Who Is Joanna Angel?
Joanna Angel is an American adult entertainment performer, director, producer, writer and entrepreneur. She is widely known for her work in alternative adult entertainment and for founding the independent production brand Burning Angel in 2002.
Born on 25 December 1980 in Brooklyn, New York, Joanna developed an interest in writing, music and alternative culture while growing up. She later studied at Rutgers University, where she earned a degree in English and film.
Joanna became known for combining a punk-inspired appearance with independent adult entertainment. Her professional identity includes tattoos, dark fashion, alternative music and a distinctive sense of humour. She helped create a space for performers and audiences interested in a style that differed from traditional adult productions.
Apart from performing, Joanna built a career as a director and business owner. She also became a published author, writing erotic fiction books such as Night Shift and Club 42.
Her husband, Aaron Thompson, is also known professionally as Small Hands. The couple have worked together on several projects and have appeared together at industry events.
Over the years, Joanna has received multiple industry awards and Hall of Fame recognition. She has also appeared in mainstream media interviews and discussions about adult entertainment, independent business and writing.
Joanna Angel Quick Information
| Details | Information |
| Full Name | Joanna Margalir |
| Professional Name | Joanna Angel |
| Date of Birth | 25 December 1980 |
| Age | 45 Years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Profession | Performer, Director, Producer, Writer and Entrepreneur |
| Education | Rutgers University |
| Degree | English and Film |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Aaron Thompson (Small Hands) |
| Children | No publicly confirmed information |
| Famous For | Burning Angel and alternative adult entertainment |
| First Major Business | Burning Angel |
| Books | Night Shift and Club 42 |
| Years Active | Early 2000s onwards |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Joanna Angel Early Life
Joanna Angel was born on 25 December 1980 in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in New Jersey and developed an interest in writing, music and alternative culture during her early years.
She was interested in creative activities and enjoyed expressing herself through writing. Her personality and interests were different from the traditional image often associated with mainstream entertainment.
As a young woman, Joanna became interested in punk rock, alternative fashion and independent music. These interests later became important parts of her professional identity.
She also enjoyed writing stories and poetry. Her interest in literature continued through college and eventually influenced her work as an author and filmmaker.
Joanna’s early experiences helped shape the visual identity of her future business. She wanted to create a platform that represented people with tattoos, piercings, alternative hairstyles and interests in punk and goth culture.
Instead of following an established entertainment formula, she wanted to build something that reflected her own personality and creative interests.
Joanna Angel Education
Joanna Angel attended Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she studied English and film.
Her college education played an important role in her professional development. She gained experience in writing, storytelling and understanding visual media.
During her time at Rutgers, she became interested in building an independent website. She began working on the idea that eventually developed into Burning Angel.
She started the business from her college dorm room in 2002. Her knowledge of writing and film helped her understand how to create content and develop a recognisable brand.
Her education also supported her later work as a screenwriter and author. She has explained in interviews that writing had been a personal interest long before she became widely known in adult entertainment.
Joanna Angel Family
Joanna Angel keeps much of her family background private. She has not shared extensive information about her parents, siblings or other relatives.
Her public interviews mainly focus on her education, career, writing and business activities.
She is married to Aaron Thompson, who is professionally known as Small Hands. He is also an adult entertainment performer and musician.
The couple have worked together on different projects. Their professional relationship includes creative work, industry appearances and business activities.
Joanna has not made detailed information about having children a regular part of her public profile. Therefore, claims about children should not be treated as confirmed without a reliable statement from her.
Joanna Angel Career Journey
Starting Burning Angel in 2002
Joanna Angel’s career took a major step forward when she founded Burning Angel in 2002.
She started the website while studying at Rutgers University. The original idea was to create a platform for alternative performers, especially women with tattoos and a punk-inspired appearance.
At that time, much of the adult entertainment industry followed a more conventional visual style. Joanna wanted to create something different.
Burning Angel initially focused on nude photo sets and alternative culture. The website also featured music interviews, articles and other material connected with punk and independent entertainment.
The brand gradually developed a following among people interested in alternative fashion and adult content.
Becoming a Performer
As Burning Angel grew, Joanna became one of its best-known performers.
Her tattoos, dark hairstyles and punk-inspired appearance helped establish her professional identity.
She appeared in productions for her own brand and other companies. Her work covered several styles and genres within adult entertainment.
She also developed a reputation for combining humour and storytelling with her performances.
