 scenes, she decided she was done. Yet she’s never really left; she’s stayed loud and present on social media, and in August, she even returned for a lesbian threesome for Dorcel. Could that mean there’s more on the horizon?

Scarlit Scandal

Almost three years ago, PornCrush happily reported that Scarlit Scandal had married her boyfriend and fellow performer Chris Scandal - genuinely joyful news, even if it’s the kind that usually means an instant disappearance from the industry. But in true Scarlit fashion, the newlyweds kept shooting… until they didn’t. While we hope she’s living her best life, we selfishly wish there’s still a comeback in her somewhere. With that beautiful face, perky tits, perfectly round ass, and those insane riding skills, she’s simply impossible to forget.

Avery Cristy

During her heyday from 2019 to 2022, Avery was as good as it gets. She was a ringer, a can’t-miss, a sure thing who seemed incapable of shooting anything less than an award-worthy scene. Fans who prefer a sensual style of porn were particularly smitten with Avery, a passionate lover who made you feel something when you watched her fuck. Standing 5-foot-9 with runway-model legs and a slender yet toned frame, Avery’s most notable work came for Vixen. She won an AVN award for her tryst with Oliver Flynn and Vanna Bardot in “Muse,” and it’s our opinion that Avery’s tango with Manuel Ferrera in “Reason” ranks among porn’s best boy-girl scenes of the 2020s. More stunning than ever, Avery continues to make occasional appearances as a Vixen ambassador. If she ever steps onto a studio set again, we’ll be first to sound the trumpets and throw confetti.

Gianna Dior

Beauty is subjective—except in the case of Gianna Dior. No sane person would ever suggest that she’s not one of the prettiest girls in the history of porn. Still, even though she could’ve, Gianna refused to get by on her looks alone. Instead, she dedicated herself to her craft and blossomed into one of the industry’s top on-screen talents, winning AVN’s coveted Performer of the Year award in 2022, just two years after being named Best New Starlet. She also flexed her acting chops in Vixen’s “Psychosexual,” a showcase that saw her nab an AVN trophy for all three scenes in which she appeared. Gianna stepped away from studio shoots a few years ago and most certainly has enough financial security to make a return to porn unnecessary. Still, if she ever craved the spotlight and decided to return, she’d dominate the game like never before.

Katrina Jade

With more than 600 studio credits, Katrina was one of porn’s top all-around performers from 2014-2020—and also one of the sexiest. With coal-black hair and fair, silky skin that paired well with her tattoos, she was someone who could command attention simply by walking into a room. And goodness gracious, what a performer she was. Whether it was a sultry girl-girl tryst, an intense blowbang or a hardcore anal romp, Katrina flourished in every genre and personified versatility. Her hard work was recognized in 2017 when XBIZ named Jade its Female Performer of the Year, and she expressed gratitude to the organization for bestowing its most prestigious honor on a girl with a face tattoo, even though that very tattoo is one of the main contributors to her sexy aura. Katrina was spotted hanging out at the Jules Jordan booth at last year’s AVN expo, looking as hot as ever. Judging by her social media posts, she has no desire to resume studio shoots. So hopefully Santa can find some “Best of Katrina Jade” DVDs to leave under the Christmas tree.

Kenzie Anne

Kenzie generated buzz before she ever shot a scene, thanks to her Penthouse pictorial and her sizzling reels on Chris Applebaum’s “EATS” channel. Seriously, who knew someone could spark so many boners simply by eating a piece of watermelon? Yes indeed, Kenzie was porn’s shiny new toy, a supermodel who seemed like a sure bet for massive stardom. Kenzie was well on her way, too, shooting her debut scene with all-stars Emily Willis and Alina Lopez before banging Jax Slayher in award-winning style. Kenzie won XBIZ’s Best New Performer trophy in 2022 and nabbed an AVN award in 2023 for a steamy scene with trans stars Emma Rose, Jade Venus, and Khloe Kay. But she retired a few months later and began channeling her energy toward her social platforms. Kenzie’s Instagram stories the past few months have been both scorching and hilarious, a reminder of what we’ve been missing since she walked away.

Kenzie Reeves

Long before Coco Lovelock and Emma Rosie, there was Kenzie Reeves, a perennial Performer of the Year nominee who set the standard for porn’s petite princesses. Every time a girl rolls her eyes toward the back of their head while being fucked, it’s an ode to Kenzie, who invented the niche and made it her trademark. Standing just 4-foot-10 and weighing only 90 pounds, Kenzie took on the industry’s biggest swordsmen with ease. No dick was too large for her puffy pussy or even her ass, as the former Taco Bell worker was regarded as one of porn’s top backdoor performers. Kenzie left the business three years ago after falling in love, but still maintains a strong presence on social media.

Alex Grey

Here’s a holiday challenge: look at Alex Grey and try to find a flaw. Magnetic, day-changing smile … twinkly eyes … a picture-perfect ass … and arguably the most gorgeous long hair in the business. Throw in the fact that she’s an A-list, versatile performer with a Cheesecake Factory-long menu, and it’s obvious. There’s nothing not to like about Alex. Well, other than the fact that she’s not shooting anymore—a reality harsh enough to cause some severe holiday depression. So we’re not going to dwell on that. Instead, we’re holding out hope that Grey—who recently launched a surging YouTube channel—at least teases us with a scene or three in 2026.

