Malena La Pugliese, born Filomena Mastromarino on January 19, 1983, is turning the page on her life as one of Italy's most recognized adult film stars, opting instead for the kind of dream most people chase: the longing for family. The former real estate agent has garnered notoriety after participating in 39 adult films, but she has announced her decision to retire from this segment of her life.
Her past, which included political aspirations and work associated with the Democratic Party, is just as captivating as her ten-year career within the adult film industry. Introduced to the world of X-rated films by famed actor Rocco Siffredi, Malena claimed her path was largely shaped by complex personal relationships and experiences. "I was involved with someone of whom I wasn’t officially the girlfriend, so I thought, since I can’t be yours, I will belong to others. That’s when adult films entered my life," Malena revealed.
Yet, the decision to leave this lifestyle did not stem from sudden whim but extensive reflection. At the end of 2024, she concluded her chapter as she described her adult film career as “not just a vice but a sin,” feeling she had done harm to herself as a woman. Compounded by the grief of personal loss, particularly the passing of someone dear to her, Malena found solace and clarity through faith during incredibly trying times, including her mother’s battle with cancer.
Discussing her need to seek redemption, Malena emphasized the troubling environment surrounding her former line of work. "I no longer enjoyed what was happening around the adult film industry. Extravagance turned everything from vice to sin, and I felt responsible for deceiving many young women who believed fame awaited them through this path," she expressed candidly.
Now single and focusing on her future, she has openly shared her dreams centered on family and motherhood. "The desire for motherhood could be the limit after which I say goodbye to the set," she explained, underscoring her yearning for the right partner to build this family with. The actress has not ruled out the possibility of forming new relationships, stating her ideal partner would be "genuine, simple, and without complex layers. I dream ardently of creating this family with him, perhaps from my own Puglia, though I leave it to fate."
Her struggle to form lasting relationships echoes through her experiences as she admits facing apprehensions from potential partners who might feel intimidated by her public persona. During this introspective phase, she elaborately laid out her priorities for any future relationship: dialogue, love, and intimacy, citing love as the core value for her. "Men often run away because they fear confrontation," she lamented, highlighting these challenges of modern romance.
Despite the secrecy surrounding her personal life, she has been candid about her intent to have children but emphasized wanting to encounter the right individual first. Reflecting on her past relationships, Malena pointed to previous encounters with reality show personalities before consciously deciding to step back amid her fame.
Though distance has grown with her past colleagues, particularly Rocco Siffredi—who has shared his concern and expressed hopes for her return to adult films—Malena appears firm. She has referenced his attempts to contact her as part of her decision to move away from her previous identity. Rocco has remarked, “There’s been grief from which she hasn’t recovered; she’s cut ties with many people, including me.”
Wherever her path may lead next—be it television appearances or pursuing her aspirations for family—the spirit of Malena is one of resilience. She is now focusing on her mental health and future endeavors with the same fervor she dedicated to her adult film career. The ambition to reconcile her past and plan for what lies ahead encapsulates her multifaceted life as she seeks fulfillment beyond the adult film industry's spotlight.