Working as a Director and Producer
Joanna eventually expanded beyond performing and became an established director and producer.
She worked on scripts, casting, production planning and creative decisions. These responsibilities allowed her to build projects around her own ideas.
Her directing work became an important part of her career. She developed productions that used comedy, unusual characters and alternative themes.
One of her recognised projects was Evil Tiki Babes. The film received industry attention and earned her an award for its screenplay.
She also worked on projects such as Trailer Park Taboo and Casey: A True Story.
Burning Angel and Gamma Entertainment
Burning Angel remained an important part of Joanna’s professional life for many years.
In January 2019, Gamma Entertainment announced that it had acquired Burning Angel Entertainment. The deal included the Burning Angel brand and its content library.
Joanna continued working with the company under a producer agreement. She also remained involved in creative projects and continued developing her own professional identity.
The acquisition marked a new stage for the brand, which had started as a small college project.
Mainstream Recognition
Joanna’s work attracted attention beyond adult entertainment publications.
She has appeared in interviews and features published by mainstream media outlets. These interviews have discussed her business decisions, creative work and role in alternative adult entertainment.
She has also spoken about the challenges faced by independent producers, especially as online streaming changed how adult content was distributed.
Joanna Angel Major Work and Achievements
Joanna Angel has built a career across several fields. Her work as a performer, director, producer, entrepreneur and author has brought her recognition in the adult entertainment industry.
Some of her major achievements include:
Founder of Burning Angel: She launched Burning Angel in 2002 and helped develop it into a recognised alternative adult entertainment brand.
Alternative Entertainment Style: She helped popularise a punk-inspired and tattoo-focused style within adult entertainment.
Directing Career: She directed and produced multiple films, including comedy and narrative-based projects.
Industry Awards: She received recognition from organisations such as AVN, XBIZ and XRCO.
Hall of Fame Recognition: She was inducted into industry Hall of Fame programmes, including AVN and XRCO recognition.
Published Author: She wrote erotic fiction books that introduced her storytelling to readers outside the adult film audience.
Books Written by Joanna Angel
Joanna has always had an interest in writing. Her books gave her an opportunity to explore fiction, humour and storytelling in a different format.
| Book | Details |
| Night Shift (2018) | Her first published novel, a choose-your-own erotic fantasy |
| Club 42 (2021) | A second choose-your-own erotic fantasy novel |
Night Shift follows a young woman who takes a job at a sex shop and encounters different customers and situations.
Club 42 uses a similar interactive storytelling format, allowing readers to make choices that influence the direction of the story.
Both books reflect Joanna’s interest in humour, relationships, awkward situations and adult themes.
Awards and Recognition
Joanna has received several awards and nominations during her career.
Some notable achievements include:
- XBIZ Crossover Move of the Year in 2007.
- Multiple XBIZ acting and production awards.
- AVN Hall of Fame recognition.
- XRCO Hall of Fame recognition.
- Recognition for her screenplay work on Evil Tiki Babes.
- Co-hosting the 2023 XBIZ Awards with her husband, Small Hands.
Her awards record includes recognition for both her on-screen work and her contributions behind the camera.
Joanna Angel Relationships and Marriage
Joanna Angel is married to Aaron Thompson, who is professionally known as Small Hands.
He is an American adult entertainment performer and musician. Before entering the adult entertainment industry, he was involved in music and graphic design.
The couple’s relationship developed alongside their professional connection. Aaron initially worked in graphic design, and Joanna became one of his clients.
They later began dating and eventually married in October 2016.
Their relationship has attracted attention because both are involved in the same industry. They have appeared together at public events and worked on creative projects.
In December 2022, XBIZ announced that Joanna and Small Hands would co-host the 2023 XBIZ Awards.
They have also discussed their shared interests in music, entertainment and creative work during interviews.
Joanna generally keeps the more private parts of her marriage away from public attention.
Joanna Angel Lifestyle and Personal Life
Joanna Angel has a strong interest in alternative music, writing, tattoos and independent creative projects.
Interest in Music
Punk rock and alternative music have influenced her personal style and professional identity.
When Burning Angel was first launched, the website featured interviews with music groups and artists. These interviews helped connect the brand with alternative music audiences.
Love for Writing
Writing has been a long-term interest for Joanna.
Before publishing books, she wrote poetry, short stories, articles and scripts. Her work as a filmmaker also gave her regular opportunities to develop characters and storylines.
Her books Night Shift and Club 42 allowed her to explore fiction in a more traditional publishing format.
Tattoos and Alternative Fashion
Joanna is widely recognised for her tattoos and alternative appearance.
Her visual identity helped distinguish her from many performers in the early 2000s. Tattoos, piercings, dark clothing and punk-inspired fashion became closely associated with the Burning Angel brand.
Business and Creative Work
Joanna has spent much of her professional life developing independent entertainment projects.
She has discussed the importance of controlling creative decisions and understanding the business side of production.
Her career includes work in front of the camera, behind the camera and in publishing.
Joanna Angel Social Media
Joanna Angel uses social media to share updates about her work, public appearances, writing and personal interests.
| Platform | Account Information |
| Joanna Angel’s official profile | |
| X (Twitter) | @JoannaAngel |
| Official Website | joannaangel.com |
| Burning Angel | burningangel.com |
Social media handles and platform availability can change. Readers should check for verified or officially linked profiles before following an account.
Joanna Angel Net Worth
Joanna Angel’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed.
She has worked in adult entertainment for more than two decades and has developed several professional income sources.
Her career has included performing, directing, producing, running an entertainment brand, writing books and working with other companies.
The 2019 acquisition of Burning Angel by Gamma Entertainment was another important business development. However, the financial terms of the deal were not publicly disclosed.
It is therefore difficult to calculate her total wealth accurately.
| Net Worth Details | Information |
| Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
| Main Profession | Performer, Director and Entrepreneur |
| Business | Burning Angel |
| Other Income Sources | Production, appearances, publishing and content |
| Book Income | Sales of published books |
| Annual Income | Not publicly available |
| Property Details | Not publicly confirmed |
Several websites publish estimated net worth figures for Joanna, but these figures are not supported by verified financial documents.
Joanna Angel Physical Appearance
Joanna Angel is known for her alternative appearance, tattoos and distinctive fashion style.
Her appearance has changed over the years, but her tattooed and punk-inspired look remains closely associated with her public identity.
| Physical Details | Information |
| Height | Often listed at approximately 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | Not officially confirmed |
| Hair Colour | Naturally dark; has used different styles and colours |
| Eye Colour | Brown (commonly reported) |
| Tattoos | Multiple visible tattoos |
| Body Measurements | Not reliably confirmed |
Physical statistics published by entertainment websites may differ, so figures that have not been confirmed directly should be treated as approximate.
Interesting Facts About Joanna Angel
- Joanna Angel was born on 25 December 1980.
- Her birth name is Joanna Margalir.
- She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in New Jersey.
- She studied English and film at Rutgers University.
- She founded Burning Angel in 2002 while she was still in college.
- Burning Angel initially focused on tattooed and alternative-looking performers.
- The brand also published music interviews and articles during its early years.
- Gamma Entertainment acquired Burning Angel in 2019.
- Joanna continued working on creative projects after the acquisition.
- She is married to adult entertainment performer Small Hands.
- Her husband is also known by his real name, Aaron Thompson.
- She published her first novel, Night Shift, in 2018.
- Her second book, Club 42, was published in 2021.
- She has worked as a performer, director, producer and screenwriter.
- She co-hosted the 2023 XBIZ Awards with Small Hands.
- She has received AVN and XRCO Hall of Fame recognition.
- Her professional identity is strongly connected with punk rock and alternative culture.
- She has appeared in mainstream media interviews discussing her career and business.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joanna Angel
Q1 Who is Joanna Angel?
Joanna Angel is an American adult entertainment performer, director, producer, writer and entrepreneur. She is best known for founding Burning Angel in 2002.
Q2 What is Joanna Angel’s real name?
Her birth name is Joanna Margalir. She is professionally known as Joanna Angel.
Q3 How old is Joanna Angel?
Joanna Angel was born on 25 December 1980. She is 45 years old as of October 2026.
Q4 Where was Joanna Angel born?
She was born in Brooklyn, New York, United States, and grew up in New Jersey.
Q5 Who is Joanna Angel’s husband?
Joanna Angel is married to Aaron Thompson, who is professionally known as Small Hands. They married in October 2016.
Q6 Does Joanna Angel have children?
She has not publicly confirmed detailed information about having children. Her family life is generally kept private.
Q7 What is Joanna Angel’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly known. She has earned income through performing, directing, producing, business activities and book publishing.
Q8 What books has Joanna Angel written?
Joanna Angel has written Night Shift (2018) and Club 42 (2021). Both are choose-your-own erotic fantasy novels.
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