Gabbie Carter

Fame and notoriety came fast for Gabbie, who was one of the world’s most popular porn stars before she ever turned 20. Seriously, try to think of a female talent who created as much buzz as a 19-year-old as Carter. With natural 32DD breasts, a soft, disarming smile and a shy, passive demeanor, Carter pushed all the buttons of porn fans smitten by youthful stars. Virtually ever studio in the business lined up to book her, as her scene count skyrocketed right along with her ranking on Pornhub, where she consistently hovered in the top 100. (Even today, with no new content, she still ranks No. 78). Carter shot more than 200 scenes in three years before leaving the industry in 2022. She moved back to her native Texas, got married and had a daughter in 2023, so it would be reasonable to think she’s shot her final scene. But maybe there’s hope. Carter attended the AVN expo in 2024 and was spotted at the XBIZ nominations party in Hollywood last month. So it’s not like she’s shying away from her porn past. Even if Gabbie never steps onto a studio set again, it’s always great to see her.

Jill Kassidy

“I’m ready to start fucking again,” Jill told us back in the spring in 2023. She’d taken a hiatus from working with male talent and was limiting her work to girl-girl shoots only, but for one glorious year, Jill indeed returned and reminded us why she was named AVN’s Best New Starlet in 2018. Jill’s comeback, though, was short-lived. She moved back to her native Texas in 2024 and has stopped shooting studio scenes altogether. Now 28, Jill has maintained a strong presence on social media and seems genuinely happy—and we are delighted for her, as she is a kind person who people will root for no matter what path she chooses. Still, if she ever decides to return, you can bet Jill would be welcomed with open arms by directors, colleagues, and most certainly fans. Her girl-next-door persona made her one of the industry’s most popular performers from 2017 to 2023, and she would no doubt pick up where she left off.

Reina Rae

Few performers have left us yearning for more quite like Reina, who basically had a cup of coffee in the industry, shooting less than 20 scenes before walking away in 2023. But wow, what amazing scenes those were—in large part because Reina looked so good on camera. When it came to sheer beauty, Reina was in an elite category, right up there with Gianna Dior, Alina Lopez, and the other top head-turners of that era. Mix in the fact that she was only 18, and the future seemed limitless for the Colorado native. Reina, though, became entangled in a relationship and left the industry in 2023. She returned for one scene in 2024, shooting with Mike Adriano, but hasn’t set foot on a set since. Reina dabbled in fashion and runway modeling for the past two years and has recently started posting again on social media. Now older and wiser, we’d love to see Reina give the industry another shot, but only if it’s something she truly embraces and enjoys. Porn certainly isn’t for everyone.

Elsa Jean

Before anyone even had the name Elsa Jean memorized, there was the myth - this tiny, glowing, almost storybook presence who seemed too delicate for reality and yet was instantly headlining Blacked classics like Blonde Freshman Fucks a Huge Black Cock and Preppy Girl Threesome Gets Three BBCs. Over the years, the pixie became a woman: enhanced curves, a warmer tan, and a different hairstyle that marked her shift from ingénue to full-fledged bombshell. But one thing never changed: the unmistakable magic. Elsa walked away from studio shoots three years ago, disgruntled with the industry for reasons she chose to keep private. Still, by that point she'd become such a household name that she didn't need porn to remain relevant. Whether she's penning a guest column for a trendy magazine, sitting courtside at NBA games or entertaining her mammoth social media following with witty posts, Elsa remains in the spotlight, and we couldn't be more thankful. The former teen dream has blossomed into a confident woman who carries herself with a newfound grace and elegance that makes her sexier than ever before. If destiny ever brings Elsa back to set, fans everywhere will be ready to let it go in celebration.

Gina Valentina

For a country as vast and vibrant as Brazil, it’s almost strange how few pornstars it’s produced, which makes the ones who did break through feel even more special. Gina is the crown jewel of that small group, a performer whose cute-as-hell smile, flawless little booty, and world-class riding skills earned her fans worldwide. She came so close to the 500-scene milestone that it feels almost unfinished, so dare we say… por favor, Gina, come back and cross that line you were born to reach.

Austin King / Editor

Austin King spent nearly 20 years as a mainstream journalist before pivoting to coverage of the adult industry in 2020. He specializes in breaking news and in-depth features, with some of his best work to date coming for AVN Magazine in profiles of Gina Valentina, Casey Kisses, Anna-Claire Clouds, Kayden Kross, Chanel Camryn, Kenzie Anne, Lilly Bell and others. Austin resides in Texas but makes frequent trips to Porn Valley.

Andrew Curse / Contributor

Andrew Curse launched his Porn Sessions review series on Twitter with a daily posting pledge, building a decent following through consistency and sharp insight. In 2025, he added long-form reviews to his arsenal, offering in-depth analysis of adult scenes across all genres. From high-profile releases to amateur creators, his writing focuses on performance, direction, and visual appeal. His guiding principle is simple: if the studio brings out the best in the performer, it’s worth talking about.