Firstly, I'm pretty sure Natalie Heck/Savannah Gold is not a prior US Citizen (unlike, say, Renee Richards, who has an American father and maintains dual citizenship).

Secondly, and more importantly, is the fact that there are a number of parties back in the UK that would like to catch up with Ms. Heck. As I understand it, she violated her exclusive contract with Bluebird, and there is legal action pending (I believe this may also have precipitated her name change...she had just won BGAFD's 'Performer of the Year' award as Natalie Heck, so why ditch the momentum and name recognition she had already built?). I have also had a number of sources confirm to me that she allegedly attacked fellow UK porn starlet Antonia Stokes with a bottle, cutting her head open. I believe there are also criminal charges stemming from this incident. So you can see why it would make sense for her to go to America and stay there as long as possible, and if she can get US Citizenship (by hook or crook), then all the better.

Getting on to Derek/LADirect...I have no love for the man, (in fact, quite the opposite, as he is a Spurs fan ), but the simple fact of the matter is put up or shut up, bitches. His competitors need to look at their own agencies and see what they can do better. Maybe he is as much of an arsehole as people say, but that doesn't stop people booking through him.

I think, as Christian points out, it's all about the way he does his business, because I don't think LA Direct's current roster is much to write home about (90% of the standout girls are already under contract of some sort), and a producer could quite easily get by just booking talent from the myriad other agencies out there...but the overwhelming fact is that by and large they don't.

Frankly, the UK 'industry' could do with a Derek Hay-type over here...