Kayden Kross is an American adult film actress, director, writer, and former model, born Kimberly Nicole Rathkamp on September 15, 1985, in Sacramento, California. Of Swedish descent through her paternal grandfather, she grew up in the Sacramento suburbs, including Placerville, with a love for animals—evidenced by her childhood pony ownership—and academic success as an honor roll student. She graduated high school at 17 and briefly attended California State University, Sacramento, studying psychology and English, before leaving to pursue modeling and exotic dancing. Kross entered the adult industry in November 2006 at age 21, signing with Vivid Entertainment after being scouted by an agent while stripping at Rick’s Showgirls in Rancho Cordova. Her debut came after months of topless dancing, initially intending to fund a ranch purchase, though her career trajectory shifted as she embraced the spotlight. She transitioned from Vivid to Adam & Eve in 2007, then joined Digital Playground in 2008 as an exclusive contract star until 2010, later working with studios like TrenchcoatX (which she founded), Deeper, Vixen, Tushy, and Jules Jordan Video. Held her own taking on bulldyke pornstar Lily Cade, a scene Kayden begged Lily to shoot with her. Her adult career spans over 250 performing credits and a significant directing portfolio since 2012, with studios and websites including Vivid, Digital Playground, Adam & Eve, Brazzers, Reality Kings, Tushy, Vixen, Deeper, and Blacked. Notable movies include The 8th Day (2009), Drive (2019), Body Heat (2010), Kayden’s Krossfire (2008), and Aftermath (2014).