In an exclusive interview with 12 News, a Scottsdale man says his son was accepted, but then rejected from a private Christian school in Phoenix and it all has to do with his past work.
Jay Grdina is the ex-husband of porn star Jenna Jameson. Together they created the porn entertainment empire Club Jenna. He sold that company nine years ago, but that didn't matter to Scottsdale Christian Academy.
"They immediately accepted him. They bring out the little stuffed animal, you're an eagle and he was all excited," Grdina said.
After months of paperwork and interviews, Grdina and his wife Erin Naas explain how the private school accepted their son Jayden for kindergarten.
"Purchased $500 in uniforms," Naas said. "Every morning he wakes up and says is it Fall yet? I can't wait to go to my school."
But the day before school started, they got an email.
"The sledgehammer dropped," Grdina said. "We are denying your son." "Thank you for your interest," his wife said.
"Based on what your family business is or was," he said.
Grdina once owned and operated one of the largest adult companies in America with his ex-wife porn star Jenna Jameson.
"I never viewed myself as a porn star," he said. "Maybe my ex was, but I looked at it as I was a businessman and ran the business."
Jay and Jenna divorced and sold the company to Playboy in 2006.
"I actually don't wear a shirt that says hi my name is Jay Grdina, I used to own Club Jenna," he said.
Grdina later remarried and they had two sons.
"Life is about evolution and learning from your past," he said.
But his past is what's now keeping his son out of Scottsdale Christian Academy.
"God is all forgiving and loving and I don't believe that he would've wanted a child to miss his first day of school," Naas said. "I was really looking forward to it, so it really hurt me."
"It's the opposite of the fundamentals and foundation of Christianity, which is salvation and forgiveness, growth in the Lord," Grdina said.
Since Grdina sold Club Jenna, he started a beverage company called NOHO. It's a drink that helps prevent hangovers. He also invests in other companies, but says he no longer does anything in the adult industry.
"We go to mass as a family," he said. "I went to catholic schools my whole life. I wanted our sons to grow up and learn about the Lord."
12 News placed phone calls to Scottsdale Christian Academy, but no one has responded. On the school's website, it states the board is clearly opposed to several issues, among them, pornography.
"The reality is, it's what I chose for a profession, he who is without sin, cast the first stone," Grdina said.
He has a message for the school.
"Your loss and I'll see you in court," he said.
Jayden was just accepted to another school. His parents are hoping he can start as soon as Monday.
For more information regarding Scottsdale Christian Academy's oppositions:
